How Many Chase Credit Cards Can I Have?

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Many of the best rewards cards are in the Chase portfolio. As a result, you may want to (or already do) own multiple Chase credit cards. Before you go on an application spree, you must ask yourself this question, “How many Chase credit cards can I own?”

How Many Chase Credit Cards Can I Have?

There isn’t a clear cut answer to this question which may be frustrating as Chase offers some of the best travel credit cards. There isn’t a hard limit for personal credit cards. This is good news in some ways as other banks only let you own up to 5 of their cards.

But, you still need to be careful in how you apply for subsequent Chase credit cards. The Chase 5/24 Rule can put a temporary limitation on the cards you get (more on that below). But if you plan, you can make the most out of what Chase has to offer.

Just like some of the best Chase checking accounts, each account comes with different perks. Therefore, knowing ‘how many Chase credit cards can I have’ is helpful.

Chase 5/24 Rule

The most important application guideline is the Chase 5/24 rule. You won’t see this rule mentioned anywhere on the Chase website. But you will find plenty of banter online from credit card churners who started getting rejection applications in 2015.

In a nutshell, here is how the Chase 5/24 rule works. Chase will most likely decline your application for most of their credit cards when you have opened 5 or more new personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months. This also includes cards you opened as an authorized user and business cards from Capital One, Discover, and TD Bank.

It appears this rule applies to most personal cards. The 5/24 rule also applies to the Ink small business credit cards (including some of the best Chase business credit cards) plus the United Airlines and Southwest Airlines business credit cards.

Up to 5 Chase Small Business Credit Cards

It’s possible to own up to 5 Chase small business credit cards at one-time. However, it can be harder to qualify for each subsequent card unless you have large annual business revenue.

Frequent Applications

Chase also doesn’t specify the minimum waiting period between two Chase credit card applications. Even if you’re under the 5/24 limit, Chase can still deny subsequent applications if you’ve recently opened a Chase credit card.

At a minimum, wait at least 30 days between two personal credit cards. If you plan on applying for one business card and one personal, some sources recommend waiting at least 90 days.

You may decide to wait 90 days between all applications to play it safe. This gives you time to establish a payment history, earn a signup bonus, and give your credit score a chance to rebound.

Spending Habits

Chase might also analyze your spending and payment habits. Even if you have clean credit, Chase may decline your application if it detects unusual activity. Examples include a high credit utilization ratio on your other cards or frequent payments each month.

Available Credit Limit

You may also see that your initial credit limit for each new credit card keeps getting lower. Chase may decline your application if the credit limit you qualify for is less than the card minimum.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a minimum initial limit of $10,000. But if you only qualify for a $9,000 limit, you may need to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card with a $5,000 starting minimum.

Once again, Chase doesn’t outright tell you your maximum credit limit between all your credit cards. It’s a guessing game to some extent. You may decide to close a card to increase your approval odds and potential credit limit for a new account.

Learn more: Credit cards with the highest credit limit

Credit Score Needed for Chase Credit Cards

Your credit score also plays an important part in the application process. It’s possible to get approved with a score of at least 650 for many cards. Note that applying with a score of 700 means you are likely to get an instant approval decision.

It’s strongly encouraged to apply for the premium Chase credit cards with an excellent credit score. Don’t worry if you only have good to excellent credit—you may still qualify for a Chase card.

A high income can help offset a lower credit score. If your credit score is below the recommended minimum, you can try getting credit card pre-approval.

Signup Bonus Restrictions

Most Chase credit cards let returning cardmembers earn a second signup bonus when they close their existing account at least 24 months before re-applying. This makes Chase one of the most flexible banks as several only let you earn a signup bonus “once in a lifetime.”

If you re-apply for the card during this waiting time, you can own the card again but won’t re-qualify for the bonus.

However, some cards have a more restrictive policy. The best example is the Chase Sapphire signup bonus. You qualify for the 50,000-point bonus offer if you meet these conditions:

• Do not currently own another Chase Sapphire product
• Haven’t earned a Sapphire signup bonus in the last 48 months

So, if you currently earn a Sapphire card and want to get another one for the signup bonus, you will need to cancel your current account and apply again. Assuming you’re under “5/24” and received your first Sapphire signup bonus at least 48 months ago, you can get a second bonus.

To immediately switch Sapphire products, you will need to contact Chase to request an upgrade or downgrade.

Similar restrictions apply to Southwest Airlines credit cards. The one difference is that you only need to wait 24 months between bonus offers. You must still cancel your current card as well.

Upgrade a Current Card

Since Chase offers multiple versions of certain card families, you may only be able to own one version for that card. This policy applies to the Sapphire, Marriott Bonvoy, and Southwest Airlines credit cards.

If you own a discontinued card, Chase may require you to upgrade to the newest version. You will most likely forfeit your chance to earn a signup bonus when upgrading. Upgrading can still be better than opening a new account.

How Many Chase Credit Cards Can I Have Summary

Chase doesn’t place a hard-fast limit on how many Chase credit cards you can own at one time. But, you will need to pay attention to your recent application history before applying. Staying under 5/24 and applying every 90 days are the best way to get approved for multiple Chase credit cards the first time you apply.

FAQs

How many Chase credit cards can you apply for at once?

You should only apply for one Chase credit card every 30 days. It’s likely that your second application will be rejected if you apply sooner. When applying, make sure you qualify for the signup bonus.

Also, make sure the Chase 5/24 rule doesn’t disqualify you. That is, apply when you haven’t opened 5 or more credit cards in the most recent 24 months.

What is the 5/24 rule?

The 5/24 rule is an unofficial rule Chase uses to approve or deny credit card applications. Chase also looks at your credit score and other factors when making a decision as well.

The 5/24 rule requires you to have opened 4 or fewer new credit cards in the last 24 months. If you have opened at least 5 new card accounts as a primary or authorized user, Chase will most likely decline your card application.

This rule applies to all personal Chase credit cards and most of their small business cards.

How many Chase business credit cards can you own?

It’s possible to own up to 5 Chase small business credit cards at one-time. However, you will need to have sufficient business income and personal credit to qualify for all 5 cards. Chase may also require you to submit additional paperwork to verify certain business information to process your application.

Also, the 5/24 rule applies to most Chase business credit card applications. If you have opened 5 or more personal and business credit card accounts (from any bank) in the last 24 months, your application for a new Chase business credit card will likely be declined.

Can you have both Chase Sapphire cards?

You can only own one Chase Sapphire card at once. If you own a Chase Sapphire Reserve you must contact Chase and request a downgrade to the Sapphire Preferred. And if you own the Sapphire Preferred, you must request to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve. You won’t qualify for a signup bonus if you upgrade or downgrade.

To get a second Sapphire signup bonus, below are the current guidelines:

• Cannot own a current Sapphire card
• Must not have earned a Sapphire card new cardmember bonus in the last 48 months

If you don’t have a current Sapphire card and haven’t earned the new cardmember bonus in the last 4 years, you may be eligible.