Don’t Miss Out on These 5 Sign-Up Bonuses If You’re Close to the “5/24” Limit

Million Mile Secrets reader, Myles, tweeted:

I’ve opened 4 new cards in the past 24 months. If I get the Chase Amazon Prime card, will it count toward Chase’s “5/24” card limit and keep me from getting other Chase cards in the future?

Unless Myles gets certain small business cards, new cards from ANY bank will count toward Chase’s card limit.

Because Myles is just shy of reaching 5 new cards in the past 24 months, he’ll want to choose his next card wisely!

If you’re in a similar situation, the best choice for a 5th card depends on which cards you already have and your travel goals!

If You’re Close to Hitting Chase’s “5/24” Card Limit, You’ll Want to Plan a Careful Strategy for Choosing Your Next Cards

I’ll share 5 excellent travel credit cards for folks nearing Chase’s card limit!

Get Big Travel With These 5 Chase Travel Cards

Link: The Easy Way to Check Your Chase 5/24 Status

Link: Chase Travel Cards Not Restricted by the “5/24 Rule”

It’s tougher to be approved for most Chase cards if you’ve opened ~5+ cards from any bank (except these business cards) in the past 24 months. This limit is known as the “5/24” rule.

I’ve written about an easy way to check your Chase 5/24 status.

This is a frustrating rule for many folks in the miles & points hobby because Chase has some of the best rewards credit cards. And getting a new card with a good sign-up bonus is the easiest way to get Big Travel with Small Money.

Many Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards Have Terrific Sign-Up Bonuses, Which You Can Use for a Vacation to Hawaii or Many Other Destinations!

So you’ll want to plan a careful card application strategy to avoid having to wait to drop below the 5/24 limit to get a new Chase card.

Keep in mind, these 5 Chase travel cards not affected by the 5/24 rule:

And folks say the Chase Amazon Prime card is NOT affected by the 5/24 rule either.

But if you’re close to the 5/24 limit, like reader Myles, you’ll likely want to get a different Chase card while you can. Because you’ll still be eligible to get one of the above cards after you hit the limit.

Here are my 5 card picks for folks close to the 5/24 limit.

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Link: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Link: My Review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll earn 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Or apply in-branch by March 12, 2017, to earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the same minimum spending requirement.

The card also comes with these perks:

3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel & dining
$300 statement credit for any travel purchases (like Airbnb, airfare, car rental, hotels, Uber, etc.) each year
Priority Pass Select for access to airport lounges
$100 statement credit for Global Entry
No foreign transaction fees

You Get an Automatic Credit (up to $300 per Calendar Year) on Your Sapphire Reserve Statement When You Pay for Travel Purchases

The Sapphire Reserve has a $450 annual fee. But it can easily be offset with perks like the $300 travel credit and airport lounge access.

I like that the Chase Sapphire Reserve increases the value of any Chase Ultimate Rewards points you have on other eligible cards. Because points in your Sapphire Reserve account are worth 1.5 cents each

So this makes 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth $750 in travel! Emily and I don’t earn a commission on this card. But we always share the best deals with our readers!

2. Chase Freedom

Link: Chase Freedom

Link: My Review of the Chase Freedom

The Chase Freedom is my favorite no annual fee card. I like it because you earn 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points (or 5% cash back) on up to $1,500 in spending in rotating categories each quarter when you activate the bonus.

And you can combine the points you earn to your Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve account. Then, transfer to fantastic airline and hotel partners, like Hyatt and Southwest.

Combine Points You Earn on Your Chase Freedom With Another Chase Ultimate Rewards Card and Then Transfer Points to Partners Like Southwest!

With this card, you’ll earn:

15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points ($150 in cash back) after signing-up and spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months
2,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus points ($25) when you add an authorized user who makes a purchase in the first 3 months of opening your account

This card charges 3% in foreign transaction fees when you’re overseas. So it’s NOT a good option for folks traveling abroad.

