With most Chase credit cards, Chase will not approve your application if you have opened 5 or more cards with any bank in the past 24 months. This is known as the 5/24 rule.
Chase uses your credit report to count your 5/24 status. As a result, any business cards that do not get reported to the personal credit bureaus are not included in this count. Even Chase business cards are not counted (but most are subject to 5/24 — that is, if you’re over 5/24 you probably won’t get approved). Cards where you are the authorized user also count towards 5/24 when they appear on your credit report, but Chase will subtract these from the count if you call their reconsideration line after getting denied for a new card.
For more details about credit scores, credit reports, and credit inquiries, please see: Complete Guide to Free Credit Scores, Reports, and Monitoring
3 Easy Ways to Count Your 5/24 Status
One complexity in determining your current 5/24 status is the fact that cancelled cards should be counted. That is, if you opened a card within the past 24 months, it still counts against you even if you have since cancelled it. Yet many tools that show your accounts only show the ones that are currently open (or they show the cancelled ones separately).
Fortunately, there are easy ways to get your 5/24 status:
- Credit Karma via a special link
- Experian Smart Phone App
- Travel Freely (this is the easiest option after some setup)
Credit Karma
Here’s how to use Credit Karma to get your 5/24 status:
1) Setup account or log in
Credit Karma is one of many available free services that estimate your credit score. I particularly like Credit Karma because it gives you free access to your TransUnion and Equifax credit reports with full details about the accounts that appear on your credit reports, and optionally provides active monitoring of your TransUnion report. You can log in or sign up here: Credit Karma.
2) Browse to the “old interface” link
As found on Reddit, this link will bring you to a page that makes it easy to count your 5/24 status: www.creditkarma.com/myfinances/creditreport/#accounts.
Simply click the above link after logging into Credit Karma and you’ll find a page that looks like this:
3) Sort by Open Date
Click the heading “Open Date” once to sort ascending:
4) Scroll to find recently opened accounts
Scroll down until you find the first card opened within the past 25 months not counting day of month. For example, if the current date is March 2018, then you would look for the first card opened by or more recently than March 1 2016.
In my case, my first qualifying card was opened on September 23rd 2014:
5) Count ’em up
Starting with the first card that appeared within the past 25 months, count all of the cards that were opened on that date or more recently. Closed cards do count. Authorized user cards do count (but you can get these subtracted when calling reconsideration). Store cards count only if they can be used elsewhere (e.g. when they are Visa, Mastercard, or Amex cards). Loans and other non-credit card accounts do not count.
I currently have 16 accounts that were opened in the past 24 months. So, I am way over 5/24. In April, the March 2016 account will drop from my 5/24 count so I’ll be down to 15/24.
Experian Smart Phone App
1) Install the Experian app on your smart phone
On an iPhone, open the App Store and search for Experian. On an Android phone, the Google Play Store and search for Experian.
Look for the app titled “Experian – Free Credit Report“.
Install the app and register or log in if you already have an Experian account.
2) Select “Credit Reports”
Click the app menu (it looks like three horizontal bars) and click “Credit Reports”
3) Click “Accounts”
4) Sort New to Old
Click Views… Date Opened (New to Old).
5) Count
Scroll down and count all accounts until you get one month past 24 months ago. For example, in March 2018 you would count all accounts including those that were opened in March 2016.
Closed cards do count. Authorized user cards do count (but you can get these subtracted when calling reconsideration). Store cards count only if they can be used elsewhere (e.g. when they are Visa, Mastercard, or Amex cards). Loans and other non-credit card accounts do not count.
If you count 5 or more, then you are over 5/24. My current count is 16. Yeah, I’m over.
Travel Freely
Travel Freely automatically shows your 5/24 count (and other useful info) at the top of the card dashboard.
Travel Freely does one simple thing: it guides you through the steps involved in earning points and miles through credit card bonuses. Travel Freely recommends cards for you based not just on the current best offers, but also based on what cards you’ve signed up for previously. And it’s aware of most of the known multi-card rules. For example, it won’t recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve if it has been less than 48 months since you obtained a signup bonus for either one. Once you sign up for a card (and enter it into the website), you’ll get periodic emails reminding you of the due date for meeting minimum spend. Later, Travel Freely will notify you when it’s a good time to sign up for another card. Travel Freely will also notify you when an annual fee is coming up so that you can plan to downgrade, cancel, or seek a retention offer if the card’s benefits don’t outweigh the fee. You can read more about Travel Freely here.
One great feature of Travel Freely is that it constantly shows your 5/24 status at the top of its card dashboard page (see above for an example). Even better, it shows the date at which you’ll be able to sign up for Chase cards again (assuming you don’t sign up for any new cards in the meantime).
