Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Credit Score Needed + 3 Approval Factors

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the consistently highest-rated travel rewards cards on the market. Between its generous signup offer and market-leading rewards rates – not to mention its sleek metal design – it’s no wonder the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card reigns supreme among those looking to maximize both value and rewards flexibility.

So, what does it take to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred®? Credit score is a major consideration — a good-to-excellent credit score is generally required. Based on hundreds of user reviews, we’ve broken down some of the factors Chase looks at when deciding who’ll be approved for one of its most popular offers. We also look at how to apply for the card and explore some other solid choices should you not be approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

3 Approval Factors | Apply | Alternate Offers | Reconsideration Line

An average credit score of 741 sits nicely in the “excellent” credit score range (720+), but don’t be discouraged – users with much lower credit scores say they’ve also been approved. MileCards.com reports that users with scores as low as 668 have been approved, and this Credit Karma reviewer says he was not only approved, but given a very high credit limit, despite his limited credit history:

“Apprehensive, but applied after being prequalified on their website. 703 TU (TransUnion) 693 EF (Equifax) on Credit Karma. I only have eight months of credit card history – Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Cardd with a credit line of $1,500. I was instantly approved for a $21K credit line.” — Credit Karma Review

Credit Karma also provides a chart of its members’ credit scores who carry the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. As you can see, the majority have a score above 750.

For the 6% of cardholders below 600 – and perhaps even the 11% below 650 – it’s likely their scores took a hit sometime after having already been approved for the card. Late payments and high credit utilization can cause a credit score to plummet, as they’re the most heavily weighted factors used to determine one’s credit score.

After scouring the web for reviews and learning everything we could about this particular card’s qualifying criteria, here are three commonly reported factors Chase takes into consideration when determining approval:

1. Equifax Credit Report

While you have three main credit reports — one each from the three major reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — most creditors won’t check all three reports, instead pulling just one or two reports. According to many reviewers, Chase seems to favor Equifax credit reports, though the exact report (or reports) the bank checks can vary based on a number of factors, including your state or region.

Why does the specific bureau matter? Because your three reports could each hold information the other two lack, and your credit scores can vary based on the credit report data used. Of course, this isn’t a rule and you can ask each lender exactly which report they look at, but if you have a charge-off or any other such derogatory mark on your Equifax report, it could pose a problem when applying for this particular card.

2. Total Open Credit Cards

This factor has little to do with your creditworthiness, and a lot to do with whether Chase thinks you may be a credit card churner. Basically, many Chase credit cards, including this one, are subject to what’s known as the 5/24 Rule, which means you won’t be approved for a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you’ve opened five or more credit card accounts within the last 24 months.

“I have three cards from Chase: Freedom, Amazon, Southwest, with a total credit of $37,500. I pay off the balances every month, and my CK score is 790+. With some upcoming dental work and insurance expenses totaling about $5,000, I applied for the Chase Sapphire card to take advantage of the signup bonus. Received a letter from Chase turning me down because I have too many cards (10) opened during the last 2 years.” – Credit Karma Review

So, even if you’re otherwise perfectly qualified for this card — or any other solely Chase-branded credit card — you’ll be automatically rejected if you’ve opened too many credit cards in the recent past, regardless of issuer. In some cases, having a business card or simply being an authorized user on a credit card account can count toward the five-card limit.

3. Credit Utilization

Your credit utilization is the balance you carry on your credit cards. This number should never exceed 30% of your available credit. For example, a credit card with a $1,000 limit should not keep a balance of over $300. People have reported being denied for having a high balance on other cards, but then being approved after paying the debt down.

“My scores got knocked back because a high utilization was reported one month. I got my only card, my Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card ($6,500 CL) to a zero balance and waited for a few days for the zero balance to post to the bureaus. Saw a major bump in scores (35+ points in each) when the utilization ding cleared. Applied with 799 Transunion, 759 Equifax Credit Karma scores. Instantly approved as soon as I hit the apply button with a $12,000 limit. I’ll never carry a balance there, but it’s nice to know that I can now purchase a pair of international business class tickets in one transaction.” — Credit Karma Review

Along with always making your payments on time, keeping your credit utilization low is one of the best things you can do to maintain a good credit score.

Now that you have an idea of what Chase may look for when reviewing a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card applicant, you can apply below by clicking the green button. The only way to truly know if you’ll be approved is to apply!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

CardRates Expert Rating

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

4.9/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Annual Fee $95

Credit Needed Good/Excellent

+See more offers from Chase

While it may be true that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the more difficult cards to be approved for, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other great offers available to you. While this card is popular for its travel and cash-back rewards, we’ve evaluated three comparable offers for you to consider.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Top rated mobile app

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Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Annual Fee $95

Credit Needed Excellent, Good

See Rates & Fees »

Discover it® Miles

CardRates Expert Rating

Discover it® Miles

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

at Capital One'ssecure website

Our Review »

• UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited mile-for-mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a mile-for-mile match. You could turn 35,000 miles into 70,000 miles.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee.
• Turn miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 months

Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 months

Regular APR 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Excellent/Good

See Rates & Fees »

Discover it® Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating

Discover it® Cash Back

4.9/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

at Capital One'ssecure website

Our Review »

• INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee.
• Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 months

Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 months

Regular APR 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Excellent/Good

See Rates & Fees »

What’s especially nice about these cards is that there’s no annual fee, something Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders don’t have the luxury of. Additionally, ValuePenguin says that if you don’t spend at least $10,000 annually on the card, it’s likely not worth it, making the above offers even more attractive.

Chase offers applicants a reconsideration hotline in the event an application is denied, and many have reported success by calling:

888-245-0625

Representatives are available to assist you at this number between the hours of 7 a.m. — 10 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday.

Note: The reconsideration number is not the same for business accounts, in which case you’ll need to call: 800-453-9719

“I applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card about 7 days ago and got a rejection letter today. It said, “Too many requests for credit or opened accounts with us.” I’ve had 5 hard pulls since Jan. 1st & only have one Chase card currently. So I called the Chase reconsideration line a few minutes ago. The rep asked me the amount of my mortgage payment, put me on hold for 2 minutes, and approved me. My FICO is about 750 & I’ve had a long history with Chase so I expected them to approve me.” – Flyertalk.com Review

When calling to have an application reconsidered, have your financial information in order (income, debts, credit score, etc.), do so in a timely manner (within one month of applying), and be polite! The person on the other end of the phone didn’t personally deny your application, so don’t take your frustrations out on them – a little kindness can go a long way in these situations, and you may soon have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card in your credit card repertoire.