Credit Card Application rules can definitely be a hindrance if you want to sign up for a new card to earn more rewards, but you can manage them if you know about them in advance. In fact, they are basically aware of rules like chasing. 5/24 Rules Sign up to help you figure out which cards of this issuer and what cards in which order. The same can be said Credit cards that reward travel This applies to other credit card companies, but some have stricter rules than others.
It may also need to be slow and careful The generosity of welcome bonuses. This is because if you have already gained an advantage in the past, the card issuer usually has a waiting period before you can earn bonuses for a particular card or product within the card family.
At the end of the day, it’s best to know how rules work with all major credit card issuers. Below is an overview of all credit card application rules classified by issuer:
American Express
American Express has a variety of rules regarding the number of cards you can have, the number of previous applications, and even how often you can receive a welcome bonus. All this is to minimize what is known as “credit card extermination.” You will only use your credit card for a welcome bonus and cancel within one year.
- You can use up to 5 American Express credit cards and up to 10 charging cards.
- Earn one welcome bonus for each Amex card once in your lifetime (with exceptions).
- You can apply for up to two cards per day.
Credit Card Application Rules
American Express has some restrictions when it comes to approval of credit card applications. First of all, you cannot apply for more than two cards in a day. Considering what Amex imposed, this should not be an issue for most people High expenditure requirements About their most advantageous welcome bonus.
If you are applying for multiple applications AMEX Credit Card You can also combine unmanageable spending requirements in one day. So keep that in mind when planning your American Express credit card application strategy.
Welcome Bonus Limit
The American Express ‘One-Time Rule provides that you cannot receive multiple Amex cards’ welcome bonuses. If you apply and earn the current welcome bonus American Express Platinum Cardyou are not eligible for another bonus for the rest of your “life.”
It is important to note that there are exceptions. Some reports suggest that it is “once in a lifetime” and is converted to one every seven years. Others report accepting offers targeted to rule out this language. There have also been reports that customers are targeting a second bonus on cards they already carry in their wallets. So, while these rules act as important guidelines, American Express does not necessarily enforce them.
Number of American Express cards you can have
American Express limits customers to five credit cards and up to 10 charging cards. This is important to be aware as you don’t want to risk it Credit enquiries If you do not qualify for an AMEX card under these terms.
Bank of America
Bank of America does not have a large-scale reward credit card lineup. However, they offer credit cards from popular airlines. Alaska Airlines VisaSignature® Credit Card and FreeSpirit® World Elite Master Card®. So you definitely need to get used to the bank’s credit card application rules in case you get a lucrative welcome bonus. The overview is as follows:
Welcome Bonus Limit
Bank of America is one of the few major banks that do not limit the number of times you can get credit card sign-up bonuses. You can get the same credit card sign-up bonus multiple times, as long as you follow the rules outlined below. Also note that this rule applies to issuer travel credit cards and such cashback cards Bank of America® Customized Cash Reward Credit Card.
Credit Card Application Rules
If you are applying for a Bank of America credit card, you will need to know the 2/3/4 rules. Restrict credit card approval as follows:
- 2 new credit cards within 30 days
- 3 new credit cards within 12 months
- 4 new credit cards within 24 months
Number of Bank of America cards you can have
This publisher does not limit the number of Bank of America credit cards An account that can be opened at once.
Barclays
When it comes to credit card application rules, Barclays is less strict than other banks. There is a 6/24 rule and a 24 month waiting period, roughly enforced a 24 month waiting period between most credit card applications. In addition, Barclays tends to limit or prevent consumers from duplicating cards. This means you will earn a bonus on certain Barclays products and you will not be able to sign up again without canceling your first card and waiting for at least six months.
But most notably, Barclays takes expenditure into consideration when considering applications from existing cardholders. If you have your Barclays credit card collected for several months, you’ll want to use it several times (and I’ll pay it off (When payments are due to show your value as a customer). After all, banks want to issue credit cards to customers who actually use them. If you use your existing card for daily expenses, you should be fine in meeting this standard. Below is an overview of Barclays’ credit card application rules.
Welcome Bonus Limit
One important rule that applies Barclays Credit Cards: You can earn a sign-up bonus with the same card as long as you wait 24 months between applications.
The exception is Lufthansa Miles & More® World Elite Master Card®.
