Old Jan 19, 2017, 8:44 pm
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This thread--a continuation of previous discussions through May 2015 and December 2016--focuses on general Chase policies & practices for new applications. For information on specific Chase cards and their bonuses/terms/benefits, see the following threads and their associated wikis: Table of Contents
  1. Does Chase have a limit on the number or frequency of applications like Citi's 8/65 rule?

  2. What's this I hear about Chase denying applications to people who have recently opened a lot of credit cards?

  3. Does the 5/24 rule apply to applications for all Chase cards?

  4. How does Chase calculate the number of an applicant's new cards for purposes of the 5/24 rule?

  5. How does Chase calculate the relevant 24-month period? By calendar months? By exact days?

  6. Can I get around the 5/24 policy by closing cards I've opened in the past 24 months?

  7. Is there any way around the 5/24 policy (targeted mailers, pre-approvals, Chase Private Client status)?

  8. Can I apply for a specific Chase card and earn the bonus again after doing so previously?

  9. I'm an authorized user for a card issued to my spouse/parent. Does that prevent me from signing up for the same card and earning a bonus?

  10. I already have several Chase cards with a substantial aggregate line of credit. Will it improve my odds if I close an existing account (or lower its credit line) before applying for another?

  11. I wasn't auto-approved. Should I call in?

  12. How can I determine the deadline for meeting the spend requirement to earn the signup bonus?

  13. Once I meet the card's spend requirement, how soon will I receive my signup bonus points?

  14. Should I downgrade or cancel my existing cards before applying?

  15. Useful Chase telephone numbers

Does Chase have a limit on the number or frequency of applications like Citi's 8/65 rule?
Chase does not have a known limit. However, several reports (for example) indicate that Chase is highly sensitive to multiple applications within a short time period, and that the second (or subsequent) applications run a substantial risk of being denied. In many cases, this is likely related to Chase's practice of allocating a large credit line (up to an applicant's personal maximum) when approving a new card such as the first application in a series. (See also the discussion below concerning aggregate Chase credit lines.)

What's this I hear about Chase denying applications to people who have recently opened a lot of credit cards?
Starting in May 2015, Chase began denying applications for its own personal cards (e.g., Sapphire Preferred, Freedom, Slate & Freedom Unlimited) if the applicant's credit report shows that she or he opened 5 or more credit cards with any card issuer in the prior 24 months ("the 5/24 rule").

For a few days in early September 2016, Chase included explicit language ("You will not be approved for this card if you have opened 5 or more bank cards in the past 24 months") on the application page for the Sapphire Reserve card--and then promptly removed it. The absence of this language on landing/application pages for the CSR or any other Chase card is not a reliable indicator of whether the 5/24 policy applies.

See the next section for co-branded cards exempt from the 5/24 policy, and the later section discussing potential ways around 5/24.

Does the 5/24 rule apply to applications for all Chase cards?
Previously the rule did not apply to applications for the Ink Plus business card or to co-branded cards such as United, Hyatt, IHG, etc. However, on May 22, 2016 Chase extended its 5/24 rule to cover Ink business cards and some co-branded cards. (Note that there were premature reports that Chase Ink Plus would be made subject to the rule in March 2016 (which did not happen), and that all co-branded cards would follow in April 2016 (also did not happen).)

Although we had numerous reports of applications prior to May 22 being denied for a United/Hyatt/IHG/WN card by a CSR citing the 5/24 rule, the available evidence strongly suggested that those applicants had other serious issues--multiple Chase applications in a short period; large existing Chase credit line--and that overzealous CSRs gratuitously (and erroneously) invoked the 5/24 rule in the past as an additional supposed justification for the denial. Thus, it is difficult to separate such false positives from any change in Chase policy.

Instead, the most useful data points are those where an applicant is approved for a Chase card despite being over 5/24. Since May 22, 2016, we have such reports for these co-branded cards (in order from oldest to newest for each card):
For a longer list of cards apparently not subject to 5/24, check this link:
In November 2018, Chase seems to have possibly expanded 5/24 to more cards, possibly including some mentioned above. See this link:
Please follow discussion in the thread for current updates.

How does Chase calculate the number of an applicant's new cards for purposes of the 5/24 rule?
The 24-month count includes personal cards opened at other banks, and even cards on which the applicant is only an authorized user and not the primary cardholder. Chase has been extremely inflexible with this policy, with agents stating that there is nothing they can do to circumvent this restriction. However, in some cases Chase may reconsider a denial if the applicant has <5 new cards excluding cards on which s/he is an authorized user. You may need to escalate to the next level of customer service agent, as many front-line agents seem to be unable or unwilling to remove the authorized user accounts from the count.

