Chase issues some of the most sought-after rewards cards on the market, but the bank also has some of the strictest policies regarding credit card “churning.” It limits cardholders to earning only one welcome bonus per consumer Sapphire card and has its infamous 5/24 rule.

Chase has never officially commented on the 5/24 rule’s existence, but crowdsourced data confirms that applicants will almost certainly be denied new Chase cards if they have opened five or more accounts across issuers in the past 24 months.

All personal credit card accounts count toward this rule, including cards with no preset spending limits and certain store cards. However, many business credit cards, including those issued by Chase, aren’t considered when Chase determines your 5/24 standing.

If you’re trying to stay under 5/24, you can still rack up points and miles with business cards without affecting your ability to apply for Chase cards in the future. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it covers some of my favorite business cards available right now.

Related: The best no-annual-fee business credit cards

Comparing the best business cards to stay under 5/24

Card	Best for	Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points in a variety of business-centered categories	Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027. Earn 3 points per dollar spent on advertising purchases with social media and search engines; cable, internet and phone services; and shipping and travel purchases (on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year, then 1 point per dollar). Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.	$95
Citi® / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees)	American Airlines loyalists	Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening.	Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on the following categories: cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations and telecommunications merchants. Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 thereafter
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card	Marriott loyalists	Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Oct. 22.	Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott hotels. Earn 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on U.S. shipping purchases and on U.S. wireless telephone service purchases. Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$125 (see rates and fees)
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees)	Earning simple cash back	Earn $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	Earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027. Earn 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.	$0
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card	Hilton loyalists	Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 14.	Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible Hilton purchases. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases (up to $100,000 each calendar year, then 3 points per dollar thereafter).	$195 (see rates and fees)
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express	Earning a lot of American Express Membership Rewards points	Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.	Earn 2 points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 spent each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter.	$0 (see rates and fees)

The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The best business and personal credit card combinations

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Based on TPG’s October 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $1,845.

Annual fee: $95.

Why I like it: Although you need to be under 5/24 to be approved for this card, the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card won’t count toward this rule. Plus, it earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points in a variety of bonus categories that appeal to business owners, and these points can be transferred to one of Chase’s 14 hotel and airline partners (13 partners after Oct. 16).

You’ll also enjoy perks like primary car rental insurance when renting for business and cellphone protection. If your business spends heavily in this card’s bonus categories, this card can be a powerful addition to your wallet despite its annual fee.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

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Related: 5 reasons to get the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening.

Based on TPG’s October 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $1,163.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 thereafter.

Why I like it: Regardless of whether you fly American frequently, you can find great value in this card’s welcome bonus because the carrier is a member of the Oneworld alliance. Many great redemption options exist for anyone who can find the sweet spots in the AAdvantage program.

For example, TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed recently booked three Japan Airlines business-class seats for his family to travel from Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Japan to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for 60,000 AAdvantage miles each.

For those who prefer American for their travels, you’ll enjoy perks like a free checked bag on domestic itineraries, 25% off inflight purchases and the ability to earn a companion certificate after renewing your card and spending $30,000 or more in a cardholder year.

To learn more, check out our full review of the AAdvantage Business Mastercard.

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Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Business  World Elite Mastercard

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Related: What credit score do you need to get the Citi / AAdvantage Business  World Elite Mastercard?

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Oct. 22.

Based on TPG’s October 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $875.

Annual fee: $125.

Why I like it: Another solid option is the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Card, as it has a generous welcome bonus. With the Bonvoy Business Amex, you’ll get complimentary Gold Elite status, which includes perks like 25% bonus earnings on Marriott stays and 2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability).

As a cardmember, you’ll also receive a free night award certificate every year after your card renewal month and other Marriott perks. Chase Ultimate Rewards points also transfer to Marriott, so this is a great card to pair with your existing Chase accounts.

Marriott has over 9,300 properties worldwide, including many great hotels where you can use free night certificates. That includes the Sheraton Denarau Villas, where I previously redeemed a certificate.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Bonvoy Business Amex.

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Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

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Related: Here’s why you need both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card

Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Why I like it: The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase, perfect for those who like simplicity with earnings.

