I wrote a few weeks ago about the current credit card rules and best practices for each bank, detailing each bank’s current policies for whether you are likely to get approved for a new card (and most importantly, whether you’ll get a(nother) signup bonus!).  Here’s part of the section on Chase
 Chase has been denying anyone who has 5 or more applications for credit cards within the past 24 months, from ANY bank.  This applies for applications for the Chase-branded credit cards (such as Freedom, Sapphire or Ink).  From the data points that we have,people with many signups are still able to apply for Chase cards like the IHG or Hyatt cards.
The Chase 5/24 rule: which Chase cards are not eligible to people with many signups
Looking back on what I wrote in August, it looks like we can update what we know about Chase’s rules
Defining it as those who have 5 or more credit card applications over the past 24 months from ANY bank, it looks like the Chase Freedom and Chase Sapphire Preferred are the cards that people with many credit card signups are currently locked out of.  Which is a bummer, because both of those cards currently have improved signup bonuses
(SEE ALSO: New Chase Sapphire Preferred 50000 point offer – best offer on this card I’ve seen)
(SEE ALSO: Increased Chase Freedom offer – up to 40,000 points after spending $3000)
If you’re an Authorized User on a card, that DOES seem to count towards your limit of 5, though there have been some reports of people getting an exception if they have fewer than 5 applications excluding the cards on which they are an Authorized User
The wiki in the relevant Flyertalk thread is a great resource on this subject that is kept mostly up-to-date.
So what cards do NOT fall under the Chase 5/24 rule?
As I mentioned in the original post, you still can apply for and get the Chase co-branded airline and hotel cards. Â Reader Carl posted in a comment on the story about Marriott buying Starwood Hotels, referring to the Chase Marriott card
Sadly, I note that they are a co-brand of Chase and I am way past the “Chase 5 cards in 2 years sign-up punishment situation.” So I am not even gonna bother
I let him know that the Chase Marriott card was still open to people that have lots of credit card signups and a little while later, he emailed me back to let me know
WOOT!! You were right as rain! Used that link in your email and I am approved for the 70K Marriott card. Man, thanks for urging me to try the Chase thing after all
I had originally reported that the Chase Ink Plus and Chase Ink Cash cards were also blocked by the Chase 5/24 rule, and it appears at least anecdotally from this Flyertalk post that this is not the case – people with many accounts CAN still get the Chase Ink cards as well as the co-branded cards like the Chase IHG, Marriott, United, Hyatt, etc.
EDIT: While this was true at the time of this post, reports are now that the Chase Ink will fall under the Chase 5/24 rule in March 2016 and the Chase 5/24 rule will start applying to all Chase co-branded cards in April 2016.
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Hmmmm….I don’t know. I was denied for the Chase British Airways card and was given the reason of too many apps in the past 24 months (though she didn’t specifically say 5) She also grilled me really hard about WHY I needed so many cards and so much open credit that I didn’t seem to be using. It was the most stressful call of my churning career!
My husband also had a heck of a time getting approved the for the Chase UA card a couple months ago. It took him 2 calls and a lot of back and forth with reps before they finally approved him. He finally got it, but it was rough. He told them he was flying United more now and was Silver status with them (which is actually true). Not sure if that had anything to do with it, but he got the card.
Personally I am going to stay away from Chase for a while if I can. Fortunately Hubby and I each have the Sapphire Preferred.
Laura,
I think you’ll be happy you didn’t get the British Airways card I did get it and when I went to utilize the points they charge an obnoxious tax when utilizing the points I believe it was $400 compared to utilizing United card which was $80. When you factor in you got to pay the annual fee it just isn’t worth it.
Just a quick caveat. I did a mini AOR about a month ago. Chase stalled on an answer for 2 weeks for the personal United card. When they called me, I was just being approved for the card for a $9500 limit when I was abruptly put on hold. The rep returned with a “we’ll be in touch” speech. I got the letter saying I was declined for too many inquiries (10) and too many new accounts (also 10), both in the last year. Credit score well over 750. My take is that Chase is tightening down all over.
I got Chase BA (100k) last month but Chase Ink Cash was denied. I already have the Chase Ink Plus and maxed out my 50k office supply store limit, so really wanted the Ink Cash. Bummed. I also have Chase Sapphire, Freedom, IHG, and Hyatt. My United MPE application got denied and that was the second time I got denied for a credit card application (first was Club Carlson, but US Bank has always been hard on churners). My annual fee for the Sapphire is coming up soon so I have to decide if I want to cancel or keep.
