Understanding the Chase 5/24 Rule
The single most important constraint in credit card strategy—and how to work with it (or around it).
⚡ TL;DR
- The Rule: Chase auto-denies if you've opened 5+ cards in 24 months (from any bank)
- What Counts: Almost all personal credit cards (not store cards, not business cards)
- Strategy: Get all Chase cards you want BEFORE hitting 5/24
- Priority Order: Sapphire Preferred/Reserve → Freedom Unlimited/Flex → Ink Business → Other banks
If you're serious about credit card rewards, the Chase 5/24 rule is the single most important constraint you'll face. It's not a suggestion or guideline—it's a hard stop that will auto-deny you from some of the best rewards cards available.
What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?
Here's the deal: Chase will automatically deny most credit card applications if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months.
Read that again. It's not just Chase cards that count—it's cards from every bank. Open a Capital One card? Counts. Amex credit card? Counts. That Discover card from 18 months ago? Still counts.
Important exception: Amex charge cards (Platinum, Gold) don't count because they're not technically credit cards. But Amex credit cards like Blue Cash Preferred, Everyday, or Delta cards absolutely do count.
Why Chase Does This
Chase sees 5+ cards in 24 months as a red flag. They assume you're either:
- A credit risk (overextending yourself)
- A churner (gaming sign-up bonuses with no loyalty)
- Someone who won't spend enough to be profitable
Right or wrong, that's their policy. And it's enforced by an algorithm—no human discretion, no exceptions (mostly).
When Did This Start?
The 5/24 rule has been enforced since around 2015, though Chase has never officially confirmed it. We know it exists because thousands of denials follow the exact same pattern: 5+ cards in 24 months = automatic denial.
What Counts Toward 5/24?
✅ Cards That DO Count
- All personal credit cards - Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover from any issuer
- Chase personal cards - Sapphire, Freedom, etc.
- Cards from other banks - Capital One Venture, Citi Double Cash, Amex Gold, etc.
- Authorized user accounts - Yes, even if you didn't apply for them yourself (but you can get this removed via reconsideration)
❌ Cards That DON'T Count
- Most business credit cards - They don't report to personal credit bureaus
- Charge cards - Amex Platinum, Gold (these are technically charge cards, not credit cards)
- Some store cards - Cards that can only be used at one retailer (Macy's, Target, etc.)
- Debit cards - Obviously
- Checking/savings accounts - Bank account bonuses don't count
⚠️ Capital One Business Card Exception
Critical exception: Capital One business cards DO count toward 5/24 because they report to personal credit bureaus. This is unusual—most business cards from Chase, Amex, Citi, etc. don't report to personal bureaus and therefore don't count.
If you have a Capital One Spark Business card, it counts as one of your 5 slots.
⚠️ The Business Card Twist
Here's where it gets confusing: Chase business cards are weird.
Chase business cards:
- ✅ DO require you to be under 5/24 to get approved
- ❌ DON'T add to your 5/24 count (they don't report to personal credit bureaus)
This means you can get a Chase Ink Business Preferred at 4/24, and you'll still be at 4/24 afterward. This is a critical loophole.
How to Check Your 5/24 Status
You need to count how many personal credit cards you've opened in the past 24 months. Here's how:
Step-by-Step: Calculate Your 5/24 Status
Pull Your Credit Report
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com and get your free report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. You're entitled to one free report per year from each bureau.
Find Your Credit Card Accounts
Look for the "Credit Card Accounts" section. Each account will show:
- Account name (e.g., "Chase Sapphire Preferred")
- Date opened (e.g., "06/2023")
- Account type (revolving credit = credit card)
Count Cards Opened in Last 24 Months
Starting from today, count backward 24 months. Count every personal credit card opened in that window.
Example: If today is December 4, 2025, count all cards opened since December 4, 2023.
Exclude Business Cards & Store Cards
Remove any business cards (unless it's a Capital One business card—those DO count) and store-only cards from your count.
