Key Points
- Chase is tightening eligibility for Sapphire card bonuses starting January 20, 2026, making it harder to earn welcome offers.
- The new rules extend the waiting period between bonuses and restrict downgrades, affecting popular churning strategies.
- Apply before January 20, 2026 to secure bonuses under current terms if you're planning any Sapphire card moves.
Introduction
Chase just dropped major news that'll impact anyone planning to get a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2026. Starting January 20, the bank is implementing stricter bonus eligibility rules that extend waiting periods and close popular loopholes. If you've been considering applying for or upgrading to a Sapphire card, you need to understand these changes now—they could mean the difference between earning a valuable welcome bonus or walking away with nothing.
What's Changing on January 20, 2026
Chase is implementing three significant changes to Sapphire card bonus eligibility that fundamentally alter how you can earn welcome offers on these popular travel cards.
Extended Bonus Waiting Period
The most impactful change extends the waiting period between Sapphire bonuses from 48 months to 60 months. Previously, you could earn another Sapphire welcome bonus four years after receiving your last one. Starting January 20, that timeline stretches to five full years.
This means if you received a bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred in January 2021, you'd previously qualify for another Sapphire bonus in January 2025. Under the new rules, you'll need to wait until January 2026 instead.
New Downgrade Restrictions
Chase is also closing a popular workaround strategy. Under current rules, some cardholders downgrade their Sapphire card to a no-annual-fee Freedom card, then upgrade back to a Sapphire product to snag another bonus. The new terms explicitly prohibit earning a bonus if you've received one on "the same or a similar card" within the past 60 months, even through product changes.
The language specifically states you're ineligible if you "currently have or have had this card or the Sapphire Reserve card in the past 60 months." This effectively blocks the downgrade-upgrade-bonus strategy that's been a staple of points maximization strategies.
Cross-Product Eligibility Changes
Perhaps most significantly, the new rules treat both Sapphire cards as a single product family for bonus purposes. Previously, you could potentially earn bonuses on both the Preferred and Reserve within separate 48-month windows. Now, receiving a bonus on either card starts a 60-month clock that applies to both products.
Who Gets Grandfathered Under Old Rules
If you apply for a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve before January 20, 2026, you'll lock in the current 48-month bonus eligibility timeline. This grandfathering applies even if your application is approved after the deadline, as long as you submitted it beforehand.
However, here's the critical detail: the grandfathering only protects your current application. Any future Sapphire card applications will fall under the new 60-month rules, regardless of when you applied for your current card.
Strategic Moves to Make Before January 20
Apply for Your Target Sapphire Card Now
If you're within 48 months of your last Sapphire bonus but not yet at 60 months, applying before January 20 is crucial. This locks in your eligibility under the current rules. The Chase Sapphire Preferred currently offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in three months, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides 60,000 points with the same spending requirement.
Consider Upgrading Instead of Waiting
If you currently hold a Freedom card and were planning to eventually upgrade to a Sapphire product, doing so before the rule change preserves your future options. While you won't receive a bonus for upgrading, you'll avoid the new 60-month restriction that kicks in with future product changes.
Calculate Your Bonus Timeline
Check when you received your last Sapphire bonus. If you're approaching the 48-month mark, you have a narrow window to apply under current terms. Missing this deadline means waiting an additional 12 months before qualifying for another bonus.
How These Changes Affect Different Cardholders
Current Sapphire Cardholders
If you already have a Sapphire card, your existing benefits remain unchanged. However, if you're considering downgrading and later upgrading to earn another bonus, the new rules make this strategy impossible for 60 months after your last bonus.
Former Sapphire Cardholders
Those who previously held a Sapphire card need to calculate their eligibility window carefully. If you closed or downgraded your card and received a bonus between January 2021 and January 2022, you have a brief opportunity to apply before the rules change.
First-Time Sapphire Applicants
New applicants face the most significant impact. After January 20, your first Sapphire bonus starts a five-year clock before you can earn another one. This makes your initial choice between the Preferred and Reserve more consequential than ever.
Comparing Sapphire Cards Under New Rules
With the extended bonus timeline, choosing the right Sapphire card for your first application becomes critical. Here's how they compare:
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points ($600+ value when transferred to partners)
- Earning Rates: 5x on Chase Travel, 3x on dining, 2x on travel, 1x on everything else
- Best For: Beginners and those who want premium travel benefits without a high annual fee
- Annual Fee: $550
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points ($750+ value when transferred to partners)
- Earning Rates: 10x on Chase Travel hotels and car rentals, 5x on flights, 3x on dining and travel, 1x on everything else
- Best For: Frequent travelers who maximize premium benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and $300 annual travel credit
Our complete Chase Sapphire guide provides detailed analysis to help you choose the best fit for your travel goals.
What This Means for Your Points Strategy
The extended waiting period fundamentally changes how you should approach Chase Ultimate Rewards maximization. With five years between Sapphire bonuses instead of four, you need to be more strategic about when and how you pursue these valuable welcome offers.
Consider diversifying your card portfolio more aggressively. Instead of relying on Sapphire card bonuses every four years, explore other Chase products like the Ink Business Preferred (100,000 points) or other Chase cards that can help maintain your points balance between Sapphire applications.
Alternative Cards to Consider
If the new Sapphire restrictions don't align with your timeline, several alternatives offer competitive benefits:
The Capital One Venture X provides 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in three months, with annual credits that effectively reduce the $395 annual fee. Unlike Chase, Capital One doesn't have the same restrictive bonus timeline between their premium travel cards.
The Citi Strata Premier offers 75,000 ThankYou Points after $4,000 in spending, with strong earning rates on travel and dining. Citi's bonus rules are generally more lenient than Chase's new Sapphire restrictions.
For those focused on building Chase Ultimate Rewards points without Sapphire cards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex both offer valuable bonuses without the extended waiting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will applications submitted before January 20 be grandfathered under the old rules?
Yes, applications submitted before January 20, 2026 will be evaluated under the current 48-month bonus eligibility timeline, even if approved after that date. However, any future Sapphire applications will fall under the new 60-month rules.
Can I still product change between Sapphire cards?
You can still upgrade or downgrade between Sapphire products and other Chase cards. However, the new rules mean you won't be eligible for a welcome bonus if you've received one on any Sapphire product within the past 60 months, even through product changes.
Does this affect bonuses on other Chase cards?
No, the new rules only apply to the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve. Other Chase cards like the Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, and Ink Business products maintain their existing bonus eligibility rules.
If I'm at 49 months since my last bonus, should I apply now or wait?
Apply before January 20, 2026 to lock in the 48-month eligibility window. Waiting until after January 20 means you'll need to wait the full 60 months from your original bonus date.
Final Thoughts
Chase's new Sapphire bonus restrictions represent the most significant change to these cards' eligibility rules in years. The extended 60-month waiting period and closed product-change loopholes mean you need to be more strategic about when you pursue Sapphire bonuses.
If you're eligible for a Sapphire welcome offer under current rules, applying before January 20, 2026 protects your opportunity. Even if you're not planning to apply immediately, understanding your bonus timeline helps you maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards over the long term.
The good news? The Sapphire cards remain excellent options for earning transferable points, even with stricter bonus rules. By planning strategically and understanding the new restrictions, you can still build substantial points balances for your travel goals.
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