The Chase 5/24 Rule: Complete Guide

Updated June 2026 · 5 min read

What is the Chase 5/24 Rule?

Chase will automatically deny your application for most of its credit cards if you have opened 5 or more personal credit card accounts (from any bank) in the past 24 months. This is an unpublished policy, but it has been consistently confirmed by data points from cardholders since 2015.

Which Cards Count Toward 5/24?

Cards That Count

  • Personal credit cards from any bank
  • Store cards that report as credit cards
  • Authorized user cards (sometimes)
  • Cards you later cancelled

Cards That Don't Count

  • Business credit cards (in most cases)
  • Charge cards (not credit cards)
  • Debit cards
  • Cards opened more than 24 months ago

Which Chase Cards Have the 5/24 Rule?

Almost all Chase personal and business cards are subject to 5/24. Notable examples:

Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex
World of Hyatt Credit Card
United Explorer Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Cards
Ink Business cards

Strategy: How to Play Around 5/24

1

Prioritize Chase cards first

If you're new to points, get Chase cards before 5/24 bars you. Once you're at 4/24, apply for 1–2 Chase cards before moving on to Amex or Capital One.

2

Use business cards strategically

Business cards from most issuers (Chase Ink, Amex Business, Capital One Business) don't add to your 5/24 count — but you still need to be under 5/24 to get approved for Chase business cards.

3

Track your drop-off dates

Each card drops off 24 months after the opened date. If you're at 5/24, calculate when you'll drop to 4/24 and time your Chase applications accordingly.

4

Reconsideration line

If you're right at the limit, sometimes calling Chase's reconsideration line works — but this is the exception, not the rule.

Track your 5/24 count automatically

USCardSignal's dashboard calculates your real-time 5/24 status from your card wallet and tells you exactly when each card drops off.

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