Breaking News: I Got the NEW Chase Sapphire Reserve 100K Bonus in Under 48 Hours After Downgrading My Preferred!
Hey Blerd Fam! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement and a little confusion surrounding the revamped Chase Sapphire Reserve. We've talked about the higher annual fee, the incredible new bi-annual credits, and the game-changing shift in Chase's "one Sapphire" rule. But there's been one lingering question that truly impacts strategy: how quickly can you snag a new Sapphire bonus after downgrading your existing Sapphire card?
Well, I'm thrilled to report I've got a definitive, personal answer, and it's fantastic news for anyone looking to "level up" their wallet and grab that lucrative 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points + $500 Chase Travel℠ credit bonus!
The Old Dilemma: Waiting in Limbo for a New Sapphire Bonus
For years, the conventional wisdom for earning a new Chase Sapphire sign-up bonus after holding or receiving a bonus on another Sapphire card was... to wait. And wait. And wait some more. Experts often advised periods of 30 days or even longer after downgrading or closing a Sapphire card to ensure Chase's internal systems recognized you as "Sapphire-free" for bonus eligibility.
This long waiting game was frustrating, especially when attractive new offers like the current Chase Sapphire Reserve bonus emerged. The thought of missing out because a system hadn't updated yet was a real concern.
My Personal Experiment: Downgrade to Dream Card in Under 48 Hours!
Armed with the latest information about the new Sapphire rules (which launched on June 23, 2025), I decided to test the waters. Here's my recent timeline:
Monday, June 23rd: I downgraded my existing Chase Sapphire Preferred card to a no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Tuesday, June 24th: Eager to apply for the new Chase Sapphire Reserve and its incredible 100,000-point bonus, I submitted an application online. To my disappointment, I received the dreaded pop-up message: "You are not eligible for a new cardmember bonus because you currently have another personal Sapphire card open." As advised, I closed the application immediately to avoid a hard credit pull.
Wednesday, June 25th (TODAY!): Less than 48 hours after downgrading my Sapphire Preferred, I decided to try again. I submitted a new application for the Chase Sapphire Reserve online. Lo and behold, NO POP-UP! My application went through, and I was APPROVED!
This was huge, but to be absolutely sure, I immediately called Chase's reconsideration line to confirm bonus eligibility. The representative cheerfully confirmed that I would indeed receive the 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points plus the $500 Chase Travel℠ credit after meeting the $5,000 spend requirement within three months. This confirmed the current, publicly advertised bonus offer for the new Sapphire Reserve.
What This Breakthrough Means for Your Sapphire Strategy
My experience is a game-changer for anyone looking to cycle through Chase Sapphire cards and earn a new bonus. While individual situations may vary, this personal data point strongly suggests:
Rapid System Updates: Chase's internal systems appear to update much faster than the old "wait 30 days" advice. It seems that within 2 business days (or potentially even less!), their system recognizes a downgrade or product change.
The Pop-Up is Your Best Friend: The online bonus eligibility pop-up is a reliable indicator. If you see it, stop the application. If you don't, you're likely in the clear.
Bonus Eligibility is Product-Specific (with a Current Holding Catch): As we covered in our deep dive, the old "48-month family rule" is gone, replaced by a "once per lifetime per product" bonus. However, the critical caveat remains: you generally can't receive a bonus for the CSR if you currently hold a CSP, and vice-versa. My experience confirms that downgrading your existing Sapphire card first is the key.
Your Actionable Path to the NEW Chase Sapphire Reserve Bonus
If you're a current Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholder dreaming of the Sapphire Reserve's new $795 annual fee, its $550 in bi-annual credits, and that incredible 100,000-point welcome offer (plus the $500 Chase Travel credit!), here's a potential strategy based on my success:
Product Change Your Existing Sapphire Preferred: Call Chase and request to product change your Sapphire Preferred to a no-annual-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex. This preserves your credit history and Ultimate Rewards points. Ensure your card has been open for at least 12 months before downgrading to avoid any issues.
Wait a Short While: My experience shows less than 48 hours (2 business days) was sufficient. To be safe, maybe give it 2-3 full business days to allow Chase's systems to fully update.
Apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Online: Go directly to Chase's website and apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Watch for the Pop-Up: This is crucial! If you receive the pop-up message indicating you're ineligible for the bonus, do NOT proceed. Close the application and wait another day or two before trying again. If you don't see the pop-up, you're likely good to go.
Confirm Eligibility (Optional, but Recommended): Once approved, you can call Chase's customer service or reconsideration line to verbally confirm your bonus eligibility. This provides extra peace of mind.
This breakthrough timing means that getting into the new Chase Sapphire Reserve ecosystem, complete with its enhanced benefits and a massive welcome bonus, might be far quicker than previously thought after a product change. Combine this with the opportunity to immediately double-dip on those new bi-annual credits ($250 The Edit, $150 StubHub, $150 Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables) if you apply during the June/July transition period, and you're looking at phenomenal value.
Have you successfully applied for the new Sapphire Reserve? Share your timeline and experience with the Blerd Fam in the comments!
If you're feeling inspired to level up your wallet and apply for a Chase Sapphire card, you can support our work by utilizing my personal referral link here.
Disclaimer: While this reflects a personal successful experience and current understanding based on public information, credit card eligibility rules can change. Always verify the latest terms directly from Chase and check for bonus eligibility messages during your application process. Your mileage may vary.