The Chase 5/24 Rule Explained
Whether finding the credit card with the lowest APR or the best travel rewards, you want to ensure you get the best bang for your buck. In this game of data-driven point accumulation, it is essential to know some of the cheat codes. When it comes to opening new credit cards, what are some of the rules and limitations, and how will they affect you?
What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?
The definition of the Chase 5/24 is that if you have applied for, and been approved for, five or more credit cards in the past 24 months, you will be automatically denied if you apply for any Chase credit card products. This rule prevents you from opening a bunch of credit cards just to get the sign-up bonus and closing the account without paying the annual fee.
Chase Cards Affected by 5/24
Most Chase travel cards or rewards credit cards are subject to the 5/24 rule. Examples of cards included in the 5/24 assessment include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- British Airways Visa Signature Card
- Chase Freedom Flex
- Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Disney Visa Card
- Iberia Visa Signature Card
- IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card
- Ink Business Cash Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- Starbucks Rewards Visa Card
- United Business Card
- World of Hyatt Credit Card
What Is Your 5/24 Score?
Though there is no calculator to check what your 5/24 status is, you should be able to figure out where you stand.
If you don’t remember how many credit cards you applied for in the last two years, you can always check your credit report. Many companies often offer a free weekly online credit report so you can see which ones have been open and closed in the last 24 months and determine if it is five or more. Companies that can run the report for you include:
- Equifax
- TransUnion
- Experian
Credit Card Accounts That Add to Your 5/24 Status
The 5/24 rule only affects whether or not you’ll be accepted for a Chase card product. However, your existing personal credit report from any other cards will be included in the assessment of whether you’ll be approved for a Chase card. Any cards you have opened or closed in the last 24 months will be subject to the 5/24 rule, whether or not they are Chase cards.
Here are examples of other accounts that add to your 5/24 status:
- Personal credit cards
- If you are an authorized user on a credit card
- Business cards listed on personal credit cards
- Business cards opened with most Discover, TD Bank or Capital One accounts
- Visa, Mastercard or American Express, Member FDIC, retail or store cards
Final Take
One of the few ways you may be able to bypass the Chase 5/24 rule is with targeted “Just for you” offers — these would allow you to upgrade to a new card even if you have opened five cards in the past 24 months. That being said, though Chase has previously had more allowances to bypass this rule, it is no longer allowing many loopholes and is strictly adhering to its 5/24 rule.
Be strategic in your credit card applications to make sure you maximize your rewards and benefits without minimizing your potential to attain a better credit card for you from Chase.
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Chase 5/24 rule.- Does Chase Ink Business count towards 5/24?
- Yes, the Chase Ink Business card would count towards your 5/24 status when applying for any Chase credit card.
- Does Chase have a 2/30 rule?
- Yes. In general, Chase limits the amount of credit card allowances to two credit cards per 30-day period.
- Many other credit card issuing companies have the 2/30 rule as well, such as Bank of America and Capital One.
- Is Chase the only one with the 5/24 rule?
- Though the Chase 5/24 rule only applies to Chase credit cards, many other credit card issuers have their own rules and limitations. For example, American Express has a 2/90 rule, where Citi® has a 2/65 rule.
- How do I know if I am within the Chase 5/24 rule limitations?
- There is no calculator to check your 5/24 status. However, you should be able to figure out where you stand by checking your credit report.
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- Forbes Advisor. 2022. "The Chase 5/24 Rule: How Opening And Closing Credit Cards Can Backfire."