Note:

How does Chase calculate the relevant 24-month period? By calendar months? By exact days?
In February 2017, a FTer reported a successful application a day or two after dropping from 5/24 to 4/24. However, because Chase sometimes approves applicants who are at 5/24 exactly (see above), this data point does not conclusively prove that Chase drops cards from its calculation on the exact 24-month anniversary of the previous bonus.

Can I get around the 5/24 policy by closing cards I've opened in the past 24 months?
No. Chase uses the information from your credit report, and closing an account doesn't make it disappear.

Is there any way around the 5/24 policy (targeted mailers, pre-approvals, Chase Private Client status)?
As to targeted mailers, we have insufficient anecdotal evidence to reach any reliable conclusions. (Reports suggesting no exemption from 5/24 here and here.)

There have been reports of people with more than 5 cards opened in the last 24 months being successful if they are already pre-approved for the card in question. To find out if you are pre-approved, you can call or go into a branch to ask. Success stories appear to be connected to Chase Private Client (CPC) status and the rollout of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. In-branch pre-approvals (showing a green screen on the banker's computer) result in automatic approvals. Some (but not all) CPC clients had success in recon calls[[I]citation needed].

Can I apply for a specific Chase card and earn the bonus again after doing so previously?
It depends. A Chase card may be "churned" when an entirely new version becomes available. For example, business cards are distinct from personal/consumer cards. Note that simple variations among bonus offers do not amount to new versions/products for purposes of this rule.

Beginning in 2014, Chase began including explicit language in most of its offers, such as the following:
This new cardmember bonus offer is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this consumer credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this consumer credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this consumer credit card within the last 24 months.
Effective August 2018, Chase imposed stringent additional restrictions on receiving the signup bonus for any version of the Sapphire card. See Sapphire (CSR & CSP) 48 months between bonuses, August 2018 and the master threads for each card (listed above) for details and discussion.

There are four key considerations in determining whether you can churn a given card:
  • The 5/24 policy discussed in detail above.
  • The 24-month bonus waiting period--in the case of Sapphire cards, the collective 48-month period--is measured not from the date of your previous application (or approval date, if different), but instead from the date you received the signup-related bonus on the previous card, which may be 3-4 months later than the approval date. The same rule applies regardless of the type of signup bonus received (points, miles, or free-night certs); anniversary benefits unrelated to spending requirements, such as annual IHG & Marriott certs, do not count as signup bonuses.
  • If you still have your old card of the same type, you're ineligible.
  • Chase's policy does not indicate whether there is also a minimum waiting period between cancellation and reapplication, and there is not yet sufficient anecdotal evidence from FTers to draw firm conclusions. At a minimum, a prudent churner will wait at least a week or two after cancellation before reapplying so that all of Chase's systems fully reflect that closure. (See first bullet point above.) At least one FTer has reported re-applying successfully 14 days after canceling the previous card.
Finally, note that if you reapply too soon, Chase may still issue you the new card. (This differs from some other card issuers, which may deny such applications outright.) In this case, Chase typically notifies you by letter within a month or two after approval that, as a previous cardholder, you will not receive the bonus a second time.

I'm an authorized user for a card issued to my spouse/parent. Does that prevent me from signing up for the same card and earning a bonus?
No. Being an additional user on someone else's account poses no bar to applying for that same card & bonus, except insofar as such cards may count toward the 5/24 rule (as discussed above).

I already have several Chase cards with a substantial aggregate line of credit. Will it improve my odds if I close an existing account (or lower its credit line) before applying for another?
Yes.

In the past, the conventional wisdom among FTers was that you were more likely to hurt your chances by closing an account or reducing CL unilaterally. However, substantial evidence from 2014 onward strongly indicates that Chase is increasingly likely to reject applications (or at least not auto-approve them) where an applicant has an existing total credit line that is high compared to his/her income & spending patterns. (For many members, the threshold appears to be in the $45K-60K range, but that is highly speculative.)

Recent reports suggest that closing accounts and/or voluntarily reducing credit lines increases the odds of auto-approval or in-branch pre-approval. (You can do either by calling or simply sending a secure message through your Chase online account. You do not need to provide a reason for the request.) For best results, keep at least $5K-10K in excess credit; if your application is not approved, you can always contact the reconsideration department and offer to reallocate that portion of your existing credit line. Note: despite allowing credit line to be moved between personal and business accounts in the past, Chase is no longer permitting such reallocation in either direction.

With respect to timing, it is better to reduce any CL as soon as you can conveniently do so, e.g., after meeting the bonus spend on a card you do not plan to use regularly thereafter. (Do not reduce CL on a given card if it would increase your "credit utiilization"--that is, the ratio of outstanding balance to CL--above ~30%. A high credit utilization number is a red flag for banks and can adversely affect your credit score.) Waiting until one's next application to lower a CL is less than optimal, as the reduced CL is not immediately recognized by all of Chase's systems.

