If I’m an authorized user on a Chase Sapphire card, can I get the Sapphire Preferred?

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

In case you haven’t heard, one of TPG’s favorite rewards cards on the market is running one of the best deals we’ve ever seen.

That’s right — the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is offering new cardholders a staggering 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

TPG’s April 2025 valuations place this bonus at $2,050, which is a stellar return we haven’t seen in more than three years. With the long list of redemption options you could unlock with these points, you don’t want to miss your chance to earn this offer.

But if you’ve been an authorized user on someone else’s Sapphire card and haven’t opened your own Sapphire Preferred or premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) account, you may wonder if you’re eligible for this welcome offer.

If this sounds like your circumstance, we have the answer for you. Let’s walk through how to navigate this situation so you can snag those 100,000 valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points for yourself.

Can I open the Sapphire Preferred if I’m an authorized user on a Chase 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 only 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.

You don’t have to remove yourself as an authorized user to receive your own card, either. This can be an important consideration, since your credit score could 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.

However, there are some restrictions to note when it comes to applying for any Chase card. Plus, some other stipulations exist around Sapphire cards specifically. 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 a short list of nuanced application rules that may cause you to miss out on its incredible 100,000-point welcome offer if you don’t follow them.

Two rules affect Chase Sapphire products:

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.

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.

Chase Sapphire rule

The Sapphire Preferred‘s application page is clear with this rule:

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.

Remember that authorized users are not considered primary cardmembers, so this rule won’t apply to you. As long as you’re only an authorized user and you don’t have your own Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or no-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Card (no longer open to new applications), you’re in the clear.

The information for the Chase Sapphire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Am I eligible for the Sapphire Preferred’s 100,000-point welcome bonus?

You can receive the bonus on the Sapphire Preferred if you haven’t received a bonus on either Sapphire card in the past 48 months. Again, if you’re simply the authorized user on someone else’s card, you haven’t earned the points as the primary cardmember, so you’d be eligible.

However, as we’ve said, if you’ve previously held your own Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve and earned a welcome bonus within the past 48 months, you won’t be eligible to receive this current bonus. Note this date is 48 months from when you received the bonus, not from when you applied for the card.

Related: Who’s eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 100,000-point bonus?

Bottom line

With an offer as solid as the current 100,000-point bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred, it’s understandable why you’d want to ensure your eligibility.

But, if you’re an authorized user, don’t have your own Sapphire card and haven’t earned a bonus on a Sapphire card in 48 months, you’ll only need to be concerned with your 5/24 standing, which is a consideration for anyone applying for a new Chase card.

Remember that if you are rejected, you can always call Chase’s reconsideration line to make your case for why you should be approved.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.