Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know

If you've spent even a few minutes researching Chase credit cards, you've probably come across the infamous "5/24 rule."

For many points and miles enthusiasts, it's one of the most important — and frustrating — restrictions in the credit card world.

While Chase has never officially published the policy, countless applicant data points show that opening too many credit cards in a short period can make you ineligible for many of the bank's most popular cards.

Here's what you need to know about Chase's 5/24 rule, including which cards are affected, what counts toward your total and whether there are any ways around it.

What is the Chase 5/24 rule?

In order to be approved for most Chase cards subject to 5/24, you cannot have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months (more on business cards in a moment).

The 5/24 rule applies only to approvals for cards issued by Chase, but your 5/24 count includes credit cards from all banks.

Related: The best ways to use your 5/24 slots

Are all Chase cards subject to 5/24?

Most Chase-issued rewards cards are subject to 5/24 for approval, including cobranded cards. The following are cards generally considered subject to the 5/24 rule:

• Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card*
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card (see rates and fees)
• Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees)
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees)
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees)
• Disney® Inspire Visa® Card (see rates and fees)
• Disney® Premier Visa® Card (see rates and fees)
• Disney® Visa® Card (see rates and fees)
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card*
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Premier® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card*
• Prime Visa* (see rates and fees)
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card*
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees)
• United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees)
• United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees)

*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Reader reports also indicate that applying for too many Chase cards too quickly can lead to account scrutiny and shutdowns, regardless of your 5/24 status. Some online reports indicate that Chase will not approve more than two new accounts within 30 days.

Many experts recommend spacing out applications by at least three to four months.

Remember that 5/24 is not the only factor determining whether your Chase credit card application is approved. Your credit score, income, debt levels and many other variables are also considered.

For business cards, Chase may also request documentation, such as financial statements or articles of organization, to verify that you have a legitimate business or sole proprietorship.

Related: How to complete a Chase business credit card application

How do I check my 5/24 status?

We've found the easiest way to check your 5/24 status is to sign up for Experian's free credit report service. (Make sure you don't accidentally sign up for a paid service.)

Using the Experian app, you can view all of your accounts and sort them by the date they were opened. From here, count all accounts opened within the last 24 months.

Chase only checks whether an account was opened, even if it has since been closed. Applications that were denied also won't count against your 5/24 status.

According to the most recent data points, you will not technically be below 5/24 until the first day of the 25th month after your fifth account was opened. For example, if your fifth most recent account was opened in October 2024, do not apply for a new card until Nov. 1, 2026, at the earliest.

Related: How to calculate your 5/24 standing

What accounts add to your 5/24 status?

The following accounts count toward your 5/24 standing:

• All personal credit cards opened with any bank in the immediate past 24 months (even if they're now closed).
• Business cards opened with Discover and TD Bank in the past 24 months, plus most Capital One small-business cards (except the Capital One Venture X Business and Capital One Spark Cash Plus).
• Authorized user cards from another person's personal card opened in the past 24 months, as they're reported on your credit report. (However, you can call the Chase reconsideration line and ask that these accounts not be considered.)
• Specific store cards opened in the last 24 months that are part of a national payment system and can be used elsewhere. Some data points suggest that even store cards that can only be used at a single establishment also now count.

To be safe: Assume that if it's a credit card and it shows up on your credit report, Chase will count it.

The following accounts will not count toward your 5/24 standing:

• Cards for which you applied but were ultimately denied. (Credit inquiries aren't counted.)
• Small-business cards from the majority of card issuers, with the known exceptions listed above.
• Auto and student loans and mortgages.

Related: These 6 business cards can help you stay under Chase's 5/24 rule

What about card conversions and upgrades?

Depending on how a bank processes a card conversion or upgrade (also known as a product change), it might not be reported as a new account. Before completing an upgrade or product change, ask the bank if a hard credit pull will be completed.

In addition, ask if you'll receive a new account number after the switch.

If the answer to one (or both) of these questions is yes, that could be a sign that the account will be considered new and add to your 5/24 standing.

Related: Don't cancel: How to downgrade a Chase credit card

Are there ways around the 5/24 rule?

There have been some recent instances where cardholders bypassed the 5/24 rule through targeted "Just for you" offers.

To see if you're targeted, navigate to "Just for you" under "Explore products" in the left-hand menu bar when you're logged in to your online Chase account.

If you want a card but are over the 5/24 limit, you can attempt a product change within the Chase Ultimate Rewards card family (assuming you've held the card you want to convert for at least a year).

However, unless you've been specifically targeted for a bonus to upgrade a card, you will not receive a welcome bonus for any product change.

Bottom line

Chase's 5/24 rule is well established and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. This means you need to be extremely strategic with your application and rewards strategy to maximize your five allowed Chase slots.

If you're starting in the realm of credit card rewards and aren't close to 5/24, you'll want to prioritize getting Chase cards first.

But remember not to try to fill your five slots with Chase cards too quickly. Take it slow and be smart about which cards you apply for and when you do it.

Related: Best time to apply for Chase cards based on offer history

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.