Chase's well-known 5/24 threshold has long felt like a wall: too many cards in two years and a rejection is the default. Yet readers keep getting their own version of the same surprise, from a different direction.
US Credit Card Guide and other outlets have collected approvals at or above 5/24, mostly on Chase Ink business cards and, more surprisingly, on the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The pattern is not consistent, but it is real enough to matter if you have been afraid to apply.
- The rule: five or more new cards in 24 months across all issuers triggers a denial
- New data points: approvals on Chase Ink business cards at or above 5/24
- Recent twist: more Sapphire Preferred approvals above 5/24 have surfaced
- Welcome offer: 80,000 to 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points in play
- Recon line: 800-453-9917 for personal and business applications
How 5/24 Actually Counts
Every new bank card account in the last 24 months goes into the pile, no matter which logo is on the plastic. It includes business cards, store cards and most co-branded cards. Charge cards like Amex Platinum are sometimes counted differently.
To check your own number, pull your Experian report through the Experian app and count new accounts that opened in the last two years. Subtract any that were a product conversion rather than a fresh account. Anything that says "new account" in the window is a card toward your count.
Where the Rule Is Softening
Two patterns have shown up. First, Chase has been quietly approving Chase Ink business cards above 5/24 more often, especially toward the end of each year when Ink bonuses are strongest. Second, more readers are reporting Sapphire Preferred approvals at or just above 5/24, including some with five, six or even eight new accounts in the last two years.
The bonus on Sapphire Preferred has been generous: 80,000 points after $4,000 in three months online, with reports of 90,000 in-branch and occasional targeted 100,000-point offers. The Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited have been the headline Ink products, with 90,000-point bonuses that come and go.
What Happens If You Get Denied
If Chase says no, the next step is the reconsideration line: 800-453-9917 for personal, 800-453-9719 for business. Press the option for new applications. Be ready with answers about your income, monthly expenses and, for business cards, what the business does, its revenue and how long it has been operating.
Expect a long hold. Twenty-five to thirty minutes is normal. If the analyst approves you, the card ships. If not, ask which reason was the deciding factor and whether moving deposit activity to Chase would help.
Our Analysis
The 5/24 rule has always been a soft policy dressed up as a hard rule. Underwriters have discretion, and Chase has been more willing to approve above-5/24 applicants when:
- The applicant has substantial Chase deposit history
- The card is a business card
- The welcome bonus is being heavily promoted
- The applicant is willing to call and explain
The risk is wasted hard pulls. If you are at 7/24 or 8/24 and apply for a Sapphire Preferred, the automated denial is the most likely outcome. The data shows approvals are more common at 5/24 or 6/24, especially if you have a clean Chase history.
The newer reports of Sapphire Preferred approvals at or above 5/24 are notable but not yet the norm. Treat them as a possible green light if your profile is otherwise strong, not as a guarantee.
Worked Example
Say you are sitting at 5/24 with three Chase cards already, including a Sapphire product, and you want the Ink Unlimited for the 90,000-point bonus. Apply online. If you get the 7 to 10 day message, call the recon line within 24 hours, explain that you have existing Chase deposit history, and ask the analyst to reconsider. Be ready with business revenue and expense figures. If approved, you lock in the bonus and stay under 6/24. If denied, you have lost one hard pull and learned what the underwriter is looking at.
Bottom Line
5/24 is bendable, not broken. Expect to be denied if you are well over the limit, but if you are at or just over 5/24 with a clean Chase history, an application plus a recon call is a reasonable bet for a high-bonus card. Do not burn applications on cards you would not keep long-term.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 5/24 rule count business cards?
Yes. All new bank cards across all issuers count, including most business cards and store cards. Some charge cards, like certain Amex products, are treated differently.
Can I bypass 5/24 by calling recon?
Sometimes. If you have a strong Chase relationship and the card is a business product, you have a real shot. If you are well over 5/24 with no Chase history, the answer is usually no.
Which cards have been approved above 5/24 most often?
Chase Ink business cards have historically been the most lenient. More recently, some readers report success on the Sapphire Preferred.
How long should I wait to apply if I am over 5/24?
There is no official waiting period. The count rolls off cards that opened 24 months ago. If you can wait until older accounts fall off, your chances rise meaningfully.