Credit Card Churning for Beginners
New to churning? This guide covers everything you need to know before applying for your first card — no jargon, no assumptions.
What Is Credit Card Churning?
Credit card churning is the practice of applying for credit cards primarily to earn their sign-up bonuses. A typical bonus is worth $500-$1,500 or more in cash back, travel, or points — you just need to spend a certain amount in the first 3 months.
For example: The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 points (worth about $900) after spending $4,000 in 3 months. If you were going to spend that $4,000 anyway on bills, groceries, and gas, the bonus is essentially free money.
People who churn systematically can earn $3,000-$8,000+ per year in bonus value. For a deeper explanation, see our complete churning guide.
Before You Start: 3 Prerequisites
1. You pay your balance in full every month
This is non-negotiable. Credit card interest rates are 20-30%. If you carry a balance, interest will erase your bonus and then some. If you can't reliably pay in full, don't churn.
2. Your credit score is 670+
Most rewards cards require at least good credit (670+). Premium cards need 720+. Check your score for free through your bank or Credit Karma. If you're below 670, focus on building your score first.
3. You're not applying for a mortgage soon
New credit card applications temporarily lower your score by 5-10 points. If you're buying a home in the next 6-12 months, wait until after closing. Mortgage rates are sensitive to small score changes.
Step-by-Step: Your First Card
Choose a card with a good bonus and a spend requirement you can comfortably meet. If you spend $1,500/month normally, a $4,000 in 3 months requirement is doable. A $15,000 requirement is not. See our starter recommendations below.
Apply directly through the issuer's website. Most decisions are instant. If you get a "pending" decision, you can call the reconsideration line (search "[bank] recon line"). See our approval tips guide.
Use the card for all your regular purchases. Pay bills with it. Time it with a large planned purchase if possible. See our minimum spend strategies guide.
Bonuses usually post 1-2 statement cycles after you meet the spend requirement. Check your rewards balance. Once the bonus posts, you're done.
When the annual fee hits (usually month 12), decide whether to keep, downgrade to a no-fee card, or cancel. See our cancel or downgrade guide.
The One Rule Every Beginner Must Know
Chase 5/24 Rule
Chase will deny you for most of their cards if you've opened 5+ personal credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months. Since Chase has some of the best bonuses, most churners recommend getting Chase cards first.
Read the full 5/24 guide →Recommended First Cards
These cards offer strong bonuses with manageable spend requirements and are accessible with good credit.
See all recommendations in our best cards to churn guide.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Next Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Is credit card churning legal?
Yes. Applying for credit cards and earning sign-up bonuses is completely legal. Issuers design these bonuses to attract new customers. However, some issuers may close accounts or deny future bonuses if they believe you're gaming the system excessively.
Will churning hurt my credit score?
Each application causes a small, temporary dip of about 5-10 points from the hard inquiry. However, opening new accounts increases your total available credit, which can improve your utilization ratio. Most churners see their scores recover within a few months.
How much money can you make from churning?
A disciplined churner can earn $3,000-$8,000+ per year in sign-up bonuses. The exact amount depends on how many cards you apply for, the bonus values, and your ability to meet minimum spend requirements without overspending.
What credit score do I need to start churning?
Most good rewards cards require a score of 670+. Premium cards (Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum) typically need 720+. If your score is below 670, build it first with a no-annual-fee card before starting to churn.
How many cards should a beginner apply for?
Start with one card. Learn the process — meeting minimum spend, tracking deadlines, paying in full. Once you're comfortable, apply for a second card 2-3 months later. Don't rush. The bonuses will still be there.