Million Mile Secrets reader SantoshPurohit tweeted:
If I product change the Chase Sapphire Preferred to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, can I earn the sign-up bonus if I cancel the Chase Sapphire Reserve and re-apply again when I am under 5/24?
Great question, Santosh!
It is possible to cancel and re-apply for the Sapphire Reserve to earn the sign-up bonus. Because you will NOT be getting the sign-up bonus by completing a product change.I’ll explain Chase’s rules for earning a sign-up bonus.
Chase Sign-Up Bonus Eligibility
Link: My Review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
The terms and conditions for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card say:
This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months.
This language is similar to other Chase cards like the Sapphire Preferred card and Ink Plus small business cards.
The key point is when you product change to the Sapphire Reserve, you will NOT be eligible to receive the sign-up bonus. Instead, you’d have to submit a new application.
Therefore, if you product change, then cancel and re-apply for the Sapphire Reserve at a later date, you will NOT be restricted by the 24 months language. Because this will be your first time qualifying for the sign-up bonus.
But remember Chase could change the terms in the future to prevent folks from earning the sign-up bonus if they’ve had the card before. So there’s no guarantee this will be possible forever.
Keep in mind, a product change with Chase is not automatic. It depends on your account history and profile.
And you’ll need an eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards point card to complete a product change. For example, you can’t product change from the Chase Hyatt card to the Sapphire Reserve.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Product Change
Although you can’t earn the sign-up bonus when you product change, you’ll still get the other terrific benefits of the Sapphire Reserve like:
- 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel & dining
- $300 annual credit for travel purchases such as airfare and hotels
- $100 statement credit for Global Entry
- Priority Pass Select for access to airport lounges
- No foreign transaction fees
You will also have to pay the card’s $450 annual fee after switching.
But earning the $300 annual travel credit and extra bonus points on travel & dining purchases could be reason enough for some folks to change cards. You’ll earn my favorite transferable points, which can be used for Big Travel on terrific travel partners!
That said, I like the 100,000 point sign-up bonus, so a product change won’t do it for me!
Bottom Line
If you do a Chase Sapphire Reserve product change, you will NOT be eligible to earn the sign-up bonus. To qualify, you’d have to submit a new application. But some folks are waiting to apply because of Chase’s tougher application rules.
If you want to earn the benefits of the Sapphire Reserve like the $300 annual travel credit, you could do a Chase Sapphire Reserve product change.
Remember it’s possible Chase can change the terms to restrict sign-up bonuses in the future.
Are you thinking about a product change to the Sapphire Reserve?