If you've applied for a Chase credit card and been denied despite a good credit score, the Chase 5/24 rule is almost certainly why. It's the most influential application policy in the credit card industry — and it affects every Chase card, from the Sapphire Preferred to the Ink Business Cash. Understanding what it is, what counts toward it, and how to work with it is essential for anyone building a Chase rewards strategy.
What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?
The Chase 5/24 Rule Defined
Chase will generally deny applications for most of its credit cards if you have opened 5 or more new personal credit card accounts (from any issuer) within the past 24 months. This is an unofficial policy — Chase does not acknowledge it by name — but it has been extensively documented since approximately 2015 and is consistently enforced.
The rule is simple: 5 or more new personal credit cards in 24 months = likely Chase denial, regardless of credit score, income, or existing Chase banking relationship. There are no exceptions based on being a loyal Chase customer.
What Counts Toward 5/24
| Account Type | Counts Toward 5/24? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal credit cards (any issuer) | Yes | Always — Amex, Citi, Chase, BoA, store cards all count |
| Chase business cards | No (but must be under 5/24 to get them) | Ink cards don't add to your count but require being under 5/24 |
| Amex business cards | No | Amex business cards don't report to personal bureaus |
| Citi business cards | No | Same — Citi business cards don't count |
| Capital One business cards | Yes | Capital One reports business cards to personal bureaus — they count |
| Authorized user accounts | Often yes | Appears on your credit report; Chase may count it |
| Auto loans / personal loans | No | Only credit card accounts count toward 5/24 |
| Store cards (Amazon, Target, etc.) | Yes | Store credit cards are personal credit cards |
Which Chase Cards Are Affected
The 5/24 rule applies to virtually all Chase personal and business credit cards:
| Card | 5/24 Applies? | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Yes | $95 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Yes | $795 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business | Yes | $795 |
| Ink Business Preferred | Yes | $95 |
| Ink Business Cash | Yes | $0 |
| Ink Business Unlimited | Yes | $0 |
| Ink Business Premier | Yes | $195 |
| Chase Freedom Flex | Yes | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | Yes | $0 |
| United, Southwest, Marriott co-brands | Yes | Varies |
How to Check Your 5/24 Status
Get your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Chase typically pulls from Experian in most states but this varies by region.
Find every credit card account. Look at the “opened” date. Count every personal credit card (any issuer) opened within the past 24 months. Don't count auto loans, mortgages, or personal loans — only credit cards.
Look for accounts marked “authorized user.” If you're an AU on someone else's card, Chase may count it. If this pushes you to 5/24, ask the primary cardholder to remove you before applying.
How to Work Within the 5/24 Rule
If building a Chase rewards ecosystem is your goal, apply for Chase cards before applying at other issuers. Once you're at 5/24, you're locked out of new Chase cards until older accounts fall off the 24-month window.
Chase business cards (Ink suite) don't add to your 5/24 count. Once you have your Chase personal card, you can collect Ink cards without pushing yourself further over 5/24 — as long as you were under 5/24 when you applied for them.
Cards fall off the 24-month window on their exact anniversary date. Track the month each older card was opened and count down to when you'll drop back below 5/24. Then apply immediately for your target Chase card.
The Smart Long-Term Approach
If your goal is Chase Sapphire Preferred + 2 Ink cards, you only need 3–4 Chase applications total. Do all of them while under 5/24. Once you have the Chase cards you want, freely apply for Amex, Citi, and Capital One cards — those applications don't affect your Chase eligibility going forward.