Plus, if you pair this card with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you can pool your Ink Business Unlimited rewards and have access to Chase’s transfer partners for maximum redemption value.

If you prefer a simple, no-frills approach to earning cash back, this card is a great option to stay under 5/24 without paying an annual fee.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited.

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Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

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Related: Your guide to the Chase Ink Business credit cards

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Welcome offer: Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 14.

Based on TPG’s October 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $875.

Annual fee: $195.

Why I like it: If you stay at Hilton hotels frequently and are in the market for a cobranded hotel card for your business, the Hilton Honors Amex Business is a solid option.

It has a simple earnings structure. You’ll earn 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton properties. Plus, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases for the first $100,000 in spending per calendar year (then 3 points per dollar thereafter).

Plus, cardmembers receive automatic Hilton Gold status and National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment in the Emerald Club program is required).

To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex Business.

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Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

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The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on the card in the first three months of card membership.

Based on TPG’s October 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $300.

Annual fee: $0.

Why I like it: Reaching minimum spending requirements for welcome bonuses can be difficult for small businesses without high annual spending. However, The Blue Business Plus has a welcome offer that’s attainable for most businesses, regardless of their annual spending.

Additionally, if you value simplicity with earnings, this card is a great fit. You’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases for the first $50,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after.

If your business spends less than $50,000 each year, this card is an excellent choice. Plus, you’ll earn Membership Rewards points and have access to Amex’s roster of 20 hotel and airline partners.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Blue Business Plus.

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Apply here: The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

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Related: Amex Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus: The battle of the blues

Things to consider when applying

Pretty much any business credit card can help you continue to earn welcome bonuses while staying under 5/24. Keep in mind, though, that other issuers have their own restrictions in place that might affect your approval.

Fortunately, you don’t need a traditional business to apply for a business credit card. Whether you walk dogs on the side, drive for Uber or run your own reselling business, you’re eligible to apply for a business card.

Additionally, you may be wondering why no Capital One business cards are on this list. That’s because all Capital One business cards count toward your 5/24 status except the ones with no preset spending limits, the Capital One Venture X Business and the Capital One Spark Cash Plus.

Remember to keep business and personal expenses separate whenever possible. Business cards do not have the same consumer protections as personal cards, and mixed expenses can get messy during tax season.

Plus, some issuers frown on using your business card for personal expenses and may close your account for doing so.

Related: Reasons to get a business credit card

Bottom line

While Chase cards offer real long-term value for cardholders, it diligently monitors account applications. If you get approved for too many cards in a short period of time, you could risk getting future applications for Chase cards denied.

Business cards can come in handy when you’re trying to avoid the pitfall of Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you time your applications correctly, you can space out your personal card applications while still earning points and miles by applying for a business card.

That way, you’re not locking yourself out of opportunities to earn valuable bonuses on Chase’s consumer cards.

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Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Business
Apply here: The Blue Business Plus Card from American Express

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For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Plus, click here.

Whether you opened your first-ever credit card in the pursuit of free travel or already had a few accounts before you found this incredible world of points and miles, your first couple of moves may be highly scripted, thanks to Chase’s 5/24 rule. The issuer uses this rule to automatically reject applicants who have opened five or more cards in the last 24 months.

Some business cards don’t count, so be sure to check out our guide to 5/24 if you’re not familiar with how 5/24 works. But in general, you should open up your Chase cards first before moving on to other issuers because of this rule.

You might go with a tested card combination like the Chase trifecta, or you might build your own strategy after deciding which Sapphire card is better to anchor your strategy. Although there are plenty of great Chase card choices, there are only so many ways to use up those first five slots.

If you exceed five cards in 24 months, you’ll find yourself in the Wild Wild West of credit cards, where anything goes. After 5/24, there’s no uniform path for you to follow. It’s time to evaluate the cards in your wallet, figure out what you want from new credit cards and chart a new course.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of your best options for building a post-5/24 strategy.

Related: How to calculate your 5/24 standing

What NOT to do

Being ineligible for a Chase card doesn’t mean it’s time to stop getting new cards altogether. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is waiting on the sidelines to fall under 5/24 again and missing out on other valuable welcome bonuses in the meantime.

