The Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus is currently 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months
Chase periodically changes the welcome offer on the Sapphire Reserve card, so the bonus you see today may differ from what appears later. As of now, new cardholders who meet the spending requirement receive 75,000 points. Those points are worth roughly $750 to $900 in travel redemptions through Chase's travel portal, depending on which airlines or hotels you book.
The bonus itself is not a cash deposit or a discount on your annual fee. It arrives as points in your Chase account after the spending threshold is met and the card issuer verifies your account. You then decide how to use them — through the travel portal, by transferring them to airline or hotel partners, or by redeeming them for cash back at a lower rate.
Key Takeaways
- The welcome bonus requires you to spend $5,000 within the first three months of opening the account, not a total you must carry as a balance.
- Points post to your account after Chase confirms the spending requirement is met, usually within one to two billing cycles.
- The Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee, which is separate from the welcome bonus and due whether or not you use the points.
- Redeeming points through the Chase travel portal typically gives you more value per point than redeeming for cash back.
- Chase changes this offer periodically, so the bonus amount and spending requirement may be different when you explore than they are today.
How the $5,000 spending requirement works
The $5,000 must be charged to the card within the first three months from the date you open the account. This is spending you would normally make anyway — groceries, gas, subscriptions, travel, dining — not a separate payment or deposit. Balance transfers and cash advances do not count toward the requirement.
If you do not reach $5,000 in three months, you do not receive the bonus. There is no partial credit or extension. You can still use the card normally, but the welcome offer is forfeited. This is why it makes sense to time your process around planned expenses or to combine your household spending with an authorized user's spending if the card allows it.
When the points arrive and how to use them
After you meet the $5,000 threshold, Chase typically posts the points within one to two billing cycles. You can see them in your Chase account under "Ultimate Rewards" or "Points Balance." From there, you have several options: book travel directly through the Chase travel portal, transfer points to airline or hotel partners, or redeem for cash back.
The travel portal redemption usually offers the best value. A point redeemed through the portal for a flight or hotel stay is typically worth 1.5 cents per point, meaning your 75,000 points would be worth around $1,125. Redeeming for cash back pays only 1 cent per point, or $750. Transferring to partners like United, Southwest, or Hyatt can be worth more or less depending on the partner and the specific booking.
The annual fee and whether the bonus covers it
The Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee, charged to your account shortly after approval. This fee is due every year you hold the card, regardless of whether you use the welcome bonus or the card itself. The welcome bonus does not offset or cover this fee — they are separate charges.
Some cardholders use the bonus points to book travel that costs around $550, effectively neutralizing the first year's fee. Others factor the annual cost into their decision about whether the card's benefits — like trip cancellation insurance, concierge service, or earning rates on dining and travel — justify keeping it long-term. If you close the card within the first year, you still owe the annual fee.
Comparing this bonus to other Chase cards
Chase offers different welcome bonuses on its other premium travel cards. The Sapphire Preferred typically has a lower annual fee ($95) and a lower welcome bonus (often 50,000 to 60,000 points). The Sapphire Reserve is aimed at higher spenders who value premium benefits and can justify the $550 annual cost. The bonus amount and spending requirement for both cards change throughout the year.
If you are deciding between cards, compare the annual fee, the earning rates on categories you actually use, and the travel benefits included. A higher welcome bonus does not always mean better value if the annual fee or earning rates do not match your spending patterns.
What happens if you already have a Sapphire card
Chase's rules around welcome bonuses vary by card and by your account history. Generally, you cannot receive a welcome bonus on the same card within a certain period if you have held it before. If you currently have a Sapphire Preferred and want to move to the Reserve, or vice versa, contact Chase to understand whether you are may be able to access for a new welcome offer. The rules change and depend on your specific account history.
Some cardholders upgrade from one Sapphire card to another rather than opening a new account. An upgrade typically does not trigger a new welcome bonus, though Chase occasionally runs targeted upgrade offers. Check your account or call the number on the back of your current card to see what options are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spend exactly $5,000 or can I spend more?
You only need to spend $5,000 to earn the bonus. Spending more does not increase the welcome offer, though you will earn additional points at the card's standard earning rate on all purchases. The $5,000 is a minimum threshold, not a cap.
What if I don't meet the $5,000 spending requirement?
You will not receive the 75,000 welcome points. The bonus is forfeited entirely — there is no partial credit or extension. You can still use the card for future purchases and earn points at the regular rate, but the welcome offer is lost.
Can I redeem the points when ready after they post?
Yes. Once the points appear in your Chase account, you can redeem them right away through the travel portal, transfer them to partners, or convert them to cash back. There is no waiting period or restriction on when you use them after they post.
Does the welcome bonus count toward my annual spending for other rewards?
No. The welcome bonus points are a separate offer and do not count as purchases toward any spending thresholds or category bonuses on the card. Only actual purchases you charge to the card earn additional points at the card's standard rates.
Can I get the welcome bonus more than once?
Chase typically limits welcome bonuses to once per cardholder per card within a set timeframe, though the exact rules vary. If you closed a Sapphire Reserve in the past, you may or may not be may be able to access for the bonus again depending on how long ago you closed it. Contact Chase directly to confirm your may be able to access.