Rules · Chase · Welcome bonus eligibility
Chase: The 24-month bonus rule
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.
In the issuer's terms The issuer states this, in a card's terms or an official statement.
What counts, and what doesn't
Applies to: Most Chase cards, including the Freedom cards and many co-branded cards. The Sapphire, Ink, Southwest and IHG cards have their own rules, below.
“This product is available to you if you do not have this card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months.”
From the card's terms
- The 24 months run from the day the bonus posted, not from the day you opened or closed the card.
- You have to close or change the card before you can apply for it again.
- Where a bonus is paid in parts (extra points for the first 12 months, say), the clock starts when the last part posts.
Sources
- Doctor of Credit: Note regarding the 24-month reset for Chase signup bonuses
- Frequent Miler: Complete guide to credit card application rules by bank (Feb 2026)
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.
More Chase rules
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.
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.