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Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » What Credit Score Is Needed For The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

What Credit Score Is Needed For The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

According to our research, you can get pre-approved with a score of +720. However, you may get the Chase Reserve card with a score of 690
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card is highly coveted for its exclusive acceptance rate and impressive rewards. With its top-tier rewards program, valuable statement credits, and substantial sign-up bonus, it’s earned a reputation as one of the best in the market.

While it’s more challenging to qualify for compared to some other cards, every application is unique. Potential applicants should consider checking for pre-approval before applying to see if they meet the criteria.

What Credit Score is Needed for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

According to the Chase website, excellent credit is required to gain approval for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card. An excellent credit score indicates that an applicant must have a score of 720+.

According to our research, you may get the Chase Reserve card with a score of 690 as long as you meet other requirements. Here are some recent evidences:

  • “I am running a balance so wasn't sure if I should apply. Woke up and said Go For It! Instantly approved for $10,800”, WomanITGeek reports being approved for the Chase Sapphire Card  with a credit score of 692. She reports having a healthy payment history and hopes for ending the month with a zero balance
  • “I have been working on my credit and my scores are 713 Equifax, 708 TransUnion and 720 Experian. Today, I actually just financed a new vehicle and I have had a Chase Sapphire Reserve approval “, says this guy on FICO credit card forum.
  • Lastly, this guy applied for the CSR with 688 EX score, $60,000+ income, 18% debt to income ratio and 2.5 year history with Chase. “I applied and was met with a message saying that they needed more time to review my application. I waited 36 hours then called the recon line and, after waiting and then verifying some information, I was approved over the phone, with a CL of $19,000.”

To reap the benefits, the cardholder must be spending enough in each category for it to be worth their while. Chase wants to ensure that their approved applicants can take advantage of the card's benefits, favoring those whose overall credit history is risk averse.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: one of the best credit cards for travel insurance

Additional Requirements to Get the Chase Reserve Card

Credit scores play a key role in determining a cardholder's interest rate, credit limit, and overall creditworthiness. Issuers know that a lower credit score often comes with a higher risk of default. However, since other factors are considered during the application process, people with less-than-excellent credit scores can still be approved.

While credit scores are a major factor in credit card approvals, they aren’t the only consideration.

Chase does not state a minimum income range in their application requirements, but it is still very pertinent information, as it can affect your application’s outcome.

If you don’t earn enough yearly to pay the annual fee or to pay off balances each month, your application is at risk, regardless of your credit score.

Debt history covers all debt scenarios, such as credit mix, credit line utilization, payment history- such as paying balances on time and in full- and account activity. Keeping your credit utilization below 30% and making payments on time affect approval rates and future credit lines.

Consider keeping an eye on your overall account activity. You can do this on the Chase website or mobile app by viewing your personal average in payments, available credit, new accounts, recent inquiries, credit used, and age of credit lines.

Chase credit journey
Chase credit journey (Screenshot from Chase app)

If your card offers rotating cashback bonus categories, don’t forget to activate or opt into the categories every quarter. This would entitle you to get 5% cashback on featured categories such as restaurants, gas stations, wholesale clubs, groceries, and more.

It is important to note that opening several credit cards at once can cause an issuer to view you as high risk or as a potential fraud. It is best to wait six months upon approval before applying for another credit card.

What Documents Should I Provide When Applying?

The documents required for application with the Sapphire reserve are the same as most other credit card applications. In most cases, this information is easy to access.

If you have any concerns about the information required for an application, contact Chase customer service or visit one of their local branches.

  • Social Security Number or ITIN: To apply for a Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card, you must be able to provide your Social Security Number or your International Taxpayer Identification Number. Your social security number can be found on your birth certificate or issued by the social security office or the IRS. ITINs are also issued through the social security office or by the IRS.
  • State-Issued ID: Documents that qualify as state-issued IDs are: driver’s license, passport, military ID, or State ID card. A state-issued ID is issued through your local DMV.
  • Mailing Address: An applicant must be a legal US resident to apply. Your mailing address may be the same or different from the one listed on your State-issued ID. Military addresses are acceptable.
  • Basic Information: Other basic information that may be found on your ID that is necessary for an application is your full name and your date of birth. You will also be asked to provide your contact information, employment status, total annual income, and housing costs
Chase support on app
Chase support options (Screenshot taken by our team from Chase app)

Amex Platinum Vs Chase Sapphire Reserve Card: Which Require Higher Score?

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the number one luxury travel card on the market. The official minimum credit score is lower than the Sapphire Reserve, requiring good to excellent credit.

Our research shows that the Chase Reserve card is a bit more strict than the Amex platinum card requirements. Some Amex Platinum applications were approved with a 680 credit score, sometimes even less. Amex tends to be more forgiving of the applicants they approve with a lower-than-minimum credit score.

Compared to the Amex Platinum card, the Sapphire Reserve offers points in everyday categories such as restaurants, transportation, and hotels, unlike the Amex Platinum- which focuses on airline purchases.

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Capital One Venture X Vs Chase Sapphire Reserve Card: Which Require Higher Score?

The credit score required by the Capital One VentureX Credit Card is lower than the Chase Sapphire Reserve, requiring a good credit score of 670+.

There are more restrictions on categories and rewards with the Venture X card compared to the flexibility of the Sapphire Reserve card, which offers flexibility for travel credit and higher points value when redeemed for travel.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Vs Preferred Card: Which Require Higher Score?

The credit score required by the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card is lower than the Chase Sapphire Reserve, requiring a good credit score of 690+.

