Thread: Chase Sapphire Requirements

What are the requirements for this particular card?

I know an applicant needs to have an excellent credit score, but is there also an income requisite? I have read some review sites where they mention the Sapphire being designed towards the top 15% earners, not sure if they meant the cards features were designed for the top 15% earners or whether the card in general is only approved for the top 15% earners.

I am thinking about applying for this card by the way, and I currently have a credit score of 737.

I got one when they first came out and my score runs 775-800, but I'm in no way a "top earner," whatever that is. You'll probably get one. The exclusivity is mostly just marketing BS, as is the case with most "prestige" products. Chase cards aren't bad, but I think there are equal or better alternatives out there.

Good luck Keysmasher!

Credit Card Forum is currently running two great sponsored signup offers for both versions of this card. Check out our Chase Sapphire review to see.

-CreditCardGuru

ugh, got a letter from Chase a few days ago and I was denied. The reason for denying my application was as stated:

Too many requests for credit or opened accounts with us

Which doesn't make sense because the only account that I have under MY name (not as an authorized user) is the Chase Student credit card with a $300 limit. I also have an American Express Zync that I got back in October and both cards have been paid in full every statement.

I got the Chase Student cc in July, and the Zync in mid-October, so 2 soft credit card hits in the past 6 months. So the reason "Too many requests for credit" is invalid.

This brings me to the next statement "Too many opened accounts with us." The only official card I have with Chase (as stated before) is the student credit card. The rest of the cards that show up on the Experian report are my parents credit cards that they have with Chase and added me as the authorized user. I am currently added as an AU for 2 credit cards, one card since 05, and one card since 09.

Could this be an error on behalf of Chase as those two accounts aren't technically mine, they are my parents? On the letter, it has a phone number (18882702127, not sure if that is a direct number or CSR call center) to contact if I have any questions. Do I have a chance to dispute their reason, or should I just give up?

EDIT: by the way, according to the letter they ONLY used the report from Experian, if that helps any.

Originally Posted by jeffysdad

I don't know if I would take what they say about the reasons for the denial too seriously. I've read that the Sapphire card is targeted at individuals with incomes of $120k and above.

If you gave them your income and it wasn't at least that, that could be a reason. That said, I got the Sapphire card immediately after the first mailing about it that I got from Chase. This was way before they flooded the airwaves with advertising. I had a long history with Chase and the Freedom card, and I got the Sapphire card without any problem, even though my income is below their target. If I had to apply for one out of the blue, I don't know if I would get it.

All that said, unless you travel a lot, the Sapphire card isn't the best card for you, probably. Freedom rewards are much more generous, in my opinion. And there are other options out there depending on your spending habits and whether you're willing to juggle two or more cards to maximize rewards.

However, if you place a premium on customer service, placing it above rewards and low interest rate, then the Sapphire is worth considering. Sapphire customer service is way better than what you get from the other Chase cards. I think it beats Amex and Discover, too, not to mention Citi, HSBC, et al.

The Household Income that I stated on the application was well over 120k, and I need this card for January & Spring Break since it's a Visa Signature and the special feature about them is that they all (usually) have no preset limit and Visa is essentially accepted everywhere. I would apply for the Freedom, but I am afraid I will only get a measly $500 limit again.

Also, you basically dodged by questions (sad face), or are you trying to say to "give up" on a rebuttle?

Originally Posted by jeffysdad

Income -- if it matters in this case, which it may not -- most likely refers to that of the individual cardholder, not his/her household.

Freedom is available as a "Visa Signature," too; I have one.

"No preset limit" is essentially a marketing gimmick. If you're charging too much in their opinion, they will cut you off no matter what.

I doubt whether a card is Freedom or Sapphire, Signature or not, would affect credit line you get. BTW, both my Freedom and Sapphire are Signature cards and on their website Chase says I can spend up to $13,500 on each, so there does appear to be a limit. I recently reassigned some of the available credit from one card to another by calling and asking them.

You should call Chase and clear up what other (if any) open lines you have with them. If you have an existing account, perhaps they could convert it to something you would want.

I don't know about the "No preset spending limit" being a market gimmick. I have the Zync (AMEX) which has no preset spending limit and when I put 250k as a test charge, it was accepted.

I'll probably give them a call later today for a rebuttle and explain my situation after I get over this raging hangover.

2 credit pulls in a year or so is enough to get you denied. You said you opened a new account in July and another in October. I think you'll need to wait a while.