Chase Sapphire Reserve 5/24 Data Points
Update: The application is now available online.
Today is the official launch date of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, however for now it is available in-branch only. While that will most likely change tomorrow, a number of people decided to head to their local Chase branch to apply today. Who knew there were so many branches open on Sunday? Anyway, the results regarding the Sapphire Reserve and the 5/24 rule (denials for having 5 or more accounts opened within the past 24 months) are in and they are mixed.
The Reddit Churning group is asking people to participate in a survey reporting their results. You can find the full statistical results here, but the one thing I did notice were a few denials. Instead of just looking at the data, I decided to go into the group’s Sapphire Reserve Megathread to read exactly what people said. Here are a few data points.
- Related: How to Activate Chase Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass Lounge & Car Rental Elite Benefits
- Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve Full Benefits Guide Released: All Card Benefits Top to Bottom
- Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Which Card to Get & Which to Keep
Chase Sapphire Reserve Approvals Over 5/24
Secretary Toaster wrote: “Just got approved in branch (Chicago). monster $33k credit line. I’m at about 15/24, give or take. The rep. was real nice and said he’d been getting a bunch of approvals today. I signed a form that said I was pre-authorized for the CSR, although that wasn’t until after I got approved, for what it’s worth.”
apexbbq wrote: “Just got approved in branch (Williamsburg, NYC)! 8/24. They told me they will expedite the card to me as well.”
Baconjammm wrote: “DP at least 10/24. Approved in branch Brooklyn! 32k limit. CSP holder. 790 score. Banker removed me from wife’s CSP as AU just moments before submitting my app. Wife was only 6/24 and declined after 7-10 day pending result. Banker called lending dept. and wife got to speak with analyst. They wouldn’t budge, cited too many cards opened recently. Her score is 775.” (This one is actually a mixed data point.)
Chase Sapphire Reserve Denials Over 5/24
Clefinch wrote: “So denial at 9/24 was fun. Now to decide if I should apply for Hyatt/BA/Fairmont/Marriott so I don’t waste a hard pull day.”
searcarter90 wrote: “Chalk me up to another denial due to the 5/24 rule. Just came back from applying at my local branch in San Francisco. Received the 7-10 days pending message in the branch, called reconsiderations when I got home and was told I was declined due to too many open credit cards. I have a credit score of 800, an income of $140,000 and have opened 7 cards within the last year.”
Kagaya wrote: “So I got denied after recon for > 5/24 and I am pretty mad at myself (for not applying Monday) and Chase right now.”
awardista wrote: “Okay i gave in and called. denied and the CSR sited too many inquiries in 2 years! Looks like anyone who was pending in branch probably won’t be able to circumvent 5/24.”
My Thoughts
The Reddit thread is thousands of comments deep at this point so it is hard to wade through the data points, but one thing is clear. When we saw the leaked online application this past week, more people were approved than anything else. While we do have a few data points indicating approval over 5/24, there are enough stating a denial that it appears stricter metrics are in place.
When the online links open up, I think we will see a flood of new data points that should help us solidify our understanding of how Chase is underwriting approvals for this card. As of now it doesn’t look good for most, but people who are pre-approved and those who are Chase Private Clients do seem to be having success. Good news, but not surprising.
Conclusion
Even though I was lucky enough to get the card during the leaked app, I was hoping the 5/24 guideline wouldn’t be enforced so my wife could get it too. At this point I can’t say I am ready to declare the Sapphire Reserve dead to those over 5/24, but my optimism is a little shaken. I think we will know for sure by the end of tomorrow.
Did you apply for a Chase Sapphire Reserve card today in-branch? Let us know what happened!
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the old king of travel rewards cards. Right now
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Applied online 8/22, got pending (am well over 5/24 because I went crazy the latter part of 2014 and parts of 2015 getting cards and bonuses), decided to wait it out, and got the denial letter over the weekend. Called recon on Sunday, and no dice, no leeway at all. Chase in their infinite wisdom has no branches in New England aside from NYC “suburbs” in Southern CT, so I’m contemplating just upgrading, since I’m in no-Chase-land here in the Boston area. Have a ton of miles/points already in other programs which I’m working on using, so wouldn’t be all that upset about foregoing the bonus right now. My rate of apps have slowed down recently, as travel has slowed down and most existing bonuses I have already received. If I am tempted by another ridiculous bonus on another bank’s card, I may apply, but just accumulating miles/pts on regular spend right now. Also taking out my frustration/disappointment by putting my UR accumulation into overdrive (via CSP, Ink, and Freedom), as I still see it as the most valuable flexible currency.
