The content of this page is accurate as of the publication date; however, some offers from our partners may have expired. Browse our list of the best credit cards or use our CardMatch™ tool to find the cards that suit your needs.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is a premium travel credit card offered by Chase and also one of the most popular cards on the market today. There is a hefty $550 annual fee for Sapphire Reserve, but it’s worth paying the fee if you take advantage of the card’s big signup bonus, ongoing rewards, and other travel perks.
Given the impressive rewards you can earn, it’s no wonder this card isn’t available to everyone. If you are interested in the credit score required for Chase Sapphire Reserve, you are in the right place. However, you need to be aware of other factors that affect Chase loan applications, including limits on the number of cards you can have.
Keep reading to learn about the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit score requirements, what to do if your application is rejected, and how to improve your score so you can qualify later.
What credit score is required for Chase Sapphire Reserve?
To qualify for Chase Sapphire Reserve, you will need an excellent credit score. Generally speaking, FICO credit scores in this range are at least 740, but often higher.
However, your credit score is not the only factor Chase will consider when applying for this card. First, Chase has the famous 5/24 rule, which prevents someone from being approved for one of their cards if they have opened five or more credit cards within the last 24 months. Under the 5/24 rule, it doesn’t matter which issuer the five cards are issued from – any five credit cards will disqualify you.
Chase, like other credit card issuers, also considers your income and credit report when you apply for this card and their other premium credit cards. This means you are more likely to qualify if you meet the 5/24 eligibility requirements, have an excellent credit score, stable income and a long work history.
What if my application is rejected?
Even with a credit score above 740, you can still be rejected. Luckily, Chase has a credit card review line, which means you can call 1-888-270-2127 and have a representative review your application.
If you have opened too many new credit cards in the last 24 months, you will likely receive more information about your application being rejected. However, if you were denied due to income or information that Chase was unable to verify, you will have the opportunity to answer some questions and consider the card again.
If you were rejected due to the Chase 5/24 rule, the only thing you can do is wait until enough time has passed to apply again. Once you have less than five new credit cards in the previous 24 months, Chase may be more willing to consider your application.
How can I improve my score to receive this card?
Although Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most popular luxury credit cards on the market, as noted, it is only available to borrowers with excellent credit history. If your credit score is dropping, there are some steps you can take to improve it so that you can reach the credit score required for Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Steps you can take to improve your credit score include the following:
- Become an authorized user. Becoming an authorized user of someone else’s credit card can significantly improve your credit score if the primary cardholder uses credit responsibly.
- Make all monthly payments on time. One of the best things you can do for your account is pay the full credit card balance every month. More importantly, you must ensure that all invoices are paid before the due date.
- Check your credit regularly. Staying on top of your credit situation is critical when it comes to improving your credit score. Many credit monitoring services also give you an idea of your creditworthiness and show you what factors on your credit report may be holding back your rating.
- Pay the debt off. Credit use also affects your credit score. With that in mind, paying off credit card debt and other unsecured debts can help a little in this category.
- Request an increase in credit limit. Speaking of credit usage, one of the most effective ways to reduce your credit usage is to increase the amount of credit available to you. At most credit card companies, you can request an increase in your credit limit through your online account or by calling the issuer.
bottom line
As with many premium credit cards, Chase requires an excellent credit score to qualify for Chase Sapphire Reserve. Given all the benefits of this card, it’s probably worth the effort. But if your credit score has not yet reached 740 or higher, you may need to take some extra steps to increase your score in order for your application to be approved.
If your credit score does not meet the requirements, you may also want to consider credit cards with lower requirements. For example, a set of fair and good credit cards can help you develop positive credit habits and improve your score at the same time.f
Editorial disclaimer
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective judgment of our contributors and is not based on advertising. It was not provided or ordered by credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to our partners’ products.
