Chase Lifetime Bonus Restriction
Chase recently introduced a new rule for those applying for Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards. “The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you currently have any other personal Sapphire cards open, previously held this card or received a new cardmember bonus for this card. We may also consider the number of cards you have opened and closed, as well as other factors in determining your bonus eligibility.” That looks like a Chase lifetime bonus restriction, but is it really?
How Does This Compare To Other Lenders?
That language introduced a lifetime rule, which seems similar to what American Express has for its cards. We know that Amex considers lifetime to be 5-7 years. Now we have some new datapoints shared by TPG and Doctor of Credit that show that Chase might also use a similar rule. Remember to check out our complete guide of every major bank’s application rules before applying for any new accounts.
Recent Data Points On The Chase Lifetime Bonus Rule
Several successful applications came from cardholders whose previous Sapphire bonuses dated back seven to ten years. Here are a couple of data points:
- One person received a Sapphire Preferred bonus in 2016, later closed the account, and was approved for another bonus in July 2026.
- Another cardholder who originally received bonuses on the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve in 2014 and 2016 qualified again after converting the Reserve to a Freedom card and waiting one week before applying.
We still need more data points to paint a clearer picture on what Chase is doing here.
There Is Still Much We Don’t Know
However, the results are far from consistent. Some applicants who opened Sapphire cards in 2016 or 2017 were still told they were not eligible in 2026. Others who last received a bonus four to seven years ago also received Chase’s bonus-ineligibility popup. Even cardholders who had downgraded their original Sapphire cards years earlier have reported different outcomes.
On the positive side of things, the data suggests that Chase does not treat “lifetime” as permanent. However, there does not appear to be a simple rule such as waiting five, seven or ten years. The date the previous bonus was earned, how long the account remained open, whether it was closed or converted, other Sapphire cards held since then and the customer’s overall Chase history may all play a role.
We really think that last bit is key there. How Chase views your customer profile will dictate when they release you from pop-up jail.
Are Sapphire Cards Once Per Lifetime: Final Thoughts
The standard 5/24 rule still applies, and applicants generally cannot currently hold the same card. Holding another personal Sapphire card may also prevent eligibility, but it usually shouldn’t. The safest way to determine whether Chase will award the bonus is to start an application and see if you get the pop-up before submitting.
Have a datapoints that you want to share? Leave a comment below or over in the MTM Facebook Group.
This might be related to record retention rules.
Transaction & Account Statements: Generally 5 to 7 years based on internal risk management, tax guidelines, and state statutes of limitations.
> after 5-7 years the delete the info that you received a bonus before – clean slate