If you’ve ever been mysteriously denied for a Chase credit card despite having excellent credit, you might have run into one of the most important unwritten rules in the credit card world. The Chase 5/24 rule has become legendary among rewards enthusiasts, and understanding it is absolutely essential if you want to build an optimal credit card portfolio.

Think of the 5/24 rule as a velvet rope at an exclusive club. It doesn’t matter how well-dressed you are or how much money you have—if you’ve been to too many other parties recently, you’re not getting in. Let’s break down exactly how this rule works and what you can do about it.

What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?

The 5/24 rule is Chase’s unofficial internal policy that automatically denies applications from anyone who has opened five or more personal credit cards across all issuers within the past 24 months. Notice the key phrase there: across all issuers. This isn’t just about Chase cards—it’s about your entire credit card history.

Here’s the brutal math: If you opened a Chase Sapphire Preferred, a Capital One Venture X, an Amex Gold, a Citi Premier, and a Discover it card over the past two years, you’re at 5/24. Try to apply for that shiny new Chase Freedom Unlimited? Automatic denial, regardless of your 800+ credit score.

Chase has never officially acknowledged this policy exists, but it’s been consistently observed since around 2015. The rule appears to be hardcoded into Chase’s application system, meaning even a reconsideration call typically won’t help you overcome it.

Why Does Chase Have This Rule?

Chase implemented the 5/24 rule as a defensive measure against what the industry calls “churning”—the practice of opening multiple credit cards primarily to collect sign-up bonuses. From Chase’s perspective, customers who rapidly accumulate cards are less likely to become long-term, profitable cardholders.

The logic makes business sense. Chase spends significant marketing dollars acquiring new customers, and they want those customers to stick around, carry balances (generating interest revenue), and use their cards regularly (generating interchange fees). Someone who signs up for a card, earns the bonus, and moves on to the next offer isn’t their ideal customer.

Whether you agree with this approach or not, understanding Chase’s motivation helps you navigate the landscape more effectively.

How to Check Your 5/24 Status

Before applying for any Chase card, you need to know exactly where you stand. Here’s how to audit your status:

Step 1: Pull Your Credit Reports

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get your free reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Alternatively, Credit Karma provides free ongoing access to your TransUnion and Equifax reports.

Step 2: Count Your Accounts

Look at your credit card accounts and identify every card opened within the past 24-26 months. I recommend going back 26 months to give yourself a buffer—you want to be absolutely certain.

Sort your accounts by open date and count only personal credit cards. Make a list with the card name, issuer, and exact open date.

Step 3: Don’t Forget Authorized User Accounts

Here’s a detail many people miss: authorized user accounts typically count toward your 5/24 number. If your spouse added you to their Amex Platinum 18 months ago, that’s potentially counting against you.

The good news? You can sometimes get authorized user accounts removed from your 5/24 count by calling Chase reconsideration and explaining you’re only an authorized user, not the primary account holder. However, this isn’t guaranteed, so it’s better to plan around these accounts.

Step 4: Check All Three Bureaus

Different cards may report to different bureaus. Chase typically pulls Experian in most states, but they may use any of the three. Make sure you’re counting cards that appear on any bureau, not just one.

What Counts Toward 5/24?

Understanding what counts (and what doesn’t) is crucial for strategic planning.

Cards That DO Count:

• All personal credit cards from any issuer: Chase, American Express, Citi, Capital One, Bank of America, Discover, Wells Fargo, US Bank—they all count
• Store credit cards: That Target RedCard, Macy’s card, or Amazon Prime card? They count
• Credit union cards: Your local credit union’s Visa or Mastercard counts
• Authorized user cards: As mentioned above, these typically appear on your credit report and count toward the limit
• Upgraded or product-changed cards: If you opened a new account (not converted an existing one), it counts

Cards That DON’T Count:

• Most business credit cards: This is the big one. Business cards from American Express, Citi, Bank of America, Capital One, and most other issuers don’t appear on your personal credit report, so they don’t count toward 5/24
• Charge cards vs. credit cards: Some debate exists here, but Amex charge cards (like the Green, Gold, and Platinum) do count because they appear on personal credit reports
• Credit limit increases: Requesting a higher limit on an existing card doesn’t open a new account
• Product changes: Converting your Chase Freedom to a Freedom Flex doesn’t count as a new card

The Business Card Loophole

Here’s where strategic planning gets interesting. Since most business credit cards don’t report to personal credit bureaus, you can continue earning sign-up bonuses without affecting your 5/24 status.

For example, you could apply for:

• American Express Business Gold
• Citi Business AAdvantage Platinum
• Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus

None of these would add to your 5/24 count, allowing you to accumulate valuable rewards while preserving your ability to get Chase cards.

Important caveat: You generally need some form of business activity to apply for business cards, though the definition of “business” is quite broad. Selling items on eBay, freelance consulting, tutoring, or even renting out a room on Airbnb can qualify. The key is having legitimate business income, even if it’s a side hustle.

Strategic Approaches to 5/24

Now that you understand the rule, let’s talk strategy.

