Chase calls an end to the game. Should we seek quick wins or long term benefits?

95

Chase 5 24 RuleYesterday, Doctor of Credit reported that Chase will begin enforcing their dreaded “5/24” rule on cobranded cards “at some point in April.”  This means that those who regularly “churn” new credit cards for their signup bonuses may soon be cut off from Chase.  Suddenly it has become really important to decide which Chase cards to sign up for in the next two months.

What is the Chase 5/24 rule?

In the past year or so, Chase has frequently denied applications for certain cards (such as the Sapphire Preferred and Freedom) due to having opened 5 or more credit cards (with any bank) in the past 24 months.  That means that anyone who regularly signs up for credit cards in order to earn points & miles is likely to be denied when they try to sign up for these cards.

Which cards are affected by the 5/24 rule?

Currently, the 5/24 rule does not apply to co-branded cards (e.g. it does not apply to hotel or airline cards) and it does not apply to business cards.  According to Doctor of Credit, though, the 5/24 rule will be applied to business cards beginning sometime in March 2016 (as I previously reported), and to co-branded cards sometime in April 2016.

General advice

If you have opened 5 or more credit cards in the past 2 years, then:

  • Sign up for Chase business cards before March
  • Sign up for Chase co-branded cards before April

Quick Wins vs. Long Term Benefits

It’s time to make some tough decisions.  Chase has a slew of cards with great signup bonuses.  Plus, some have great long term benefits.  Following are my picks for the best signup bonuses (quick wins), followed by the cards with the best long term benefits.  The best overall picks are the cards that show up on both lists.

My Top 5 recommendations for Quick Wins

Here are the cards to consider if you want to get as much value as possible from the sign bonuses, even if you’re not interested in keeping the cards long term.

  1. Two Southwest Cards 100K: If you often fly Southwest with a companion, then go for two Southwest 50K offers.  Chase has three separate Southwest cards, each offering 50,000 points after $2K spend (the Plus card 50K offer in only available through referrals; the other 2 offers have direct links).  Get two of these cards and spend enough to bring your point total to 110,000 points.  That way, you’ll get a Southwest Companion Pass good for an unlimited number of flights for the rest of this year (after earning 110,000 points), and all of next year.
  2. Ink Plus 60K after $5K spend: With this offer, you’ll end up with at least 65,000 Ultimate Rewards points after meeting the spend requirements. However, thanks to the card’s 5X categories, it’s possible to end up with a total of 85,000 points after $5K spend!  And, while the points can be redeemed for a penny a piece, they can be much more valuable when used for travel.  See: Membership Rewards vs. Ultimate Rewards vs. ThankYou Rewards. Which is best?.
  3. Sapphire Preferred 55K: 50K after $4K spend plus 5K for adding an authorized userI’ll take 55,000 Ultimate Rewards points any day.  Unfortunately, this card is already subject to the 5/24 rule.
  4. Hyatt 2 Free Nights + 5K points for adding an authorized user: This one is best for those who know that they’ll be able to put the 2 free nights to good use within the next year.  Hyatt charges 25,000 points per night for their near top tier category 6 properties and 30,000 points per night at category 7 properties.  So, if you use the free nights at those properties, the signup bonus is roughly equivalent to 50,000 to 60,000 points.
  5. United MileagePlus Explorer 50K after $2K spend: The business card version of this offer is readily available to anyone with a business.  The 50K (+5K for adding an authorized user) personal card offer, though, is targeted.  If you’re lucky, you may find the offer by logging into your United account and going through the steps to book a flight (you don’t need to complete the purchase).

Runner Up: Combine the current personal Marriott 87.5K offer with the business Marriott 70K offer.  After meeting the $3K spend requirements, you’ll have over 163,500 Marriott points.  That will bring you substantially closer to a Marriott 5 Night vacation package (and, optionally, a Southwest Companion Pass).

My top 5 recommendations for long term benefits

Except where noted, the following cards have $95 annual fees, with the first year free.  Signup bonuses aren’t listed since the point here is to list cards that have great long term benefits.

