New Chase Rule: Only One Sapphire Bonus Per 48 Months

You now have to wait four years instead of two between Sapphire cards to get a new member bonus. Note that the old Sapphire card must be closed in order for you to be eligible for another.

The Other Chase Eligibility Rules to Remember

• Specific rule for the Sapphire branded cards (i.e. the Sapphire, Sapphire Preferred, and Sapphire Reserve): New applicants will not be approved for another credit card in the Sapphire family if they already have one open. In other words, if you currently hold a Sapphire card, you’re not eligible for a Sapphire Preferred nor a Sapphire Reserve. If you currently hold a Sapphire Preferred, you’re not eligible for a Sapphire Reserve. If you currently hold a Sapphire Reserve, you’re not eligible for a Sapphire Preferred. You also cannot earn the bonus on the Sapphire Reserve unless it’s been 48 months past when you earned the bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, or vice versa.
  • You can downgrade a Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve to a no annual fee Chase card like the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited and that will count as getting rid of your Sapphire card for the purpose of this rule. Canceling isn’t necessary.
• 5/24: If you have 5+ new credit card accounts with any bank (not counting most business cards except for those issued by Capital One) in the last 24 months, you will be denied Chase personal and business credit cards.
• You probably shouldn’t apply for more than two cards in a 30 day period. Chase is known for denying people who apply for more than that.

Bottom Line

You now must wait 48 months after earning the sign up bonus on a Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve card to be eligible for another bonus on either.