What the Chase Preferred sign-up bonus is and how it works
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a sign-up bonus in the form of points you earn when you meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe after opening the account. The bonus is not money — it is rewards points that you can redeem for travel, cash back, or statement credits depending on how your rewards program works.
The specific bonus amount and spending requirement change periodically. When you are ready to open an account, Chase will show you the current offer on their website or in the process itself. You will see the exact number of points offered and the dollar amount you need to spend to earn them. This is the only place to find the current offer, because it varies by month and by how you access the card.
The bonus posts to your account after you meet the spending requirement, not when you open the card. You have a window of time — usually three months — to spend the required amount. If you do not reach it by the important date, you do not receive the bonus.
Key Takeaways
- The sign-up bonus is a set number of points you earn by spending a required amount within three months of opening the account.
- The bonus amount and spending requirement are shown during the process process and change regularly, so check Chase's website for the current offer.
- You must meet the spending requirement before the important date or the bonus will not post to your account.
- Points can be redeemed for travel bookings, cash back, or statement credits through the Chase rewards portal.
- Annual fees and ongoing rewards rates are separate from the sign-up bonus and should factor into whether the card makes sense for your spending.
Where to find the current sign-up bonus offer
Visit Chase.com directly and search for "Sapphire Preferred" or navigate to their credit cards section. The product page will display the current bonus offer prominently. You can also see the offer when you begin the process — Chase shows it again before you submit your information, so you know exactly what you are signing up for.
The offer you see may differ from what a friend or family member saw, because Chase rotates offers based on when you access the page, your credit history, and other factors. Do not rely on an offer you heard about secondhand. Check the official Chase website to see what is available to you right now.
Some third-party websites display Chase card offers, but the authoritative source is always Chase itself. If you have questions about whether an offer is current or how it applies to you, contact Chase customer service before you open the account.
How to meet the spending requirement
The spending requirement is the total dollar amount you need to charge to the card within the timeframe — typically three months. This includes all purchases: groceries, gas, utilities, subscriptions, and anything else you put on the card. It does not include balance transfers, cash advances, or fees.
If the requirement is $4,000 and you spend $3,500 in the first two months, you need to spend at least $500 more before the three-month window closes. The important date is based on your account opening date, not the date you received the card in the mail.
You do not have to spend the money all at once. Spread purchases across the three-month window however works for your budget. Some people time large planned expenses — travel, home repairs, insurance payments — to fall within the window so they reach the requirement naturally.
When the bonus posts and how to redeem it
After you meet the spending requirement, the bonus points typically appear in your account within one to two billing cycles. You will see them listed in your rewards balance when you log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app.
To redeem the points, log into your account and navigate to the rewards or benefits section. Chase Sapphire Preferred points can be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You can book travel directly through the portal, transfer points to airline or hotel partners, or convert them to cash back at a set rate.
The redemption value of your points depends on how you use them. If you book travel through the portal, your points may be worth more per point than if you convert them to cash. Read the redemption options available to you before you decide how to use the bonus.
The annual fee and whether the bonus offsets it
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card charges an annual fee. This fee is separate from the sign-up bonus and is charged to your account every year you hold the card, starting after your first year.
The sign-up bonus is a one-time offer. It does not reduce or waive the annual fee in future years. When you decide whether to open this card, consider both the bonus you earn now and the ongoing cost of keeping the card open. Some people close the card after the first year to avoid paying the fee again; others keep it because they use the rewards and benefits enough to justify the cost.
Chase does not automatically waive the fee for new cardholders. You will be charged the full annual fee on your anniversary date unless you close the account before then.
What happens if you do not meet the spending requirement
If you do not spend the required amount within the timeframe, the bonus straightforward does not post. You will not be penalized, charged a fee, or locked out of future Chase offers. You keep the card and can continue using it, but you will not receive the sign-up bonus points.
You cannot extend the important date or request an exception if you miss it by a small amount. The timeframe is fixed based on your account opening date. If you realize you will not meet the requirement, you can still use the card for everyday purchases and earn regular rewards at the standard rate.
If you close the account before meeting the spending requirement, you will not receive the bonus. Some people close cards shortly after opening them if they realize they cannot meet the spending target, to avoid paying the annual fee.
How the sign-up bonus compares to ongoing rewards
The sign-up bonus is separate from the rewards you earn on regular purchases. Once you meet the spending requirement and the bonus posts, you continue earning points on every purchase you make with the card at the card's standard rewards rate.
The Sapphire Preferred earns points on all purchases, with higher earning rates in certain categories like dining and travel. These ongoing rewards are in addition to the one-time sign-up bonus. Over time, the combination of the bonus and regular rewards can add up significantly if you use the card regularly.
When you are deciding whether to open the card, think about both the when ready bonus and how much you will use the card afterward. If you only plan to use it to meet the spending requirement and then close it, the bonus alone should be worth more than the annual fee. If you plan to keep the card and use it regularly, the ongoing rewards matter just as much as the initial bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I have had this card before?
Chase has rules about how often you can receive a bonus on the same card. Generally, you must wait a certain period after closing a previous version of the card before you are may be able to access for the bonus again. Check Chase's current rules on their website or ask customer service before you open an account if you have held this card in the past.
What if I spend the required amount but the bonus does not show up?
Contact Chase customer service and have your account number and recent statements ready. They can confirm whether you met the spending requirement and the important date. If there is a discrepancy, they can investigate and correct it. Do not wait — follow up within a few weeks of when you expect the bonus to post.
Can I use the sign-up bonus to pay my annual fee?
No. The bonus is points that you redeem for travel, cash back, or statement credits. The annual fee is charged separately and must be paid with money or a statement credit you have already earned. You cannot use unredeemed points to cover the fee.
Does opening the card hurt my credit score?
Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score slightly in the short term. Over time, the new account history and available credit can help your score if you use the card responsibly and pay on time.
What if the offer changes after I open the account?
The offer that was available when you opened the account is the one that applies to you. If Chase raises or lowers the bonus after you have already been approved, your bonus does not change. You receive the bonus that was shown during your process.