
Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card approval odds are influenced by income, with a minimum income requirement of $40,000 per year.
Having a good credit mix is essential, but it's not the only factor in approval odds. A credit mix of 3-5 credit accounts, including a mortgage, car loan, and credit cards, can improve approval chances.
A credit score of 700 or higher significantly increases approval odds. However, credit scores below 600 can lead to automatic denial.
Approval Odds Factors
Having a good credit score is crucial for getting approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, with a minimum score of 670 recommended for the highest approval odds. However, credit scores can be deceptive, and having a great score in the 700s may not guarantee approval if you have little to no credit history.
Your credit account history, utilization, and payment history all play a role in your approval odds. It's not just about having a good credit score, but also about demonstrating responsible credit behavior.
To get a better sense of your approval odds, you can check if you're pre-qualified for any offers on the Chase website. Pre-qualifying does not guarantee approval, but it indicates that you have pretty good odds of getting approved for certain cards.
If you want to improve your credit score, WalletHub's free credit analysis can provide you with personalized recommendations.
Here are the key factors that affect your Chase Sapphire Preferred approval odds:
It's worth noting that having a long credit history and a solid credit file can improve your approval odds. If you're new to credit, it may be better to start with a Chase Freedom card and build up your credit before applying for the Sapphire Preferred.
Card Details
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a variable interest rate ranging from 20.49% to 27.49% on purchases and balance transfers.
This card's interest rate is higher than average, which means you should aim to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
The interest rate is variable, so it may change over time, and you should check your account regularly to stay on top of any rate changes.
Application Process
To apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you'll need to meet the basic requirements, which include being at least 18 years old and having a valid Social Security number.
The application process typically takes around 30 seconds to a minute to complete, and you can apply online or through the Chase mobile app.
You'll need to provide personal and financial information, such as your name, address, income, and employment history, which will be used to determine your creditworthiness.
History
If you have virtually no credit history, you might want to look at some cards for fair credit scores that you can use to build up your score before applying for Chase cards.
It's recommended to have at least a year of credit history for a better chance of approval.
Having a little bit of credit history, one year or more, might make you eligible for a card like the Chase Freedom.
Chase likes to see 1-2 years of Average Age of Accounts (AAOA) and prior management of 5k in credit limits (total is fine and you look close).

Opening a Chase secondary account and waiting a few months might improve your chances of approval.
Chase usually wants to see 1 year of credit history, but it's not always the case.
You can try opening a checking account with a large SUB and put about 5,000 in a checking account, which might make you pre-approved for Chase cards by the banker in person.
Approval Times
You might get messages saying a decision will be made in 30 days, two weeks, or 7 to 10 days.
These messages can reveal a lot about your approval odds. If you receive a 30-day message, it might be a sign that the decision is taking longer than usual.
Instant approval is not always guaranteed, so be prepared for a wait. Messages like these can give you an idea of what to expect.
Reconsideration
If you're a borderline candidate, there's a high chance your application will end up in a Chase reconsideration phone call.
This is your chance to plead your case on why you should get approved for the card you're applying for.
For borderline candidates, a reconsideration call can be a huge factor in getting your credit card application approved.
Reading up on Chase reconsideration tips can help you handle the call and possibly get Chase to overturn a rejection and approve you for the Sapphire card.
You'll want to be prepared to make a strong case for why you should be approved, so make sure to review the tips and be ready to speak confidently.
A reconsideration call is basically a chance to plead your case and convince Chase to approve your application.
What Bureau Will Extract From?
Chase is harder to predict when it comes to pulling credit reports from a specific bureau.
There are three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Some banks like American Express tend to pull from one credit bureau most of the time, often Experian.

