The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is a premium travel rewards card that offers valuable points and top-tier card benefits to its holders. The current bonus offer is particularly enticing, with new cardholders earning 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is the highest public offer we've ever seen on the card, and it's worth $3,075, according to TPG's May 2026 valuations. However, there are some restrictions and eligibility criteria that potential cardholders should be aware of.
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether current Sapphire Reserve cardholders can qualify for the bonus. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Current cardholders will not qualify for the current 150,000-point bonus, and closing or product-changing the card is unlikely to make them eligible. This is due to Chase's restrictions on Sapphire bonuses across a cardholder's lifetime.
Another question is whether authorized users on a Sapphire Reserve can affect eligibility for the bonus. Fortunately, being an authorized user on another person's Sapphire Reserve does not affect the ability to get one's own card and earn the bonus. As long as the authorized user has never been a Sapphire Reserve cardholder before and meets other eligibility requirements, they should be eligible to receive the bonus.
The eligibility rules for the Sapphire Reserve are as follows: the cardholder cannot currently have a Sapphire Reserve card open, and they may not be eligible if they have previously received a Sapphire Reserve bonus. If the cardholder previously had a Sapphire Reserve, they may not be eligible for this offer, even if they didn't earn a bonus on that Sapphire Reserve. Additionally, if the cardholder has opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months, they likely will be declined for a new Chase card. Approval depends on the cardholder's overall credit profile and their relationship with Chase, and they'll need to be eligible for at least a minimum $10,000 credit line since the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card.
For those who are eligible, the best strategy to meet the minimum spend and earn the full bonus is to buy everything with the new card, including rent and housing costs that can be paid with a credit card, prepay bills, dine with a larger group, donate to charity, or put a down payment on a new car. However, it's essential to ensure that the cardholder has enough funds in their bank account to pay off their statement balance in full each month to avoid interest and late fees.
In conclusion, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a valuable bonus offer, but it's crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and restrictions. With a whopping 150,000 valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the line, potential cardholders should carefully consider whether they meet the requirements before applying. Additionally, the card's $795 annual fee is steep, but there are multiple perks that help offset it. To learn more, readers can read the full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
