What the Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus is and how it works
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a sign-up bonus of points that you earn by spending a set amount within the first few months of opening the card. The exact bonus structure changes periodically — Chase updates these offers several times a year — so the current offer may differ from what you see advertised elsewhere. When you open the card, you'll see the specific bonus terms in your welcome materials and in your online account.
The bonus is not automatic. You must meet the spending requirement (called the "minimum spend") within the stated timeframe to receive the points. If you don't spend enough, you won't earn the bonus, though you'll still have the card and can use it normally. The points post to your account once Chase confirms you've met the requirement, which usually happens within one to two billing cycles after you cross the threshold.
These points can be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program for travel purchases, cash back, or transfers to airline and hotel partners. The redemption value depends on how you use them — travel redemptions through Chase typically give you more value per point than cash back.
Key Takeaways
- You must spend a specific amount within a set timeframe (usually three to six months) to receive the sign-up bonus points.
- The bonus posts to your account one to two billing cycles after you meet the minimum spend requirement.
- Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or transferred to airline and hotel partners through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- The card carries an annual fee, which you'll pay whether or not you meet the spending requirement.
- You can only earn the sign-up bonus once per cardmember, and Chase typically requires you to wait a certain period before you're may be able to access for another bonus on this card.
How to open the card and trigger the bonus
Start by visiting Chase.com or calling Chase directly at the number on the back of any Chase card you own. You can also explore in person at a Chase branch. During the process, you'll provide your personal information, income, and employment details. Chase will perform a credit check and give you an approval decision when ready or within a few business days.
Once approved, you'll receive the physical card in the mail within seven to ten business days. You can also request a temporary digital card number to start spending right away. Your spending toward the minimum requirement begins as soon as your account opens, even before the physical card arrives.
Track your spending in your online Chase account or mobile app. You can see your progress toward the minimum spend requirement listed on your account dashboard. Once you've spent the required amount, the bonus points will post automatically — you don't need to contact Chase or submit anything.
What counts toward the minimum spending requirement
Most everyday purchases count: groceries, gas, restaurants, online shopping, utilities, and subscription services. Purchases made with the card, whether in person or online, all count toward the requirement. Balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not count.
If you have authorized users on your account, their spending also counts toward your minimum requirement. This can help you reach the threshold faster if you add a family member or colleague to the card.
Some people strategically time large planned purchases — like travel, home repairs, or holiday shopping — to coincide with the first few months of card ownership so they can meet the requirement without changing their normal spending habits. Others use the card for bills they already pay monthly to accumulate the spending gradually.
Annual fee and whether the bonus offsets it
The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges an annual fee that you'll owe each year you hold the card. This fee is charged to your account whether you use the card or not, and whether you earned the sign-up bonus. You pay it on your card anniversary each year.
The sign-up bonus is typically worth more than the annual fee when redeemed for travel through Chase's portal, which means the bonus can offset the first year's cost. However, you'll need to decide whether the card's ongoing benefits — such as travel credits, purchase protections, and earning rates on certain categories — justify keeping the card and paying the annual fee in years after the first one.
Timing: when the bonus posts and how long it takes
After you meet the minimum spend requirement, Chase usually posts the bonus points within one to two billing cycles. A billing cycle is typically 30 days, so you should see the points within 30 to 60 days of crossing the spending threshold. You'll receive a notification when the points are added to your account.
The entire timeline from process to bonus posting usually takes two to three months. If you explore today and spend the required amount within the first three months, you could see the bonus points in your account by month four or five.
If the bonus doesn't appear after two billing cycles, log into your Chase account or call the customer service number on the back of your card to confirm that Chase recorded your spending correctly. Occasionally, a purchase doesn't post to your account right away, which can delay your progress toward the requirement.
How to use the bonus points once they arrive
Log into your Chase account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards section. You'll see your total points balance and options to redeem them. You can redeem for travel (flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel expenses), transfer points to airline and hotel partners, or take cash back.
Travel redemptions through Chase's portal typically give you the most value — often 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point or more, depending on what you're booking. Cash back redemptions are usually worth less, around 1 cent per point. Partner transfers vary widely depending on the airline or hotel and current promotions.
You don't have to redeem the bonus when ready. Points don't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing, so you can accumulate more points over time and redeem a larger amount later.
Restrictions on earning the bonus more than once
Chase limits how often you can earn the sign-up bonus on the Sapphire Preferred. You cannot earn the bonus if you've received it on this card within a certain timeframe — Chase's rules on this period change, so check the current terms when you explore. This restriction applies to you as an individual cardmember, not to your household.
If you closed a Sapphire Preferred card in the past, you may still be within the restriction period and ineligible for the bonus. Chase's system will tell you during the process whether you're may be able to access. If you're not may be able to access now, you can explore again later once the restriction period ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spend the minimum amount all at once, or can I spread it over the three months?
You can spread your spending across the entire timeframe. The requirement is a total amount, not a per-transaction amount. Many people make regular purchases throughout the period and reach the threshold gradually without changing their spending habits.
What happens if I don't meet the minimum spend requirement?
You won't receive the bonus points. However, you'll still have the card and can use it normally. You'll also still owe the annual fee. Some people close the card after the first year if they don't plan to use it regularly, while others keep it for the ongoing benefits and earning rates.
Can I meet the minimum spend requirement by paying someone else's bill with my card?
Yes, as long as the purchase posts to your card. Paying a friend's restaurant bill or covering a shared hotel booking counts. However, you cannot meet the requirement through balance transfers or cash advances, which are treated differently by Chase.
How do I know if my spending has counted toward the minimum requirement?
Log into your Chase account online or in the mobile app. Your account dashboard shows your progress toward the minimum spend. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask a representative to confirm your current spending total.
If I earn the bonus, can I when ready close the card to avoid paying the annual fee next year?
Yes, you can close the card after the bonus posts. However, closing a card affects your credit score slightly and reduces your available credit. Many people keep the card open for at least the first year to use the benefits, then decide whether to keep it based on their travel plans and spending habits.