The Chase Sapphire sign-up bonus is points you earn for spending a set amount within the first few months of opening the card
Chase offers two Sapphire cards: the Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve. Each has a different sign-up bonus structure. The Sapphire Preferred currently offers points for spending a certain amount in the first three months. The Sapphire Reserve offers a higher points total but requires higher spending and charges an annual fee.
The bonus is not automatic — you have to meet the spending requirement to receive it. The points post to your account once Chase confirms you have spent the required amount. You can then use those points to book travel through Chase's portal, transfer them to airline or hotel partners, or redeem them for cash back, depending on the card.
Both cards charge an annual fee. The Sapphire Preferred's fee is lower, while the Sapphire Reserve's fee is higher but comes with travel credits that can offset it. The sign-up bonus is meant to offset the first year's fee and give you extra value if you use the card actively.
Key Takeaways
- The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a set amount within three months of opening the card; the bonus does not appear unless you meet that threshold.
- Points from the bonus can be redeemed for travel bookings through Chase, transferred to airline and hotel partners, or converted to cash back.
- Both Sapphire cards charge an annual fee, and the bonus is typically designed to cover that fee in your first year.
- The Sapphire Preferred has a lower annual fee and lower spending requirement, while the Sapphire Reserve has a higher fee but includes travel credits.
How the spending requirement works
When you open either Sapphire card, Chase sets a spending threshold you must reach within the first three months. This is the amount you need to charge to the card — not the amount you pay back. If the requirement is $4,000, you need to put $4,000 in purchases on the card during those three months. Payments you make toward the balance do not count toward the requirement; only new charges do.
The three-month window starts the day your account opens, not the day you receive the physical card. If you receive the card in the mail two weeks after opening the account, your clock has already started. You can meet the requirement with everyday purchases — groceries, gas, utilities, subscriptions — or by timing larger planned expenses like travel or home repairs.
Once you meet the spending requirement, Chase typically posts the bonus points within one to two billing cycles. You will see the points appear in your account dashboard. If you do not meet the requirement within three months, you do not receive the bonus, and there is no second chance or extension.
Sapphire Preferred versus Sapphire Reserve bonus structure
The Sapphire Preferred offers a lower sign-up bonus and a lower annual fee. This card is designed for people who want travel rewards without a high annual cost. The bonus points are valuable, but the card does not include premium travel benefits like lounge access or travel credits.
The Sapphire Reserve offers a significantly higher sign-up bonus but charges a much higher annual fee. However, the Reserve includes an annual travel credit that can be used for airfare, hotels, rental cars, and some other travel expenses. For some cardholders, this credit effectively reduces or eliminates the annual fee. The Reserve also includes benefits like airport lounge access and concierge services.
Which card makes sense depends on your spending habits and travel plans. If you spend less than $10,000 to $15,000 per year on the card, the Preferred's lower fee is usually better. If you travel frequently and can use the travel credit, the Reserve's higher bonus and benefits may justify the higher fee.
What the points are worth
Sapphire points are worth different amounts depending on how you redeem them. When you book travel through Chase's travel portal, the points are typically worth about 1.25 to 1.5 cents each. If you transfer the points to an airline or hotel partner, they may be worth more or less depending on the partner and the redemption.
Cash back redemptions usually value the points at 1 cent each, which is the lowest value. For this reason, if you have the choice, booking travel through the Chase portal or transferring to partners usually gets you more value from your points.
The sign-up bonus is typically worth between $500 and $1,500 in travel value, depending on which card you open and how you redeem. This is why the bonus is often enough to cover the annual fee in your first year and give you extra value on top.
Annual fees and how they affect the bonus value
The Sapphire Preferred charges an annual fee that renews each year on your account anniversary. The Sapphire Reserve charges a higher annual fee but includes an annual travel credit that can be applied to may be able to access travel purchases.
The sign-up bonus is designed to offset the first year's fee. If the bonus is worth $750 in travel value and the annual fee is $95, you come out ahead by $655 in your first year, even before you earn any additional points from regular spending. However, in the second year and beyond, you will pay the annual fee unless you close the card or downgrade to a no-fee Chase card.
Some people open the card, earn the bonus, use the card for a few months, and then close it before the second annual fee hits. Others keep the card open because they use it regularly and value the rewards and benefits. The decision depends on whether you will use the card enough to justify the ongoing fee.
Earning additional points beyond the sign-up bonus
Once you have met the sign-up requirement and earned the bonus, the card continues to earn points on every purchase. Both Sapphire cards earn points at different rates depending on the category. Dining, travel, and streaming services earn more points per dollar than other purchases. Groceries and gas earn a moderate rate, and everything else earns a base rate.
The exact earning rates differ between the Preferred and the Reserve. The Reserve typically earns more points in premium categories, which is another reason the higher annual fee may be justified for heavy spenders. Over time, the points you earn from regular spending can add up significantly, especially if you use the card for most of your spending.
You can also earn bonus points through Chase's shopping portal, where you click through to retailers and earn extra points on top of the card's normal earning rate. This is a way to boost your points balance without changing your spending habits.
When the sign-up bonus resets
Chase has rules about how often you can earn a sign-up bonus on the same card. You generally cannot earn another sign-up bonus on the Sapphire Preferred if you have earned one in the past 24 months. The same rule applies to the Sapphire Reserve. However, you can earn a bonus on the Sapphire Preferred and then later earn a bonus on the Sapphire Reserve, or vice versa, because they are different products.
If you close the card and reopen it later, Chase's rules determine whether you are treated as a new applicant. In most cases, if you have earned a bonus on a card within the past 24 months, you cannot earn another bonus on that same card, even if you closed it in between.
These rules change periodically, so it is worth checking Chase's current terms before you explore if you have held a Sapphire card in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spend the full amount all at once to get the bonus?
No. You can spread the spending across the three-month window. If the requirement is $4,000, you could spend $1,500 in month one, $1,200 in month two, and $1,300 in month three. Only the total amount matters, not how you divide it up.
What happens if I close the card before earning the bonus?
If you close the card before meeting the spending requirement, you will not receive the bonus. If you close the card after meeting the requirement but before the bonus posts, you should still receive it, though it is safer to wait until the points appear in your account before closing.
Can I use the sign-up bonus right away or do I have to wait?
Once the bonus points post to your account, you can use them when ready. You do not have to wait any additional time. You can book travel, transfer to partners, or redeem for cash back as soon as the points appear.
Is the sign-up bonus taxable income?
Chase does not report sign-up bonuses as taxable income, and the IRS does not treat them as such. They are considered a reduction in the cost of the card, not income. You will not receive a tax form for the bonus.
Can I earn the bonus if I already have a Chase checking account?
Yes. Having a Chase checking account does not disqualify you from earning the sign-up bonus on a credit card. The bonus is based on the credit card's spending requirement, not on your banking relationship with Chase.