Chase Sapphire Churning Guide
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the most popular churning target in the credit card rewards hobby. This guide covers the 48-month Sapphire rule, the One Sapphire rule, downgrade paths, and the complete churning cycle so you can maximize your Ultimate Rewards points every four years.
Why the Sapphire Is the Best Churning Target
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has earned its reputation as the most popular card to churn for good reason. It consistently offers one of the highest sign-up bonuses relative to its annual fee and spending requirement. A typical offer of 60,000-75,000 Ultimate Rewards points is worth $750-$1,000 or more when transferred to Chase's airline and hotel partners, all for meeting $4,000 in spending over 3 months and paying a $95 annual fee.
Ultimate Rewards points are among the most flexible currency in the points and miles world. They transfer 1:1 to partners including United, Hyatt, Southwest, British Airways, Air France/KLM, and several others. A single Sapphire bonus can fund a round-trip domestic flight in business class or several nights at a Hyatt property that would otherwise cost hundreds per night.
Because Chase has clear, well-documented rules about Sapphire eligibility, churning the card is predictable and repeatable. Once you understand the 48-month rule and downgrade strategy, you can build a reliable cycle that earns you a massive bonus every four years, on top of whatever other cards you're opening from Chase and other issuers in between.
The 48-Month Sapphire Rule
The most important rule for Sapphire churning is the 48-month restriction. Chase will not award a Sapphire sign-up bonus if you have received any Sapphire bonus within the past 48 months. This applies across both products: earning a Sapphire Preferred bonus resets the 48-month clock for the Sapphire Reserve, and vice versa.
Key Details of the 48-Month Rule
Example: If you received a Sapphire Preferred bonus on March 15, 2022, you are not eligible for any Sapphire bonus until March 15, 2026. This means you cannot earn a sign-up bonus on either the Sapphire Preferred or the Sapphire Reserve until that date passes.
The One Sapphire Rule
In addition to the 48-month restriction, Chase enforces a One Sapphire rule: you can only hold one Sapphire product at a time. If you currently have a Sapphire Preferred, you cannot apply for a Sapphire Reserve, and if you have a Reserve, you cannot apply for a Preferred. This applies even if you are outside the 48-month bonus window.
To apply for a new Sapphire card, you must first downgrade or close your existing Sapphire product. Most churners choose to downgrade rather than close, because downgrading preserves your credit history and credit limit. After downgrading, wait at least 4-5 business days before submitting your new Sapphire application to ensure Chase's systems have processed the product change.
Important Distinction
The One Sapphire rule and the 48-month rule are separate restrictions. Even if 48 months have passed since your last bonus, you still cannot hold two Sapphire cards at once. You must satisfy both rules: be outside the 48-month window and not currently hold a Sapphire product.
Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve for Churning
When your 48-month window opens, you need to decide which Sapphire card to apply for. For most churners, the Sapphire Preferred is the better choice. Here's a side-by-side comparison focused on churning value:
Sapphire Preferred
- ✓$95 annual fee
- ✓Bonus typically 60,000-75,000 points
- ✓$4,000 minimum spend in 3 months
- ✓Net bonus value: $650-$900+
- ✓Same transfer partners as Reserve
- ✓$50 hotel credit through Chase Travel
Sapphire Reserve
- -$550 annual fee
- -Bonus typically 60,000 points
- -$4,000 minimum spend in 3 months
- ✓$300 annual travel credit offsets fee
- ✓Priority Pass lounge access
- ✓1.5 cents per point in Chase Travel portal
Bottom line: The Sapphire Preferred is better for pure churning because the lower annual fee maximizes your net bonus value. Choose the Sapphire Reserve only if you travel frequently enough to use the $300 travel credit and lounge access, which effectively reduces the annual fee to $250. For a one-year hold before downgrading, the Preferred is almost always the right call. See our Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve card pages for current bonus details.
The Sapphire Churning Cycle
Sapphire churning follows a predictable four-year cycle. Here is the step-by-step process from application through your next bonus:
Make sure you are under 5/24, outside the 48-month bonus window, and do not currently hold a Sapphire product. Apply online for instant approval in most cases.
Spend $4,000 in the first 3 months using the card for everyday purchases you would make anyway: groceries, gas, dining, subscriptions, bills. Do not manufacture spend or buy things you do not need.
After meeting the spending requirement, your 60,000-75,000 point bonus will post within 1-2 statement cycles. Note the exact date the bonus posts — this is when your 48-month clock starts. Transfer points to partners or hold them for future use.
Continue using the card for dining and travel purchases where it earns bonus points. Keep the card active with at least some spending to maintain a good relationship with Chase.
Before your annual fee posts, call Chase and say you are considering closing the card due to the annual fee. They may offer bonus points (5,000-10,000) or a statement credit to keep you. If the offer exceeds the $95 fee, consider keeping it another year.
If no retention offer is worth keeping, call Chase to product change (downgrade) your Sapphire Preferred to a Chase Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex. This avoids the annual fee while preserving your credit line and account history. Your points remain in your Ultimate Rewards account.
During the 36-month waiting period, focus on other Chase cards, Amex cards, Citi cards, and other issuers. Earn points on your Freedom card through rotating categories. Apply for Chase Ink business cards to keep earning Ultimate Rewards without using a 5/24 slot.
Once 48 months have passed since your last Sapphire bonus posted, you are eligible again. Make sure you are under 5/24, downgrade or close any existing Sapphire product, wait a few days, and apply for a new Sapphire Preferred to start the cycle over.