Check Authorized User Accounts
If you're an authorized user on someone else's card, it might show up. You can get this removed by calling Chase reconsideration if you're denied.
Example Calculation
Today's Date: December 4, 2025
24 Months Ago: December 4, 2023
| Card | Date Opened | Counts? | Drops Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | January 2024 | ✅ Yes | January 2026 |
| Citi Double Cash | May 2024 | ✅ Yes | May 2026 |
| Amex Gold (charge card) | August 2024 | ❌ No | N/A |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | October 2024 | ❌ No | N/A |
| Capital One Venture | November 2024 | ✅ Yes | November 2026 |
Your 5/24 Status: 3/24
You can apply for 2 more personal credit cards before hitting the Chase limit.
The Optimal Chase 5/24 Strategy
Now that you understand the rule, here's how to maximize your rewards within its constraints.
Priority Application Order
If you're serious about rewards, follow this sequence:
Get ALL Chase Personal Cards First (While Under 5/24)
Sapphire Decision:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/year) - Best for most people. 60K point bonus, 3x dining/travel, $50 hotel credit
- Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year) - Worth it if you value lounge access (Priority Pass) and spend $10K+/year on travel/dining. Effective AF is $250 after $300 travel credit
Then get:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex (no annual fee, works forever)
- Any other Chase personal cards you want (United, Southwest, Marriott, etc.)
Why this order? You can only get these while under 5/24. If you go over, you're locked out from NEW Chase cards for 24+ months (until enough cards drop off your count).
Get Chase Business Cards (While Under 5/24)
If you have any business activity (even freelancing, eBay sales, etc.), get:
- Chase Ink Business Preferred - 3x on first $150K in combined purchases (travel, shipping, internet, phone, ads)
- Chase Ink Business Cash - 5% on office supplies, phone/internet
The loophole: These don't add to your 5/24 count, but you need to be under 5/24 to get approved. So you can grab these while at 4/24 and still stay at 4/24.
Now Go Over 5/24 with Non-Chase Cards
Once you have all the Chase cards you want, freely apply for:
- Amex Platinum, Gold - Excellent travel & dining rewards
- Capital One Venture X - Premium travel card with good perks
- Citi Premier - Transfer partners, good sign-up bonuses
- Any other cards from non-Chase issuers
Once you're over 5/24, you're locked out of Chase for at least 2 years (until older cards drop off). Plan accordingly.
Sample 18-Month Application Timeline
Here's what a smart strategy looks like in practice:
| Month | Card | 5/24 Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Chase Sapphire Preferred | 1/24 | Start with best travel card |
| April 2025 | Chase Freedom Unlimited | 2/24 | Wait 90 days between Chase apps |
| July 2025 | Chase Ink Business Preferred | 2/24 | Business card doesn't add to count! |
| October 2025 | Amex Gold ($250/year, charge card) | 2/24 | Charge card doesn't count toward 5/24 |
| January 2026 | Citi Premier | 3/24 | Now adding non-Chase cards |
| April 2026 | Capital One Venture X | 4/24 | Still room for one more Chase card if needed |
| July 2026 | Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards | 5/24 | Last Chase card before lockout |
| October 2026 | Amex Platinum | 6/24 | Now over 5/24, locked out of Chase |
Key Principle: Get every Chase card you want before going over 5/24. Once you're locked out, you're locked out for 2+ years.
Can You Get Around 5/24?
Short answer: Not reliably. The 5/24 rule is enforced by an automated system. But there are a few edge cases and strategies worth knowing about.
1. Pre-Approved Offers In-Branch
If you walk into a Chase branch and have a pre-approved offer, it might bypass 5/24. Pre-approved offers appear for less than 5% of Chase customers, typically those with existing Chase deposit accounts and good standing. Don't count on this—it's unpredictable.
How to check: Visit a Chase branch and ask a banker to check for pre-approved offers using their system. If you see "You're pre-approved!" on a specific card, you have a shot at bypassing 5/24.