There is no known minimum wait between lowering a CL and having the freed-up amount become available for purposes of a new application. A prudent applicant will, as recommended above, plan well in advance; failing that, an applicant would be wise to wait at least 24 hours between lowering a CL and applying for a new card.

I wasn't auto-approved. Should I call in?
It may be better to avoid calling Chase unless your application is denied. Many recent calls on pending applications led to denials, and many people report having success letting applications work their way through the system. Be patient. Time is on your side; increasingly, Chase CSRs are not.

If you do call, expect extensive and possibly hostile questioning. Be prepared to answer questions regarding the need for more credit, past credit apps for both Chase and other banks, income, business finances, etc. Know your CLs with Chase before you call so you know which card/s you are willing to decrease the CLs on. If the app is for a significant other who dislikes such calls, they can authorize you to speak on their behalf and hand the phone over to you.

How can I determine the deadline for meeting the spend requirement to earn the signup bonus?
Just send Chase a secure message (SM) through your online account. Although the deadline should in theory be N months from the date of approval (not the date of application or card activation)--where N is the number of months specified in the offer--Chase typically pads this period to account for the time required to fabricate and deliver physical cards. For example, a recent "3-month" deadline was in fact 114 days, as confirmed by Chase's SM confirmation.

Once I meet the card's spend requirement, how soon will I receive my signup bonus points?
Bonus points typically accrue at the close of the billing period in which you incur the corresponding charges. Points should appear in your hotel/airline account within a few days thereafter.

NOTE: If you complete your required spending in the last 7-10 days of the statement period, the bonus may not post until the following month's statement, even if the regular per-dollar points post on the first statement. This is normal behavior for Chase and is not worth a phone call.

Should I downgrade or cancel my existing cards before applying?
Useful Chase telephone numbers
(800) 432-3117 General Application Status Line, automated
(800) 436-7927 Alternative General Application Status Line, automated
(888) 609-7805 Alternative Personal Reconsideration line with live rep
(888) 269-8690 - Business Credit Card Application Status Line, automated
(800) 453-9719 Business Credit Card Reconsideration Line with live rep
(800) 955-9900 General Card Services and Application status, automated
(888) 298-5623 Credit Reallocation Office (Personal cards)
(800) 453-9719 Credit Reallocation Office (Business cards)
(888) 622-7547 Executive Offices
(877) 470-9042 Personal Application Verification line with live rep
Twitter: @ChaseSupport
Note: In the past, automated telephone status reports stating that Chase would notify you in 2 weeks often resulted in an approval, whereas the "7-10 days" telephone recording often indicated imminent denial. In 2016, this pattern became increasingly unpredictable, with many applicants receiving approval despite an earlier "7-10 days" automated telephone message. As a result, automated telephone responses should not be regarded as reliable indicators of an application's likely outcome.
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Applying for Chase Credit Cards, 2017-2019

Old Dec 21, 2018, 12:18 pm
  #2281  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
Originally Posted by mia
They can pull a report from a company like Acxiom:

Acxiom: an opportunity to see some of the data used to target USA credit card offers.

...if the information they find there is inconsistent with your claimed income, the issuer can ask you for evidence, such as an IRS form 4506-T or similar.

Other data brokers are mentioned in this article:



https://qz.com/213900/the-nine-compa...e-or-facebook/
Thanks, it was very accurate.

I opted out!
euromannn is offline  
Old Dec 22, 2018, 1:08 pm
  #2282  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Originally Posted by euromannn
MY credit limit on a Capital One card dropped by $5,000 since I didn't spend enough.
Ah, yes, Cap One. A lovely company indeed.

Doing HPs on all 3 CBs when you apply with them. Then after pestering you with endless requests to apply, turns you down because you have too many recent apps with other banks.

As the saying goes: 'Friends don't let friends do business with Cap One'.
RobertHanson is offline  
Old Dec 22, 2018, 1:15 pm
  #2283  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
Originally Posted by RobertHanson
Ah, yes, Cap One. A lovely company indeed.

Doing HPs on all 3 CBs when you apply with them. Then after pestering you with endless requests to apply, turns you down because you have too many recent apps with other banks.

As the saying goes: 'Friends don't let friends do business with Cap One'.
Worst Bank ever for CC is Citi Bank ------ retaliate when you complain to executive office about benefits.

Personally, I have Capitol One Venture(1 yr) & Quick Silver CC for almost 5 years now and find Capital One exceptional when I travel overseas.

