Chase is Tweaking Eligibility Rules for Sapphire Cards, Bonuses

The big news from Chase this week is a revamped *chase sapphire reserve* loaded with new benefits for a higher, $795 annual fee. But a wrinkle in how Chase will handle that relaunch could make that even bigger news for travelers with a Chase card already in their wallet.

Chase executives confirmed to Thrifty Traveler last week that it’s ending its longstanding “one Sapphire card” limit when the new Reserve card launches next Monday, June 23. For the first time, cardholders can apply and get approved for the *chase sapphire preferred* and Chase Sapphire Reserve® and hold both at the same time.

That’s a massive change, opening the door for those with either card to apply for and get approved for the other Sapphire card. Chase executives have also hinted that they’re softening bonus eligibility requirements – including a 48-month window between earning bonuses on both Sapphire Cards – though the bank hasn’t confirmed exactly how those restrictions may be changing.

“Yes, we are making changes. We are going to allow cardmembers to have both the Preferred Card and the Reserve Card at the same time,” said Sam Palmer, General Manager of Chase’s Sapphire card lineup. 

And it works both ways: Chase also confirmed that *chase sapphire reserve* cardholders will be able to apply for the *chase sapphire preferred*. That’s significantly better than how American Express handles it: For example, if you already hold the *amex gold* you would be eligible to open *amex platinum* … but if you already have a Platinum card, you’re not eligible to open the Gold.

This Chase Sapphire policy change officially goes into effect next week, on Monday, June 23, when the refreshed Sapphire card is officially available for new applications.

What About Welcome Bonus Eligibility?

The burning question: Can you now earn welcome offer bonuses on both Sapphire cards? And what about that massive welcome bonus executives have been teasing when the new card opens for applications next week? 

Chase hasn’t given a definitive answer yet, but all signs point to … maybe. At a media event in New York City previewing this week’s big changes, a Chase executive said that bonus eligibility rules “will be evolving throughout the year.”

Pressed for additional detail, a Chase spokesperson said: “New account bonus offer eligibility for either card will be based on factors including previously earned bonus offers and the number of cards opened and closed, among others.”

What’s more, Chase is rolling out new technology to inform would-be applicants “if they are not eligible for a bonus offer and given the choice to continue the application or cancel the application with no impact to their credit score.” That would be a dead ringer for Amex’s “Apply with Confidence” tool but would be new to Chase’s Sapphire cards.

On paper, that means no more wasted applications for cards you aren’t eligible to be approved for – and no more guesswork on whether or not you qualify. As of publication, it’s unclear if this will apply to all Chase cards or just those in the Sapphire card family. 

Put it all together, and it means that Chase’s infamous 5/24 rule is likely still in play … but it could also mean that Chase is backing off its infamous 48-month rule. That rule typically limited new Sapphire card welcome offer bonuses to once every four years — and only on one Sapphire card.

For example, if you applied and were approved for the *chase sapphire preferred*, you wouldn’t be eligible to earn a bonus on either the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred for 48 months from when you last earned the bonus – regardless of which card you applied for.

But without explicit confirmation from Chase, we don’t yet know how this will work in practice. Stay tuned. 

Bottom Line

When Chase reintroduces its flagship Sapphire Reserve Card next week, it’s also making a significant change in which cardholders can get their top travel cards.

As  Monday, of June 23, Chase will finally let travelers hold both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve. While details of the change are still scarce, it should allow travelers to hold both cards at once – and maybe even earn a welcome offer bonus on both of them.