2. Authorized User Reconsideration
If you're denied for being over 5/24 because you're an authorized user on someone else's card, call reconsideration (1-888-270-2127) and explain. They can manually remove authorized user accounts from your 5/24 count.
Success rate: High, if your denial reason was authorized user cards.
3. Business Relationship Exception
If you have an existing business relationship with Chase (business checking account), you might be able to get approved for a business card even over 5/24. Emphasis on might—YMMV.
4. Wait It Out
The most reliable "workaround" is to simply wait. Cards drop off your 5/24 count exactly 24 months after they were opened.
Example: If you opened a card on January 15, 2024, it will drop off your count on January 15, 2026. Apply on January 16, 2026, and you're back under 5/24.
❌ Things That DON'T Work
- Asking nicely - Reconsideration can't override 5/24 (except for authorized user accounts)
- Having high income - Doesn't matter, it's an automatic rule
- Having excellent credit - Doesn't matter, 850 credit score won't bypass 5/24
- Being a Chase customer for years - Loyalty doesn't override the algorithm
Common 5/24 Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake 1: Opening Non-Chase Cards First
The Problem: You use up your 5/24 slots on Discover, Capital One, and Amex cards, then realize you want Chase Sapphire Preferred—but you're locked out.
The Fix: Always get Chase cards first if you want them. You can get non-Chase cards anytime.
❌ Mistake 2: Not Tracking Your Status
The Problem: You apply for a Chase card without realizing you're at 5/24. Instant denial, wasted hard pull.
The Fix: Keep a spreadsheet. Track every card you open and when it drops off your 5/24 count.
❌ Mistake 3: Applying for Chase Cards Too Fast
The Problem: You apply for 3 Chase cards in 3 months. Chase shuts you down for being too aggressive.
The Fix: Follow Chase's velocity rules: 2/30 rule (max 2 cards in 30 days from all banks) and 90-day spacing between Chase applications. Wait at least 90 days between Chase cards, preferably 3-4 months.
❌ Mistake 4: Ignoring Business Cards
The Problem: You think "I don't have a business" and skip Chase Ink cards. You miss out on huge bonuses and the fact they don't count toward 5/24.
The Fix: If you have any business activity (freelancing, eBay, Etsy, side hustle), you qualify. Chase Ink Business Preferred has one of the best sign-up bonuses available.
❌ Mistake 5: Closing Cards to Get Under 5/24
The Problem: You close a card thinking it'll drop off your 5/24 count immediately. It doesn't—it stays for 24 months from when you opened it, not when you closed it.
The Fix: Closing cards doesn't help. You have to wait 24 months from the original open date.
5/24 Tracking Spreadsheet Template
Keep a simple spreadsheet to track your status. Here's what to include:
| Card Name | Date Opened | Counts Toward 5/24? | Drops Off Date | Running Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 01/15/2024 | ✅ Yes | 01/15/2026 | 1/24 |
| Citi Double Cash | 05/20/2024 | ✅ Yes | 05/20/2026 | 2/24 |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | 08/10/2024 | ❌ No (business card) | N/A | 2/24 |
| Capital One Venture | 11/03/2024 | ✅ Yes | 11/03/2026 | 3/24 |
Pro tip: Set calendar reminders for 30 days before each drop-off date. That way you know exactly when you can apply for new Chase cards.
Final Thoughts: Is 5/24 Worth Worrying About?
Yes, if you want Chase cards. The Sapphire line, Freedom cards, and Ink business cards are some of the best in the game. If you ignore 5/24, you'll lock yourself out of them permanently (or at least for years).
No, if you don't care about Chase. If you're happy with Amex, Citi, Capital One, and other issuers, then 5/24 doesn't matter to you. Do whatever you want.
My advice: Respect the rule. Plan your applications strategically, get the Chase cards you want first, then move on to other issuers once you're over 5/24.
It's not a perfect system, but it's predictable. And in the credit card game, predictability is valuable.