In order to get this information to show up correctly, you do need to enter details about all of your credit card signups. I recommend doing so anyway with all new cards since the app will provide you with helpful reminders. If you haven’t used Travel Freely up until now, then I’d recommend entering in all of the cards you’ve signed up for in the past 25 months, if not longer. Yes it can be a bit of work to get started, but it’s worth it for all of Travel Freely’s primary features and for the constant 5/24 display.
Sign up here for Travel Freely (it’s free).
After reading that Chase Credit Journey doesn’t count closed accounts, I was in a panic! It shows me at 6/24 and I knew that 2 accounts would come off this week and am planning on applying for the CSR next week. I cross referenced Chase Credit Journey with Credit Karma and the Experian app you recommended. In my case, anyway, my Credit Journey data DOES include the 1 closed account I knew of. Also, if you click on the “Credit Report” link at the top of the Credit Journey page, it will show you all your accounts including closed accounts.
I’m surprised to hear that your closed account is showing up on Credit Journey’s count. Did you close it recently? If so, maybe it simply hasn’t fallen off the count yet?
Thanks for pointing out that you can see your accounts in Credit Journey. The problem for those of us with lots of accounts, though, is that crucial info (such as open date) is not shown unless you click into each account. It would be really tough for me to count my true 5/24 status that way since Credit Journey lists 66 accounts for me!
I just went back and double checked all 3 again to be sure. All 3 show 6 accounts opened since March 1st, 2016 with 1 of them being an account that was closed in January 2018.
On a side note, the 2 accounts that show being opened on March 16, 2016 on Credit Karma and Experian are shown as being opened on March 1, 2016 on the Credit Journey credit report page.
Just an update. I went 4/24 on Chase Credit Journey on the 16th. Today, the 19th, I applied for and was instantly approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card with the largest credit line I’ve ever been initially given.
Great! Congrats.
66! Jeez, my kids think I’m nuts with 22! You go, Greg!
So the 5/24 rule counts for openings only? What if you maintain over 5 credit cards for say 3 years or more. If you apply again to chaSE AND YOU HAVE NOT OPENED ANY NEW CARDS WITHIN 24 MONTHS YOU WILL BE OK?
Yes, that’s correct. If you haven’t opened any new cards within 24 months then your 5/24 count is 0/24 regardless of how many accounts you previously opened. You will be OK with applying for more. I can’t promise you’ll get approved — they still consider all the usual factors for approval, but at least the 5/24 rule won’t stop you.
I’m at the limit with chase…the last card they lopped 5k of one of my cards to give me the one I recently applied for…it wasn’t initially approved either..I waited it out and it appeared a week later.
Keep that in mind.
Great to find the old interface for Credit Karma, since that is what I had been using. Thank you!
Thanks so much. It was a pain going through a regular credit report. Anyway, I went through the Experian app. Besides credit cards it also lists car leases. Are those counted in the 5/24? If not, I have 4/24, so it’ll make a difference. Thanks again.
No you shouldn’t count your car lease. I’ve updated this post to try to make that clear.
Great! Thanks.
Off topic, is it possible to view the comments with the oldest post on top? I know it used to be that way before the new design. In addition, when the comment is long, I can click the “more” to show the whole comment. But the comment rearranges somehow, so I have to start from the beginning to find where I left off. Not a deal breaker, but it is a little annoying. Is it possible to expand the comment without changing the format? Thanks.
It is possible for us to sort the comments oldest first, but I’m not sure if that’s best. I like having the most recent discussions on top. I might poll readers to see what they prefer.
With the click to show more, for me it doesn’t rearrange things at all. It just shows more in-place. I tried Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. What browser do you use?
Ignore my previous response. Nick explained both issues to me (such as this reply showing up above my previous reply). We’ll see what we can do.
I changed the sort order to be oldest on top, but it doesn’t seem to be working with replies at the same level (such as multiple replies to your comment)
Thanks Greg. It is much better now. I prefer to read it chronologically. In the past few days, I had to scroll down to the bottom and scroll back up to read the full discussion.
Experian website on a laptop works just the same as the app – but gives you a bigger screen to view on – much easier to count when you have 10+. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks. I considered including the Experian website in this roundup, but it lists opened and closed accounts separately. That’s not a huge problem, but you do need to remember to count from both sections and add up your results.
whats the free experian website please? thanks
Greg, thank you for the great info! I’m really enjoying your blog. I downloaded the Experian app and looked up my accounts. I’ve noticed that I only have one American Express card when I look at the app in the way you instructed but I did open 2 AMEX cards within the last year. Without the missing AMEX I am at 3/24. With it I am at 4/24. I am just wondering if Chase is counting one or two AMEX accounts. Thoughts?