I may also do the downgrade and reapply for CSR at a certain point in time, depending on when I go under 5/24, and what the bonus is at that time. Even if the bonus is halved, I would be game.
Got an instant approval in the branch with my Private CLient banker, even though i am at about 8/24. He did say that CPC got me some special consideration, like a $32,000 credit limit on this card!
Is it the 5/24 guideline not more than 5 cards in the last 24 months BEFORE current application or INCLUDING current application? I’ve seen it stated both ways and I’m exactly at 5 in the last 24. Wouldn’t be at 4/24 till next year. No branches anywhere near me to check for pre-approval.
One interesting data point for your readers. If you are already a Chase Private Banking client, you will not get the Sapphire Reserve but the JP Morgan Reserve. It looks exactly like the current Chase Palladium Card, the only difference being the word Infinite instead of Palladium written on it. The bummer is the benefits are exactly the same as the Sapphire Reserve (besides the orobably higher credit limit). The unknown is whether current Palladiu card holders will automatically be converted to this (thus no bonus), thus it may make sense to also apply for the Sapphire Reserve for the bonus:
J.P. MORGAN RESERVE Card
Exceptional Rewards:
• 100,000 Bonus Points – After you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first
3 months from account opening – – that’s $1,500 in travel rewards when you
redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®1
• Points Are Worth 50% More when you redeem for travel through
Chase Ultimate Rewards® – – that means 50,000 points can be redeemed for
a $750 flight2
• $300 Annual Travel Credit for air travel and hotel-related purchases
charged to your card3
• Earn 3X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide4
• Earn one point per $1 spent on all other purchases4
• No annual cap and points do not expire as long as your account is open
• A 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs, such as United MileagePlus®, British Airways
Executive Club, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and more
Travel and Purchase Benefits:
• Complimentary Airport Lounge Access – Receive a complimentary annual Priority Pass™ membership
with access to over 900 VIP airport lounges in over 450 cities worldwide (~$399 retail value)5
• Special Car Rental Privileges – Enroll in leading car rental reward programs from National, Avis
and Silvercar.6 Upon enrollment, receive a complimentary Emerald Club Executive level membership from
National Car Rental
• Travel Protection – Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver,
Roadside Assistance, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Emergency Evacuation & Transportation, Travel Accident
Insurance, Trip Delay Reimbursement and more7
• Purchase Protection – Extended Warranty Protection, Purchase Protection, Price Protection and
Return Protection7
• Global Entry or TSA Pre3® Fee Credit of up to $100 as reimbursement for the application fee charged
to your card8
• No Blackout Dates or Travel Restrictions
Features:
• Embedded chip technology for wider acceptance internationally and enhanced protection when used at a
chip card reader
• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to Priority Customer Service at 866-576-7575 any time, day or night
• No miscellaneous fees such as late fees, cash advance fees, over-limit or returned payment fees
[…] I covered some of the data points regarding in-branch applications for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Unfortunately, the data was […]
I’m at 10/24; went in-branch, Chase in Tribeca (NYC), approved in two seconds, $33K limit. Wife is at 5/24, applied online, 7-10 days, called the reconsideration line, declined. Rep at Chase Bank told me to have her call the Consumer Lending Group (877) 260-0084 and ask for an underwriter (even if declined)
Thanks for the report. Did they mention if you were pre-approved when you applied in-branch?
Also, please let us know what happens with your wife. I was declined but would love to call that number if there’s any chance of getting it approved!
[…] signup bonus is worth pursuing even if you don’t plan to keep the card long term. So far, results are mixed as to whether or not Chase is enforcing the 5/24 rule with this new card (with many cards, Chase won’t approve your application if you’ve opened 5 or more cards […]
Off topic, but good MS opportunity:
I was at an ACME grocery store In Haverton ,PA yesterday and they are running a promo on VGCs: $7 off of a $75+ VGC purchase. The variable $25-$200 have a purchase fee of $6.95. They do not carry $500 VGCs anymore. Using the Amex Everyday Preferred (up to 4.5X) is a great way to earn 900 MRs for no cost or whatever the nominal cost of your preferred MO provider may be. The ACME manager was very reluctant to sell me even one $200 VGC because I had an out-of-state license (VA). So for the Philly ‘burbs folks who read this blog, the promo ends the first week of September.