“These bonuses and/or incentives are intended for candidates who have never been before, rather than previously Mile and Mastercard card members.”
Credit Card Application Rules
Barclays also roughly applies the 6/24 rule. If you have more than six credit card applications in the last 24 months, your new Barclays Card may not be approved. This rule does not appear to be strictly enforced, but if the application is rejected, it can be cited as a possible reason. If you are applying for a new Barclays card, it is best to be safe and follow these rules.
Number of Barclays cards you can have
Barclays imposes no limit on the number of credit cards that you can have at one time. Reports say Barclays allows customers to apply for multiple credit cards in a day, and often processes both under a single credit inquiry. This means that credits usually have 2-5 fewer hits per application.
Capital 1
Capital One was not known for having previously restricted credit card welcome bonuses and new card approvals. However, banks are increasing The credit card provided Over the past decade, there are new options such as: Capital One Venture x Card and Capital One Venture x Business Card. This means that new rules have been introduced over time, including the rule that no more than one bonus can be earned on these cards every 48 months.
If the card bonuses and many benefits appeal to you, you will want to read out a few (but important) restrictions before applying. The overview is as follows:
Welcome Bonus Limit
Most Capital One credit cards have a language on the application page that specifies eligibility. for example, Capital One Venture x Card The page has the following languages:
“If you receive a new card member bonus for this product in the last 48 months, existing or previous card members will not be eligible for this product.”
The same wording is found in the detailed printing above Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Other cards that earn rewards. If you are applying for a Capital One Rewards credit card, please check the terms of this language and see if you have earned a bonus for the same product within the last 48 months.
Credit card application restrictions
Capital One limits customers to one individual and business card approval every six months. This should not be too restrictive given that Capital One doesn’t have the same extensive card lineup as American Express, Chase or Citi. Capital still has to bear in mind as you withdraw your credits All three credit bureaus. I don’t want to win 3 credit pulls Multiple times a year Because you didn’t know the six-month rule.
You can have a number of Capital 1 cards
Capital One may limit customers to two personal credit cards at a time. This should not be too restricted as a business card like this. Capital 1 Spark Mile Not considered. Limitations on one business charge card for customers also apply.
However, some data points indicate that Capital One sometimes breaks the rules, allowing consumers to have more than two cards at a time.
Tracking
Chase has several Best reward credit card In the market, it is not surprising that banks impose multiple restrictions on approval. There’s something infamous 5/24 Rulesrules about how often you can earn the same sign-up bonus and how much credit your bank will extend to you. Below is an overview of all the Chase Credit Card Application Rules you need to know.
Welcome Bonus Limit
Chase limits customers to earn another welcome bonus on their cards if they earn that bonus in the last 24-48 months. The exact time frame varies from card to card. Waiting period for Southwest Credit Card For example, 24 months Chase SapphirePreferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® You will need 48 months between the welcome bonus. Also, keep in mind that Chase considers Sapphire cards in the same family and that the 48-month period will be applied even if you switch from one card to another.
So, for example, if you earned a Sapphire Priority Card bonus in December 2024 (I realized that the limit applies when you earned a bonus, not when you applied for the card). Applicable.
Finally, you cannot keep both sapphire accounts at the same time. Regardless of the welcome offer, one must be downgraded or closed before opening the other.
Credit Card Application Rules
Chase 5/24 Rules These are the most important rules to keep in mind when considering a new credit card. This is because the rules limit the approval of new credit cards if you have more than five applications within the last 24 months. This doesn’t just apply to the Chase Credit Card Application. If your bank has more than five, there will be no approval for your Chase Card.
Business Card Application Other banks do not consider the 5/24 tally. However, that’s the case with Chase business card application.
Overall, the 5/24 rule is not as restrictive as it looks. When applying for a credit card, you must be strategic. If you learn travel rewards and turn to several different credit cards, you are more than anything to apply for a Chase Card. Once you have secured your Chase Card, you can apply for a card with another bank, as most banks do not have similar rules.
Number of chase cards you can have
Chase currently does not limit the number of credit cards you can have. Instead, Chase limits the amount of credits that are expanded to customers. Therefore, if your credit card application is rejected because you have reached your credit limit, you can ask Chase to transfer your credit from one card to your new account. The total available credits will remain the same, some of which will be allocated to new credit cards.
