If you are deeply immersed in the world of travel rewards and credit card points, you have undoubtedly encountered the notorious Chase 5/24 rule. This rule dictates that Chase will automatically reject almost any credit card application if you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards across any bank within the past 24 months. For advanced points and miles enthusiasts, navigating this restriction is crucial to maximizing lucrative sign-up bonuses. Naturally, a very common question arises among entrepreneurs and side-hustle owners: Do business cards count towards this limit?
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The Short Answer: Generally, No
The good news for small business owners is that most business credit cards do not count toward your Chase 5/24 count. Because cards issued explicitly for business purposes typically do not appear on your personal credit report, Chase’s automated systems cannot track them in your standard 24-month rolling tally. This means opening a business card with American Express, Capital One, Citi, or even Chase itself will generally not increase your personal 5/24 status.
An Important Exception: Chase Business Cards
While business cards do not add to your 5/24 count, you must be mindful of how the rule applies when you want to apply for them. To be approved for any Chase business card, you must already be under 5/24 based on your personal card history. Furthermore, if you are under 5/24 and get approved for a Chase business card, that new card will not show up on your personal report, meaning it will not push you over the 5/24 limit for future applications. This makes Chase business cards exceptionally valuable tools for staying under the threshold.
Other Exceptions to Keep in Mind
While major issuers keep business tradelines off your personal bureau, certain issuers do report business cards to personal credit agencies. For example, Discover and Capital One sometimes report certain business accounts to personal credit reports depending on account history. Always verify current data points before applying.
Utilizing business credit cards allows you to scale your rewards earning potential without triggering the restrictive Chase 5/24 rule prematurely.
