Credit Card Application Rules by Bank
Every credit card issuer has rules limiting how many cards you can open and how often you can earn sign-up bonuses. Understanding these rules is essential for churning. This comprehensive reference covers all major issuers, their velocity limits, bonus cooldowns, and the quirks that can make or break your next application.
Quick Reference Table
| Issuer | Key Rule | Bonus Cooldown | Max Cards | Hard Pull Bureau |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase | 5/24 Rule | 48 months (Sapphire) | No hard limit | Experian |
| American Express | Lifetime Language | Once per lifetime | 5 credit cards | Experian |
| Citi | 48-Month Rule | 48 months per family | No hard limit | Experian or Equifax |
| Capital One | Velocity Sensitive | Varies | ~2 cards | All 3 bureaus |
| Discover | One bonus per lifetime | Once per lifetime | ~2 cards | Experian or TransUnion |
| Wells Fargo | 15/12 Rule | 15-18 months | No hard limit | Experian |
| US Bank | Inquiry Sensitive | Varies | No hard limit | TransUnion or Experian |
| Barclays | 6/24 Sensitive | 24 months | No hard limit | TransUnion |
| Bank of America | 2/3/4 Rule | 24 months | 4 per 24 months | Experian or TransUnion |
Chase Application Rules
Chase has the most well-known application rules in the churning world. Getting these right is critical because Chase offers some of the best sign-up bonuses available, and their rules can permanently lock you out if you aren't careful.
5/24 Rule
Chase will deny most credit card applications if you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Business cards from most issuers do not count toward your 5/24 total, but you must be under 5/24 to get approved for Chase cards that are subject to the rule. This is the single most important rule in credit card churning.Full 5/24 guide →
2/30 Rule
Chase limits you to a maximum of 2 Chase applications within any 30-day period. If you apply for a third card within 30 days, the application will be automatically denied regardless of your creditworthiness. Space your Chase applications at least 30 days apart, though 3 months is recommended for best approval odds.
One Sapphire Rule
You can only hold one Sapphire product at a time — either the Sapphire Preferred or the Sapphire Reserve, but not both. To switch between them, you must first downgrade or close your current Sapphire card, wait at least 4 days, then apply for the other.Sapphire churning guide →
48-Month Sapphire Bonus Rule
You cannot earn a Sapphire sign-up bonus if you have received any Sapphire bonus (Preferred or Reserve) within the past 48 months. The clock starts from the date the bonus posted to your account, not from when you opened the card. This applies across both Sapphire products — a Preferred bonus blocks a Reserve bonus and vice versa.
Ink Business Cards
Chase Ink business cards are separate from personal cards for bonus eligibility. You can hold multiple Ink products simultaneously and earn bonuses on each. However, Ink cards are still subject to 5/24 — you need to be under 5/24 to get approved, even though Ink cards themselves do not add to your 5/24 count.Ink churning guide →
Chase Reconsideration Line: 1-888-270-2127. Call this number if your Chase application is denied or goes to pending. A human analyst can review your application and may overturn an automated denial.More approval tips →
American Express Application Rules
Amex is one of the most generous issuers for approvals but has strict rules around who can earn sign-up bonuses. Understanding the lifetime language and the popup is essential for maximizing your Amex strategy.
Lifetime Language
Most Amex cards include the language: “Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card.” This means if you have ever held a specific Amex card — even if you closed it years ago — you are typically ineligible for the bonus again. Amex has increasingly enforced this rule, and it applies per card product, not per card family. For example, holding the Gold Card blocks future Gold bonuses but does not block a Platinum bonus.
NLL (No Lifetime Language) Offers
Occasionally, Amex issues targeted or incognito offers that do not contain the lifetime language restriction. These NLL offers allow you to earn a bonus on a card you have previously held. They are not guaranteed and can appear via direct mail, email, referral links, or sometimes incognito browser windows. When you find an NLL offer, it is generally worth taking advantage of it quickly.
