Last summer, Chase refreshed the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and introduced a slew of changes to the card, including an increase to the annual fee. In addition to those changes, Chase added more restrictions to the Chase Sapphire lineup. As per those restrictions, Chase basically stopped you from getting the welcome bonus on another Chase Sapphire Card if you already had received the welcome bonus for the other. However, over the last few weeks, we’ve been reading multiple reports about Chase relaxing those rules. As per Doctor of Credit, the new rules are now in effect from January 25, 2026.
New Chase Sapphire Welcome Bonus Rules
As per this memo shared by Doctor of Credit, Chase has updated their rules and are now already in effect.
In essence, this rule is similar to Amex’s once in a lifetime rule. Previously, let’s say you had the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and hd earned the welcome bonus on it. It would automatically lock you out from getting the welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. With this new rule, the restrictions are in place for that particular card and not for the full Sapphire card family.
So, let’s say you’ve picked up the Reserve in 2023 and are looking to cancel that card soon. If you’ve not received the welcome bonus on the Preferred card before, then you are eligible to get the welcome bonus on the Preferred card.
Welcome Bonuses
At the moment, both Sapphire cards are offering higher than usual welcome bonuses:
- Earn 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Earn 125,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Pundit’s Mantra
As more data points come in, we’ll get a good idea of how Chase’s new rule really works in the real world. For example, while Amex has a once per lifetime rule for many of their cards, we’ve seen on an average that cardmembers have been able to get the welcome bonus on the same card after a gap of anywhere between five to seven years.
Also, bear in mind that while these rules remain in effect, Chase, just like any other issuer can always target you for offers which circumvent these restrictions. If you scour the internet, you’ll see multiple data points from various issuers, showing instances where cardmembers were targeted for welcome bonuses, even when they didn’t technically qualify for them based on the issuer’s published rules.
Which is your favorite Chase credit card? Tell us in the comments section.
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Credit Card Offers
Marriott Bonvoy
- 3 Free Nights on offer with the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card by American Express
- Earn 5 Free Nights & $100 in credits with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card by Chase
- Pay No Annual Fee & Earn 2 Free Nights with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card by Chase
American Express Business Credit Cards
- Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards points with the Business Platinum Card
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points with the Business Gold Card by American Express
Chase Sapphire Cards
