If you are new to the world of credit card rewards, you might assume that a high credit score and a six-figure income are the only keys to approval. In the Chase ecosystem, you would be wrong.
The Chase 5/24 Rule is the single most important restriction in the travel rewards hobby. It overrides your credit score, your income, and your relationship with the bank. If you violate this rule, the computer will reject your application instantly—no matter how perfect your financial profile is.
In 2026, the rule remains the primary “gatekeeper” to the lucrative Ultimate Rewards program. Before you apply for any new card this year, you must understand where you stand in your 5/24 count.
What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?
The Definition: The Chase 5/24 rule states that you will be denied for most Chase credit cards if your personal credit report shows five or more new credit card accounts opened in the last 24 months.
This is not an official public policy you will find in the terms and conditions, but it is a hard-coded algorithm in Chase’s approval system. It applies to cards from any issuer, not just Chase. If you opened an American Express Gold Card, a Capital One Venture X, a Citi Strata Premier, and two store cards in the last two years, you are at “5/24” and will likely be denied for a new Chase card.
The rule was designed to prevent “churning”—the practice of opening cards solely for the sign-up bonus and closing them quickly. By limiting approvals to customers who haven’t opened many accounts recently, Chase aims to acquire long-term, profitable users.
How to Calculate Your 5/24 Status
Calculating your status is simple, but you must be precise. Do not guess. You need to look at the “Date Opened” for every account on your credit report.
Step-by-Step Methodology
- Step 1: Access your free credit report via AnnualCreditReport.com or a service like Experian.
- Step 2: List every credit card account that has a “Date Opened” within the last 24 months.
- Step 3: Count them. If the number is 4 or less, you are “Under 5/24” and safe to apply. If the number is 5 or more, you are “Over 5/24” and will be denied.
Pro Tip: An account falls off your count on the first day of the 25th month after it was opened. If you opened a card on January 15, 2024, it will stop counting towards your 5/24 status on February 1, 2026.
What Counts Towards 5/24?
Many beginners make the mistake of thinking only Chase cards count. This is false. Chase looks at your entire credit profile. The following accounts will burn a 5/24 slot:
- All Personal Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards issued by any bank.
- Charge Cards: American Express Green, Gold, and Platinum cards count, even though they technically don’t have a “credit limit.”
- Retail Store Cards: If the card appears on your credit report (e.g., a Macy’s or Gap card), it counts.
- Co-Branded Cards: Airline and hotel cards (Delta, United, Marriott, Hyatt) from any issuer.
- Authorized User Cards: If you are added to a spouse’s card, it reports to your credit bureau and technically counts (though there is a fix for this, which we discuss below).
- Bilt Mastercard: The Bilt card (issued by Wells Fargo) reports to personal bureaus and occupies a slot.
What Does NOT Count?
Understanding what is “invisible” to the 5/24 rule is the secret to building a massive point portfolio. These accounts do not add to your count:
- Mortgages and Auto Loans: These are installment loans, not revolving credit.
- Student Loans: These also do not count.
- Denied Applications: A “hard inquiry” is visible, but if the account wasn’t opened, it doesn’t count toward the 5/24 limit.
- Most Business Credit Cards: This is the most important exception. Most issuers (including Chase, Amex, Citi, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo) do not report business cards to your personal credit report.
This creates a powerful “loophole.” If you are at 4/24, you can apply for a Chase Ink Business card. If approved, you get the card and the bonus, but your count stays at 4/24 because the new account never shows up on your personal report.
CRITICAL WARNING: The Capital One Exception
Not all business cards are safe. In 2026, most Capital One business cards (such as the Spark Miles Select) report to your personal credit profile. This means opening one of these cards WILL count as a 5/24 slot.
However, there are two specific exceptions within Capital One that do not report to personal credit: the Venture X Business and the Spark Cash Plus. These are safe to open without affecting your 5/24 status. For a deeper dive, check our Complete 2026 Guide to Capital One Miles.
The “Chase First” Strategy
Because of this rule, the optimal strategy for 2026 is to prioritize Chase cards before touching other issuers. We call this “The Gauntlet.”
| Status | Action Plan | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 0/24 to 4/24 | Apply for Chase Personal & Business Cards ONLY | Maximize your 5 slots with high-value Ultimate Rewards cards. |
| 4/24 | Apply for Business Cards (Ink series) | Get the bonus without increasing your count, keeping your “slot” open. |
| 5/24+ | Apply for Amex, Citi, or Capital One | You are locked out of Chase, so now is the time to earn points elsewhere. |
If you start by opening five Amex cards, you are effectively banning yourself from Chase for two full years. Since Chase points are generally more valuable due to partners like Hyatt (read more in our Ultimate Rewards Guide), this is a costly mistake.
Exceptions and Workarounds in 2026
Are there ways to bypass the rule? Yes, but they are rare and specific.
1. The “Just For You” Offers
Occasionally, you may see an offer in your Chase mobile app labeled “Just For You” or “Selected For You.” Caution: A green checkmark alone is usually not enough to bypass 5/24. Data points indicate that the offer typically needs to have a fixed APR (a specific number like 24.99% rather than a range) to successfully bypass the automated check.
2. In-Branch Business Offers
Small Business Relationship Managers (BRMs) at physical Chase branches can sometimes submit paper applications that bypass the automated 5/24 filter. This usually requires a real business with substantial deposits, not just a side hustle.
3. The Authorized User Reconsideration Method
If you are denied because you are at 5/24, but one or two of those accounts are just authorized user cards (meaning you are not the primary account holder), you can get the denial overturned.
The Fix: Call the Chase Reconsideration Line at 1-888-270-2127. Tell the agent: “I am not financially responsible for the authorized user accounts on my report. Please exclude them from my count.” They will manually recalculate your total. If you drop below 5/24, they can approve you.
For more on managing authorized user risks, see our guide on Authorized User Pros & Cons.
Common Questions About 5/24
Does upgrading or downgrading a card count toward 5/24?
Generally, no. If you product change a card (e.g., downgrading a Sapphire Preferred to a Freedom Flex), the account number usually stays the same and the “Date Opened” does not reset on your credit report. Therefore, it does not add a new account to your 5/24 count.
Do business cards count if I apply as a sole proprietor?
It depends on the issuer, not your business structure. If you apply for a Chase Ink, Amex Business Gold, or Citi Business AAdvantage card as a sole proprietor, they will not count toward 5/24 because they do not report to your personal credit (unless you default). However, the Capital One Spark Miles Select will count.
How long do I have to wait after falling below 5/24?
We recommend waiting until the 1st day of the following month after your 5th card drops off. For example, if your 5th oldest card was opened on January 15, 2024, wait until February 1, 2026, to apply. Chase’s system sometimes lags by a few days.
Does checking my 5/24 status hurt my credit score?
No. Checking your own credit report is a “soft pull” and has zero impact on your score. You can check as often as you like via Experian or banking apps.
Mastering the 5/24 rule is the first step in a successful travel rewards strategy. By planning your applications carefully and hitting Chase early, you ensure access to the most flexible points currency on the market.
