What the Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus offers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus gives you points toward travel or cash back when you spend a set amount within the first few months of opening the card. As of now, the offer is typically 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. The exact bonus structure can change, so check the current offer on Chase's website before you open the account.
Those 60,000 points are worth at least $600 in cash back (at 1 cent per point), but they're worth more if you use them for travel through the Chase travel portal or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. A travel redemption might be worth 1.5 cents per point or higher, depending on which partner you choose and what you're booking.
You do not have to use the bonus for travel—you can convert it to cash back instead. But the card itself is designed for travel spending, so the bonus is most valuable if you plan to book flights, hotels, or rental cars through the Chase portal or transfer the points to partners like United, Hyatt, or Marriott.
Key Takeaways
- The welcome bonus requires you to spend $4,000 in the first three months; the clock starts the day your account opens, not the day you receive the card in the mail.
- You earn 60,000 points, which are worth at least $600 in cash back or potentially $900 or more if redeemed for travel.
- The card carries an annual fee of $95, which you pay even in the first year, so the net value of the bonus is $505 to $805 depending on how you use the points.
- You must have good to excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) to be approved; Chase will check your credit report and recent account history.
- The three-month spending window is fixed and does not extend if you request it, so plan your spending before you explore.
How to meet the $4,000 spending requirement
The $4,000 threshold counts only new purchases on the card—it does not include balance transfers, cash advances, or fees. You have exactly three months from the day your account opens to reach this amount. If you open the account on March 15, the important date is June 15, regardless of when the physical card arrives.
Plan your spending before you explore. If you know you'll have large expenses coming—a flight, hotel stay, car rental, or home improvement project—time your process so those charges fall within the three-month window. If you don't have $4,000 in planned spending, you can manufacture it by paying bills or making purchases you were already planning to make anyway, but only if you can do so without going into debt or paying interest on a balance.
Authorized users' spending counts toward the threshold. If you add a spouse or family member as an authorized user, their purchases on their card also count. This can make it easier to reach $4,000 if you have household spending to combine, but you're responsible for all charges on the account.
When the bonus posts to your account
Chase typically posts the welcome bonus within one to two billing cycles after you meet the $4,000 spending requirement. If you hit the threshold on day 60 of the three-month window, the bonus may not appear for another 30 to 60 days. Plan accordingly if you want to use the points for a specific trip.
You can check your points balance in the Chase mobile app or on Chase.com under your account details. The points appear as "Ultimate Rewards points" and are when ready available to redeem once they post. You do not have to wait for a statement to close or a payment to post—the bonus is yours to use as soon as it shows in your account.
If you don't see the bonus within 60 days of meeting the spending requirement, contact Chase customer service. Have your account number and a record of your spending ready. Chase will investigate and post the bonus if there was an error.
Understanding the $95 annual fee and whether the bonus covers it
The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges a $95 annual fee, and you pay it in the first year even though you're receiving a welcome bonus. The fee posts to your account in the first billing cycle. This means the true value of the bonus is $60,000 points minus $95, or roughly $505 to $805 depending on how you redeem.
The annual fee renews every year on your card anniversary. If you decide the card isn't worth keeping after the first year, you can close the account before the second annual fee posts. Chase typically gives you a grace period of a few days after the fee posts to close the account and request a refund, but it's safer to close before the fee appears.
Some cardholders keep the Sapphire Preferred for the ongoing benefits—like 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, or the ability to transfer points to airline partners—and view the $95 fee as worth the value they get from those perks. Others use the card only to earn the welcome bonus and then close it. Either approach is valid; it depends on your spending patterns and whether you'll use the card's other features.
Credit score and approval requirements
Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. The bank also reviews your credit history, recent account openings, and payment history. If you've opened many new accounts in the past few months, Chase may deny your process or offer a lower credit limit.
You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Chase will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points.
If you're denied, you can call Chase reconsideration at the number on your denial letter and ask them to review your process. Sometimes providing additional information—like proof of income or an explanation of recent hard inquiries—can result in approval. You have 30 days from the denial date to request reconsideration before you need to reapply.
How to redeem your 60,000 points
You have three main ways to use your welcome bonus points: cash back, travel through the Chase portal, or transfers to airline and hotel partners.
Cash back is the simplest option. You can convert points to a statement credit at a rate of 1 point = 1 cent, so 60,000 points = $600. This takes effect when ready and requires no planning. Go to Chase.com, log in, and select "Redeem points" under your Ultimate Rewards account.
Chase travel portal redemption lets you book flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises directly through Chase's website. Points are typically worth 1.25 to 1.5 cents each when redeemed this way, so your 60,000 points might be worth $750 to $900. You search for and book travel the same way you would on Expedia or Kayak, but you pay with points instead of cash.
Transfer to partners is the highest-value option if you have a specific redemption in mind. Chase partners with airlines like United, Southwest, and American, and hotels like Hyatt, Marriott, and World of Hyatt. Point values vary by partner and destination—sometimes 60,000 points can book a flight worth $1,200 or more. But this requires research and flexibility; you need to know which partner offers the best value for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the welcome bonus if I've had a Chase Sapphire card before?
Chase has a rule that you cannot earn a welcome bonus on the same card product within 24 months of closing a previous version of that card. If you closed a Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve in the past two years, you're not currently may be able to access. If it's been longer than 24 months, you can explore again.
What happens if I don't spend $4,000 in three months?
You won't receive the welcome bonus. Chase does not prorate the bonus or extend the important date. If you fall short, the only way to earn the bonus is to close the account and reapply after 24 months have passed. This is why planning your spending before you explore is important.
Can I use a balance transfer to meet the $4,000 requirement?
No. Balance transfers do not count toward the spending threshold. Only new purchases on the card count. If you're considering a balance transfer, do it after you've met the $4,000 spending requirement, not before.
Do I have to use the points for travel, or can I take cash back?
You can redeem the points however you want. Cash back is always an option at 1 cent per point. Travel redemptions through the Chase portal or transfers to partners typically offer better value, but they're not required. The choice is yours.
How long does it take to get approved after I explore?
Most decisions come within minutes or hours of explore online. Some applications go to manual review and take one to two business days. You'll receive a decision by email or phone. If you're approved, the card ships within 7 to 10 business days.