Chase credit cards are some of the most sought-after cards available. With multiple travel credit cards offering lucrative sign-up bonuses and rewards, it’s no wonder why so many people apply.
Chase Ultimate Rewards is considered among the best, most flexible credit card rewards programs. However, a few years ago, Chase introduced the 5/24 rule as part of the application process. Since the rule has been imposed, it has been difficult for people to qualify if they frequently apply for credit cards.
Our guide will help you avoid too many inquiries for unsuccessful applications on your credit report and have the best chance of approval.
You’ll learn exactly what the Chase 5/24 rule is and how to find out if it affects you. You’ll also learn which Chase credit cards are impacted by this rule. So be sure to keep reading before you apply for your next Chase credit card.
What is the Chase 5/24 rule?
Basically, the Chase 5/24 rule means you can’t open a Chase credit card if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months. So if you have any more than five relatively new personal credit cards, your application will be automatically denied.
Chase has become increasingly strict with this rule. It’s getting increasingly difficult to contend (although it’s certainly not impossible, as you’ll see).
Refusal of your application usually happens very fast. Only a few users have reported success. All customer service agents are quick to state that the decision is final and that there is nothing to be done. Managers and supervisors have been just as quick to say that the decision is final.
Most information on the Chase 5/24 rule is purely anecdotal. If you’re looking for printed material by Chase on the rule, you won’t find much. Of course, there are exceptions, just as there are to any rule.
However, Chase’s overall consensus is to reject all credit card applications from people who have opened five or more credit cards in the past two years. Find out why, and the few ways you may be able to get around it.
Why does Chase have the 5/24 rule?
Since credit card reward programs began, there’s been a lot of people who have found clever ways to outsmart credit card issuers. They’ve gloated online and taught others how to game the system as they do.
These people, known as “credit card churners”, sign up for multiple cards to take advantage of various sign-up bonuses. They benefit from large amounts of cashback and free travel. Then, they never use the card again. Chase’s 5/24 rule attempts to stop such people from abusing the system and getting Chase credit cards for the rewards alone.
Which credit cards count towards the Chase 5/24 limit?
All credit cards opened in the past 24 months that are listed on your credit report add to your 5/24 status. This includes:
- All bank cards count towards the rule. So, if Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover is printed anywhere on any of your credit cards, they count.
- Credit cards for which you are the primary cardholder.
- Credit cards for which you are an authorized user.
- Business cards that are listed on your personal credit report.
- Retail or store cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express that can be used anywhere.
When Chase runs a credit check, whether they look at Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, each credit card you have in your name will show up on your credit report.
It doesn’t matter whether the credit card accounts are from Chase or another credit card issuer. For example, you could have four Visa cards from various credit card issuers plus a Discover card, and Chase would still deny your application.
Even if you close an account, and it’s no longer active, the card still counts towards the 5/24 rule if it was opened in the past 24-months. However, Chase doesn’t include some credit cards in your tally of cards.
List of Chase Credit Cards Subject to the 5/24 Rule
The following Chase credit cards are affected by the 5/24 rule:
Chase Personal Credit Cards
- Chase Freedom
- Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Chase Slate
Chase Business Credit Cards
- Chase Ink Business Cash
- Chase Ink Business Preferred
Chase Co-Branded Credit Cards
- Marriott Rewards Premier Plus
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
- Starbucks Rewards Visa Card
- United MileagePlus Club Card
- United MileagePlus Club Business Card
- United Explorer Card
- United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card
Recently Affected Co-Branded Cards
The following co-branded cards were previously not affected by the 5/24 rule, but reportedly are now:
- AARP Credit Card From Chase
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- British Airways Visa Signature Card
- Disney Premier Visa Card
- Disney Visa Card
- Iberia Visa Signature
- IHG Rewards Club Premier
- IHG Rewards Club Traveler
- Marriott Rewards Premier Business
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Credit Cards That Do Not Affect Your Chase 5/24 Status
Retail cards, for example, usually don’t count. So, if you recently opened up a department store credit card or a Lowe’s card, you don’t have to worry about them impacting your Chase application.
The only exception is if the credit card can be used anywhere, even outside the store — those would count. However, business credit cards not listed on your personal credit report, even Chase business credit cards, are exempt.
How to Determine If the 5/24 Rule Affects You
The easiest way to check whether you’ll be impacted by this rule is to review your credit reports. You can order a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus; Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every 12 months.
If you’ve already received your free reports in the past 12 months, you can purchase them directly from the credit bureaus. It’s good to get all three because not all credit card companies report to all three credit bureaus. Checking each one ensures you’re seeing every bit of your personal credit history, including all of your credit cards.
Check the Account Opening Date
Once you have your personal credit report in hand, go down to the Revolving Accounts section. Your credit cards and other lines of credit are divided into two categories: open and closed accounts. Under each one, you’ll see the exact date you opened the account.
Go through each account, both open and closed, and count how many have been opened in the last 24 months. If there are five or more, you won’t be able to qualify for a new Chase credit card. Unfortunately, this means you won’t be able to collect valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
To find out when you can qualify, find the oldest account within the last 24 months. Then, find the date of when you will have opened it for more than 24 months.
If you intend to get a new Chase card, mark your calendar so you remember exactly when you can apply for a new account. If you specifically want a Chase credit card, make sure you don’t open any new cards in the meantime. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for yet another card to age out of the 5/24 rule.
Strategies to Bypass the Chase 5/24 Rule
There are a couple of ways you can potentially get around this rule from Chase.
Visit a Chase Branch
The first is to request a pre-approval from Chase in an actual bank branch. Of course, this won’t work if you don’t live in an area served by Chase, but you may have some luck if you do.