Last edited by euromannn; Dec 22, 2018 at 1:48 pm
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Old Dec 22, 2018, 6:31 pm
  #2284  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: WN A-list., Marriott Plat, National EX, UA Silver
Posts: 289
Any luck in getting 2 Chase CC (1 personal and 1 business) apps on same day to 1 hard pull on credit report? Looking at get Ink Cash and United Explorer while I am still under 5/24. Been searching the web and getting mixed answers. If so any advantage to applying at branch or online?
flyguy6 is offline  
Old Dec 23, 2018, 5:50 am
  #2285  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Originally Posted by flyguy6
Any luck in getting 2 Chase CC (1 personal and 1 business) apps on same day to 1 hard pull on credit report? Looking at get Ink Cash and United Explorer while I am still under 5/24. Been searching the web and getting mixed answers. If so any advantage to applying at branch or online?
Business and personal apps don't combine to 1 hard pull. Apply for the Ink Cash. Wait until you're approved, then apply for Explorer. In that order.
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pallhedge is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2018, 3:45 pm
  #2286  
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
Any way to expedite bonus URs?

I see online that I will receive my 80k UR from my Chase Ink card at the closing of my next statement in January. Is there any way to expedite this if I call and speak with an agent? I have a big trip and I'd like to use my points ASAP rather than wait until the next statement. Anyone have any luck with this? Thank you everyone.
zerodarkthirty is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2018, 4:37 pm
  #2287  
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Originally Posted by zerodarkthirty
I see online that I will receive my 80k UR from my Chase Ink card at the closing of my next statement in January. Is there any way to expedite this if I call and speak with an agent? I have a big trip and I'd like to use my points ASAP rather than wait until the next statement. Anyone have any luck with this? Thank you everyone.
Nope. Sorry.
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Old Dec 28, 2018, 9:21 pm
  #2288  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG100, Hyatt Globalist, MGM Gold, Caesars Diamond
Posts: 636
I have CS Preferred . Can I refer myself to Ink business? Can you point me to where I can read on Chase referrals? Thx
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Old Dec 29, 2018, 9:24 am
  #2289  
RNE
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by zerodarkthirty
I see online that I will receive my 80k UR from my Chase Ink card at the closing of my next statement in January. Is there any way to expedite this if I call and speak with an agent? I have a big trip and I'd like to use my points ASAP rather than wait until the next statement.
Pull that off and a statue of you will be erected in Flyertalk's hallowed Hall of Fame.
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Old Dec 29, 2018, 1:23 pm
  #2290  
mia
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Originally Posted by tobikosan
.... point me to where I can read on Chase referrals? Thx
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...solidated.html
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mia is online now  
Old Dec 29, 2018, 9:45 pm
  #2291  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New York City
Posts: 130
United Explorer Card - Application still pending

Hey all.

I just had some questions regarding my United Explorer Card application. When I first applied for it, back in Dec. 13/14, it went through successfully but I didn't get any application number or reference ID. FICO: 750/740
Now fast forward 2 weeks, I still have not heard of anything about it. The only reference I received from Chase was an email saying:
We have received your request for a Chase credit card. We'll let you know our decision as soon as possible.
Thank you for choosing Chase.
1) Is there anyway to check my application online? Or will I need an account number/application number?
2) How long until I expect a reply...? I have heard rare cases of 30 business days, but that seems overkill.

Thank you!
risenmyth is offline  
Old Dec 30, 2018, 3:34 pm
  #2292  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Originally Posted by RNE
Pull that off and a statue of you will be erected in Flyertalk's hallowed Hall of Fame.
Not a stupid question though, as Citi has been known to "loan" people AA miles that are clearly in the pipeline, so that they can claim an award when they need it.

So not totally unreasonable to hope Chase might do the same.
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RobertHanson is offline  
Old Dec 31, 2018, 1:20 pm
  #2293  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 171
Does Chase still have the unwritten rule of no more than one application in 30 days? Was going to add the SW personal card tomorrow 1/1 to complete my companion pass, then saw the Hyatt offer is being decreased on 1/8/19. Would love to add that card also.

Fell back under 5/24 in April 2018 and have since opened the Ink Preferred in May, CSR in June, Ink Cash in September and SW biz in November. Am at 2/24 currently.
DnvTrvlr is offline  
Old Dec 31, 2018, 4:34 pm
  #2294  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by DnvTrvlr
Does Chase still have the unwritten rule of no more than one application in 30 days? Was going to add the SW personal card tomorrow 1/1 to complete my companion pass, then saw the Hyatt offer is being decreased on 1/8/19. Would love to add that card also.

Fell back under 5/24 in April 2018 and have since opened the Ink Preferred in May, CSR in June, Ink Cash in September and SW biz in November. Am at 2/24 currently.
1/30 for business cards, 2/30 for personal cards. You should be in the clear.
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Old Dec 31, 2018, 8:22 pm
  #2295  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 719
Question Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card and personal cards

I have the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer card and I received a bonus for a $3000 spend (I think that is what it was) about 4 months ago. Can I receive the 50k miles bonus if I receive the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card? The application states: This bonus offer 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.

I'm just not sure how broadly they define "this card."

Thanks.
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