While both cards offer great travel benefits, the Reserve card offer lounge access and other premium rewards, including a better rewards rate on Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Which Chase Cards Can You Get with a Credit Score of 650?

Chase offers a wide variety of credit cards ranging from credit-building to rewards and Cashback. Not all of their cards are viewed as a luxury, nor do all of them require an excellent credit score as the Sapphire Reserve does.

The cards listed below range from fair-good credit, and good-excellent credit:

  • Chase Freedom Flex Card: this card offer rewards on rotating categories and while it officially asks for a +670 credit score, you can get it with a lower score as long as you meet other Chase requirements.
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited: this is one of the best card Chase offers, with a long 0% intro and sign-up bonus. Here also the threshold is higher, but we found some evidences for users who got this card with less than 650 credit score.
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card requires a minimum credit score of 670+ to gain approval, though it has a trend of accepting applicants with a lower credit score. 
  • United Explorer Card: Requiring a credit score of 670+, the Southwest Rapids Plus Credit Card is an exceptional travel card with a sign-on bonus of 60,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first three months and has a high rewards rate.

However, for all of these cards, the risk is high – if you don't meet other requirements or have any kind of relationship with Chase, you may want to wait.

Card
Rewards
Bonus
Annual Fee
Chase Freedom Flex
1-5% 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on selected categories each quarter and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Also, you can earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), drugstore purchases , and 1% on all other purchases
$200 $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$0

chase freedom unlimited card

1.5% – 5% 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery), 3% on drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases
$250 Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$0

united_explorer_card

1X – 2X 2x per $1 spent on United purchases, hotel accommodations, restaurants & eligible delivery services and 1x per $1 spent on all other purchases
50,000 miles 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$95 ($0 first year)

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

1x – 2x 2X points on Southwest purchases, Southwesthotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting (including ride-shares),internet, cable, phone and select streaming services, and 1X points on all other purchases
40,000 points Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$69

Things To Know Before Getting The Chase Reserve Card

 The Sapphire reserve has a high annual fee of $550. The card does come with a $300 credit every year that can help you pay this fee.

The benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card make travel easier for card owners, allowing them to take advantage of their rewards every day of the year. For example:

    • 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
    • 1:1 Point transfer
    • No blackout dates or travel restrictions
    • $0 foreign transaction fee
    • 24/7 customer service

Users are greeted by a customer service representative at any time, 24/7. Chase is partnered with a variety of businesses, allowing users to redeem points and take advantage of deals in a way that works for them.

Transfer points from Chase Sapphire Reserve to United Example
Transfer points from Chase Sapphire Reserve to United (Screenshot from Chase app)

The Sapphire Reserve offers a 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This equals $900 for travel redemption. 

You are not eligible for the sign-on bonus if you already own this card, or have been a card owner of any Sapphire credit card for less than 48 months.

The Reserve card offers a couple of travel and fraud protections, such as: 

    • Auto rental collision damage waiver
    • Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
    • Travel and emergency assistance services
    • Purchase protection

Chase has partnered with a variety of businesses, adding a level of convenience to owning the Sapphire Reserve.

  • Doordash: Card owners can take advantage of no delivery fees on select restaurants for up to one year with Doordash. Card owners have until December 31st, 2024 to activate these rewards.
  • Lyft: Card owners receive a free one-year membership with Lyft Pink and earn 10x the points on their Sapphire Reserve when used for Lyft.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Reward details

1X – 10X 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Current Offer

60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Credit Rating

Good – Excellent

Annual Fee

$550

Why was My Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Application Rejected and What to Do?

There are many reasons why your Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card application was rejected. You may have inserted information incorrectly or have a lower-than-excellent credit score.

Other factors could involve your monthly income to monthly living expenses. More personal reasons for rejection may involve your credit history or the number of cards you have recently opened.

The number one way to ensure that your credit card application will be approved is to practice healthy spending.

Maintaining a clean credit history, and paying balances on time and in full will raise your score- making approval easier in the future. Chase will send you a letter of rejection by mail with more information in case your application is not approved.

If you feel as though your application was unjustly rejected, your first option is to call the Reconsideration Line at 1-888-270-2127. If you have issues getting a hold of a representative, you can call customer service or check your application status.

FAQs

Yes, the Sapphire Reserve offers pre-approval. Chase has a pre-approval page on their website where potential card owners can check to see if they qualify before applying.

You can check your credit score through Chase account online or via mobile app for free at any time. You can set up alerts to notify you of any credit report changes.

With travel booming in post-pandemic, the Sapphire reserve continues to stand as one of the best travel cards on the market. The high rewards make it worth the high annual fee and the benefits of the Sapphire Reserve are exceptional compared to its competitors.

Yes, the Sapphire Reserve card is considered a luxury card. It is viewed as elite because of the price of rewards value and the cost of maintenance required to optimize the card’s benefits.

To get TSA pre-check-in with your Sapphire Reserve, simply apply for the program using your card. You will receive a statement on your card when the charge goes through.

The Chase Sapphire card gives members access to over 1,300 lounges in 500+ cities worldwide. Cardholders are allowed up to 2 guests for free, with the option to purchase additional guest passes.

The Sapphire Reserve offers a wide range of travel benefits across airlines and hotels and even partners with businesses that allow point transfers.

Card owners can take advantage of complimentary Priority Passes with select memberships upon enrollment and completion of a one-time activation.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers access to lounges worldwide. You can view the full list of Sapphire Reserve lounges and their experiences on the Priority Pass website.

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Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.