If you’re an authorized user on someone else’s Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you might be wondering whether that affects your ability to open your own account — and, importantly, whether you can still earn the welcome offer.
The good news is that being an authorized user does not automatically prevent you from applying for the Sapphire Preferred or earning its welcome offer, as long as you meet Chase’s current bonus eligibility rules. That’s especially encouraging given that Chase is currently offering new Sapphire Preferred cardholders a solid welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
If you transfer your points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners, the value of this bonus is up to $1,538, according to our December 2025 valuations.
Here’s what you need to know about Sapphire Preferred eligibility.
Can I open the Sapphire Preferred if I’m an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire card?
The short answer is yes. You do not open your own individual line of credit when you’re added as an authorized user on a card.
The primary cardholder is the one who owns the credit associated with the account. So, in the eyes of the issuer, this is the only person who technically “has” the card. Because of this, you do not “have” the card and are eligible to get your own.
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You don’t have to remove yourself as an authorized user to apply for your own card, either. This can be an important consideration, since your credit score may be affected if you remove yourself from a long-standing account that anchors the average age of your accounts.
If you run into any problems with your application after being an authorized user on someone else’s card, it’s worth calling Chase’s reconsideration line to explain your situation to a customer service representative.
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However, there are some restrictions to note when it comes to applying for any Chase card. Plus, Sapphire cards come with some specific stipulations of their own. Let’s examine these application rules to see if they could affect your application.
Related: As an authorized user, can I open my own account for the same card?
Sapphire Preferred application rules
Chase has two nuanced application rules that could affect your ability to earn the Sapphire Preferred‘s welcome offer, so it’s important to understand how they work before applying.
Chase’s 5/24 rule
The infamous Chase 5/24 rule restricts anyone who has opened five or more personal credit cards in the last 24 months from being approved for a new Chase card.
With the exception of some business cards, every card you’ve successfully applied for in the last 24 months counts against this rule. You have to be below 5/24 to be approved for a card from Chase.
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Authorized user cards (if they’ve been opened in the last 24 months) generally count against your 5/24 status, even though you aren’t the primary cardholder.
If you’re denied a Chase card for this reason, there could be an easy way out. If you call the reconsideration line and explain the situation, a Chase representative may not count a card you’re an authorized user on toward your 5/24 standing. However, this does not guarantee you’ll be approved.
Sapphire family rule
You can hold more than one Chase Sapphire card simultaneously, such as the Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). However, while holding multiple Sapphire cards is allowed, earning a welcome offer is a separate consideration.
Chase evaluates Sapphire welcome bonus eligibility based on multiple factors, including your current Sapphire card holdings and your prior bonus history:
- You are likely ineligible to earn a welcome bonus on a Sapphire card if you’ve previously earned a welcome bonus on that same product.
- You also may not be eligible for a welcome bonus on a Sapphire card if you currently hold another Sapphire card as a primary cardholder, even if you’ve never earned a bonus on the product you’re applying for.
Remember that authorized users are not considered primary cardholders. If you’ve only ever been an authorized user on a Sapphire card — and do not currently hold a Sapphire card in your own name — these Sapphire bonus restrictions will generally not affect you.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Am I eligible for the Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus?
You may be eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus if you do not currently hold another Sapphire card as a primary cardholder and have not previously earned a welcome bonus on the Sapphire Preferred.
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It’s also recommended that you have a credit score of 670 or above to improve your chances of approval.
To reduce guesswork, Chase has an eligibility pop-up during the application process that can tell you whether you’re eligible for the Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus before you proceed. Checking your eligibility this way does not impact your credit score.
Bottom line
Being an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire card does not prevent you from opening your own account or earning the welcome bonus. However, Chase’s Sapphire bonus rules mean eligibility depends not only on your bonus history, but also on whether you currently hold a Sapphire card as a primary cardholder.
Your chances of qualifying are generally strong as long as you:
- Are under Chase’s 5/24 limit
- Have a credit score of 670 or above
- Don’t currently hold a Sapphire card
- Have never earned a Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus
To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
