How many Chase cards can you have?

By all accounts, you will not be able to obtain a Chase-branded credit card if you’ve opened five or more credit card accounts — from any issuer — in the past 24 months, including co-branded cards such as those affiliated with airlines or hotel chains. In fact, Chase is credited with not only popularizing this so-called 5/24 rule, but actually creating it. So while you might not see this policy spelled out in a Chase card’s terms, as Chase has posted and subsequently removed such language in the past, it would be unwise to gamble on it not being in effect.

While this unofficial policy might at first be frustrating, it’s important to recognize that it could ultimately be to your benefit. Too many credit card applications within a short period can damage your credit standing enough to cause rejection even without an account limit in place. It simply signals a desperation for credit that issuers’ underwriting algorithms equate with greater risk.

Besides, even if you’re employing the Island Approach, five cards is plenty. You could, for example, get the best cash-back credit card on the market as well as the best travel rewards card, the best balance-transfer card and the best new-purchase financing card, and still have room for your favorite retailer’s store card. You can learn more about how to identify your ideal number of credit cards in this guide, and you can check your credit score for free to better target your applications.

That's not really disclosed. The 5/24 rule is one of the biggest online rumors about Chase. People say most co-branded cards don't fall under it, like the airline ones, but most cards with rewards do. Still, if you've got 5 already, you might wanna call them before applying, at 888-247-4080. You wouldn't want to risk an inquiry for nothing.