I highly recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) to a wide range of travelers. With solid earning rates, excellent travel protections and a strong welcome offer, there’s plenty to like about this mid-tier card.
Speaking of that welcome offer: New Sapphire Preferred Card holders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Using TPG’s October 2026 valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece, this bonus is worth $1,538, which is strong value relative to the card’s $95 annual fee.
With a considerable stash of valuable points on the line, you’ll want to be sure that you’re eligible to earn them.
Here’s what you need to know about Chase’s application rules and eligibility requirements for the Sapphire Preferred.
Who is eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus?
Being approved for and earning the bonus on the Sapphire Preferred requires keeping a few key details in mind:
- You won’t be approved if you currently have a Sapphire Preferred card open.
- If you previously earned a bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, it’s unlikely you’ll be eligible to earn another.
- Chase may also consider factors such as your overall card history and the number of cards you’ve opened or closed recently.
Being an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire Preferred account does not prevent you from applying for your own card and earning the welcome bonus, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.
As with any Chase credit card, a top consideration should be the issuer’s 5/24 rule, which states that applicants who have opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months are likely to have their applications denied. An important note here is that Chase doesn’t typically include business cards in its 5/24 calculation.
Holding another Sapphire card, such as the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), does not disqualify you from being approved for and earning the bonus on the Sapphire Preferred.
As long as you’re under 5/24 and haven’t previously earned the welcome bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, you’re in a good position to qualify for the offer.
But remember, there are general eligibility requirements to consider. If you have a poor credit score or flaws in your credit profile, you may still be denied for the card.
Can I hold both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve at the same time?
Yes. If you already have (or have had) the Sapphire Reserve, you’re still eligible to add the Sapphire Preferred to your wallet — assuming you meet all the other application requirements.
Holding the Sapphire Reserve and having earned its welcome bonus does not prevent you from earning the Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus, even though they’re in the same card family.
Bottom line
The Sapphire Preferred’s 75,000-point offer can unlock a domestic getaway or an aspirational trip, whether you’re seeking out a luxury all-inclusive vacation or multiple domestic flights across the U.S.
With the card offering a valuable bonus (in addition to many other perks), now is the time to make sure you’re eligible. As long as you’re under 5/24 and haven’t previously earned the welcome bonus on the card before, you should be in a good position to qualify — even if you hold its sibling, the Sapphire Reserve.
And remember, if you’re an authorized user on another person’s Sapphire Preferred account, you’re generally still eligible to apply, assuming you satisfy Chase’s other approval and bonus requirements.
To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Source: thepointsguy.com