  1. Ink Plus (first year fee waived when you sign up in-branch). With Chase closing the door on credit card churners, the Chase Ink and Chase Freedom 5X category bonuses will be the best go-forward option for earning valuable Ultimate Rewards points.  Ink Plus and Ink Cash cards offer 5 points per dollar in popular categories of spend: office supplies, phone services, internet, and cable.  Even better, there are many ways to earn 5 points per dollar when buying gift cards for other types of merchants.  In my opinion, the Ink Plus is one of the few “must have” cards for those serious about accumulating points and miles.  See: How to get approved for the Chase Ink 60K offer.
  2. Sapphire Preferred:  For anyone (or any couple) who does not have the Ink Plus card, the Sapphire Preferred card is the key to being able to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel programs.  For those with the Ink Plus card, the best long term benefit of the Sapphire Preferred card may actually be the ability to convert it to the no-fee Freedom card.  The Freedom card offers rotating categories of 5X earnings.  And, even though it is advertised as a cash back card, it earns Ultimate Rewards points which can be moved to a premium account (Ink Plus or Sapphire Preferred) and then to loyalty programs.  If you already have a Freedom card, downgrading the Sapphire Preferred card to the Freedom is the best way to get a second one.  Unfortunately, the Sapphire Preferred card is already subject to the 5/24 rule.
  3. IHG Rewards Club Select $49/year, waived first year: This card offers a free night every year at any IHG property, including some extremely expensive Intercontinental Hotels.  Cardholders also get automatic IHG Platinum status; and a 10% rebate on all point awards.
  4. United MileagePlus Explorer: In addition to the card’s standard airline benefits (free first checked bag, priority boarding, no foreign exchange fees), this card offers a few unique and sometimes very valuable benefits: More saver level award space; Ability to get upgraded on award tickets; Occasional better offers through MileagePlus Shopping; Primary auto rental collision damage waiver; and 2 United Club passes per year.
  5. Fairmont Visa Signature: In addition to the 2 Free night signup bonus, this card offers a free night every year after $12K spend.  Automatic Fairmont Premier status gives cardholders dining certificates and upgrade certificates.  A couple could get two cards: one per person and spend a luxurious weekend every year at any available Fairmont property.  Personally, this one isn’t for me because I can’t be sure I would actually use the free night each year.

Runner Up: Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa.  This card costs $395 per year (not waived 1st year), but it offers a few excellent perks for that fee.  You get Ritz/Marriott Gold status 1st year and then each year thereafter with $10K spend.  Plus, heavy spenders can get Platinum status with 75K spend.  $300 per year in airline incidental fee reimbursements can go a long way towards recovering the annual fee.  Other benefits include: 3 club level upgrades at Ritz properties. $100 hotel credit for each 2 night or longer stay at Ritz properties. Airport lounge access. 10% annual points premium.

So, which to choose?

My recommendation is to lean towards cards with the best long term benefits that fit your needs, even if it means getting a slightly less valuable signup bonus.  All of the listed Chase cards have good signup bonuses, so you won’t really be missing out on much.  One exception is with the options for getting the Southwest Companion Pass.  If you fly Southwest often, then the Companion Pass can be incredibly valuable and it will be a gift that will keep on giving for almost two full years (even if you don’t keep the credit cards that long).  In this game, 2 years is long term.

Of course, whatever you choose, keep in mind Chase’s other 24 month policy: you can’t get a bonus for a particular card again if you have received a bonus for that card within the past 24 months.

Breaking the 5/24 Rule

As I’ve written about before, the 5/24 rule isn’t set in stone.  I may be wrong, but it appears that getting pre-approved for a card may be a way around the rule.  I discussed this in the post, “Chase Private Client and Sapphire Preferred 65K.”

Which will I choose?

I currently have an Ink Plus card (but may try for a second one with a second business) and I recently got the Sapphire Preferred card.  I had cancelled my IHG card a while ago because I wanted its anniversary date to line up with my wife’s IHG card’s anniversary date (it simplifies planning the use of those free nights that way).  Unfortunately, her anniversary date just came and went in January.  I had decided to wait another year before signing up.  Now I might push it earlier.  If I signup now, the anniversary dates won’t be terribly far apart.

The United card is tempting too, but more for the signup bonus than the long term benefits.  I simply don’t fly United often.  So I’ll most likely let that one pass.  Maybe.  We’ll see.  If I was a frequent United flyer, I would seriously consider it.  As to the Ritz card, I think that its biggest benefit is the nearly free Marriott Gold status (which gives you free breakfast and/or lounge access at most Marriott properties) and the ability to manufacture Platinum status.  Once you have status, though, you don’t really need the card.  Marriott lets you buy back status with points each year.  See: How to manufacture Marriott elite status.  Thanks to the ability to buy back status, I have kept Platinum status now for several years.  And, since I never stay at Ritz properties, the other card perks don’t matter to me.  I’ll pass on that one too.

