Updated: 05.15.2025

The 100k offer has ended, the current offer is 60k (with 3 months and $5k spend)

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Super hot deals in the first half of 2025.

The 100K offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® (Sharp) card (after 3 months of $5000 in spending) is reportedly ending soon. 

We've added Offer Ending Soon to the card application page, and based on past experiences, it seems like the offer usually lasts for another week or two before it ends.

I don't know if it will be the same again, lasting 1-2 weeks or longer, If you've been waiting to apply for a card, you might want to hurry up.

In today's post, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions, especially those related to card eligibility, such as the 48-month rule and the 5/24 rule.

I. Card Application Questions 

1. What conditions do I need to meet to get my card approved and receive the new member bonus?

According to Chase's offer details, you'll need to meet two conditions to qualify for this offer (As I'll explain below, the basic premise is that you don't go over 5/24.)

Condition 1: You don't currently have a Sapphire Series card.

Condition #2: It must have been 48 months since you received the sign-up bonus on your Sapphire family card.

("This product is available to you if you do not have any Sapphire card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 48 months.")

In this context, a Sapphire Series card is a

• Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
• Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card
• And that includes the regular no-annual-fee Sapphire card, which is now closed to new applications.

This means that you need to be able to answer No to both questions in the image below to be eligible for the new member bonus. (There was an error in the image, so we've updated it for you, thank you).

2. 48 months is 48 months from the date of card authorization?

No, it's not 48 months from the date of card approval, it's 48 months from the date you receive the bonus.

Because of this, if you don't know the exact date, I would suggest 48 months + 4 months from the card authorization date, or 48 months + 5 months to be extra safe.

3. How do I know the date I received my bonus? 

Some say it's 48 months from the date you fill the spend, but to be most certain, it's best to use the invoice date that the signup bonus came in.

Since it's May 2025, this means that you should have received the signup bonus on your April 2021 invoice, or earlier, at the latest.

If it's not, and you received the bonus in (say) 2023, you don't qualify because it's within 48 months.

4. I don't know when I received my last signup bonus, is there any way to check?

The most obvious place to look is your online statement.

If not, I'd add another 3-4 months to that date, as the initial card approval notification is often emailed to you.

For example, if you were approved for the card in June 2020, you should have received your bonus in September or October 2020, so I think it's safe to say you've met the 48-month requirement.

5. I previously created the same Sharp card, used it for a year, and canceled it. Can I apply for a new one now and get the sign-up bonus again? 

If you canceled your Sharp card in the past and, as a result, you don't currently have a Sapphire family card, you've met condition #1.

In this case, the key is condition 2 = has it been 48 months since you received your new bonus. 

This means that it matters when you created your Sharp card and when you received your signup bonus.

You'll need to calculate if 48 months have passed since you created your Sharp card and received your sign-up bonus.

Also, as mentioned earlier, it's not just the Sharp card that counts, but any Sari cards that are part of the same family, so be sure to check to see if you have a Sari card, and if so, if it's been 48 months since you received the sign-up bonus.

5. I currently have a Sharp Card. Can I apply for a new Sharp Card? 

As I just mentioned, Chase's terms and conditions state that

• If you don't have a Sapphire Series card
• It says that these cards are not eligible for the sign-up bonus until 48 months after receiving the sign-up bonus.

So if you currently hold any of these three cards, you're already eliminated in condition #1.

6. If so, shouldn't I just cancel/cancel my current Sharp card?

If you've met the 48-month requirement and only #1 is an issue, you'll need to downgrade to a different card (downgrade / product change), not cancel.

When you cancel your Sharp card, Chase says it takes 30 days to update your card holdings internally. (Some say it doesn't necessarily take 30 days, but I'd say 30 days to be safe.)

The offer is ending soon, so canceling it now is not a good option due to time constraints.

In this case, you can downgrade/change products to a Freedom family card with no annual fee. If you downgrade/change products, we recommend a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 1 week for your record to be updated.

It's important to remember "downgrade, not cancel".

It's also important to note that you must downgrade to the Freedom line of cards, not the no-annual-fee Sapphire card.

7. If I downgrade to a Freedom Series card, does that fulfill the requirements?

No, you must also meet condition #2 (the 48-month requirement) at the same time.

