1/48 Sapphire

Understanding the 1/48 Sapphire rule:

This is a relatively new Chase rule, but an important one: You cannot receive a Sapphire sign-up bonus if you've already received a bonus from either version (Preferred or Reserve) within the previous 48 months. It's important to note it's 48 months or 4 years from the receipt of the statement with the bonus on it. This could be as much as three-and-a-half months from your approval date.

We'll help you keep track of this rule (as well as all the others) for you. The Point Navigator estimates 3 months from approval for receipt of the bonus. You can check your statement and update the exact date in the "My Cards" section. After the 48 months have passed, if you are working with a spouse/partner, we generally recommend you switch cards. If your dates are close, make sure the one with the Preferred version refers the other for 15,000 extra points. We also recommend you downgrade (rather than cancel) to the Freedom Unlimited or the Freedom card if you already have the Unlimited.

This rule is an important one because we recommend getting one of the Chase Sapphire cards early into the hobby, maybe even as your first rewards card. Chase points are the most valuable in the points and miles game, and you need a Chase Sapphire card to be able to transfer points to their robust list of airline and hotel partners, which unlocks the most value when it comes to points and miles.

Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred?

One important question you need to ask yourself regarding this rule is what Chase Sapphire card should you get? You’ll most likely want to keep a Sapphire card in your wallet long-term. If you are playing the two player game with a spouse or partner, then we recommend that one person gets the Sapphire Reserve and once gets the Sapphire Preferred.

Important to know:

If you’re just starting in the hobby and working alone, dig into the details of both cards before deciding which one is right for you.

Here are the highlights of what each card offers.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Snapshot:

• $550 annual fee
• 60,000 point signup bonus
• $300 annual travel credit (on any travel purchase - doesn’t have to be through the portal)
• 50% points bonus when redeeming points through the portal
• Priority Pass lounge access for you and two guests, plus Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club access
• Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit
• 2 year Lyft Pink All Access
• Complimentary DashPass membership
• 10x points on hotels and car rentals through the Chase portal
• 5x points on flights booked through the Chase portal
• 3x points on travel and dining

Chase Sapphire Preferred Snapshot:

• $95 annual fee
• 60,000 point signup bonus
• $50 annual hotel credit (when booking through the Chase portal)
• 25% points bonus when redeeming points through the portal
• Complimentary DashPash membership ($96/year value)
• 5x points on travel through the Chase portal
• 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel purchases

If you’re new to points and miles, you might be put off by the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s high annual fee of $550. Don’t just automatically get the Preferred because of its lower annual fee though. Cards with high annual fees have them because they usually offer high end benefits and perks. Assess which ones you’ll use and will provide the most value for you over the course of the next four years.

Assuming you travel annually (as most people in the hobby do), the $300/year travel credit the Reserve provides makes the fee a lot more palatable. If you know you’ll use that credit every year, then the difference in fees between the two cards is only $155. Ask yourself if the other perks, like lounge access, Global Entry, DashPass membership, and the extra 25% point bonus it offers over the Preferred is worth the extra $155 to you?

Even if you decide on the Reserve, be aware that you can always downgrade to the Preferred if you find you aren’t using the benefits that make the annual fee worthwhile. You will not receive a bonus when doing a product switch. Your 48 month clock will remain the same if you do this and will be tied to whenever you received the bonus for the Reserve card.

About Approval Rules

Collecting credit card points is largely driven by understanding and abiding by bank rules regarding approval (or disapproval) of cards.  So here’s what you need to know:

• Approval rules are rarely fully publicized by the banks
• We use our own research and data points from other users in creating the rules listing
• Our goal in sharing/using the rule listings is to provide you guidance to avoid getting declined
• There can sometimes be exceptions to the rules, but we try to take a more cautious approach in advising you.