Chase Rule: What It Means for Credit Card Applicants

The Chase rule has tripped up even the savviest points chasers. Imagine you're eyeing a shiny new Chase Sapphire Preferred, ready to cash in on those massive sign-up bonuses. Then, bam—the dreaded denial. All because of a simple rule a lot of people don’t spot until it’s too late: the Chase 5/24 rule.

Here’s the short version: if you’ve opened five or more credit cards (from any bank, not just Chase) in the past 24 months, Chase will almost always slam the door on your application for most of their popular credit cards. Even authorized user accounts count, not just the accounts where you’re the primary cardholder. This rule makes a huge difference if you’re collecting points, especially if you bounce between cards for the best rewards.

• What Is the Chase Rule?
• Why Does Chase Have This Rule?
• Who Gets Affected by 5/24?
• How to Track Your Status
• Smart Moves to Stay Under 5/24
• Tips for Maximizing Approval Odds

What Is the Chase Rule?

The Chase rule everyone talks about is called the 5/24 rule. It’s pretty simple but packs a punch if you’re trying to score new credit cards. Chase looks at your credit history and checks how many personal credit cards you’ve opened across all banks in the past 24 months. If you’ve opened five or more, you’re out of luck—they’ll usually deny most of their popular credit cards.

This rule doesn’t just count cards from Chase. Any card accounts count—including those where you’re just an authorized user. Even if your credit card only had a small limit or you barely used it, it still lands on your report and stacks toward that five-card total. Business cards generally don’t add to your count with most banks, but a few do—so you want to double-check which ones actually show up on your credit reports.

Why does Chase care? They’re trying to block people who open cards just for the signup bonus and then ditch them. So this policy is really about cutting down on what banks call “churners.”

Here’s a quick breakdown to keep it all straight:

• Chase rule applies if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards in 24 months.
• They count personal cards from all banks (not just Chase).
• Authorized user accounts usually count.
• Most business cards do NOT count—exceptions exist.

Check out how this shakes out in real life using averages from credit card forum data in 2024:

It sounds simple, but this rule trips up so many folks, especially if you sign up for every store promo or get added as an authorized user by family. The main thing: keep track of your card openings if you want a Chase card anytime soon.

Why Does Chase Have This Rule?

First, nobody likes losing money—including banks. Chase came up with the 5/24 rule to keep away folks who hop from card to card just to score big welcome bonuses and then stop using the cards. Every time someone opens a card, grabs the points, and ignores it, the bank takes a hit. That's not the kind of customer Chase wants.

Chase also uses the 5/24 rule to cut down on fraud and risky lending. People who open lots of new cards in a short period sometimes have trouble paying them off, or they might be gaming the system for rewards. By putting up this guardrail, Chase tries to weed out these risks before they turn into big losses.

Another big factor is the rise of credit card churners—a whole group of people who chase rewards programs as aggressively as possible. Back in 2015, when the Chase rule started making waves, Chase reportedly saw too many customers opening cards, claiming bonuses, and closing accounts in a flash. That messes with the bank’s profit and can throw off their customer data. With this rule, Chase tries to keep its cards in the hands of long-term users who swipe regularly.

This strategy also helps Chase keep things fair for loyal customers. If everyone could just open unlimited cards for points, those sign-up perks wouldn’t stick around for long. By limiting who can keep racking up bonuses, Chase protects their rewards ecosystem so it doesn’t break down for people actually using the cards year after year.

Who Gets Affected by 5/24?

The Chase 5/24 rule isn’t just for hardcore credit card churners—it hits just about anyone who opens new credit cards fairly often. If you’ve picked up five or more personal credit cards from Chase or any other bank in the past two years, you’ll almost always get denied for most Chase cards. This is true whether you’re earning points, building credit, or just setting up for emergencies.

“Five accounts” really means five accounts showing up on your personal credit report. Opened store cards, cards from banks like Amex or Citi, and even being added as an authorized user on a friend or spouse’s account all count. Business cards are a bit weird—most of them from banks like Chase, Amex, or Citi don’t get counted, but cards issued by Capital One, Discover, or TD Bank do show up and bump up your total. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Personal credit cards: Always count toward your 5/24 total.
• Authorized user cards: Count (even if you never use them).
• Store cards: Count if they’re credit cards, not just store charge accounts.
• Business cards: Most don’t count unless the bank reports them to personal credit bureaus (which a few do).

Just to see how it might play out, check this real-world scenario:

If you’re a college student, new grad, or even just like to open cards for juicy welcome offers, you’re at risk of bumping up against the 5/24 limit. Keep an eye on your credit report so you don’t lose out on Chase’s best offers when you need them most. Maximus, my dog, probably has less trouble getting approved—he just sticks to bone rewards.

