Each major credit card issuer has its own set of rules (and plenty of them), so I’ll cover them individually in future posts. That way, I can give each one the time and detail it deserves. I did tell you this hobby can get complicated but, so very very rewarding.
If you’ve spent any time in the travel hacking or points-and-miles space, you’ve probably heard of the Chase 5/24 rule. It’s basically the gatekeeper for getting approved for the best Chase credit cards – and for good reason. Chase cards are some of the most valuable out there, with unique and incredible transfer partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest, plus earn you flexible Ultimate Rewards points.
But here’s the thing: Chase has a lot of approval rules – not just 5/24.
Understanding them can save you from wasting applications, hard pulls, and frustration. So, let’s break it all down and talk about how to play the Chase game strategically.
What Is the Chase 5/24 Rule?
The Chase 5/24 rule is the most infamous approval guideline in the credit card world. In short:
You can only be approved for a new Chase credit card if you’ve opened fewer than five new credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- All issuers count – Amex, Citi, Capital One, etc.
- Most business cards don’t count toward 5/24 (but some do, like Capital One and Discover).
- If you’re already 5/24 or higher, Chase will automatically reject you for both personal and business cards.
👉 Pro tip: Most in the points and miles world will tell you to start with Chase cards early in your credit card journey, while you’re still under 5/24. Once you’re over that threshold, your options shrink fast.
The Chase 2/30 Rule
Chase also limits how often you can apply for new cards. You can only have two Chase credit card approvals every 30 days.
If you apply for a third card within that window, chances are it’ll be an automatic denial – no reconsideration possible.
Chase Sign-Up Bonus Rule (24-Month Rule)
For most Chase cards, you can only earn a welcome bonus once every 24 months.
That 24-month clock starts from the date you last received the bonus, not the date you opened the card.
So if you earned a bonus on your Chase Freedom Flex® in March 2024, you’ll need to wait until at least March 2026 before you can earn another on that same product family.
Many people downgrade their existing card to a no-annual-fee option (like the Freedom Unlimited® or Ink Cash®) and then reapply later to get another bonus.
Chase Sapphire Rule (Updated 2025 – Once Per Lifetime)
Here’s the big update: as of 2025, Chase changed the Sapphire family rules.
Previously, Chase had a 48-month rule, meaning you could earn a Sapphire bonus once every four years. Now, it’s a once-per-lifetime rule.
That means:
- If you’ve ever earned a bonus on any Sapphire card (Preferred, Reserve, or Reserve for Business), you’re no longer eligible for another Sapphire bonus.
- You can hold multiple Sapphire cards (for example, the Reserve and the Preferred), but you’ll only get one bonus – ever.
Data points are still rolling in, but this looks like a permanent change. So if you haven’t yet earned a Sapphire bonus, choose wisely before locking yourself out for life.
Chase Southwest Credit Card Rules
Southwest cards follow the same 24-month rule but add a few extra wrinkles:
- You can only hold one personal Southwest card at a time.
- You can’t earn a new Southwest personal bonus if you’ve received one in the last 24 months.
- These restrictions don’t apply to the Southwest business cards.
This is key for anyone chasing the Southwest Companion Pass – pairing a personal and business Southwest card bonus is often the fastest way to earn it.
Chase Business Credit Card Rules
Here’s some good news: Chase business cards usually don’t report to your personal credit, which means they typically don’t count toward your 5/24 total.
But:
- If you’re under 5/24, business cards are a great way to build Ultimate Rewards without using up your “slots.”
- If you’re already 5/24 or higher, Chase will still deny your business application automatically.
- There are always some exceptions (DPs exist where people were approved at 6/24 or 7/24), but don’t count on being one of them.
How Many Chase Credit Cards Can You Have?
Chase doesn’t have a set limit on the number of cards you can hold, but they do limit how much total credit they’re willing to extend to you.
Data Points reported show that the limit tends to hover around $100,000 in total credit, but it varies by income and profile.
If you’re denied for “too much credit,” you can call Chase’s reconsideration line and ask to move credit from one card to another to make space. Some people have also had success by asking Chase to lower their existing credit limits, which can free up room for new card approvals.
Chase Reconsideration Line (a.k.a. HUCA)
If you get denied, don’t panic – it’s not always the end. You can call Chase and ask them to reconsider your application. Be kind, be gentle, be prepared when you call in. We are at their mercy and a little kindness goes a long way.
But, if the first rep doesn’t help, hang up and call again. The term “HUCA” (Hang Up, Call Again) is common in the points community for a reason – different reps sometimes give different results.
Authorized User Cards and 5/24
Authorized user (AU) cards can be tricky. Even though AU accounts technically shouldn’t count toward your 5/24 status, they often show up on your credit report as a new account.
If that’s the case, you can:
- Ask the issuer to remove the AU account from your report, or
- Explain it to a Chase rep during recon.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t – but it’s worth trying if an AU account is the only thing putting you over 5/24.
Marriott Bonvoy Card Rules
Chase and Amex both issue Marriott Bonvoy cards, and their eligibility rules can get complicated fast. Having one version can make you ineligible for another, depending on which issuer it’s from.
Because this deserves its own deep dive, I’ll cover the Marriott Bonvoy Chase vs. Amex approval rules in a separate post soon.
Best Strategy for Chase Card Approvals (2025 and Beyond)
Here’s how to make the most of your Chase card strategy:
- Start with Chase cards before you go over 5/24 if these are the cards that speak to your credit card strategy. And most often, they will.
- Grab your Sapphire card first (since it’s now once per lifetime).
- Add Chase Ink business cards next for extra Ultimate Rewards earning, if you are eligible to apply for a business card.
- Mix in co-branded cards if they fit your travel goals.
- Use reconsideration if you get denied – sometimes it just takes a quick call.
Chase credit cards are seriously some of the best when it comes to travel rewards – but timing and strategy make all the difference. A little planning goes a long way, and when you play it right, those annual fees start paying you back.
Final Thoughts: Play the Long Game with Chase
The Chase ecosystem is powerful – but it rewards patience and planning. Once you know the rules, you can time your applications, space out your bonuses, and make Chase work for you, not the other way around.
Once people get deeper into the hobby, some go full LOL/24 – basically saying goodbye to Chase and blowing past that five-card limit.
Keep Learning and Level Up Your Strategy
If you found this post helpful, and you need to back up to the most basic of credit card rules check out my beginner rules post [here] or the rest of my points and miles guides [here] for more credit-card strategies, travel-hacking tips, and ways to travel better for less.
You can also follow me on any of my socials for real-life strategies, and feel free to DM me – I’m here to help!
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This post was written by a guest contributor in collaboration with iCruiseApp Travel & Tours. While the author is not a travel agent, our travel agency is proud to support diverse voices and perspectives that inspire your next journey.
