Another Way To Avoid New Chase 48 Month Sapphire Rule
Chase dropped the hammer on credit card churners last week. They instilled a one bonus per 48 month rule for the Sapphire line of cards. Chase made the change because everyone who signed up for the 100K Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome offer has their 24 month clock expiring soon. They couldn’t afford to lose more money on their rewards program so they moved the goal posts.
Ways Around It
When the news broke it was reported that offers from referrals still had the 24 month language for the time being. There is second way around the 48 month language being reported on Reddit. Pre-qualified offers also have the old 24 month language. The Reddit user reported seeing it while on CardMatch when searching for a 100,000 point Amex Platinum Card offer.
Conclusion
I don’t expect these loopholes to last long. If you were planning on getting the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred and it has been 24 months since your last bonus act fast.
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Would I be eligible for the bonus if I am approved for the card BEFORE the 24 month period is up, but I finish the spend (thereby “qualifying” for the bonus) AFER the 24 month period is up.
Here’s a timeline example:
August 2016 – Approved for Reserve
November 2016 – Received Reserve bonus
September 2018 – Approved for Preferred (only 22 months since receiving Reserve bonus)
December 2018 – Completed Preferred minimum spend (now 25 months since receiving Reserve bonus)
Thoughts?
Interesting thought. I am totally guessing here but I would lean towards no. I think the application date has to be 24 months since the bonus earn date. I don’t think their system could track bonus to bonus dates so easily.
Chase dings you for everything. Last year I asked for an increased credit limit on our Ink Business card (I asked for a $10K increase from a $10K limit). Not only did it get turned down (why, I have no idea, I’ve gotten several credit cards from Amex since then), but they hit me for an inquiry. Sometimes I wonder about them. Our business ended up using the Amex Business Plum card instead of more money for Chase.
I am surprised that they hit you with an inquiry for that. They are definitely tightening their belts even while posting record profits.
What if it’s been 24 mths snce getting the bonus but I still have the reserve card open? Can I still apply?
No you would have to close the card first before applying which involves some risk of being denied if you want to keep it long term.
On a separate note. I get the special offer for United Business card at 75K. I am thinking since this was a special offer maybe the 5/24 did not count. It Does. My applic. went pending. The really irritable thing is that Chase will still do the credit bureau hit. That just seems wrong. I sure wish there was a place to really complain to Chase about this.
Yeah the only way to bypass 5/24 these days is with a BRM application for business cards. As far as I know. Sucks that targeted offers don’t work.