We don’t get a commission if you apply for this card. But we want to you get the best available offers!

3. Chase Freedom Unlimited

Link: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Link: My Review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is similar to the Chase Freedom. They both have the same sign-up bonus, earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and, of course, have no annual fee!

Like the Chase Freedom, you can transfer your points to travel partners if you also have the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve.

With the Freedom Unlimited, you earn:

15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points ($150) when you sign-up for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card and spend $500 on purchases in the 1st 3 months of opening your account
2,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus points ($25) when you add an authorized user who makes a purchase in the 1st 3 months of opening your account
1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (1.5% cash back) per $1 you spend on all purchases with NO limit

The Chase Freedom Unlimited does NOT have rotating bonus categories like the Chase Freedom. But it’s a great card for everyday, non-bonus category spending.

We don’t earn a commission from this card, either. But that’s fine by us if it means you get more points!

4. Chase Ink Business Preferred

Link: Chase Ink Business Preferred

Link: My Review of the Chase Ink Business Preferred

If you qualify for a small business card, the Chase Ink Business Preferred has a fantastic sign-up bonus. You’ll earn 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Keep in mind, there’s a rumor this card’s sign-up bonus will increase to 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. I hope so!

The Current 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Point Sign-Up Bonus on the Ink Business Preferred Can Get You 3 Free Nights at the Park Hyatt Chicago!

With this card, you also get:

3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for every $1 you spend on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites, and search engines (up to a maximum of $150,000 in combined purchases per account anniversary year)
Up to $500 in cell phone insurance when you pay your cell phone bill with the card
25% bonus when you redeem points through the Chase travel portal
Primary auto rental insurance (CDW) when renting for business purposes, plus purchase and extended warranty protection

The card has a $95 annual fee, but it’s waived the first year when you apply in-branch.

The sign-up bonus alone is worth at least $1,000 towards travel after you meet minimum spending requirements. That’s because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1.25 cents each when you redeem for travel through Chase’s travel portal.

5. Chase United

Link: Chase United MileagePlus Explorer 50,000 Mile Offer

Link: My Review of the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer

There’s currently an increased offer for the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer card. You’ll earn 50,000 United Airlines miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account. That’s 20,000 more United Airlines miles than the regular offer.

You should also check to see if you’re targeted to earn 70,000 United Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit by logging-in to your United Airlines account.

With 70,000 United Airlines Miles, You Can Book a One-Way Business Class Award Ticket to Europe on United Airlines’ Partner Lufthansa

With this card, you also get:

5,000 United Airlines miles after adding an authorized user and making a purchase within the first 3 months of account opening
2 United Airlines miles per $1 you spend on United Airlines
10,000 bonus miles when you spend $25,000 on your card each year
2 United Club passes per year
First checked bag free when you use your card to pay for your ticket
Priority boarding
No foreign transaction fees

The card has a $95 annual fee is NOT waived the first year.

Check out my review of the card and my guide to earning and using United Airlines miles!

Don’t Forget This Trick to Stay Under 5/24!

Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express

Certain small business cards will NOT count again your “5/24” status. Including the highest-ever 35,000 point offer on the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, available through April 5, 2017.

This is handy if you want to apply for more Chase cards in the future. And you can continue to add points to your collection without worrying about the “5/24” rule!

Bottom Line

If you’re close to reaching the Chase “5/24” limit, I’d recommend these cards:

Depending on your travel goals and cards you already have, the sign-up bonus and perks from these 5 cards can help you get Big Travel with Small Money!

Remember, there are Chase travel cards not affected by the 5/24 rule. For example, you’ll still be eligible to get the Chase Hyatt or Chase IHG card if you opened 5 new cards in the past 24 months.

Emily and I don’t earn a commission for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Freedom, or Chase Freedom Unlimited, but we’ll continue to share the best deals with you!

Which card would you get if you’re near the 5/24 limit?