What is Chase's 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. 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.

Chase · Welcome bonus eligibility

Chase 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.

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.
Where it comes from: In the issuer's terms; The issuer states this, in a card's terms or an official statement.
Last verified: September 26, 2026

How it works

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.
Chase'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.

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Chase cards these apply to

More Chase rules

Approval
The 5/24 rule
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.
Reported by applicants
How fast you can apply
Two cards in 30 days
Chase usually approves no more than 2 personal cards in any 30 days, and no more than 1 business card in 30 days.
Reported by applicants
Welcome bonus eligibility
Sapphire bonus, once per card
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.
In the issuer's termsChanged January 22, 2026
Welcome bonus eligibility
Ink business cards, once per lifetime
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.
In the issuer's terms
Card families
Southwest personal cards
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.
In the issuer's terms
Card families
IHG personal cards
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.
In the issuer's terms