If one of the Amex cards was a business card then that makes sense. Otherwise I don’t know why they wouldn’t both be there. Anyway I think it may be safe to assume you’re at 3/24
No, neither of the cards are business cards. I have heard that AMEX doesn’t always do a hard pull when issuing a card. Is Chase looking at hard pulls or actual cards? Thanks!
Chase doesn’t look at pulls (inquiries) for 5/24. They only look at accounts.
Looks like they are counting the authorized user accounts also. So, you will have to subtract them..
Just for clarification. You are saying that if you have three cards opened with the past 24 months, but four cards closed you would be considered over the 5/24 rule?
Yes, closed accounts count IF they were originally opened in the past 24 months. It is the open date that matters. Whether or not the account was closed since then doesn’t matter.
OK that makes more sense. You still are only counting any cards that were opened within the last 24 months even if they have since been closed.
I had Cap1 card opened once, but the bank closed it within couple of months. So now, would it counted as 2/24, i.e. 1 open and 1 closed account? Is there any DP wherein I can ask Cap1 to remove credit inquiry thereby open/close history if they banned me from their products for life?
It only counts once. Your report should show a single account with status “closed”. I don’t think you can get the account removed from your report. Note too that accounts and inquiries are different things. The inquiry has nothing to do with 5/24 and will automatically fall off your report in two years.
Hey Greg! Just in case you’re wondering if anyone pays attention, we do notice that you write less these days 😉
I’m glad you have a team of contributor now, and appreciate all that they’ve got to add, but one big reason I’ve enjoyed your blog is your writing style! Kind of miss reading it every morning!!
Thanks Peter! For years I published my own posts every weekday morning except when there was the occasional guest post. Now we’re moving to me doing M,W,F and Nick doing Tues and Thurs. It happened that we had a couple of guest posts this week as well which was why I didn’t do the Wednesday post. But in general you should see that pattern as well as (I hope) more frequent but smaller afternoon / evening posts from me
After being denied the Chase Freedom Unlimited card I assumed for some reason it was because I had just been approved for the CSR. My next strategy was to open a CFU in my wife’s name, but she was also denied despite being 0/24 and 800+ FICO. She called the recon line and found out she has a HELOC that was being reported with the monthly payment as the same as the current balance. I immediately went on the Experian app to check my situation and there it was. The HELOC monthly payment was the same as the outstanding balance. NO WONDER I GOT DENIED THE CFU (quite frankly, I’m surprised the CSR was approved!). I was able to file a dispute right on the app and hopefully will get this cleared up ASAP. Thanks for recommending the Experian app, Greg!
I am currently at 5/24 an opened Chase card hits the 2 year aniversary on April 4th, Experian shows it opened on April 1st. Can I apply for another Chase card on April 5th or do I have to wait until May 1st
Wait until May 1
I want to make sure I’m counting correctly. It is now April 19, 2018. I pulled up my Credit Karma account. I have 5 accounts opened more recently than April 1, 2016. I do have an account opened on April 15, 2016, but that one does not count towards the 5/24, correct?
Account #5 was opened June 2, 2016. So that means I drop to 4/24 on June 3? Would I have to wait until July 1 to apply for another Chase card (a month later, similar to Don’s posted question)? If so, I’m not really understanding why I need to wait a month.
Chase doesn’t seem to count the specific days that cards were opened. They go by the month count. Your April 2016 card will drop from the count as of May 1. Account #5 (opened June 2 2016) will drop from your 5/24 count on July 1.
I think I’ve got it now. Ok, so right now I have 6 accounts (all recent accounts including the April 2016 account). On May 1 I will have have 5 accounts when April 2016 account drops off. On July 1, I will have 4 accounts when June 2016 drops off.
Really hate Chase’s 5/24 rule — for multiple reasons!
Thanks for the help, Greg!
Greg, thanks for this superb, updated resource. Especially delighted you’ve shown us how to use an “old interface link” for accessing the Credit Karma tool. Makes my 5/24 calculations so much easier again. (And along the way, will keep your cc app links in mind as small tangible thanks too.)
Thanks!
Hi there, thanks so much for this article that really clarifies the facts. I went to Credit Karma and counting backward, my fifth card in reverse, was opened on 5/27/16. We’re now in May 2018. I interpret this to mean I should not apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve until 5/28/18 at the soonest – or 6/1/18 ? thanks again.
Wait until 6/1
[…] Chase's 5/24 Rule: With most Chase credit cards, Chase will not approve your application if you have opened 5 or more cards with any bank in the past 24 months. Some exceptions that are NOT subject to the 5/24 rule include: British Airways, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott Business, and Ritz Carlton. To determine your 5/24 status, see: 3 Easy Ways to Count Your 5/24 Status. […]
I was turned down for the Chase Ink Business (100k bonus in branch) because they are counting 3 AU cards against me. I questioned that and was told that if I use the card or make any payments on it, it counts for me. Really???? They are re-reconsidering and I am supposed to call them back tomorrow.
