FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
  • No Annual Fee
  • Fair Credit
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Indigo<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup> - $1,000 Credit Limit
  • Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
    Rates & Fees

Milestone® Mastercard®

Destiny Mastercard
  • $700 Credit Limit
  • No security deposit
  • Less than perfect credit is ok
    Rates & Fees

The Chase 5/24 Rule for Your Chase Freedom Unlimited® Application

Accurate as of: November 16, 2025

When applying for a credit card from Chase, you must understand one of the industry's most widely known and restrictive application rules: the 5/24 rule. Understanding this rule is critical to a successful application for the popular Chase Freedom Unlimited® card.

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What is the Chase 5/24 Rule?

The 5/24 rule is an internal policy at Chase that typically results in an automatic denial if you have opened five or more new credit card accounts (from any bank, not just Chase) in the last 24 months.

  • Counting Cards: This rule counts most consumer credit cards reported on your personal credit report (including store cards like Gap or Macy's).

  • Excluded Cards: Most business cards (except Capital One and Discover), debit cards, and credit lines (like personal loans) generally do not count toward the 5/24 limit.

  • Why the 5/24 Rule Matters for the Freedom Unlimited®

    The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is subject to the 5/24 rule.

    If you are a high-volume applicant who has opened six cards in the last two years, you will almost certainly be denied the Freedom Unlimited® card. It doesn't matter if you have a perfect credit score or a long history as a loyal Chase customer; the rule is a hard cutoff for most applicants.

    How to Check Your 5/24 Status

    The best way to determine if you are 5/24 is to check your credit reports from all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and manually count how many new accounts have a recent open date.

  • Chase typically pulls all three credit reports when processing applications, making it essential to ensure all reports are accurate.

  • Summary: The Golden Rule of Chase Applications

    The Chase 5/24 rule is the single most important factor when applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. To maximize your approval odds, ensure you are below the 5/24 threshold before submitting your application.

    For a full guide on the card’s benefits, rewards, and application process, view our main guide: Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review: $0 Annual Fee and Strong Cash Back Rewards.

    Ready to apply?


    Chase Freedom Unlimited®





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    Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score

    FICO® Credit Scores

    A FICO® Score is a specific, proprietary type of credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). It is the most widely used credit scoring model, with approximately 90% of top U.S. lenders using a FICO® Score to make lending decisions.

    FICO® Score Ranges:

    • Exceptional: 800–850
    • Very Good: 740–799
    • Good: 670–739
    • Fair: 580–669
    • Poor: 300–579
    While many people (and credit education websites) use "Excellent" and "Bad" as general, descriptive terms, FICO® officially categorizes its score ranges as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.

    What is a Credit Score?

    A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.

    Why is a Credit Score Important?
    A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.

    FICO® Credit Score Facts

    Key Characteristics of FICO® Scores

    • Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.

    • Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.

    • Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.

    • Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.

    Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.

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