[…] Chase Sapphire Reserve & 5/24: Mixed Results from In-Branch Applications […]
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How do you find if you’re pre-approved for this card?
You need to speak to a banker in-branch.
Sounds like the key is whether you’re pre-approved. I was fortunate enough to be, and I got an instant approval.
I hope I am but really doubt it! I asked if I was for anything a couple weeks ago and there was nothing.
My question is, do I convert my CSP if I’m not approved tomorrow at my branch? I’m 8/24 and guessing not going to be approved. If I wait 2 months I’m 6/24 but I’m hearing rumors the 100k bonus is only for Sept.
Even if it drops to 75K or less, you’ll still be able to get it in my scenario. Mason etching is better than nothing, and you can enjoy the remaining Reserve benefits along the way
@Leonardoc2 You are assuming the signing bonus will still be available in 9 months. I doubt it.
Any signing bonus, even if less than 100,000 will be available and you get yo use Reserve benefits right away
I am way over 5/24, so I called the reconsideration line 1st thing and instead of doing an application, I requested an upgrade from my Chase Sapphire Preferred. About 15 minutes later I have my Chase Sapphire Reserve. I did not get the sign-up bonus, but I have had the preferred card for 15 months, so in nine months I will downgrade and reapply and get the signing bonus. If anyone else wants to go go this route, please know you need a 10k existing limit as that is an infinite requirement. I am also getting expedited delivery.
I was thinking the of taking the same route. I have my whole family of 7 on my CSP as AUs though, so I’ll have to switch them to another card.
I’m not understanding your have-had-the-Sapphire Preferred-for-15-months-so-will downgrade-in-9-months-and-reapply strategy. Can you explain? Do you mean you will not apply for any cards at all for the next 9 months? Would this bring you under 5/24?
Also, I’m not confident that the 100K UR sign-up bonus will be around for that long.
That will bring me under 5/24 and will also be 24 months since getting a UR signup bonus, so I’ll be covered both ways if they strictly enforce the latter
I think it’s really rotten that Chase allowed people to be approved over 5/24 during the “test run” last Monday, and declined so many today in-branch. It also sucks to not live near a branch open on Sundays. Do they care? Nope. But it just does not reflect well on Chase in general to be applying these policies so unevenly and unfairly. My score is 780, income almost 200K, but we were approved for several cards recently that were reducing their sign-up bonuses or were Chase not under 5/24 (listened to the travel bloggers!), so that one single part of my credit report (inquiries) is labeled “poor.” So I doubt I’ll be approved tomorrow. 🙁
I forgot to mention that when I worked through recon to upgrade ( see my comments) I was told by TWO separator eps that they were applying the 5/24 rule ONLY to Chase products. First time I had heard that and notable because TWO different reps told me that and each checked with supervusors to confirm that. ODD!
In the long run which card do u think wins citi prestige or chase reserve. I still feel that 4th night stay is a big plus for prestige. I don’t see any special benefits which the chase reserve has in the long run other than the sign up bonus… How would u compare these two cards in the long run.
I am thinking the same thing. The Reserve 100k bonus is great, as is the $300 travel credit and 3x earning for travel charges. But the Prestige 4th night free has saved me $1,000 this last Year. The Prestige Priority Pass also has guest privileges. Before the recent changes I intended to keep the Prestige for the long term. Now I am not so sure. I just renewed my Prestige and will apply for the Reserve. Next year I will decide which card to keep.
Did u pay 350 annual fee or 450… I be payed 450 and just seeing people pay 360 pisses me off… Should I cancel my card before next due date and reply again in a branch to get 350 af
I pay the 450 fee because I didn’t want to deal with the Citigold hassle to get the 350 fee in branch. I didn’t want to put 50k in a Citigold account just to save a 100 dollars per year. However, there are reports that some people are getting the 350 annual fee by applying at a branch without having to have a Citigold account. If you can get that deal and have a hard pull to spare it might be worth it to cancel and reapply.