Whether you open your first credit card while pursuing a free trip or have several accounts already before finding this incredible world of points and miles, your first moves are likely highly scripted, thanks to Chase’s 5/24 rules. Issuers use this rule to automatically reject applicants who have opened five or more cards in the past 24 months.
Some business cards don’t count, so if you’re not familiar with how 5/24 works, be sure to check out our 5/24 guide. But overall, thanks to this rule, you should open the Chase card first and then turn to other issuers.
You might choose a tested card combination, such as Chase Trifecta, or you can develop your own strategy after determining which sapphire card is the best strategy. While there are a lot of great chase card options, there are only a lot of ways to use the first five slots.
If you have more than five cards in 24 months, you will find yourself in the wilderness of your credit card, where anything is going on. After 5/24, you have no unified path to follow. It’s time to evaluate the cards in your wallet, find out what you want in your new credit card you want, and draw a new lesson for the new lesson.
In this article, we will look at some of the best options for building a post-5/24 strategy.
Related: How to calculate your 5/24 station
What not to do
Not eligible for a chase card does not mean it’s time to stop getting a new card altogether. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is waiting for the sidelines to fall to 5/24 again and miss out on other valuable welcome bonuses during this period.
At any given time, other welcome bonuses worth $1,000 or more you are eligible for $1,000 or more (even if you exceed the 5/24 rule). By opening a valuable welcome offer from other issuers’ cards, you can earn and cash out a lot of valuable rewards right away, rather than waiting months or years to qualify for another chase card.
If you focus on a specific chase card that is to qualify quickly, you will need to be strategic. A good option is to apply for a business card at the same time. These usually don’t violate your 5/24 identity, so you can get some rewards while still getting the chase card you need.
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Related: Commercial credit cards not under the 5/24 rule
What to do if you exceed 5/24
If you exceed the 5/24 limit, you should consider some different strategies when determining which strategies to add to your wallet next.
Diversify your perspective
I think the 5/24 limit is the main reason most people get chase cards first rather than collecting other reward currencies, such as American Express membership bonus points, Citi Thanks Points, Capital Mile or Dilt bonus points.
However, it is beneficial to get rewards from multiple programs, as each program has a unique set of redemption options. Plus, they are all valuable – TPG’s September 2025 valuation will value these points at least 1.85 cents per point.
The real value of a diversified perspective is access to the transfer partners of each issuer and the immense flexibility they offer. Citi has the most transfer partners, but other issuers are not behind.
All five issuers have some common transfer partners (e.g. British Airways and French KLM Flight Blue, which has many appearances), but their differences are incredibly complementary.
The Star Alliance is a good example. Chase and Amex let you transfer to everyone The main loyalty program in the largest airline alliance. This allows you to make United Airlines, Avianca, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines fight each other and choose the absolute lowest cost for any reward you want to book.
Additionally, these issuers often offer transfer bonuses to transfer partners, meaning the best transfer options may vary by month. By accessing multiple types of points, you can make sure you are always ready to jump when the correct redemption option appears.
Top cards to consider:
- American Express Platinum Card®: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for up to 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- BiltMastercard® (See Interest Rates and Fees): Earn Rental Points without paying any transaction fees (up to 100,000 points per year; you must make at least five transactions per billing cycle to earn points).
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: After spending $4,000 in the first three months of opening, earning 75,000 miles of bonus miles.
- Citi Layer Premier® Card (See Interest Rates and Fees): Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of opening an account.
Find the gap in income rates
While Chase Cards is known for reliable reward categories such as travel and dining, you may find that there are some bonus gaps in your current portfolio. If you are over 5/24, look for other issuers’ cards to fill these gaps.
For example, if you pay rent, Bilt Mastercard Allows you to earn rental points without paying any transaction fees (see rates and fees) and earn flexible points that can be redeemed for huge value (up to 100,000 points per year; you must make at least five transactions per billing cycle to earn points).
Also, you may not have a card covering grocery or gas returns. Now consider adding like Amex Gold or Citigroup Prime Minister For your wallet, earn rewards in these categories (in the U.S. supermarket, rewards in the U.S. supermarket can earn $25,000 in each calendar year’s spending, and then you earn 1 for every 1 point you spend).
Finally, if you cover all bonus spending categories, you can choose a fixed rate card that costs at least 2 points or miles per spend on all purchases, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Card, to ensure you earn bonus gains on every purchase.
Related: Best Cards for Each Bonus Category
Consider a common card
While Chase has issued most common brand airline and hotel cards, it seems easy to write off Coprand Cards, other issuers offer some great products.
For example, if you are loyal to Marriott, you can pick up an Amex Bonvoy card Marriott Hotel.
Hilton Loyalists also have many Amex cards to choose from, with American Airlines and Delta Flyer picking up a shared credit card without having to worry about 5/24. This could be a great way to get free hotel nights every year, save on check bag fees, or just earning a welcome bonus that can help you start your next trip.
Top cards to consider:
Bottom line
The 5/24 rule is the beginning of the credit card rewards journey, not the end. Hitting the trademark is a serious reward for travelers’ passage. Once you do this, you should look forward, not backward.
Find out which chase cards are the Guardians and determine which benefits are the most important in your next credit card.
Whether you want to diversify into a new reward currency, fill lost gaps or consider both, you have many options. It is important that you keep going out and taking action so that you can continue to receive valuable rewards.
Related: The best way to use 5/24 slots
For the rates and fees of Bilt MasterCard, click here.
For the rewards and benefits of BILT Mastercard, click here.
