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 Oct 31, 2018, 7:41 am
  #2146  
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
Hope this is the best forum for my question -

Last night I applied for a Chase Sapphire Reserve and was denied. When I called the reconsideration line this AM, they said I was automatically denied because I previously had a sapphire product. They said I previously had the CSR and earned the bonus offer 12.31.15. They said it was a one time offer and that I could not qualify or apply again. They said it had to be 24 months or more. I kept telling the representative 2015 to now is more than 24 months but she kept saying my application was within 24 months. Talking to her was like beating my head against a wall.

Then I asked if I could qualify for the card without a bonus offer and she said no, as the card automatically comes with a bonus offer and since i've had one before I wouldn't qualify again and can't apply again and can't qualify again.

So I asked her, once I've had this card and cancel, I can basically never come back to it?

She said for the time being, yes.

Anyone else have this issue before? So frustrating - I just want the CSR to be able to use the portal as I've migrated most business spending to the ink unlimited.

Thanks!
mdcubsfan is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2018, 8:02 am
  #2147  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Originally Posted by pashber


Sorry for the delay in responding, as I wanted to see if there was any progress. Nothing so far.


Call Chase. The phone number is in the wiki. If you moved 4 months ago, they probably just want to verify your address for security purposes.
pallhedge is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2018, 8:04 am
  #2148  
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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Posts: 48,879
Originally Posted by mdcubsfan
.... 2015 to now is more than 24 months but ....!
Indeed, but the time restriction is now 48 months, as shown in the terms of the offer:

The product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of any Sapphire credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of any Sapphire credit card who received a new cardmember bonus within the last 48 months. If you are an existing Sapphire customer and would like this product, please call the number on the back of your card to see if you are eligible for a product change. You will not receive the new cardmember bonus if you change products.
mia is online now  
Old Oct 31, 2018, 11:48 am
  #2149  
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
CSR

Originally Posted by mia
Indeed, but the time restriction is now 48 months, as shown in the terms of the offer:
Thanks - so bottom line is I cannot apply for it again until the 48 months have passed? Even without a bonus (as that doesn't seem to be an option)
mdcubsfan is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2018, 11:58 am
  #2150  
mia
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,879
Originally Posted by mdcubsfan
...I cannot apply for it again until the 48 months have passed?....
Correct, but if you have a Freedom card you may be able to do a product change. Discussion here:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...16-onward.html
mia is online now  
Old Oct 31, 2018, 12:28 pm
  #2151  
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
Originally Posted by mia
Correct, but if you have a Freedom card you may be able to do a product change. Discussion here:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...16-onward.html
Wow, thanks.....maybe I was told wrong by Chase. I had a Sapphire preferred and was told to cancel it and reapply for reserve 30 days later.....so I had cancelled my preferred about 2 months ago and now running into this problem now - can you switch from preferred to reserve?
mdcubsfan is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2018, 12:56 pm
  #2152  
mia
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,879
Originally Posted by mdcubsfan
.... can you switch from preferred to reserve?
Yes, generally. Review the terms that I quoted in my first reply.

Last edited by mia; Oct 31, 2018 at 1:01 pm
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Old Nov 6, 2018, 7:05 am
  #2153  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 321
Whats the max CL chase will put on a card? We recently closed one of my wifes 2 SWA cards and moved the $33k limit to her Sapphire (not Preferred) card, which already had $35k. The other SWA card is at $33k too, but not sure if I should try to move it and close or just close and lose the CL. Not planning to sign up my wife for new chase cards for at least 24 months.
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Old Nov 6, 2018, 8:49 am
  #2154  
RNE
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by DVDBob
Whats the max CL chase will put on a card? We recently closed one of my wifes 2 SWA cards and moved the $33k limit to her Sapphire (not Preferred) card, which already had $35k. The other SWA card is at $33k too, but not sure if I should try to move it and close or just close and lose the CL. Not planning to sign up my wife for new chase cards for at least 24 months.
I don't know, but I think you'll find out.
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Old Nov 6, 2018, 1:09 pm
  #2155  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Originally Posted by DVDBob
What’s the max CL chase will put on a card? We recently closed one of my wife’s 2 SWA cards and moved the $33k limit to her Sapphire (not Preferred) card, which already had $35k. The other SWA card is at $33k too, but not sure if I should try to move it and close or just close and lose the CL. Not planning to sign up my wife for new chase cards for at least 24 months.
Is there another card you could do a product change to which has a lower/no AF? I agree that losing the history wouldn't be the preferred route. After that, you could move a good portion of that limit to something else without much (if any) fuss from Chase.
thunderlounge is offline  
Old Nov 6, 2018, 1:25 pm
  #2156  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Posts: 127
Originally Posted by pallhedge
Call Chase. The phone number is in the wiki. If you moved 4 months ago, they probably just want to verify your address for security purposes.
I called and got something in the mail that day (what a coincidence). They wanted proof of I.D. (for the address) AND SSN. Had to fill out Form SSA-89 as well. Faxed it 6 days ago and heard nothing until yesterday, when I received the same request for the same documents. Very frustrating.



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Old Nov 8, 2018, 12:49 pm
  #2157  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 321
It looks like I'm at 4/24 - does the SWA Business card count toward my total if I wanted to sign up for that and the SWA Personal card? Should I apply for both on the same day? Am I only eligible for 1 more card with Chase?
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Old Nov 8, 2018, 1:08 pm
  #2158  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,509
Originally Posted by DVDBob
It looks like I'm at 4/24 - does the SWA Business card count toward my total if I wanted to sign up for that and the SWA Personal card? Should I apply for both on the same day? Am I only eligible for 1 more card with Chase?
Most (if not all) of your questions are answered in the Wiki at the top of this thread.

Doctor of Credit has this useful info as well:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/18-th...w-about-chase/
hurnik is online now  
Old Nov 8, 2018, 6:51 pm
  #2159  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 164
I just applied the link above and got instant approval. I then applied for the SW Business card for 60k bonus points but got a "we will review and get back to you".

I called them and was told I need to fax them docs to verify my business name/address and my personal address. I put my old LLC which I have a business checking account with Chase but the LLC was dissolved a few years ago. I can show them the old LLC registration but it had my old address. Is there anyway other way to get the card approved?

If my SW Business card is declined, how can I get the other 60k points to meet the 110k for companion pass?

Thanks,
macboss is offline  
Old Nov 9, 2018, 6:32 am
  #2160  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Originally Posted by macboss
If my SW Business card is declined, how can I get the other 60k points to meet the 110k for companion pass?
Wait 30 days and apply again as "Sole Proprietor" and listing your First and Last name as the legal business name. And obviously your current address.
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