1/5 Rule
Amex limits you to a maximum of 1 credit card approval per 5 calendar days. This does not apply to charge cards (like the Platinum or Gold), which have their own limits. If you apply for a second credit card within 5 days of being approved for one, the second application will be denied.
2/90 Rule
You can be approved for a maximum of 2 Amex credit cards within any 90-day period. This is a rolling window. Charge cards do not count toward this limit. If you want to open multiple Amex cards, space credit card applications at least 90 days apart while mixing in charge card applications as needed.
5 Credit Card Limit
Amex limits most consumers to 5 credit cards at a time. Charge cards (Platinum, Gold, Green, and Business versions) do not count toward this limit and are effectively unlimited. If you are at the 5-card cap, you must close or product-change an existing credit card before applying for a new one.
The Amex Popup
During the application process, Amex may display a warning that you will not receive the welcome bonus even if approved. This “popup” is Amex's way of flagging applicants they suspect are gaming the system. You can still proceed and get the card, but you will not earn the bonus. Common triggers include opening and closing Amex cards rapidly, low spending on existing Amex cards, and a history of canceling shortly after earning bonuses.
RAT (Rewards Abuse Team): Amex has a dedicated team that reviews accounts for signs of reward abuse. They can claw back bonuses, close accounts, and ban you from future Amex products. Avoid manufactured spending on Amex cards, close cards gradually rather than immediately after bonuses post, and maintain some organic spending on your Amex cards.
Citi Application Rules
Citi has a complex set of velocity rules that limit how quickly and how often you can apply for and earn bonuses on their cards. The 48-month rule is the most significant, but the application velocity limits are equally important to track.
48-Month Rule
You cannot earn a sign-up bonus on a Citi card if you have received a bonus on any card in the same product family within the past 48 months. This is stricter than it sounds: for example, earning a Citi Premier bonus blocks you from earning another Premier bonus for a full 4 years. The 48-month clock starts from the date the bonus was awarded, not the date you opened the card.
1/8 Rule
Citi allows only 1 application per 8 calendar days. If you submit a second Citi application within 8 days of the first, it will be automatically denied. This applies to both approved and pending applications.
2/65 Rule
You can submit a maximum of 2 Citi applications within any 65-day period. The third application within that window will be denied. This is a rolling window, so you need to count back 65 days from your planned application date to check your eligibility.
6/6 Rule
Citi may deny your application if you have 6 or more hard inquiries across all issuers in the past 6 months. This is not an absolute rule — some applicants with strong profiles get approved despite exceeding this threshold — but it is a common denial reason and worth tracking.
1/24 for AA Cards
Citi restricts AAdvantage card bonuses to 1 per 24 months. You can only earn one Citi AAdvantage bonus in any 24-month period, regardless of which specific AA card product you apply for. This was tightened after the “AA mailer” era.
Capital One Application Rules
Capital One is one of the most restrictive issuers for churning. They have no formally published rules, but their behavior is well-documented by the churning community.
Velocity Sensitive
Capital One may deny your application if you have too many recent hard inquiries or new accounts across all issuers, even if your credit score is excellent. There is no specific published threshold, but applicants with more than a handful of recent inquiries frequently report denials.
2-Card Limit
Capital One generally limits consumers to 2 Capital One credit cards total. Getting a third card is very difficult and rarely reported. If you already have 2 Capital One cards, close one before applying for a new one — though even then, approval is not guaranteed.
All 3 Bureaus Pulled
Capital One is notable for pulling your credit report from all 3 bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) for a single application. This means one Capital One application results in 3 hard inquiries on your credit report. This is especially costly if you are denied, making it important to only apply when you have strong approval odds.
Discover Application Rules
Discover is a smaller issuer with limited product options, but their cards can be useful for new churners or as a complement to a broader strategy.
One Bonus Per Card Per Lifetime
Similar to Amex, Discover restricts sign-up bonuses to once per card product per lifetime. If you have previously held a Discover it card, you cannot earn the bonus again on a new Discover it card. This applies to each specific card product separately.
