Every major bank has rules about who can apply for which cards. Chase's rule is the most consequential in the travel hacking world because Chase holds some of the most valuable rewards programs: Ultimate Rewards, with transfer partners including World of Hyatt, United Airlines, and Southwest. If you want Chase cards, you need to understand 5/24 before you touch a single application.
What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?
The rule is simple: if you have opened five or more personal credit cards from any issuer, not just Chase in the past 24 months, Chase will automatically decline your application for most of its cards. This is not a soft guideline that loan officers can override with a phone call. It is a hard, system-enforced threshold.
Chase does not publish this policy officially. It has been confirmed through thousands of data points from the travel hacking community over the years and is treated as established fact. The rule applies to the vast majority of Chase personal and business cards, including the Sapphire family, Freedom family, and most co-branded cards.
Cards opened in last 24 months. Hit 5 (red) = Chase denial for most cards.
What Counts Toward 5/24?
The critical detail: it's personal credit cards from any issuer, not just Chase cards. Every Amex you opened, every Capital One card, every Citi card they all count. This surprises many newcomers who assumed they could load up on non-Chase cards first and then circle back to Chase. You cannot.
| Card Type | Counts Toward 5/24? |
|---|---|
|
Personal credit cards (any issuer)
Amex, Citi, Capital One, Barclays, Chase, etc.
|
✅ Yes |
|
Authorized user accounts
Cards where you're added as a user on someone else's account
|
✅ Often Yes (can sometimes be disputed) |
|
Business credit cards (most issuers)
Amex Business, Chase Ink, Citi Business typically don't appear on personal credit report
|
❌ Generally No |
|
Charge cards (Amex Gold, Platinum, etc.)
Technically not "credit cards" appear differently on credit reports
|
✅ Yes, typically counted |
|
Store/retail cards
Gap, Target, Amazon store card, etc.
|
✅ Yes, if opened in last 24 months |
How to Check Your Current 5/24 Count
Pull your personal credit reports from all three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look at every credit card account and note the "date opened." Count every personal card opened in the last 24 months. That's your 5/24 number.
If you use a service like Credit Karma, you can usually see this data in a more browsable format. Sort by "date opened" and count backward. Be thorough even a store card you barely use counts if it was opened recently.
If you're an authorized user on another person's account, that card may appear on your credit report and count toward 5/24. You can sometimes call Chase's reconsideration line after a denial and explain that the card was opened as an authorized user, not by you directly. This has worked for some applicants but is not guaranteed.
Why Application Order Is Everything
Once you understand 5/24, the strategic implication becomes obvious: get Chase cards early, before you open cards from other issuers. Amex, Citi, Capital One, and Barclays do not have 5/24-style restrictions. You can come back to those banks whenever you want. Chase's window closes the moment you hit five new cards.
Chase cards first. Always. Every other issuer can wait.
The recommended application sequence for building a comprehensive travel card portfolio looks something like this starting from zero cards opened in the past 24 months:
Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve (Month 1)
Your first card sets your 1/24 status. The Sapphire family is the anchor of the Chase ecosystem. Apply for whichever annual fee tier fits your budget. Earn the welcome bonus over the next three months.
Chase Ink Business Card (Month 3–4)
Business cards from most issuers don't count toward 5/24. The Chase Ink Preferred, Cash, or Unlimited cards offer large welcome bonuses and earn transferable points. Adding a business card keeps your 5/24 count at 1/24 while loading up on points.
Chase Freedom Flex or Unlimited (Month 6–9)
Now at 2/24. The Freedom cards are the second pillar of the Chase trifecta. These no-fee cards extend your earning rates and pair perfectly with the Sapphire.
Co-Branded Chase Cards (Month 9–18)
Now at 3/24. Chase co-branded airline and hotel cards United, Southwest, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott are still subject to 5/24. If you want any of these, get them while you still have room.
Amex, Citi, Capital One (Month 18+)
Now at 4/24 or over. Once you've secured the Chase cards you want, open the door to other issuers. Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, Citi Premier, Capital One Venture X none of these have Chase-style restrictions and can be opened at any 5/24 count.
The Business Card Loophole
Business cards from most issuers including Chase Ink cards typically do not appear on your personal credit report and therefore do not count toward 5/24. This creates a significant opportunity: you can open multiple Chase Ink business cards over time without advancing your 5/24 count, collecting large welcome bonuses each time.
You don't need to own a large corporation to qualify. Freelancers, consultants, sole proprietors, Etsy sellers, or anyone with any legitimate business activity can apply. A social security number is accepted in place of an EIN. Chase's underwriting for business cards focuses on your personal credit history, not the size of your business.
The Chase Ink Preferred, Ink Cash, and Ink Unlimited each carry substantial welcome bonuses and different earning category strengths. Many travel hackers accumulate all three Ink cards across multiple years, none of which advance their 5/24 count for future Chase personal card applications.
A small number of business cards do report to personal credit bureaus and would count toward 5/24. Capital One business cards are the most notable example. Always verify before applying to ensure a business card doesn't inadvertently advance your personal 5/24 count.
Already Over 5/24?
If you're currently at 5/24 or above, your options are limited but not zero. The most straightforward path is to wait. Cards fall off the 24-month count as they age past two years from their opening date. If you opened a card 22 months ago, it drops off in two months. Patience here pays dividends.
While you're waiting, focus on maximizing the cards you already have. Earn welcome bonuses on Amex cards (which have their own 1-per-lifetime-per-product rule), open Citi cards, or take advantage of Capital One's Venture X. The 5/24 window won't close you out of all travel rewards just Chase's ecosystem specifically.
Some Chase cards are exempt from 5/24 or have received targeted branch offers that bypass the rule. These are rare and inconsistent, but worth investigating if you're set on a specific Chase card while over the limit.
- AnnualCreditReport.com Free credit report to check your 5/24 count
- Business Cards & Personal Credit How business cards affect your score
- Modified Double Dip Hold two Sapphire cards at once
- The Chase Trifecta The full Chase card ecosystem to build
- Welcome Bonus Timing Strategy Space applications for maximum bonus capture
For informational purposes only, not financial or professional advice. Card offers and program terms are subject to change. This site may earn compensation through affiliate links at no cost to you.
