Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k Bonus Ending Soon: Eligibility Guide

Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k Bonus: Offer Ending Soon

Chase has confirmed that the elevated 100,000-point welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ending soon. While the bank has not provided a specific cutoff date, the confirmation signals that this rare offer—one of the highest public bonuses ever seen on the card—will not last indefinitely. For travelers who have been considering the card, now is the time to act.

The 100,000-point bonus is worth at least $1,000 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. However, savvy travelers know the real value lies in transferring points to partners such as Hyatt, United Airlines, or World of Hyatt, where a single point can often exceed 1.5 cents in value. That makes this offer potentially worth $1,500 or more in premium travel.

Understanding the Lifetime Bonus Rule and Eligibility Pop-Up

Chase enforces a "lifetime bonus rule" on the Sapphire Preferred and other premium cards. Generally, you are not eligible for a welcome bonus if you currently hold the Sapphire Preferred or have received a bonus on it in the past. The bank uses an automated system to check your account history when you apply.

Some applicants encounter a pop-up message during the application process stating that they will not earn the bonus. This pop-up is the bank's way of flagging that your account history suggests you are not eligible. It does not necessarily mean your application will be denied; you may still be approved for the card, but without the bonus.

Interestingly, there have been cases where cardholders who previously held the Sapphire Preferred and assumed they were ineligible were unexpectedly approved for a second bonus. For example, one user who had closed the card years ago and received a bonus at that time was approved for the 100,000-point offer months later. This suggests that Chase's rule is not absolute and may depend on factors like time since last bonus, card closure status, and overall relationship with the bank.

What the Pop-Up Means and How to Respond

If you see the eligibility pop-up during your application, you have a choice. You can proceed with the application knowing you will not receive the bonus, or you can abandon the application and consider other options. Some travelers choose to accept the card without the bonus if they value the card's ongoing benefits—such as the $95 annual fee offset by the $50 hotel credit, 2x points on travel and dining, and access to Chase's transfer partners. However, for most, the bonus is the primary draw.

Chase does not publicly detail the exact criteria for the pop-up, but common triggers include having a Sapphire Preferred card open at the time of application or having earned a bonus on any Sapphire card (including the Sapphire Reserve) within the last 48 months. The rule is sometimes called the "48-month rule" for Sapphire cards, though the pop-up can appear even if you haven't held a Sapphire card in years.

Is It Worth Applying Now? What Travelers Should Consider

Given that the 100,000-point offer is ending soon, travelers who meet the general eligibility requirements—good to excellent credit, no current Sapphire Preferred, and no recent Sapphire bonus—should apply promptly. The card's annual fee is $95, but the bonus alone covers that cost many times over. Even if you are uncertain about eligibility, applying is low-risk: if you receive the pop-up, you can simply decline to accept the card.

For those who have held a Sapphire Preferred in the past, the outcome is less predictable. Some have successfully earned a second bonus after several years, while others have been blocked. There is no penalty for applying and being denied the bonus, so it may be worth a try if you have not held the card in the last 48 months.

Ultimately, this offer represents one of the best opportunities in travel rewards right now. Travelers should act before it disappears, but also understand the eligibility rules to avoid disappointment. If you are denied the bonus, consider other Chase cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which also offer solid earning rates and transferable points.