Last year, Chase rolled out major updates across several card families — adding stricter lifetime language to the Sapphire cards, Business Ink Cards, and more. That shift effectively ended the old 48-month churn cycle many of us were used to.
Now, as of January 25, 2026, Chase has issued further clarification specifically for the Sapphire cards.
Here’s the key update:
Eligible Sapphire cardmembers can earn a welcome bonus on each Sapphire card, once per card, as long as they haven’t previously received a welcome bonus on that specific card.
What This Means
You can now:
- Hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve at the same time
- Earn the welcome bonus on both cards
But — it is once per card.
No more waiting 48 months and cycling back through the same product. If you’ve received the bonus on that version before, you’re done.
This opens the door to earning significantly more Chase Ultimate Rewards — especially for those who previously held only one Sapphire product.
Are You Eligible for a Sapphire Bonus?
Here are the main factors to consider:
1. Are You Under 5/24?
Have you opened more than five personal credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months? If so, you’re likely not eligible for approval.
If you need a refresher on 5/24, I break it down here:
2. Have You Ever Earned the Bonus on That Specific Card?
- Previously earned Sapphire Preferred bonus? You can’t earn it again.
- Previously earned Sapphire Reserve bonus? You can’t earn it again.
But if you’ve only had one, you can now apply for the other and earn its bonus.
One of our clients was approved for Sapphire Preferred in April 2023 and received that bonus (that card is still active). In early February 2026, she was approved for Sapphire Reserve and qualified for the 125,000-point welcome offer because she had never earned that bonus before.
The Chase Pop-Up
Chase also added a pop-up during the application process last year if you are not eligible for the bonus. This appears before you complete the application, giving you the chance to stop instead of proceeding without the welcome offer.
Is Now a Good Time to Apply?
If your goal is to:
- Earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Access premium travel perks like lounge access
- Leverage high-value transfer partners
- Take advantage of strong welcome offers
Then yes, this update creates opportunity.
Current public sign-up bonus offers:
Sapphire Preferred: 75,000 points after $5,000 in spend in 3 months
Sapphire Reserve: 125,000 points after $6,000 in spend in 3 months
Chase Sapphire Card Comparison Table (as of 2026)
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Sapphire Reserve (Personal) | Chase Ink Business Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | 75,000 pts ($5K in 3 months) | 125,000 pts ($6K in 3 months) | 150,000 pts ($20K in 3 months) |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $795 | $795 |
| Credits | $50 hotel credit via Chase Travel | $500 hotel, $300 dining, $250 Apple, StubHub, Global Entry, etc. | $500 hotel, $300 dining, $200 Google, $400 ZipRecruiter, etc. |
| Redemption Value | 1.25x through Chase Travel | Up to 1.75x via Points Boost | Up to 1.75x via Points Boost |
| Transfer Partners | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge Access | No | Yes (Priority Pass + Chase lounges) | Yes (Priority Pass + Chase lounges) |
| Eligibility Rules | 5/24 + new lifetime language restrictions | 5/24 + new lifetime language restrictions | 5/24 only — no Sapphire restrictions |
| Best For | Beginners and casual travelers | Frequent flyers, luxury travelers | Entrepreneurs and high spenders |
Final Take
This is not a return to the churn days; the 48-month rule is gone, but this is a positive clarification.
You can now earn one bonus per Sapphire card, even if you currently hold the other. For those who have never earned both, this is a real opportunity to stack Ultimate Rewards in 2026.
Before applying, confirm your 5/24 status, your bonus history, and your ability to meet the minimum spend.
If you’re in the market for a new card or want to replenish your Chase Ultimate Reward points, now is a great time to apply. You can use our link here – this also supports the blog, at no additional cost to you!