Strategy 1: Prioritize Chase Cards First

If you’re just starting your credit card journey or you’re currently under 5/24, prioritize Chase cards before anything else. The Chase ecosystem offers some of the most valuable rewards cards available:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60,000-100,000 point welcome bonuses (value: $750-$1,250+)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Premium travel benefits with a massive points bonus
• Chase Freedom Flex: No annual fee with rotating 5% categories
• Chase Freedom Unlimited: Flat-rate earning with a solid welcome offer
• Chase Ink Business Preferred: 100,000 point business card bonus

Build your Chase portfolio first, then expand to other issuers after you’ve gotten the cards you want.

Strategy 2: The Waiting Game

Already over 5/24? Your only option with Chase is to wait. Cards fall off your 5/24 count exactly 24 months after their open date. If you opened a card on January 15, 2023, it stops counting on January 16, 2025.

Track your upcoming “drop-off” dates and plan your Chase applications accordingly. Many enthusiasts maintain a spreadsheet with all their card open dates specifically for this purpose.

Strategy 3: Modified Double Dip

In the past, applicants could sometimes apply for two Chase cards on the same day, getting approved for both before the first appeared on their credit report. Chase has largely closed this loophole, but some success has been reported with carefully timed same-day applications.

The current consensus: apply for your most-wanted card first, wait for instant approval, then immediately apply for a second card. Success rates vary, and this strategy is increasingly difficult to execute.

Strategy 4: Focus on Business Cards While Waiting

If you’re over 5/24 and waiting for cards to drop off, use that time productively by focusing on business cards that don’t count:

• American Express has excellent business cards with rich welcome bonuses
• Citi’s business card offerings include AA miles and ThankYou points options
• Bank of America’s business cards offer cash back and travel rewards

You’ll keep earning valuable bonuses without resetting your 24-month clock.

Related Chase Rules You Should Know

The 5/24 rule isn’t Chase’s only restriction. Here are other policies that affect your application strategy:

The 2/30 Rule

Chase will generally deny your application if you’ve applied for two or more Chase cards within a 30-day period. This applies to personal cards specifically.

The One Sapphire Rule

You cannot hold both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve simultaneously. You also cannot receive a Sapphire welcome bonus if you’ve received one within the past 48 months.

The 48-Month Bonus Rule

For Sapphire products specifically, you must wait 48 months between welcome bonuses—not just between cards. This means you could theoretically hold one Sapphire card but not earn another bonus until 4 years after your last one.

Business Card Velocity

While not as strict as 2/30, Chase typically limits business card approvals to roughly one every 30 days. Applying for two Chase business cards within 30 days usually results in the second being denied.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not Checking Before Applying

Every hard inquiry affects your credit score slightly. Don’t waste inquiries on applications that are doomed to fail. Always verify your 5/24 status before applying for any Chase card.

Mistake 2: Forgetting Authorized User Cards

That card your parents added you to for emergencies? It might be blocking you from Chase approval. Review all authorized user accounts and consider whether they’re worth keeping on your report.

Mistake 3: Opening Too Many Cards Too Quickly

Even if you’re under 5/24, opening several cards in rapid succession can raise red flags. Chase may deny applications based on “too many recent accounts” even if you haven’t hit 5/24 yet.

Mistake 4: Applying at the Wrong Time

If you’re at 4/24 with a card about to drop off next month, wait. That extra month of patience could mean the difference between getting one Chase card and getting two.

Key Takeaways

• The Chase 5/24 rule denies applications from anyone with 5+ personal cards opened in 24 months across all issuers
• Business cards from most issuers don’t count toward 5/24 (except Chase’s own business cards for approval purposes)
• Always check your status before applying by reviewing all three credit bureau reports
• Authorized user cards typically count, but can sometimes be excluded via reconsideration
• Prioritize Chase cards early in your credit card journey before applying with other issuers
• If you’re over 5/24, focus on business cards while waiting for older accounts to drop off
• Related rules like 2/30 and the 48-month Sapphire restriction also affect your strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 5/24 rule apply to all Chase cards?

Most Chase cards are subject to 5/24, including all Sapphire, Freedom, and co-branded cards like United and Southwest. A few business cards and some co-branded cards have occasionally bypassed the rule, but this changes over time and shouldn’t be relied upon.

Can I call reconsideration to get around 5/24?

Generally, no. Unlike other denial reasons (verification issues, too many recent inquiries), 5/24 appears to be a hard-coded system restriction. Reconsideration agents typically cannot override it.

Do Chase business cards count toward 5/24?

Chase business cards don’t count toward your 5/24 number because they don’t appear on personal credit reports. However, Chase will still check your 5/24 status when you apply for a Chase business card—so you need to be under 5/24 to get approved.

How long until a card drops off my 5/24 count?

Exactly 24 months from the account open date. If you opened a card on March 10, 2023, it will stop counting on March 11, 2025.

What if I close a card—does it still count?

Yes. The 5/24 rule is based on when accounts were opened, not whether they’re currently open. Closing a card doesn’t remove it from your count any faster.

Should I avoid credit cards entirely to stay under 5/24?

Not necessarily. The right strategy depends on your goals. If you prioritize Chase cards, get those first. But there’s a whole world of valuable cards beyond Chase, and artificially limiting yourself isn’t always the best approach. Get the Chase cards you want, then feel free to explore other options.

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Disclaimer: Credit card offers, terms, and policies change frequently. The 5/24 rule is an unofficial policy that Chase has never publicly confirmed, and its application may vary. Always verify current terms on Chase’s website before applying for any credit card.

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