2-Card Limit
Discover generally approves a maximum of 2 Discover cards per person. The product lineup is small (mainly the Discover it and Discover it Miles), so this limit is rarely an issue in practice.
Easy First Approval
Discover is known for being one of the easiest issuers to get approved with, especially for a first credit card. The Discover it Student card is one of the most popular starter cards. Discover also does not charge foreign transaction fees, making their cards useful for travel even with modest rewards.
Wells Fargo Application Rules
Wells Fargo is not a top-tier issuer for churning, but their cards can still be worth grabbing when the timing is right. Their verification process and account limits make them more conservative than average.
Cell Phone Verification
Wells Fargo requires cell phone verification for new applicants who do not have an existing relationship. You will receive a verification code via text message that you must enter to proceed with the application. This can be a blocker if you use a VOIP number or do not have a US cell phone number on file.
15/12 Rule
Wells Fargo may deny your application if you have 15 or more new accounts across all issuers in the past 12 months. This is an informal threshold based on community data points. Most churners will not hit this limit, but it can be a factor if you are particularly aggressive with applications across multiple issuers.
Note: Wells Fargo is not very churning-friendly overall, but the Autograph card has decent ongoing value with 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, streaming, and phone plans with no annual fee. It can be a good keeper card even if you only grab it once.
US Bank Application Rules
US Bank is one of the most conservative issuers. Their underwriting standards are strict, and they strongly prefer applicants who already have a banking relationship.
Very Inquiry Sensitive
US Bank may deny applications from applicants with as few as 3 to 4 recent hard inquiries. This makes them one of the strictest issuers for applicants who are actively churning. If you want a US Bank card, apply during a period when you have minimal recent inquiries on your report.
Banking Relationship Preferred
US Bank strongly prefers applicants who already have a checking or savings account with them. Having an existing relationship significantly improves your approval odds and may offset some inquiry sensitivity. Opening a US Bank checking account a few months before applying for a credit card is a common strategy.
Altitude Reserve Requirements
The US Bank Altitude Reserve, their premium travel card, essentially requires an existing US Bank banking relationship to get approved. Without one, applications are almost always denied. Open a checking account and use it actively for several months before applying.
Conservative Underwriting: US Bank has some of the most conservative credit card underwriting in the industry. They prefer applicants with clean credit histories, few recent inquiries, and an existing banking relationship. Plan your US Bank applications carefully — they are the issuer most likely to deny experienced churners.
Barclays Application Rules
Barclays is a mid-tier issuer for churning. They are generally more lenient with existing cardholders but can be strict with new applicants who have heavy recent application activity.
6/24 Sensitivity
Barclays is sensitive to applicants who have opened 6 or more new accounts across all issuers in the past 24 months. This is not an absolute cutoff like Chase's 5/24 — approvals above 6/24 are possible — but your odds decrease meaningfully once you cross this threshold. Having an existing Barclays card improves your chances.
Existing Cardholders
Barclays is generally more lenient with applicants who already hold a Barclays card. If you are considering a Barclays application, having an existing card with them and maintaining it in good standing can help offset concerns about recent application velocity.
AA Cards
Barclays AAdvantage cards can be lucrative targets, though availability has become more limited in recent years. The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red is notable because it only requires a single purchase (no minimum dollar amount) to earn the sign-up bonus, making it one of the easiest bonuses to earn in the entire churning space.
Bank of America Application Rules
Bank of America has a clear and well-documented set of application rules. The 2/3/4 rule provides predictable limits, and their Alaska Airlines cards are among the most popular churning targets.
2/3/4 Rule
Bank of America enforces a tiered application limit: a maximum of 2 new Bank of America cards per rolling 30-day period, 3 per rolling 12-month period, and 4 per rolling 24-month period. These limits are well-documented and consistently enforced. Exceeding any of these thresholds will result in an automatic denial.
