Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (2024)

In the points and miles world, a mention of the infamous 5/24 rule is sure to follow whenever a Chase card comes up. In short, this refers to the unofficial rule that Chase won't approve a credit card application for someone who has opened five or more new credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.

However, without any official published policy from Chase, dissecting the 5/24 rule still relies heavily on crowdsourced data. There are outlier data points that can turn out to be false, as well as exceptions to what we generally believe to be true.

Here's everything you need to know about Chase's 5/24 restrictions.

What is the Chase 5/24 rule?

In order to be approved for any Chase card subject to 5/24, you cannot have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months (more on business cards in a moment).

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (1)

This means you actually need to be under 5/24 to be approved. The 5/24 rule only applies to getting approved for cards issued by Chase, but your 5/24 count includes credit cards from all banks.

Related: The best ways to use your 5/24 slots

Are all Chase cards subject to 5/24?

Most travel cards issued by Chase are subject to 5/24 for approval, including cobranded cards. The following are cards reported to be subject to the 5/24 rule:

  • Chase Freedom Flex℠
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  • Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  • Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
  • Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card*
  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
  • United Club℠ Infinite Card
  • United℠ Business Card
  • United Quest℠ Card
  • United℠ Explorer Card
  • United Gateway℠ Card
  • Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card
  • British Airways Visa Signature® Card
  • Disney® Premier Visa® Card
  • Disney® Visa® Card
  • Iberia Visa Signature® Card
  • IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
  • IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
  • IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card*
  • Prime Visa
  • World of Hyatt Credit Card
  • World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (2)

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Reader reports also indicate that applying for too many Chase cards too quickly can lead to account scrutiny and shutdowns, regardless of your 5/24 status. Some online reports have noted that Chase will not accept you for more than two new accounts within 30 days.

Because of that, a general recommendation is to avoid applying for a new account more frequently than every three or four months.

Remember that 5/24 is not the only factor determining whether your Chase credit card application is approved — your credit score, income, debt levels and many other variables are also considered. For business cards, Chase also sometimes requests documentation such as financial statements or articles of organization to show that you have a legitimate business or sole proprietorship.

Related: Clearing up the confusion: How to complete a Chase business credit card application

How do I check my 5/24 status?

We've found the easiest way to check your 5/24 status is to sign up for Experian's free credit report service (make sure you don't accidentally sign up for a paid service — unless that's your intention).

Using the Experian app, you can view all of your accounts and sort them by the date they were opened. From here, count anything opened within the last 24 months. Chase only looks at whether an account was opened — it doesn't matter if you've since closed it.

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (3)

According to most recent data points, you will not technically be below 5/24 until the first day of the 25th month after your fifth account was opened. For example, if your fifth most recent account was opened on Oct. 17, 2023, do not apply for a new card until at least Nov. 1, 2025.

Related: How to calculate your 5/24 standing

What accounts add to your 5/24 status?

The following accounts count toward your 5/24 standing:

  • All personal credit cards opened with any bank in the immediate past 24 months (even if they're now closed).
  • Business cards opened with Discover and TD Bank in the past 24 months, plus any Capital One small-business card other than the Capital One Venture X Business and Capital One Spark Cash Plus accounts.
  • Authorized user cards from another person's personal card opened in the past 24 months, as they're reported on your credit report. However, you can call the Chase reconsideration line and ask for these accounts to not be considered.
  • Specific store cards opened in the last 24 months that are part of a national payment system and can be used elsewhere. Some data points suggest that even store cards that can only be used at a single establishment also now count. Assume that if it shows up on your credit report then Chase will count it.

The information for the Spark Travel Elite card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (4)

The following accounts will not count toward your 5/24 standing:

  • Cards for which you applied but were ultimately denied (credit inquiries aren't counted)
  • Small-business cards from the majority of card issuers, with the known exceptions listed above
  • Auto loans, student loans and mortgages

Related: These business cards can help you stay under Chase's 5/24 rule

What about card conversions and upgrades?