How to Track Your Status

If you want to beat the Chase rule, you need to know exactly how many cards you’ve opened in the last 24 months. This isn’t just about Chase cards—any bank’s credit card counts. Even accounts where you’re just an authorized user usually show up. A lot of folks miss that, and it stings when you get denied over one tiny technicality.

The quickest way to get a handle on your status is to review your credit report. Most free services like Credit Karma or AnnualCreditReport.com give you access. Look for any credit card opened in the past two years. Be sure to check the 'date opened' column—Chase counts from the month the account hit your report, not when you applied or got approved.

• Sign into a free credit report tool (like Credit Karma or Experian).
• Make a list of every card account (as a primary or authorized user) opened in the past 24 months.
• Ignore other loan types—student, auto, or mortgages don’t count for 5/24.
• If you removed yourself as an authorized user, give it a month or two for the account to drop off your report.

Here’s what your data might look like when you dig in:

Add up any open cards from the past 24 months. If you hit five, time to pump the brakes on new apps until one drops off your list. If you travel or collect rewards, set a reminder on your phone a month before one of your cards ages past the two-year mark. That way, you’ll know when you’re back in the clear with Chase.

Smart Moves to Stay Under 5/24

Staying under the Chase 5/24 rule is the name of the game if you want a shot at those top Chase cards. The first step is keeping tabs on every line of credit that shows up on your personal credit report. This isn’t just about Chase cards—store cards, Amex, Capital One, even cards where you’re just an authorized user, all count toward your limit.

Here are some practical moves to help you beat the Chase rule and keep your options open for approvals:

• Track Every Card You Open: Make a simple spreadsheet or use a tracker app. List the card, bank, date opened, and whether you’re the main cardholder or just an authorized user. Even a basic table goes a long way.
• Hold Off on Non-Chase Cards: If you’re close to the limit, skip non-Chase card offers, even if the bonus looks awesome. Save your slots for cards you really want from Chase.
• Watch Out for Business Cards: Most business cards from American Express, Chase, and Citi don’t show up on your personal credit report, so they won’t bump up your 5/24 count. That’s some breathing room right there.
• Remove Authorized User Accounts: Were you added as an authorized user just to help a family member? You can ask the issuing bank to remove you, and, if the account is gone, ask the credit bureaus to take it off your report for that extra slot back.
• Time Your Applications: If a must-have Chase card is on your mind, wait until you drop under 5/24 before going for it. Count months carefully; a card drops off your count two years from the opening month.
• Double-Check Family Applications: Don’t let a spouse’s or roommate’s planned applications nudge you over the line without you realizing. Compare notes, so nobody wastes a hard pull.

Here’s a quick breakdown of which cards count for 5/24:

One slip-up and you might have to wait months before you can grab that killer Chase offer. So, stay sharp, keep your 5/24 count front and center, and don’t let a tempting flash bonus from another bank cost you your shot at the Chase cards you want most.

Tips for Maximizing Approval Odds

Tired of getting stuck by the Chase 5/24 rule? You're not alone. But you can boost your chances of landing that Chase credit card if you approach things the right way. It’s all about timing, accuracy, and a bit of strategy.

• Know Your 5/24 Status: Before you even think about applying, double-check how many cards you’ve opened in the past 24 months. Pull up your credit report (like Experian or Credit Karma) and count every card—even authorized user spots.
• Focus on Chase Cards First: If you’re below five cards, consider Chase before any other bank. Some of the best rewards cards get blocked by this rule, so make them a priority.
• Space Out Applications: If you’re at four cards, wait before picking up a new one from another bank so you keep a spot open for a Chase card you really want.
• Remove Authorized User Accounts: If an authorized user card is pushing you over the limit, call the bank to have it removed from your credit report. Sometimes, Chase will ignore those if you ask during reconsideration—but you’ve got to be clear and polite.
• Watch Out for Business Cards: Most business cards from banks like Amex, Citi, and even Chase itself don’t show up on your personal credit report. That means you can open these for rewards and not raise your 5/24 count. Don’t assume all business cards are safe, though—CapOne and Discover business cards usually do count.
• Apply in-Branch: Some folks have had luck getting approved for certain Chase cards at a branch, even when they’re technically over 5/24. Results vary, so it’s not a guarantee, but it’s an option.

Check out this quick table showing what counts and what usually doesn’t toward your 5/24 tally:

One last thing—make sure your income and credit score are in good shape before you apply. Most Chase cards want a score over 700. And if you get denied, don’t give up right away. Chase has a reconsideration phone line. If you’ve got a real reason (like a recent authorized user account that isn’t yours), a well-timed call may turn a no into a yes.