By giving the teller or financial adviser your ID and Social Security number, you can see if you’re pre-approved. Then, ask for confirmation by getting a printout of the terms.
If you have a set interest rate, then you’ve got a full pre-approval. However, if Chase only provides you with a range of interest rates, you’ve only received a lesser level of pre-qualification. With the pre-approval terms, you should be able to apply for a Chase credit card successfully. You can also try submitting a paper application to increase your chances of bypassing the 5/24 rule.
Check for Personalized Credit Card Offers Online
Another method for getting around it is by going to the Chase website and checking for offers personalized for you.
Just enter your personal information and the last four digits of your Social Security number to avoid a hard credit check. Similarly, use any Chase invitations from the mail to avoid the limit.
It’s also important to note that the 5/24 rule does not apply if you are a Chase Private Client.
Handling a Credit Card Application Rejection Under the 5/24 Rule
If your application is denied, try calling the Chase reconsideration line in case some of your retail cards showed up as traditional credit cards.
You can explain the situation to clarify that some of your credit cards are only retail or business cards. When you do this, you might receive a different response on your Chase application.
Call Chase Customer Service
You can also ask Chase to reconsider if you’re only an authorized user on one of your current credit cards.
As an authorized user, someone else’s entire payment history shows up on your credit report. However, it may not count since you wouldn’t be the one receiving any rewards program benefits. You may not have 100% success in these scenarios, but it’s worth a quick call.
Another reason to call the reconsideration line is if you’re on the cusp of 24 months. Chase uses calendar months. So, if you’re just a few weeks away from your oldest card dropping you down to just four cards, you could call once you pass the threshold.
Most of these scenarios are still up to the discretion of the customer service rep you speak to. Hopefully, they’ll be sympathetic and use their authority to get you approved.
Other Credit Card Issuer Rules
Other credit card companies also have rules similar to the Chase 5/24 rule. They are as follows:
American Express: The American Express 2/90 rule only allows you to be approved for two American Express products in a 90-day period.
Bank of America: Bank of America has a rule similar to the Chase 5/24 rule. However, instead of 5 new cards in a 24-month period, it’s only 4. You will also not be approved for a Bank of America credit card if you’ve had 3 new cards in a 12-month period or 2 new cards in a 30-day period.
Capital One: You can only have up to two Capital One cards at any given time, and only be approved for one card every six months. This includes personal and business credit cards.
Citi: You can only apply for one Citi card (personal or business) every eight days, and no more than two Citi cards in a 65-day period. For small business owners, you can apply for one business credit card every 95 days.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Those Above the 5/24 Limit
If you have exceeded the 5/24 limit, there are still many options available to you. You can still acquire most credit cards not issued by Chase. Here are some of your best choices.
- American Express Platinum Card: If you’re looking for a great travel rewards credit card, check out the American Express Platinum Card. It offers high rewards on various travel expenses, such as airfare and hotels. Plus, it comes with some useful perks, such as airport lounge access and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
- Citi Prestige Card: The Citi Prestige Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers. It offers a generous rewards program, a valuable sign-up bonus, and exclusive perks like a complimentary fourth night hotel stay.
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card: The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is a great choice for frequent flyers. It offers a generous rewards program, a valuable sign-up bonus, and exclusive perks like a $325 annual travel credit. Plus, it comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, which provides you with access to more than 1,200 airport lounges around the world.
- Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard: The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard offers a generous rewards program and a valuable sign-up bonus. Plus, you can get up to 10% of your miles back when you redeem them for travel expenses.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great choice if you’re looking for a flexible rewards program. It offers a generous rewards program and a valuable sign-up bonus. Plus, you can get up to 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months.
Bottom Line
Chase is making it increasingly challenging to churn through credit cards just to get the sign-up bonus. If you partake in credit card churning, you may have to start shifting your strategy.
You’ll either need to eliminate Chase cards from your list or become more selective about the rewards cards you do apply for. Since Chase often offers some of the best rewards programs, the latter option may be the best.
Start to create your strategy by analyzing your current credit situation. If you know how many of your cards contribute to the 5/24 rule, you can plan when and how to apply for your next Chase card. It just might be worth it to stay in the good graces of Chase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my 5/24 status?
Chase does not provide a way to check your 5/24 status directly. However, there are a few methods you can use to approximate your 5/24 status. First, you can look at your credit reports to see how many new accounts you have opened in the past 24 months. You can also contact Chase directly to ask about your 5/24 status.
Does it matter if I am an authorized user on a credit card?
Yes. The 5/24 Rule applies to both primary and authorized user accounts.
Do Chase business cards count towards my 5/24 status?
No. Getting approved for a Chase business card shouldn’t affect your 5/24 standing. However, most Chase business cards require you to be below 5/24.
Does the Chase 5/24 rule apply to store cards?
Yes. Any store cards opened within the past 24 months will count towards the 5/24 standing.
Does the Chase 5/24 rule apply to co-branded cards?
Yes. Co-branded cards from Chase partners count towards the 5/24 standing.
Do credit card rejections count toward the 5/24 rule?
No, if your application for a credit card is denied, it will not be counted as one of the five accounts that are allowed within the 5/24 rule. Even though the rejection will likely show as a hard inquiry on your credit report, it does not indicate that you opened a new account, which is what this limit is based on.
What is the Chase 2/30 rule?
The Chase 2/30 rule is a policy that Chase Bank has to limit the number of credit cards it approves you for in any thirty-day period. This rule states that you can only be approved for two credit cards in a thirty-day period. This rule was implemented in response to increasing credit card fraud.