Depending on how a bank processes a card conversion or upgrade — also known as a product change — it might not be reported as a new account. Before completing an upgrade or product change, ask the bank if a hard credit pull will be completed. In addition, ask if you'll receive a new account number after the switch.

If the answer to one (or both) of these questions is yes, that could be a sign the account will be considered new and add to your 5/24 standing.

Related: Do product changes and conversions count against Chase's 5/24 rule?

Are the methods to bypass 5/24 all dead?

There have been some instances recently where cardholders bypassed the 5/24 rule through targeted "Just for you" offers. To see if you're targeted, navigate to "Just for you" under "Explore products" in the left-hand menu bar when you're logged in to your Chase personal account.

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (5)

If you desperately want a card now and are over 5/24, you can attempt a product change within the Chase Ultimate Rewards card family (assuming you've held the card you want to convert for at least a year). However, unless you've been specifically targeted for a bonus to upgrade a card, you will not receive a sign-up bonus for any product change.

Related: When should you ignore Chase's 5/24 rule?

Chase 5/24 FAQ

Can I apply for two Chase cards on the same day when I'm 4/24 and get approved for both?

Historically, some data points suggested you can apply for two Chase cards on the same day when you're at 4/24. However, one of the applications may be automatically declined in this case. If you then call the reconsideration line, the agent may see your new (approved) account, and this may make you ineligible for the second one (though you'd still have the second hard inquiry on your account).

In either case, remember that Chase may scrutinize customers applying for credit too quickly. Our recommendation is to only apply for one Chase card at a time.

I applied for a card on the exact day I went below 5/24 and was denied. What can I do?

Wait until the first day of the next month and call the Chase reconsideration line, or reapply after the first day of the next month.

I am at or over 5/24. Can I get a card from another bank?

Yes. Approvals for credit cards issued by banks other than Chase are not affected by your 5/24 score. Of course, each bank does have its own approval criteria.

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (6)

Do Chase business cards count toward my 5/24 score?

No. If you are approved for a Chase business card, it shouldn't add to your 5/24 standing. However, you must be below 5/24 to get approved for most Chase business cards.

What if I'm under 5/24 but have authorized user accounts on my credit report that make me appear at (or over) 5/24?

Your application may be outright denied or marked for further review. In either case, you'll want to call the Chase reconsideration line and note which accounts are authorized user accounts. The agent will likely ask whether you are responsible for these accounts and may approve you if someone else is the primary cardholder. However, this is a manual process, and it may not work.

Instead, consider planning ahead and removing yourself as an authorized user at least a month before submitting your application.

Related: How TPG staffers with the most credit cards handle Chase's 5/24 rule

Bottom line

Chase's 5/24 is a firmly entrenched rule with no signs of disappearing any time soon. This means you need to be extremely strategic about your application and rewards strategy so you can maximize your five allowed Chase slots.

If you're starting in the realm of credit card rewards and aren't close to 5/24, you'll want to prioritize getting Chase cards first. But remember not to try to fill your five slots with Chase cards too quickly. Take it slow and be smart about which cards you apply for and when you do it.

For additional reading, check out our picks for the best credit cards.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred, earning 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve, earning 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy (2024)

FAQs

Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy? ›

Perhaps the most well-known example in the points and miles world is Chase's 5/24 rule. That rule means that Chase will reject you for nearly all of its credit cards if you've opened five or more cards across all banks in the previous 24 months, excluding most business cards.

How do I get past Chase 5 24 rule? ›

For instance, if you've opened two Citi cards and three Amex cards within the past 24 months, then you will likely be denied for a new Chase card until your 5/24 score decreases. There really aren't any workarounds to the 5/24 rule, beyond waiting for a new account to be over 24 months old.

What is the 5 24 rule on Chase card application? ›

The 5/24 rule is an unofficial policy that dictates that Chase won't approve you for its cards if you've opened five or more personal credit card accounts from any issuer in the last 24 months. Put simply, the number of cards you've opened in the previous two years will affect your approval odds with Chase.

How to calculate Chase 5/24? ›

To calculate your 5/24 score, add up all the credit cards that you have been approved for over the past 24 months. Look at the sections that contain the list of both your open and closed accounts. Even if an account is currently closed, if it was opened within the past 24 months, Chase will count that card.