I have read somewhere there is a way to remove the AUs from your credit report. Do you have an article on how to do that?
Thanks for all of your great articles………..
Yes they count AU cards unless you call them to tell them that you are not responsible for payments to those cards. Doctor of Credit has a post about removing AUs: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/removing-authorized-user-accounts-credit-report/#Chase
[…] good news is that there’s a workaround to seeing these as well (thanks to Frequent Miler for finding this link). If you haven’t done so yet, the first step is to sign-up for Credit […]
[…] good news is that there’s a workaround to seeing these as well (thanks to Frequent Miler for finding this link). If you haven’t done so yet, the first step is to sign-up for Credit […]
My wife opened a “GAP ” store credit card in 2013. She was shopping at the GAP in August of 2017. In order to get a 5% discount she needed to use her GAP card, which she did not have so the cashier cancelled her old GAP card an issued her a new card. This exact scenario happened again in November of 2017. Do these count against the 5/24 Rule? Also, she opened a “Best Buy” store card in 2018. Does this card count against the 5/24 Rule?
If the store cards have Visa, Mastercard, or Amex symbols then they count towards 5/24
Hi Greg:
Good Post! I just applied for and was approved for the new Hyatt card, though I’m over 5/24. I ‘m now worried that it will extend my waiting period and am thinking of cancelling it before using it. Is it too late?
You could call Chase and ask if you cancel now if that would stop the card from appearing on your credit report. Once it appears there, it will count from then on. Personally, I wouldn’t chance it — even if Chase tells you that it won’t appear, they could be wrong.
Do chase business cards count toward 5/24?
No, they don’t.
What is the phone number for Chase’s reconsideration line?
I was just refused the Ultimate Freedom due to too many cards in the past two years, and I believe it’s because I was added as an authorized user by my kids so they could assure enough spending for the signup bonuses.
1-888-270-2127
You can always find that kind of information on our Best Offers page. At the top of each bank section is a list of key information like that. See here for Chase in the future:
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/#ChaseTop
If you are the account holder and you add a family member as a AU, does that count to 5/24?
It adds to their 5/24 count, not yours. And for them, they should be able to call Chase to get them to consider the application without the AU cards.
[…] card application, or will ruin you for 5/24, but if you don’t want to worry yourself with 5/24, it’s a pretty good return for such a small spend and no annual fee. If […]
Hi! Should I include the chase business cards in the counting? I opened 3 cards in the past 24 months and 2 chase business cards. So am I 5/24 already? TIA.
No, don’t count Chase business cards. You should be at 3/24 right now
[…] on top of the rewards that Ebates itself offers. Signing up for this card will count against your 5/24 status though so keep that it mind if you are hoping to sign up for Chase credit […]
Chase credit journey just recently changed. Instead of showing how many accounts have been opened in the past 24 months instead they are now showing number of “hard” inquiries. For my wife it states 2 hard inquiries over the past 24 months 5 of which were for new accounts. It seems to be a rather odd change. I guess my wife is at 5/24
Thanks. You’re right. I’ll have to update this post!
@Greg The Frequent Miler
doesnt creditkarma NOT include experian info? but only EF & TU.
or does it not matter, since all credit cards we want report to all 3 bureaus, even if they dont pull all 3 during application?
thanks!
That’s correct on both accounts. In most cases (but not all), the accounts (not the inquiries) are listed on all three reports so it doesn’t usually matter where you count them.
I like Travel Freely! It is able to present a lot of good information. You noted it at the end of the post, but it can’t be emphasized enough: It’s a lot of work to get all the data added. But most importantly, the output data is only as good as what you put in. If you make a mistake and put in a wrong date, that will obviously skew the results, especially pertaining to 5/24.
Yep, that’s worth pointing out
Anyone do a product change with Wells Fargo and have the resulting account show as a new account on your credit report? I downgraded a Propel World to a Propel to save the AF in March of this year and just checked my 5/24 status using the credit karma approach and see that the propel is shown as a new account with a 3/1/2019 open date (and the propel world is shown as being closed on same date). For the past several years I wouldn’t care, but recently I’ve been considering trying to get under 5/24 and this extra “new” account would add 3 months to the wait. I’m 99% sure this was mishandled by Wells Fargo (none of my product changes with other issuers appear in the credit karma list) so it appears Wells Fargo is still using operating methods that result in inappropriately showing “new” accounts.
Can you elaborate on authorize user do count? So if I add my friend to my Amex card both the Amex card under my name and the Amex card under my friend name would show, so i would have 2 cards?