What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?

The Chase 5/24 rule is an unofficial but widely observed guideline that impacts whether you’re approved for certain Chase credit cards. According to this rule, if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards (from any issuer, not just Chase) in the last 24 months, you’re likely to be denied for many Chase credit cards.

This rule includes most personal cards and even some business cards that show up on your personal credit report.

Why Does the Rule Exist?

Chase doesn’t publicly acknowledge the 5/24 rule in their marketing or application terms, but it’s believed to be a way to reduce risk and prevent cardholders from opening cards solely for the welcome bonus. In short, the bank wants to lend to customers who show responsible long-term credit behavior, not just those chasing signup offers.

What Counts Toward 5/24?

The 5/24 count includes:

• Personal credit cards opened in the last 24 months, regardless of issuer (Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, etc.)

• Co-branded credit cards (like hotel and airline credit cards from any issuer)

• Cards where you’re the primary account holder or an authorized user

• Some business cards, if they report to your personal credit report (most Capital One and Discover business cards do)

Cards that do not typically count include:

• Business cards from issuers like Chase, American Express, Bank of America, and Citi, which don’t appear on your personal report

How to Check Your 5/24 Status

To find out where you stand:

1. Request a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau or use a free credit monitoring service

2. Count the number of new accounts opened in the last 24 months

3. Include personal cards and any business cards that appear on your report

If you have 5 or more accounts, you’re at or over 5/24.

Strategies for Managing 5/24

If you’re under 5/24, you may want to prioritize applying for Chase cards first in your credit card journey. Once you’ve opened other cards that push you past the limit, you’ll need to wait until enough time passes and older accounts “age out” of the 24-month window.

If you’re close to the limit, consider:

• Avoiding unnecessary authorized user accounts

• Focusing on business cards that don’t show on your personal credit report

• Waiting to apply for Chase cards until you’re safely under 5/24

Bottom Line

The Chase 5/24 rule is one of the most important things to understand if you’re getting into credit card rewards. Knowing where you stand and how it affects your card strategy can help you avoid denials and make the most of valuable offers.

Whether you’re just getting started or planning your next few applications, being aware of 5/24 can help you build a smarter and more sustainable points and miles strategy.