What is the 2 30 rule for Chase? ›

2/30 Rule. The 2/30 rule says that you can only have two applications every 30 days or else you'll automatically be rejected. If you don't have a high credit score (700+), your chances of getting approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is slim.

Do personal loans count against Chase 5/24? ›

The Chase 5/24 rule primarily applies to credit card accounts. It counts the number of credit card accounts you've opened in the past 24 months when considering your eligibility for certain Chase credit cards. Loans, such as personal loans or mortgages, are typically not counted as part of the 5/24 calculation.

Do car loans count towards Chase 5 24? ›

Getting a new loan, like a mortgage, auto loan or student loan will not affect your Chase 5/24 status. But, home equity lines of credit or a personal line of credit may. In general, your 5/24 status primarily counts personal revolving credit accounts.

What is the 10x Chase 5 24 rule? ›

The Chase 5/24 rule is an unwritten policy that prevents you from being approved for a new Chase credit card if you have opened five or more accounts with any bank in the last 24 months. Even with excellent credit, you'll likely be denied for certain Chase credit cards if you've opened too many credit cards recently.

What is the Chase 2 90 rule? ›

We recommend only applying for one personal and one business card from Chase in a 90-day period.

How to check if you're under 5/24? ›

We've found the easiest way to check your 5/24 status is to sign up for Experian's free credit report service (make sure you don't accidentally sign up for a paid service — unless that's your intention). Using the Experian app, you can view all of your accounts and sort them by the date they were opened.

How do I see if I am 5/24? ›

Here are the easiest ways to check your 5/24 status for free:
  1. CreditWise from Capital One. Look for new accounts under “Accounts & Balances”
  2. Credit Karma mobile app. Find a list of open accounts, sorted by account age under “Credit Factors.”
  3. Credit Karma website. ...
  4. Experian mobile app.
Jun 3, 2024

How long to wait between opening credit cards? ›

It's generally best to wait six months between credit card applications. That will prevent hard inquiries from making a significant negative impact on your credit score.

Does AmEx have a 5/24 rule? ›

Does AmEx have a 5/24 rule? AmEx does not have a 5/24 rule like Chase does. However, it has other application rules that impact prospective applicants, including the 1-in-5 rule, the 2-in-90 rule and the once-per-lifetime rule.

Does Capital One have a 5/24 rule? ›

The most important rule to consider in collecting points is the “5/24 rule.” The rule is simple: If you get 5 personal credit cards in any 24-month period, you're automatically prohibited from getting a 6th Chase or Capital One card.

What is the Chase Sapphire 1 48 rule? ›

Understanding the 1/48 Sapphire rule:

This is a relatively new Chase rule, but an important one: You cannot receive a Sapphire sign-up bonus if you've already received a bonus from either version (Preferred or Reserve) within previous 48 months.

Does churning hurt your credit? ›

Lowered average age of accounts: Credit card churning can hurt your credit scores because each new account lowers the average age of your credit accounts. In general, a higher average age of accounts is best. Closed credit cards can continue impacting age-related scoring factors until they fall off your credit reports.

How many inquiries are too many for Chase? ›

Hard pulls can affect your credit score and may also hurt your eligibility for new credit cards and/or loans — especially if the number of inquiries reaches six.

Do authorized users build credit? ›

Being added as an authorized user on another person's card may help you establish a credit history or build your credit. Yet cardholders and authorized users' on-time, late or missed payments will be added to both parties' credit reports, so it's important that cardholders and authorized users see eye to eye.

How many credit cards will Chase let you have? ›

Chase doesn't have a hard limit on the number of cards you can have at once. Instead, there's a maximum amount of total credit they'll extend you.

Does closing a credit card hurt your credit? ›

Credit experts advise against closing credit cards, even when you're not using them, for good reason. “Canceling a credit card has the potential to reduce your score, not increase it,” says Beverly Harzog, credit card expert and consumer finance analyst for U.S. News & World Report.

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