Chase 5/24 Rule Explained
The most important rule in credit card churning. Here's everything you need to know about Chase's 5/24 policy and how to work around it.
What is Chase's 5/24 Rule?
The 5/24 rule is an unofficial but well-documented Chase policy: if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards across all banks (not just Chase) in the past 24 months, Chase will automatically deny your application for most of their credit cards.
This includes cards from American Express, Citi, Capital One, Bank of America, and any other issuer. Chase counts all new personal card accounts, regardless of the bank.
Which Cards Are Affected?
Subject to 5/24
- Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve
- Chase Freedom Unlimited / Flex
- Southwest personal cards
- United personal cards
- IHG personal cards
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
- Most Chase consumer cards
May Bypass 5/24
- Chase Ink Business cards
- Some targeted in-branch offers
- Select partner offers
- Business cards in general
How to Count Your 5/24 Status
Step 1: Pull your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com
Step 2: List every personal credit card opened in the last 24 months
Step 3: Count authorized user accounts (these may count — call recon to explain)
Step 4: Subtract business cards (they generally don't count)
Step 5: If your total is 4 or fewer, you're under 5/24
Cards That Don't Count Toward 5/24
Optimal Strategy for Chase Cards
Because 5/24 is so restrictive, the general advice is to prioritize Chase cards early in your churning journey. Here's a recommended order:
Your first card should be a Sapphire. The points are most flexible and valuable. You can only hold one Sapphire card at a time, and must wait 48 months between Sapphire bonuses.
Doesn't count toward 5/24 but IS subject to 5/24. Get this while you're under 5/24. 100,000 UR points is one of the best bonuses available.
No annual fee cards that earn UR points. Good keepers that complement the Sapphire ecosystem. Get these while still under 5/24.
If you value specific airline/hotel programs, get these next. Southwest cards can earn the Companion Pass.
Once you're at or over 5/24, shift focus to Amex, Citi, and other issuers that don't have similar restrictions.
Chase Cards on ChurnCards
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chase's 5/24 rule?
Chase's 5/24 rule means Chase will automatically deny most credit card applications if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any bank, not just Chase) in the past 24 months. This is an unofficial but well-documented policy.
How do I check my 5/24 status?
Count the number of personal credit cards you've opened in the past 24 months across all issuers. Check your credit reports on annualcreditreport.com for a complete list. Business cards from most issuers (except Capital One and Discover) typically don't count.
Do business cards count toward 5/24?
Most business cards do NOT count toward 5/24 because they don't report to personal credit bureaus. The exceptions are Capital One and Discover business cards, which do report and count toward your 5/24 total.
Which Chase cards are subject to 5/24?
Most Chase consumer cards are subject to 5/24, including the Sapphire family, Freedom family, Southwest cards, and United cards. Some co-branded business cards and select premium cards may bypass 5/24 with targeted offers.