At any given time, there will be multiple welcome bonuses from other cards worth $1,000 or more that you’re eligible for (even if you’re over the 5/24 rule). By opening a card from a different issuer with a valuable welcome offer, you can earn and redeem tons of valuable rewards now rather than waiting for months or years to be eligible for another Chase card.

If you have your eye on a specific Chase card that you’re aiming to be eligible for quickly, you’ll want to be strategic. A great option is to apply for a business card in the meantime. These typically won’t count against your 5/24 status, so you can earn some bonus rewards while still making progress toward eligibility for the Chase card you want.

Related: Business credit cards that aren’t under the 5/24 rule

What to do if you’re over 5/24

If you are over the 5/24 limit, there are a few different strategies you should consider when deciding which cards to add to your wallet next.

Diversify your points

I’d argue that the 5/24 restriction is the main reason most people get Chase cards first rather than collecting other rewards currencies, such as American Express Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou points, Capital One miles or Bilt Rewards Points.

However, there is a benefit to having rewards from multiple programs, since each of them has a unique set of redemption options. Plus, they’re all valuable — TPG’s September 2025 valuations peg the value of these points at a minimum of 1.85 cents per point.

The true value of diversifying your points is access to each issuer’s transfer partners and the tremendous flexibility they offer. Citi has the most transfer partners, but the other issuers aren’t far behind.

All five issuers also have some transfer partners in common (British Airways and Air France-KLM Flying Blue make many appearances, for example), but their differences are incredibly complementary.

Star Alliance is a great example. Chase and Amex let you transfer to all the major loyalty programs in the largest airline alliance. This lets you pit United Airlines, Avianca, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines against each other and pick the absolute lowest cost for any award you want to book.

Furthermore, these issuers frequently offer transfer bonuses to transfer partners, meaning that the best transfer option might vary from month to month. By having access to multiple types of points, you can ensure you’re always ready to jump when the right redemption option presents itself.

Top cards to consider:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you’re eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within 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 as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees): Earn Bilt Points on rent without paying any transaction fees (up to 100,000 points per year; you must make at least five transactions each billing cycle to earn points).
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Look for gaps in earnings rates

While Chase cards are known for having solid bonus categories like travel and dining, you might find that your current portfolio has some bonus-earning gaps. If you’re over 5/24, look for cards from other issuers to fill those gaps.

For example, if you pay rent, the Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn points on rent without paying any transaction fees (see rates and fees) and earns flexible points, which can be redeemed for outsize value (up to 100,000 points on rent per year; you must make at least five transactions each billing cycle to earn points).

Additionally, you may not have a card that covers bonus earnings on groceries or gas. Now is a great time to consider adding a card like the Amex Gold or the Citi Strata Premier to your wallet to earn bonus rewards in those categories (bonus rewards on U.S. supermarkets on the Amex Gold can be earned on up to $25,000 in spending each calendar year, then you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent).

Lastly, if you have all your bonus spending categories covered, you can opt for a fixed-rate card that earns at least 2 points or miles per dollar spent on all purchases, like the Capital One Venture Rewards card, to ensure you earn bonus earnings on essentially every purchase you make.

Related: The best cards for each bonus category

Consider cobranded cards

While it may seem easy to write off cobranded cards because Chase issues the majority of cobranded airline and hotel cards, there are some excellent offerings from other issuers.

If you’re loyal to Marriott, for instance, you can pick up one of the Amex Bonvoy cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

Hilton loyalists also have a number of Amex cards to choose from, and American Airlines and Delta flyers can pick up cobranded credit cards without worrying about 5/24. This can be a great way to get a free hotel night each year, save on checked bag fees or simply earn a welcome bonus that can help jump-start your next trip.

Top cards to consider:

Bottom Line

The 5/24 rule is the beginning, not the end, of your credit card rewards journey. Hitting that mark is a rite of passage to serious award travelers. Once you do, it’s time to look forward, not backward.

Figure out which of your Chase cards are keepers, and decide what benefits matter most in your next credit cards.

Whether you’re looking to diversify into a new rewards currency, fill in missing gaps or possibly both, you have plenty of options to consider. The important thing is that you continue to go out and take action so you can keep earning valuable rewards.

Related: The best ways to use your 5/24 slots

For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.