City
When it comes to credit card application restrictions, Citi is a little more relaxed than its competitors, and others are even more strict. Here’s a summary of all currently enabled application rules: City Credit Card:
Welcome Bonus Limit
City limits the welcome bonus on most cards once every 48 months. Citi aadvantage card. The same goes for the City Strata Premier Card, even if you upgrade to this card from an earlier version ( CitiPremier® Card).
When you read the conditions City Strata Premium Cardyou can find the following fine prints:
“Thank you for the bonus. If you have received a new account bonus for your CitiPremier® or Citi Strata Premier account in the last 48 months, or if you have converted another Citi credit card account that has earned a new account bonus for your CitiPremier® or Citi Strata Premier account in the last 48 months.”
Credit Card Application Rules
When applying for a City Credit Card, you should keep two main rules in mind. You cannot apply for multiple cards every 8 days, or more than two cards within 65 days. Additionally, if your credit report shows six or more severe inquiries in the past six months, Citi may refuse a new card application.
Number of City cards you can have
Like Chase, City doesn’t limit the amount of credit cards that can be open at a time, and does not limit the amount of credit available. So, if your credit card is rejected due to the number of open Citi cards, try calling a reconciliation line and checking if you want to approve it after moving your credit line.
Discover
Discover credit cards don’t come with traditional welcome offers, so you don’t have to have lots of fine prints that limit new sign-ups. Instead, you will discover credit cards that offer rewards through the issuer’s cashback match program. This doubles all rewards a cardholder will earn in the first year after account creation.
That said, there are some general rules you should know about maximizing your rewards by discovering your credit card over the years.
- A 12-month waiting period is required between signing up for a new discovery card.
- Consumers only have two credit cards from Discover.
US Bank
The US Bank does not list credit card application rules or restrictions on fine printing of credit cards. However, some anecdotal evidence reveals that some general guidelines may apply.
for example:
- If you already have one, you may not be able to get a welcome offer with a certain US bank credit card.
- Opening five or more new cards in the past 12 months could result in a new US bank credit card being denied.
These are not strict rules from US banks, but you should keep in mind if you plan to apply for cards like the following: US Bank Altitude® Go Card or US Bank Cash+®VisaSignature® Card.
Wells Fargo
meanwhile Wells Fargo Credit Card There were few rewards before, but in reality there are quite a few lucrative reward cards to choose from in 2025. Options include Wells Fargo Travel credit cards such as Wells Fargo Sign Journey Visa® Credit Cards and the extremely popular Wells Fargo Active Cash.sm Credit cards, give them some names.
Below is an overview of the rules that limit the offering of cards and bonuses from this issuer.
Welcome Bonus Limit
Most Wells Fargo credit cards limit the welcome bonus to consumers who have not received a bonus on their cards in the last 48 months. As a unique twist, this issuer can also limit Intro APR offers to customers who meet the same requirements.
For example, fine prints from Wells Fargo Active Cash.sm The credit card states:
“If you have Wells Fargo ActiveCash®, or if you open within the last 48 months of the date of this application, and if your account is closed and you have a balance of $0, you may not qualify for the annual rate, fees, or reward bonus offers to refer.”
Please note that Sign -Up bonus limits are shorter with select privilege credit cards from Wells Fargo like select privileges. On this card, the fine print states:
“If you choose MasterCard credit card or select privileges, and if you choose MasterCard credit card within the last 15 months, you may not be eligible for an introductory bonus reward offer. See the important exclusions below.”
Credit Card Application Rules
Wells Fargo follows some loose rules when it comes to credit card applications.
- Normally, you will not be able to get a new Wells Fargo credit card if you have already opened with the issuer in the last six months.
- If you open more than 5 cards with the issuer in the last 24 months, you may be denied due to a new Wells Fargo credit card.
Number of Wells Fargo credit cards you can have
Wells Fargo has no limit on the number of credit cards you can have. However, it may extend the total credit limit that must be applied to all cards you carry.
Conclusion
Whether you are there New reward credit card Or, you’re a veteran pro and still have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of credit card sign-up bonuses for an incredible travel experience. By becoming familiar with these rules (or simply consult this guide before applying), it is a good option to navigate the increasingly confusing world of credit card application rules.