This means that at least 48 months must have passed since the last time you received a sign-up bonus on a Sapphire family card.

8. You mentioned the Freedom family of cards, what are they?

The Freedom family of cards includes the Freedom Flex® Card and the Freedom Unlimited® Card, which are currently open for new applications.

There's also been talk on the boards about downgrading to the old Freedom card, which is no longer being issued, but I haven't tried it myself.

The important thing is that you "downgrade, not cancel" and that you downgrade to a Freedom family card, not a regular Sapphire card with no annual fee.

9. I already have the Freedom Unlimited card, can I downgrade?

You can have multiple Freedom Cards.

10. Is there a better card to downgrade from among the Freedom cards?

The Freedom Unlimited Card is issued as a Visa card, and the Freedom Flex Card is issued as a Mastercard.

So if you're switching to Freedom Flex, you'll have to change your card number completely, and you'll have to change all of your direct debits, which can be a hassle.

That's why a lot of people seem to be switching to the Freedom Unlimited card, which is usually the same Visa card and the number stays the same (though the expiration date can change).

11. My spouse currently has a Sharp card and I have an AU card. Can I be the primary applicant and apply for the card now?

As long as it doesn't violate any other rules, including the 5/24 rule (which prohibits simultaneous Sapphire family cards), I believe it's possible.

12. Is this card subject to the Chase 5/24 rule?

Yes. Unfortunately, it's a YY card when it comes to Chase's 5/24.

This means that when you apply for a card, you're checked for the number of cards you've issued in the last two years (first Y), and after you're issued a card, you're included in the 5/24 count (second Y).

So, if the total number of cards you've opened in the last 24 months from the time you apply for the card is more than 5, you're probably not going to be approved.

13. I don't have a separate transaction history with Chase. Can I apply without a Chase checking account?

Yes. You don't have a checking account with Chase, but you can still apply for the card.

If you are subsequently approved, you can create a username and log in to the Chase site and register a checking account (that you currently have) to pay for the card.

14. I was not approved immediately after applying for the card, what happens next?

If you don't get an instant approval, which is a mermaid in Magic Circle parlance, you're basically pending.

There are three main ways to look at this case: 1. When I called the application status check number, 1-888-338-2586,

1) If you get a message that says they'll let you know the results within 30 days, they haven't processed it yet.

2) If they say they'll let you know the outcome within two weeks, tell them that there's a very good chance they'll approve you and you should just wait it out.

3) If they say they'll let you know the outcome in 7-10 days, they say there's a very high chance of rejection. However, this is not always the case and you may be approved, so don't worry about it too much in advance.

15. I'm getting a 7-10 day message, what should I do?

It's not 5/24, it's not the 48-month rule, but there are some cases where you get a 7-10 day message, or you get an eventual rejection.

In some of these cases, you may not be approved for a new card because you're already maxed out on the credit line Chase can offer, in which case you may be able to get approved for a reduced credit line on your existing Chase card.

However, be aware that some people seem to make things worse by scratching and clawing if they call before they are finally notified of the approval or rejection.

II. What to do after card authorization 

1. I understand that I need to fill $5,000 within 3 months. What date do I start filling my spend?

This is known as 3 months from the date of card approval (account opening). Sometimes people think that if they wait to activate the card after receiving it, they'll have more time to fill it with spending, but the clock is already ticking when they receive the card.

Chase gives you a little more leeway, not exactly 90 days, but I'd say preferably within 90 days, and not exactly $5,000, but more like $1-200. Because I've seen people forget and return it and then they don't have the full $5,000. ;;

2. When will I receive my new member signup bonus?

Based on past experience, it's common for signup bonuses to be earned on the invoice for the month in which you've met your spending.

However, please note that there is a difference between the time of invoicing and the cut-off for counting spending, so if you meet your spending just before invoicing, your bonus may be delayed until the next month's invoice.

Let's wrap up today's post.

The Sharp Card's record-breaking $100,000 offer is a great deal that you shouldn't miss.

The welcome bonus is worth at least $1,000 even if you cash it in, so you're left with at least $900 after the annual fee.

If this applies to you, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity.

Featured image: depositphotos (291585432)