Every bank has rules and restrictions to limit who can and cannot get approved for credit cards they issue. But no rule is quite as restrictive as the Chase 5/24 Rule, which can severely limit which Chase credit cards you can get approved for based on your credit history.
If you've opened five or more credit cards (from any bank, not just Chase) in a rolling 24-month period, you'll get denied for almost any new Chase credit card. Whether you're already deep into the world of credit cards or have an empty wallet, this rule should shape your strategy. It means you should always prioritize getting Chase credit cards before looking to other banks.
Still under 5/24? Look at these credit cards first!
Too late? Already over the dreaded 5/24 benchmark? If you can't (or don't want to) wait to fall back under that threshold, we've rounded up some of the best current offers available from other banks.
American Express® Gold Card
Current Offer
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Annual Fee: $325 (see rates & fees)
Learn more about the *amex gold*
See if you're eligible for the 75,000-point offer via CardMatch.
Why This Card Makes the List
The American Express Gold Card is one of our favorite travel rewards credit cards, period. A welcome bonus that's nearly twice the size (or more, if you can get an even bigger bonus via CardMatch) as normal just sweetens the deal.
And critically, American Express allows you to earn the welcome offer bonus on each of their cards once per lifetime. There are no 5/24-like restrictions. That makes it a great option once you are over the Chase 5/24 Rule.
But the value of the Gold card goes far beyond that initial bonus. The card also earns 4x points for every dollar you spend at U.S. grocery stores (up to $25,000 annually) and 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants (now capped up to $50,000 per year), making it one of the best cards to use at grocery stores and restaurants.
You'll also get up to $120 in dining credits each year to spend at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, $84 Dunkin' Credit, $100 Resy Credit, and up to $120 annually in Uber cash to use at both Uber and Uber Eats. These statement credits are given out in $10 monthly increments and any amount you don't use at the end of the month will be forfeited. Just add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. Effective Nov. 8, 2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
Maximizing these credits alone will cover all your $325 annual fee and then some. These credits and bonus categories are a big reason why we feel the card is easily worth the $325 annual fee.
It gets better: The Rose Gold version of the card is back – and back for good. New cardholders can choose between the traditional Gold finish and Rose Gold when applying for the card. Already have a Gold Card and want to go Rose? Just message American Express and ask for a replacement.
Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Current Offer
There is currently a targeted offer available through the CardMatch tool to earn 150,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Even if you aren't eligible for the 150,000 point offer, you'll earn at least 80,000 American Express points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
See if you're eligible for the 150,000-point offer via CardMatch.
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates & fees)
Learn more about *amex platinum*.
Why This Card Makes the List
Like the Gold Card mentioned above, American Express allows you to earn the welcome offer bonus on each of their cards once per lifetime. There are no 5/24-like restrictions. So it's another great option once you are over the Chase 5/24 Rule. Better yet, you can hold both the Amex Gold and Platinum cards at the same time.
The current offer takes the cake for the best offer we have ever seen on the card.
Read our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
Earn 120K Miles With the American Airlines Credit Cards
Current Offer
You can get two American Airlines personal credit cards, and spend just $2,500 (on the Citi Platinum Select World Elite card) in the first three months. Bam: You’ve got 120,000 American Airlines miles.
Annual Fee: $99 Aviator Red Card. $99 Citi Advantage Card (waived for the first year)
All information about the AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Learn more and apply for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard (full disclosure, this not an affiliate link).
All information about the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Learn more about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (Full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link).
Why These Cards Makes the List
American Airlines is different. They have co-branded credit cards with two different banks: Citi and Barclays.
Why does this matter? It means you can apply for and open credit cards from both banks – and earn the sign-up bonus on each.
And critically, neither Citi nor Barclays will restrict you from getting approved if you've opened five-plus cards in the past 24 months. However, some data points suggest Barclays has a similar rule that will restrict you if you have had more than eight new cards in a 24-month period (8/24). So if you are thinking about these offers, don't wait too long once you are over the Chase 5/24 Rule.
Before you go any further, you’ll want to make sure you have an American Airlines AAdvantage account. That way, you can use your account number on both card applications. If you don’t have one, you can create one here first.
To start, few credit cards offer a better, more lucrative sign-up bonus offer than the AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard from Barclays. Just for opening the card, you will earn 70,000 AAdvantage miles after making your first purchase within 90 days and paying the card's $99 annual fee in full.
They’re some of the easiest points and miles you will ever earn.
And then there’s American’s relationship with CitiBank, which means you can also apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. This card currently offers 75,000 AAdvantage Miles after spending $3,500 within the first four months of card membership. And the card’s $99 annual fee is even waived for the first year of card membership.
There's no denying how valuable American AAdvantage miles are: Some amazing partner airlines make AA miles among the best to fuel your future travels. So even if you’re not planning to get on a plane anytime soon, earning American Airlines miles is never a bad idea. Better yet, it’s easier to earn a big stash of these miles fast than with perhaps any other major airline.
Read more: 7 Reasons You Should Be Earning American Airlines Miles.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
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Annual Fee: $95
Learn more about the *capital one venture card*
Why This Card Makes the List
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of our favorite beginner credit cards. And even though they don't specifically publish a rule like 5/24, they can be very strict on new card applications. That said, if you are interested in the card, it should be one of your first options once you are over the Chase 5/24 rule. Just keep in mind that getting approved is no slam dunk.
When using the card's purchase eraser feature, each Venture mile will be worth 1 cent each. So the 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months will be worth $750 towards travel. And you can now transfer Capital One Venture miles to a handful of different airline and hotel partners, too.
You'll also earn 2x Venture Miles for every dollar you spend on the card.
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Current Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
Learn more about the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link).
Why This Card Makes the List
For such a low $95 annual fee, this card has nearly 20 different airline and hotel transfer partners. And ThankYou points transfer to all of them on a 1:1 basis (except to Choice Hotels which transfer on an even better 1:2 basis). That means 75,000 ThankYou points can net you 75,000 airline miles or 140,000 Choice points.
This card is also one of the most well-rounded cards when it comes to category bonus spending as it earns 3x points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and at hotels on an unlimited amount of spending.
The 75,000-point bonus could be enough to fly Delta's swanky Delta One Suites business class across the pond to Europe for 50,000 points – or you could score a fantastic Qsuites business class seat for a reasonable 70,000 miles and $100 or so for a one-way flight from the U.S. to the Middle East.
Read More: Citi Strata Premier Card Review: Great Rewards at an Entry-Level Price
Bottom Line
Don't worry. Once you are over the 5/24 rule, you still have plenty of options to get a ton of value in the world of travel rewards credit cards.
Still, you should always start with Chase cards when you're just getting started … before it's too late.