You can expect Chase to pull from Experian and one additional bureau, but this may vary based on location.
Knowing which bureau will be pulled is helpful to avoid using a bad credit report.
You can find out how to search which credit bureau your local bank might pull by using the resources mentioned.
Credit Score and Requirements
To improve your chances of getting approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you'll want to focus on your credit score. Generally, you'll need a credit score of at least 700 to qualify, although it's possible to get approved with a lower score or rejected with a higher one.
A good credit score is just one factor, however, and you'll also want to consider your credit account history, utilization, and payment history. This is because credit scores can be deceptive - having a great score in the 700s doesn't necessarily mean you'll be approved if you have little to no credit history.
To give you a better idea of what you're working with, here are the FICO score ranges:
- Very poor: 300 to 579
- Fair: 580 to 669
- Good: 670 to 739
- Very good: 740 to 799
- Exceptional: 800 to 850
Income Requirement for the Card

Typically, you want an income of at least $40,000 for the Chase Sapphire Preferred approval odds.
If you do enough research, you'll see some data points of approvals with income in the $30,000 and even $20,000 range, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with those figures.
A really high income won't make up for a horrible credit score.
If your income is lower (below or around $30,000), I'd advise applying for the Chase Freedom and then building your credit up for the Sapphire Preferred at a later date.
The lower your income, the lower your credit line will probably be, which will usually be a minimum of $5,000.
I'd only feel comfortable applying for the Sapphire Preferred with an income of $45,000+.
FICO Score Ranges:
FICO scores range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating a higher likelihood that you'll be able to pay off your balance on time and in full.
To give you a better idea of where you stand, here are the FICO score ranges:
To qualify for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you'll need a credit score of at least 700, but aiming for a score above 700 will improve your odds of approval.
Read the Rules
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is subject to the Chase 5/24 Rule, which means you'll want to check how many new credit cards you've applied for in the past 24 months before applying.
Reading up on the Chase application rules can save you a lot of time and potential rejection.
The Sapphire Preferred requires at least a $5,000 minimum credit limit because it's a Visa Signature credit card, but you can get credit limits much higher, potentially in the $20,000+ range.
You can check your credit limit increase eligibility directly with Chase, or consider using a tool like WalletFlo to get a jump start on your credit card eligibility.
If you're on the higher side of income, you may have a better shot at getting a high credit limit with the Sapphire Preferred.
Odds of Approval
Chase Sapphire Preferred approval times can give you an idea of what to expect, with messages indicating a decision will be made in 30 days, two weeks, or 7 to 10 days.
These messages can reveal a lot about your approval odds. If you get a message with a longer timeframe, it might indicate a lower approval chance.
Odds of approval are influenced by credit history, with Chase usually wanting to see 1 year of credit history. This can be a challenge for those with limited history, who might face a 50/50 or 60/40 chance of approval.
Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a great choice, especially if you're interested in transferrable travel rewards, with a modest $95 annual fee and the option to redeem points for 25% more through Chase Travelâ„ .
Its annual fee is indeed $95, a relatively low cost considering the benefits it offers.
This card's rewards program is one of its strongest features, allowing you to transfer points to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Odds of Approval
You might get messages that a decision will be made in 30 days, two weeks, or 7 to 10 days, but these messages can reveal a lot about your approval odds.
Chase usually wants to see 1-2 years of Average Age of Accounts (AAOA) and prior management of 5k in Credit Limits, but this isn't always the case.
If you have a relatively short credit history, like 1 year and 2 months, your approval odds might be around 50/50 or 60/40.
Opening a Chase secondary account and waiting a few months can help improve your approval chances, especially if you're trying to get a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card.
Chase likes to see a solid 2-year long credit history, but they might make exceptions for certain applicants.
If you're not instantly approved, it's possible that the bank is waiting to see how you manage your credit, so it's essential to keep your accounts in good standing.
In some cases, having a large credit limit, like 10k, can increase your approval odds, but it's not the only factor that Chase considers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What income is needed for Chase Sapphire Preferred?
To be eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you'll need an annual income of at least $30,000. This income requirement helps ensure you can manage the card's benefits and rewards.
Sources
- https://www.uponarriving.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-approval-odds/
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/credit-score-needed-for-chase-sapphire-preferred/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/chase-sapphire-preferred-card-credit-score/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/chase-sapphire-preferred-approval-odds-1000358-2140716301/
- https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/Odds-of-Being-Approved-for-a-Chase-Sapphire-Preferred-or-Reserve/td-p/6742607
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