Dan, which cards with annual fees do you keep?
That’s a good question and probably worth a whole nother post. Off the top of my head, I’ve kept the Chase IHG card (free night at anniversary), and the Chase Ink (it’s my only Chase premium card). Other than that, there aren’t very many
Here’s another good point. If you haven’t exceeded the rule, then go for the Sapphire and Chase Freedom before going crazy with other issuers or co-branded cards.
My sister knows what I’ve been doing for years on the credit card front and wanted advice about which cards to apply first. She got a Capital One without telling me (silly girl) so I told her not to apply for anything else but the Sapphire. She did and was immediately approved 2 days ago. Lucky her. Now she can go crazy with any other cards.
Right – those should definitely be 2 of the first cards that you get. A Freedom is great as a no-fee card, and it’s almost imperative to have and keep at least one of the Chase premium cards (Sapphire or Ink) in order to really unlock the potential of your Chase Ultimate Rewards
Just adding another, very similar, data point. I have around 20 or so active cards, but had not applied for anything for a while, and do try to use all the cards a little. Most spend is on cards with bonus cats, but now and then I use those poor little hotel and airport cards to make the bank happy. I have 7 or 8 chase cards ( and bank with them, which I think helps).
I applied for the United biz card a couple of months ago and that was the longest, hardest, most difficult reconsideration call I’ve ever had. But, after 20 minutes of grilling, and agreeing to move credit from my ink card (they wouldn’t let me move it from a personal card, which I would have much preferred ), I was approved.
But, I’m done with chase for a while. I did not appreciate the way they made me feel. They make a ton of money from me, and should be happy I WANT their cards and actually USE them (aand pay all those annual fees).
Hi Dan, Well, this was a surprise! Yes, I scored that Marriott card as you said and was well happy about it as I had froze up on apps for a few months due to the Chase thing and a FR from our pals at Amex. Brrrr! Survived all.
This last week though, stuck at home all week recuperating from Gall Bladder removal (Hurts a lot more than predicted, I scream at the Dr tomorrow), I got finally to clearing the desk.
Emboldened by the Marriott success with Chase, I ended that day with FOUR new cards! Even an Amex… Total winnings are 70K Marriott points, 90k Hyatt points and 50K in United Mileage points. And a total spend requirement of only around 5k!
I thank you for the good advice and am glad to see you sharing it. I was afraid to even apply for any more cards even though I needed to fill in some spots in my “Big Strategy” plan. I am a lot closer now though.
Keep up the good work and I am glad I was able to use at least one link through your site to help out. Thanks again!
Do you happen to know how strict this 5 card/2 year rule is? If you have a credit rating of 800+, will it be possible an exception is made? Also have great history with Chase. Currently have two cards with them. Do cards such as a retail credit card (Barneys, Nordstrom) also apply to that 5 card count?
From what I’ve heard there are pretty much no exceptions to the Chase 5/24 rule
I just happened to close 1 of my Chase cards.
Then applied and was approved for the United MP making this my 5th card. Initially denied too many inquiries into Chase or too many cards open. Called to reconsider. Approved for lower amount than my last card (so they didn’t count my authorized user in the 5/24).
But am kicking myself because this was before I knew about the 5/24 rule. I applied for the CSP same day after United. They sent me a letter requesting me to verify that I was applying for this account. I am going to let that request to verify lapse. I know I will not be approved and just chill.
Just chill until early 2017…
I hear that you can transfer Marriot rewards for United Miles now (and get a 20% discount at this current moment). If this is the case I wonder if I should try for the Marriot card before the offer becomes invalid to most of us.
Applied and was approved for Marriott Rewards Card.
I would not transfer Marriott points to United miles as the transfer ratio is not very good
I applied for the Chase Freedom card and was initially denied due to too many opened accounts in the past 24 months. I called CSR and she was not willing to even listen and repeatedly said the reason for denial was in the letter. I waited 2 weeks then called the Credit Analyst number and explained I was an AU on 3 new cards my wife had recently opened and that I had only opened 4 cards during the past 24 months. He put me on hold for a minute or two then came back and said if I was willing to move some of my CL from my Sapphire and UA MP card he would approve the application. I agreed and he transferred me to a verification rep who completed the process and even agreed to send it out 2 x bus day UPS. I had read that some people had luck with having the AU accounts removed from the 5/24 equation and I’m pleased I gave it a go myself!
Nice! When some of your 5 cards are authorized users is about the only exception I’ve seen fairly reliably
Hi. Is there a way to determine how many credit card applications I have made in the last 24 months ? Thanks