Chase 5/24 Rule Explained
The most important rule in credit card churning. Here's what applicants report about Chase's 5/24 pattern, and what is uncertain.
What is Chase's 5/24 Rule?
The 5/24 rule is a widely reported pattern, not a rule Chase publishes: applicants who have opened about 5 or more personal card accounts across all banks (not just Chase) in the past 24 months are often denied for many Chase cards. Approval is never guaranteed below 5/24, and the details can change.
Applicant reports suggest new personal accounts from any bank count, not only Chase accounts. The lists below are reported data points, not issuer statements.
Which Cards Are Reported as Affected?
Reported as subject to 5/24
- Most Chase personal cards, including Sapphire and Freedom
- Many Chase business cards, including Ink, per applicant reports
Reported exceptions are unreliable
- Past reports of targeted or in-branch offers that skip 5/24 are inconsistent
- Do not plan around an exception you cannot confirm in your own offer terms
How to Count Your 5/24 Status
Step 1: Pull your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, the site the FTC directs consumers to for free reports
Step 2: List every personal credit card opened in the last 24 months
Step 3: Include authorized user accounts (reports suggest they may count)
Step 4: Leave out business cards that do not appear on your personal reports (reported, not confirmed)
Step 5: A total of 4 or fewer is usually reported as under 5/24; it does not guarantee approval
What Applicants Report About Counting
Optimal Strategy for Chase Cards
Because 5/24 is reported to be restrictive, common churner advice is to consider Chase cards early. This is an example order, not a guarantee of approval or bonus eligibility:
Your first card should be a Sapphire. The points are most flexible and valuable. For Sapphire Preferred, current ownership prevents a new account; prior ownership or bonuses and cards opened or closed may affect bonus eligibility. A fixed wait does not guarantee another bonus.
Applicant reports suggest it does not add to your count but is still affected by 5/24. Check the current offer and terms on Chase's site before applying.
No annual fee cards that earn UR points. Good keepers that complement the Sapphire ecosystem. Applicants often get these while under 5/24.
If you value specific airline/hotel programs, get these next. Check each program's current terms on the issuer's site.
Once you're at or over 5/24, consider other issuers. They have their own application rules, so check each issuer's terms.
Chase Cards on ChurnCards
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chase's 5/24 rule?
5/24 is a widely reported pattern: applicants who have opened about 5 or more personal card accounts (from any bank) in the past 24 months are often denied for many Chase cards. Chase does not publish this rule, so the exact counting and which cards it applies to are uncertain and can change.
How do I check my 5/24 status?
Count the personal card accounts opened in the past 24 months across all issuers, using your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Applicant reports suggest accounts that appear on your personal credit report are what count, so business cards that do not appear there usually do not, but this is not confirmed by Chase.
Do business cards count toward 5/24?
Applicant reports suggest business cards usually do not count when they do not appear on your personal credit report. Some issuers are reported to put certain business cards on personal reports; check your own reports rather than relying on a list. Chase does not publish how it counts.
Which Chase cards are subject to 5/24?
Applicant reports suggest most Chase personal cards, and many Chase business cards, are affected. Chase does not publish a list, so treat any list as reported, not guaranteed.