Sapphire Downgrade Paths
Downgrading your Sapphire card instead of closing it is almost always the right move. A product change preserves your credit limit (which helps your credit utilization ratio) and keeps the account's age on your credit report. Here are your options:
Freedom Unlimited
- ✓No annual fee
- ✓1.5% (1.5x UR) on all purchases
- ✓Best for everyday flat-rate spending
- ✓Points transfer to Sapphire when you hold one again
Freedom Flex
- ✓No annual fee
- ✓5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter)
- ✓Best for category bonus maximizers
- ✓Points transfer to Sapphire when you hold one again
Pro tip: If you already have a Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex, you can still downgrade your Sapphire to the same product. Chase allows you to hold multiple Freedom cards. This gives you a second Freedom card to maximize rotating category spend or simply preserve the credit line. Some churners accumulate several Freedom cards over multiple Sapphire churning cycles.
Both downgrade paths work for either Sapphire card. Whether you hold a Sapphire Preferred or a Sapphire Reserve, you can product change to a Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex by calling the number on the back of your card. The change is usually processed instantly.
Combining Sapphire with Chase Ink Cards
One of the most powerful strategies in the Chase ecosystem is pairing Sapphire churning with Chase Ink business cards. Ink cards earn Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to your Sapphire card for access to airline and hotel partners, and they don't count toward your 5/24 status.
Why Ink Cards Complement Sapphire
Recommended order: Apply for Ink business cards before your Sapphire to avoid using 5/24 slots. Since Ink cards are subject to 5/24 (you must be under 5/24 to be approved) but don't count toward 5/24, getting them first preserves your personal card slots. A common sequence is: Ink Business Preferred, then Sapphire Preferred, then Ink Business Cash or Unlimited during the 48-month wait.
Tips and Common Mistakes
Don't Apply for Both Sapphire Cards
Because you can only hold one Sapphire at a time and the 48-month rule applies across both products, there is no benefit to trying to get both. Pick one (usually the Preferred for churning) and commit to the 48-month cycle. Applying for both wastes hard inquiries and 5/24 slots.
Don't Cancel Before 12 Months
Closing a card before its first anniversary can flag your account for bonus abuse and damage your relationship with Chase. Always hold the card for at least 12 months before downgrading. This is a general best practice across all issuers, but especially important with Chase since they can restrict future approvals.
Always Call for Retention First
Before downgrading, call the number on the back of your card and tell them you are considering closing due to the annual fee. Chase may offer bonus points or a statement credit to keep you for another year. If the offer is good enough to offset the fee, take it and delay your downgrade by a year. You lose nothing by asking.
The Modified Double Dip Is Dead
In the past, churners could apply for both the Sapphire Preferred and Reserve on consecutive days to bypass the One Sapphire rule (known as the Modified Double Dip). Chase closed this loophole and now enforces the One Sapphire restriction system-wide. Attempting this will result in a denied second application, wasting a hard inquiry.
Track Your Bonus Date Carefully
The 48-month clock starts from when the bonus posted to your account, not when you were approved or when you met the spending requirement. Check your Ultimate Rewards activity log or old statements to find the exact posting date. Set a calendar reminder for 48 months after that date so you don't miss your next eligibility window.
Stay Under 5/24 When Your Window Opens
It does not matter if you are outside the 48-month window if you are over 5/24. Plan your card applications in the years leading up to your Sapphire eligibility so that you are under 5/24 when the time comes. Prioritize business cards that do not count toward 5/24 to keep your count low. Read our complete churning guide for a full strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can you churn the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
You can churn the Chase Sapphire Preferred once every 48 months (4 years). Chase requires that you have not received any Sapphire bonus — from either the Preferred or the Reserve — within the past 48 months before you can earn a new one. The clock starts from the date you received the bonus, not the date you opened the card.
Is the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve better for churning?
The Sapphire Preferred is generally better for churning because it has a much lower annual fee ($95 vs $550) while offering similar bonus amounts (60,000-75,000 points). The lower fee means a higher net profit from the bonus. The Reserve is a better choice only if you will actively use its premium benefits like the $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass lounge access during the year you hold it.
Can you have both Sapphire cards at the same time?
No. Chase enforces a One Sapphire rule that prevents you from holding both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve simultaneously. If you currently hold one Sapphire card and want to apply for the other, you must first downgrade or close your existing Sapphire card. Wait at least 4-5 business days after the downgrade before submitting a new application.
What is the Sapphire 48-month rule?
The Sapphire 48-month rule states that you cannot earn a sign-up bonus on any Chase Sapphire card if you have received a Sapphire bonus within the past 48 months. This rule applies across both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve — receiving a bonus on either card resets the 48-month clock for both cards. Your application may still be approved, but you will not receive the welcome bonus.
What should I downgrade my Sapphire to?
You can downgrade any Sapphire card (Preferred or Reserve) to a Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex. Both are no-annual-fee cards that continue to earn Ultimate Rewards points. The Freedom Flex is popular because it offers 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories, while the Freedom Unlimited earns a flat 1.5% on all purchases. Both options preserve your credit line and account age.
Does the Sapphire bonus count toward 5/24?
The Sapphire card itself counts toward your 5/24 status because it is a personal credit card that reports to the personal credit bureaus. Opening a Sapphire Preferred or Reserve adds one to your 5/24 count. You must be under 5/24 to be approved for any Sapphire card. Check your 5/24 status before applying.
Can I product change from Sapphire Preferred to Reserve without a new application?
Yes, you can product change (upgrade) from the Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve without a new credit inquiry or a new account on your credit report. However, product changes do not earn a sign-up bonus. If you want the Reserve bonus, you need to apply as a new card, and you must not currently hold a Sapphire product and must be outside the 48-month bonus window.