Southwest, like United, is an airline I rarely fly.  There’s nothing wrong with the airline, I simply prefer the ability to choose seats in advance and potentially score first class upgrades as I can with Delta and American.  So, despite the amazing potential value of the Companion Pass, it holds little value for me.  I’ll pass on the Southwest cards.  The Marriott cards, though, might be interesting.  Ever since I learned about 5 night travel packages, I’ve been intrigued by the possibilities.  I might just go for it.  In fact, maybe my wife will too.  If we each sign up for the business and personal cards, we’ll have a combined total of 327,000 points.  That’s enough to get us a really sweet package.

0 0 votes
Post Rating
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

95 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Frank

Just a data point on 5/24. Yesterday I applied for the IHG Business card and was denied due to too many cards in the last 2 years. So I called the recon line because one of the 5 cards was actually an AU card on my wife’s AMEX and I could see that showing up on my personal credit report. When I finally got to the Chase decision maker she took another look at the credit report and said she saw only 4/24 – which means she can somehow see the difference between my cards and AU cards. Very odd. I was then approved.

[…] Chase – 5/24 rule […]

[…] Difficult to get approved if you’ve opened 5 or more cards in past 24 months […]

[…] Difficult to get approved if you’ve opened 5 or more cards in past 24 months […]

[…] points for adding an authorized user.  The personal Marriott card is known to be subject to Chase’s 5/24 Rule, but the business card is […]

[…] Chase calls an end to the game. Should we seek quick wins or long term benefits? […]

Brian

It’s not April and I just got 5/24ed on the Southwest Business card. Got the rejection letter from Chase and the reason I was declined was “Too many credit cards opened in the last 2 years.” Don’t know if I’m an anomaly or they have put this rule into place already.

[…] Chase calls an end to the game. Should we seek quick wins or long term benefits? […]

[…] Chase calls an end to the game. Should we seek quick wins or long term benefits? […]

Larry G

Hi Greg,

I used your links on Sunday to apply for both a CSP and Ink Plus. Neither was automatically approved and I received only one email from Chase (with the 30 day notice). When I call the application status line, it says thanks for applying and gives me the 30 day notice. How can I tell if both applications went through without calling the reconsideration line? There doesn’t seem to be a # to check business card status. I’m concerned by the only one email. Thanks!

[…] you want (if you want any) to apply for before these changes happen. (Frequent Miler has a great post to help with that.) For me, getting an Ink card is the best move since I have all of the […]

[…] Frequent Miler said, “Suddenly it has become really important to decide which Chase cards to sign up for in the […]

[…] As I discussed last week, those who regularly “churn” new credit cards for their signup bonuses may soon be cut off from Chase.  To help you decide which credit cards to get, while you still can, let’s compare the Chase’s Hyatt credit card to their Marriott credit card.  If you only want one, which should you choose? […]

JustSaying

Just got the Fairmont card…….”but Sir you already have 6 cards with us” “Yes but I’ve started staying at Fairmont and I just HAVE TO HAVE this card” OK……..we’re moving credit line around right? “Of course”………….Ok no problem……….

[…] Chase calls an end to the game. Should we seek quick wins or long term benefits? – Chase will be tightening approvals even more for all of their cards. What strategy should you take before these changes go into effect? […]

phil

Just because The DOC reports that Chase may institute this new policy doesn’t mean it WILL happen. Who is his source?

ed

DOC works in the banking industry and that’s why you don’t see his real name anywhere. Therefore he knows people at different institutions, but I suspect he works for Chase and knows people in departments who would get wind of things coming down the pike. Many bank employees are ms’rs too. I also believe that Chase will lighten up in the next few years in order to not lose too much market share like Amex has lost. Because the stock market and especially banks are taking a hit this year departments are under pressure to be seen as proactive. But, as with anything sometimes they overshoot in their cutbacks and that can hurt a company in the long term at which time they re-adjust to a middle ground. They are also hoping a new administration along with a more pro-growth congress will repeal Dodd-Frank or at least the worst baking regulations from it and that will relief the noose around their necks. Dodd-Frank regulations is the reason we don’t see those 0% interest + 0% fee convenience checks your credit card account used to receive. Banks were forced to charge something with convenience checks… either a fee with 0% interest or 0 fee and some interest.

Brian

I assume that a co-branded business card counts as a co-branded card here…i.e. they won’t put the 5/24 rule in place for the Southwest business or United business card until April?

John L.

How long should I wait between canceling a credit card (it is already over 24 months since I got the bonus) and reapplying for it again (in order to get the bonus again)?

