Chase 5/24 Rule Explained: A Detailed Guide for Personal & Business Cards

So, you want a Chase Bank credit card? There’s this thing called the 5/24 rule you gotta know about. Chase Bank branch – The “5/24 rule” is an unofficial policy that can make or break your chances of getting approved for new Chase credit cards. In the world of credit card rewards, Chase’s 5/24 rule is almost legendary.

Simply put, if you have opened five or more credit card accounts in the last 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application for a new Chase card. This guideline applies to cards from any bank – not just Chase’s own cards (including travel rewards and co-branded cards). So you need to take this into account when considering getting a new credit card.

Why does Chase have the 5/24 rule?

5/24 is Chase’s way of ensuring cardmembers aren’t opening lots of new accounts in a short time just to game the system or overextend themselves.

How the 5/24 Rule Works (Which Accounts Count)

Okay, so Chase has this rule called 5/24, and here’s how they check if you’re eligible for a new card. Basically, when you apply, they peek at your credit report to see how many new accounts you’ve opened in the last two years.

If you’ve opened five or more new accounts in that time frame, Chase will probably reject your application automatically. So, it’s important to know what kinds of accounts count toward this limit.

Here’s what counts:

• Personal credit cards from any bank: Doesn’t matter where you got that Visa or Mastercard, it counts, even if you’ve closed the account.
• Some business credit cards: Most business cards don’t show up on your personal credit report, but some do, like the ones from Capital One, Discover, and TD Bank.
• Authorized user accounts: If you’re an authorized user on someone else’s card, it counts, too. But, you might be able to ask Chase to ignore those, or get them removed from your credit report.
• Store credit cards: Like that store-branded Visa? Yeah, those usually count if they’re on your credit report. Basically, if it shows up as a new credit line, Chase is counting it.

Here’s what doesn’t count:

• Denied applications: If you got turned down, it doesn’t count. Only opened accounts matter.
• Most business credit cards: Most business cards from major banks like Chase, Amex, and Bank of America usually don’t show up on your personal report, so they don’t count.
• Loans: Car loans, student loans, mortgages – none of that counts toward your 5/24 status. It’s just about credit card accounts.

Chase looks at your account opening dates on a rolling 24-month schedule. Each new account affects your status for two years and then falls off. So, if you got a card on January 15, 2025, it would stop counting toward 5/24 on January 15, 2027.

Because it’s a rolling timeline, your 5/24 status changes over time. It’s a great idea to check your credit report and count your cards you opened in the past 2 years before applying. If you are at 4/24, you’re in safe territory for one more Chase card.

Chase Business Cards and the 5/24 Rule

Chase’s 5/24 policy applies to both personal and business credit card applications – you generally must be under 5/24 to get approved for any new Chase card, including their business cards. However, there’s an interesting twist: if you do get approved for a Chase business card, that new business account typically will not appear on your personal credit report, and therefore will not add to your 5/24 count. In other words, Chase business cards are subject to the rule when applying, but once you have them, they won’t make it harder to get future cards (since they won’t increment your “five cards” total on your credit report).

This nuance can be useful for savvy points collectors. For example, if you’re at 4/24 and qualify for a Chase Ink business card, you can get it without pushing yourself to 5/24. You’ll still remain at 4/24 afterward because the Ink card won’t be listed as a new personal account on your credit history. Many people use this to their advantage – snagging a Chase business card (or two) to earn bonuses while preserving their 5/24 slots for other Chase personal cards. Just remember: even though business cards don’t count in the total, Chase will still require you to be under 5/24 at the time of application for most of its business cards. And getting a business card means you need a legitimate small business or side income (Chase may sometimes ask for proof like an EIN or business documents to verify your business).

Strategies to Navigate (and Maximize) the 5/24 Rule

Okay, so the 5/24 rule from Chase can be tricky. Basically, if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months, Chase probably won’t approve you for a new card. That sounds unpleasant, but here are some tips that might help:

• Keep a simple list of when you opened each credit card. This way, you’ll know when a card expires from your 24-month count. Calendar reminders can help, for example: “February 1: You can now get a new Chase card because your XYZ card, opened two years ago, has expired.” By tracking these dates, you can submit your next application shortly after your account falls below 5/24 again. Knowing these dates, you can plan your next card application accordingly.
• Being an authorized user on someone else’s card might push you over the 5/24 limit. If this happens, consider removing yourself as an authorized user before applying for a Chase card. If you get denied, call Chase and explain that those accounts aren’t yours.
• Sometimes Chase may offer you a card even if you exceed the 5/24 rule. Check your Chase account or keep an eye on offers that come in the mail; if you see a pre-approved offer, it’s worth a try.
• If you can’t get approved for a new Chase card, think about changing one of your existing Chase cards to the one you want. You won’t get the sign-up bonus, but it’s a way to get the card. You usually need to call Chase to do this.
• If you’re already over 5/24, sometimes the best thing to do is wait. As cards get older than 24 months, they’ll drop off your count. Be patient, and you’ll be eligible for a Chase card again before you know it.

How to Сheck Status?

Chase does not have an official “5/24 counter,” and company representatives will not give you an exact number. But you can check your status without keeping a manual chart by using your credit reports and pre-approval alerts.

Quick and reliable ways to check 5/24:

1. Pull your credit reports and sort by “Date Opened”
   
   • Get your credit reports and sort them by “Date Opened.”
   • Get your Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax reports (free at least once a year; most credit apps also show them).
   • In the “Credit Cards/Revolving Accounts” section of each report, sort by “Date Opened” and count only accounts opened within the last 24 months.
   • Include: personal credit cards, store cards, and authorized user (AU) cards. 
   • Exclude: loans (auto/student/mortgage), charge cards that appear as loans, and most business cards (they usually don’t appear).
   • Note exceptions: Some business cards from Capital One, Discover, and TD appear on personal credit and are counted.
2. If you use credit monitoring apps, you can also filter out “new accounts.”
   • Apps like Experian, Credit Karma (TransUnion/Equifax), or your bank’s credit tool let you filter by account type and “opened in last 2 years.”

This gives you a quick, real-time calculation without keeping a separate log.

Conclusion

Knowing about Chase’s 5/24 rule in advance allows you to control the process of obtaining credit cards. The key is to be strategic with your applications: think long-term about which cards you want most and in what order. If you’re just starting to collect points and miles, it often makes sense to prioritize Chase cards (as long as you haven’t exceeded your limit) so you don’t miss out on them. And even within those five slots, choose wisely — select cards that align with your travel or cash back goals, rather than rushing to fill all five slots with random cards. Keep an eye on your 24-month counter and add new cards gradually and thoughtfully.

By understanding the 5/24 rule and all other rules (we describe them in detail in the following article) and planning accordingly, you can build a solid credit card portfolio, including both personal and business cards, and earn huge rewards while staying in good standing with Chase. Good luck with your planning, and may your applications always be in your favor!