Preferred Rewards
Having a Bank of America banking relationship, especially at the Preferred Rewards tier (which requires $20,000+ in combined BofA and Merrill accounts), significantly helps approval odds. Preferred Rewards members also earn bonus rewards on BofA cards — up to 75% more at the Platinum Honors tier — making the cards more valuable as keepers.
Alaska Airlines Cards
The Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is one of the most popular churning targets. It regularly offers 60,000-75,000 Alaska miles plus a companion fare. Alaska miles are valuable for booking flights on partner airlines including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Emirates. Some churners repeatedly open and close Alaska cards within the 2/3/4 limits.
General Application Tips
Beyond issuer-specific rules, these general strategies will help you maximize your approval rate and avoid common pitfalls across all issuers.
Space Applications Out
Wait at least 3 months between applications to the same issuer. This gives your credit score time to recover from the hard inquiry and demonstrates responsible credit behavior. Rapid-fire applications are the fastest way to trigger denials and account reviews.
Check Pre-Qualification Tools
Most issuers offer pre-qualification tools on their websites that let you check your approval odds without a hard pull. While pre-qualification is not a guarantee of approval, it is a useful signal. Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Discover all have pre-qualification checkers.
Business vs. Personal
Business card applications and personal card applications are usually processed through separate pipelines. Most business cards do not report to personal credit bureaus and do not count toward rules like 5/24. This makes business cards a powerful tool for earning bonuses while keeping your personal card count low.
Freeze Unwanted Bureau Pulls
If you know which bureau an issuer pulls, you can freeze your reports at the other bureaus to prevent unnecessary hard inquiries. This is especially useful for Capital One, which pulls all 3 bureaus by default. Freezing 2 of the 3 may force them to use only the one you left unfrozen, though results vary.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chase 5/24 rule?
The Chase 5/24 rule means Chase will automatically deny most credit card applications if you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Business cards from most issuers do not count toward this limit, but you must be under 5/24 to get approved for Chase cards that are subject to the rule.
What is the Amex lifetime language?
The Amex lifetime language is a restriction that states "Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card." This means if you have ever held a specific American Express card, you are generally ineligible to receive the sign-up bonus again. Amex has increasingly enforced this rule, though targeted No Lifetime Language (NLL) offers occasionally appear.
How often can you get a Citi bonus?
Citi enforces a 48-month rule: you cannot earn a sign-up bonus on a card if you have received a bonus on any card in the same product family within the past 48 months. For example, earning a Citi Premier bonus blocks you from earning another Premier bonus for 4 years. Citi also has a 1/8 rule (one application per 8 days) and a 2/65 rule (two applications per 65 days).
How many Capital One cards can you have?
Capital One generally limits consumers to 2 Capital One credit cards total. There is no formal published rule, but approvals beyond 2 cards are rare. Capital One is also very sensitive to recent inquiries and new accounts across all issuers, and they pull from all 3 credit bureaus.
Which banks are the most churning-friendly?
American Express and Chase offer the best sign-up bonuses and are the most popular for churning, though both have significant rules to track. Amex is the most lenient for approvals but enforces lifetime bonus restrictions. Chase has great bonuses but the 5/24 rule limits how many cards you can get. Citi and Bank of America are moderately churning-friendly. Capital One, US Bank, and Wells Fargo are generally the least churning-friendly due to strict velocity limits.
Do business cards count toward 5/24?
Most business cards do NOT count toward Chase 5/24 because they do not report to personal credit bureaus. This includes business cards from Chase, Amex, Citi, and Barclays. The notable exceptions are Capital One and Discover business cards, which do report to personal bureaus and therefore count toward your 5/24 total.
What is the Amex popup?
The Amex popup is a warning message that may appear during the American Express application process stating that you will not be eligible to receive the welcome bonus even if approved. This is Amex's way of flagging applicants they believe are gaming the system. If you see the popup, you can still proceed with the application and get the card, but you will not receive the sign-up bonus. Common triggers include opening and closing Amex cards quickly or having low spending on existing Amex cards.