Lynn

Why wait, especially now! Doesn’t matter when you cancel, you can reapply if it’s been 24 months.

John L.

I still hold the credit card. So in order to get the bonus again I have to cancel it first and then reapply. My question is how long I should wait between canceling and reapplying.

ed

It’s possible to close the old card and then apply soon and get an instant approval. But, if there’s no instant approval, then someone will look at your history and could either deny you or if they’re nice they call you to discuss. However, the call can be uncomfortable when they ask why you closed the card and reapplied. Usually in my experience, they then deny the application. But, this can happen even if you wait 30 days before applying. You’ll be looking for the magical instant approval.

JP

If I get both a Sapphire Pref and an Ink+ card, is there a good reason to also get the Freedom card if I already have an old Discover card with rotating 5% categories. Seems like a duplication – especially if I can later downgrade the Sapphire Pref to the Freedom.

Victoria

I have recently canceled Plus and was curious if I could apply again. Here is what Pricing & Terms, https://applynow.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/pricing.do?card=FGPC , state:
“Replying to this offer: If you omit any information on the form, we may deny your request for an account. Chase cardmembers who currently have or have had a Chase credit card in any Rewards Program associated with this offer, may not be eligible for a second Chase credit card in the same Rewards Program. Chase cardmembers currently receiving promotional pricing, or Chase cardmembers with a history of only using their current or prior Chase card for promotional pricing offers, are not eligible for a second Chase credit card with promotional pricing. “

Vishwas

Do you need to have a Business to get approved for Chase Ink?

KL

Does the Chase rule of not getting a bonus twice in 24 months also still hold true? I don’t see this mentioned anywhere but I assume it must be.

Mark O

How long do the Hyatt night certs usually take to send out? I want to do a trip in june 2017 but if I apply in March it would be cutting it close if I finish the spending in late May.

Dalo

With Alaska cards alone , much less many others , I am not eligible for Chase cards . So I feel like saying to Chase ” If you want to be that way , fine . Just take your toys and go home , I’ll find somebody else to play with . ”
I wonder how long before they realize they are losing market share to other providers .

Rashida N

I can understand this rule for the Chase cards, but for the co-branded cards, are these airlines and hotels ok with consumers not being able to get their cards? People will just start getting more American cards from Citi or Barclay, and Delta cards from AmEx, or Alaska and Virgin from BoA. How will this play out?

Shonuffharlem

There is no way this is going to last on cobrands! By design, the numbers of applicants will go down. It’s okay if Chase says hey we’re okay as a business denying people with 5 cards in 24 months. But the cobrands won’t be okay with it as a business decision!!!

Judy

I need to find a Southwest Plus card 50,000 referral for my husband to get the companion pass. Do you have a referral offer? He already has the premiere card and not eligible for a new one yet. He needs it to go with his new business card. Once the 5/24 rule hits we will be out of luck.

Judy

Great! Thanks!

Tana

I know this has been talked about before – but do authorized users count in the 5/24 rule if the card shows up on their credit report? I always add my spouse as an authorized user and vice-versa. So even though he may have only applied for 1 card in the last 2 years – it looks like 3 on his credit report since he is an authorized user on my new cards. Luckily we slowed down a lot the last couple of years so have wiggle room for probably 2-3 more cards each with Chase even after the rule kicks in. Thanks!

JP

I have the same question. Bueller? Bueller?

Monica

I’m just getting into this . . .when you add an authorized user, do you need them to be of age (can you add your 10 year old son) or do they need to be involved in any way ( can I just add my husband without him participating?) Can you just add anyone as an authorized user to your business account or do you need to prove they are employed?

Steve

I already have the Chase Ink. If I seek the Southwest biz card, is Chase going to want it to be for a difference business, or is it okay to have two cards for the same business?

Steve

Thanks!

giantsindahouse

How do you tell or find out when you last received a sign up bonus on a particular card? Call Chase?

Curious

If I have a business, and I’m a sole prop, does the 5/24 rule apply to both business and personal cards, or is it separate, one 5/24 rule for personal, and a separate 5/24 rule for business?

FlyerDad

Same question as Dave re two personal cards (and one biz) on the same day. Would like to get the personal SW and biz SW along with a BA card. Thanks for explaining your thinking on which cards you will pursue.

Dan

Why deny applications outright? Why not just not offer the bonus if this move is intended to discourage churners?

Max

To make themselves look more attractive than they really are. Playing hard to get is a proven marketing move. 😉

sil

forgot to ask how many hard inquiries within 6 months does chase allow.

