Rules · Chase
Chase application rules
Chase has 7 application and bonus rules worth knowing before you apply: 5 are in Chase's own terms, and 2 are reported by applicants.
The 5/24 ruleReported by applicants
Chase will usually decline you for a new card if you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards, with any bank, in the last 24 months.
Two cards in 30 daysReported by applicants
Chase usually approves no more than 2 personal cards in any 30 days, and no more than 1 business card in 30 days.
The 24-month bonus ruleIn the issuer's terms
On most Chase cards you can earn the welcome bonus only if you don't have that card now and haven't received its bonus in the last 24 months.
Sapphire bonus, once per cardIn the issuer's terms
You can earn the welcome bonus on each Sapphire card once, as long as you have never earned that card's bonus before. Holding the other Sapphire card no longer stops you.
Ink business cards, once per lifetimeIn the issuer's terms
The Ink Business Preferred bonus is once per lifetime, and the no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited share one lifetime bonus between them.
Southwest personal cardsIn the issuer's terms
You can't earn the bonus on a personal Southwest card if you have any personal Southwest card now, or received a personal Southwest card bonus in the last 24 months.
IHG personal cardsIn the issuer's terms
You can't earn the bonus on a personal IHG card if you received a bonus on any personal IHG card in the last 24 months, and you can't hold two of the same IHG card.
Also affects Chase cards
American Express: Marriott Bonvoy cards across Amex and ChaseIn the issuer's terms
Marriott Bonvoy cards are issued by both American Express and Chase, and each card's terms can block its bonus if you recently opened, or recently earned a bonus on, a Marriott card from either bank.
Issuers can approve, decline or withhold a bonus for any reason. These rules describe what usually happens, not a promise of what will. Last verified September 26, 2026.