Updates on Chase Sapphire Card Bonus Eligibility

Great news for fans of Chase Ultimate Rewards. Chase has once again revised its eligibility rules for bonus offers with the Sapphire Cards, becoming more accommodating this time around.

Beginning January 22nd, you’ll be able to earn a bonus for each Sapphire card you hold, regardless of whether you currently possess one, provided you haven’t earned a bonus on that specific card in the past. This means if you currently have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can also earn bonuses with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® unless you’ve already benefitted from that card’s bonus before.

Here’s a brief overview of the changes:

Adjustments to Sapphire Bonus Restrictions

Back in June 2025, Chase announced a limit: only one bonus per lifetime for each Sapphire card. Additionally, it became tougher to earn bonuses on a new Sapphire card while still holding another.

As a current Sapphire Preferred cardholder, I find this update quite beneficial since I can now sign up for the more premium Sapphire Reserve and enjoy its perks. However, after spending $6,000 within the first three months, I won’t get the sizable 125,000-point welcome bonus.

Thanks to this latest announcement, I can now add the Sapphire Reserve to my wallet and earn bonuses, provided I haven’t received the Sapphire Reserve bonus before. If I had previously claimed that bonus, things would be different.

It’s important to note that having already received the Sapphire Preferred bonus means I can’t go back and claim another one.

Overall, this update is a welcome change for existing Sapphire cardholders wanting to expand their card options and bonuses.

However, it’s worth mentioning these new eligibility rules aren’t as generous as prior to June 2025, when cardholders could wait 48 months to earn a new bonus on the same Sapphire card. That option is now off the table.

Recent Changes since the Sapphire Reserve Update

The initial changes to Sapphire bonus eligibility last summer left some cardholders feeling frustrated, especially since the update increased annual fees while delaying new benefits until October 2025. But with these recent updates, Chase seems to be making efforts to foster loyalty and stimulate interest in its cards.

These adjustments, particularly the recent changes to bonus eligibility, appear to be part of that strategy.

Conclusion

If you were feeling let down by last summer’s restrictions regarding Sapphire bonuses, this update likely brings some relief.

While you lose the flexibility of earning a new bonus every 48 months like before, current Sapphire cardholders can now earn bonuses by adding new Sapphire cards to their collection, provided it’s a card on which they haven’t already received a bonus.