Myke

It’s not inquiries that they look at, it’s new accounts. They don’t look for the past 6 months, they look in the past 2 years. It’s 5 new accounts in 2 years, which is why it’s called the 5/24 rule.

Dave

Can I apply for 2 Chase personal cards on the same day? (United and Hyatt)

Jonathan

Question about the chase rule requiring 24 months after receiving a bonus before getting another. I last received an Ink Plus bonus in June 2014, so I was planning on waiting until after that to sign up for another. That plan is out the window now.

But if I sign up for the card in March, but then wait until the very end of my 3 months to actually complete the spend, so that the bonus wouldn’t hit until July, would I be okay? In other words, is 2 years from bonus to bonus good enough, or does it have to be 2 years from bonus until application?

Paul

The Ink does not currently have the 24 month language- so no need to wait

Vaibhav

I am in the same boat as my CSP application was in Jan 2014 with bonus posted on March 12,14. From what communication I have with chase SM, the 20 month is bonus to application. In short you can apply in March and get approved but wont be eligible for bonus. Apply in July after ur 24 month date and you will be eligible.. but chase has been inconsistent with replies. At one time they said I could apply and other time they said I have converted to sapphire(non preferred) and still wont be eligible..Try the secure message chase and see what they come back with..

Thanks FM for the tip to convert mine to Freedom. I will do that soon!!

HC

The Companion Pass trick is too lucrative and couldn’t work forever. The gap between earning one the old fashioned way (flying 100 times) and the easy way (sign up for 2 credit cards) has always been too big to be sustainable.

Mark O

anyone have a referral bonus for 50k SW Plus card?

Charlie

There were many people that left their e-mail addresses on this post of mine that could refer you. http://runningwithmiles.boardingarea.com/do-you-have-a-chase-southwest-plus-referral-offer-come-get-your-50000-points-easily/
(hope it is ok to include this here, Greg)

Sfmom

I qualified for the companion pass yesterday. No problems getting two Southwest cards though I had to move credit around. Between my husband and I we have the Ink, Sapphire, Freedom, Hyatt and Southwest – that’s enough for us. We definitely see Chase as more beneficial over the long haul and don’t churn their cards. Glad we got into this game a few years ago as the environment is pretty difficult these days!

RV03

Is there a certain time that you have to wait between Chase personal and Chase business apps?

Mike

Can you confirm that if you get approved for a second Ink card for a second business, that you will get the points even if the other sign up was less than 24 months ago?

Secondly, what is the current Chase policy on applying for one business and one personal Chase card on the same day? Is one automatically declined, or is this a safe bet? Thanks so much.

BEn

follow up to #1.

What if 2 different business are both sole props under your SSN? I opened 1 a year and a half ago and would like to do apply for a card now for a separate business but both use my SSN.

thanks!

Bill

Applying on the IRS website for an EIN is quick and easy. Years ago I had to create an EIN to appease a cellular phone carrier that I was a business.

If you have separate EINs, your personal credit will be reviewed multiple times, but the EINs are separate. I was approved for the Ink Plus cards for both EINs that I operate on the same day.

Farnorthtrader

Fairmont maybe should not be on your long term list since Fairmont will soon no longer exist.

Vaibhav

I received bonus for csp on March 12 2014, and then later converted the card to Sapphire…I emailed chase and it seems I cant get the bonus even if I apply after 12th since I own the product…but I have got varied answers from chase in the process. ..any thoughts?

sil

I am deciding on Marriott or Hyatt. Which would you recommend?

Juno

Sil, I’m in the same predicament. I don’t think I can do both so I need to choose between Hyatt and Marriott. I need Hyatt card since I became Hyatt Diamond this year.. but I also need Marriott card to top off for the Flight +hotel package.

sil

Thank you for your response. Already planned my trips for this coming year so probably I should apply for the Marriot.
I have not applied for any Chase since May 2015 which was the United Explorer. However, I have 6 inquiries since August 25th ( 2 on August 25th) for my Citi cards plus one amex biz card.
do I have a good chance of being approved with 6 inquiries?

Peter

For whatever reasons, Chase already applied the 5/24 rule to deny my recent 2 Chase applications — Sapphire & Ink Plus 🙁 No help to reduce my credit limits or cancel other Chase cards. BTW, I only got 7 cards (from all banks) in the last 2 years.

FLLBoy1

Chase denied me for the Sapphire as well due to the 5/24 rule. I called reconsideration. NO luck..

DadOBoys

+1

Chris

Thanks for the lists. Can you get 2 business cards in one day?