We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

How Does the Chase “5/24” Rule Affect Businesses With Separate EINs?

  • Million Mile Secrets

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

    Applying for business credit cards can be confusing.  But it’s also a great way to increase your miles & points balances with your business expenses!  That’s why I get lots of questions about the ins and outs of business credit card applications.

    And the bank application rule that trips up the most folks is the Chase “5/24” rule.  This rule makes it difficult to be approved for most Chase credit cards if you’ve opened 5 or more cards from any bank within the past 24 months!

    I’ve helped to clear up confusion over whether or not you can use your own name or social security number on a business card application (yes to both!).  But what about when your business has an EIN (employer identification number)?  Will your application still be subject to the same “5/24” limit?

    The Chase “5/24” Rule Is Confusing Enough for Personal Cards. So How Does It Impact Your Business Card Application?

    Million Mile Secret Agent G. Fong Asked:

    I personally am over the Chase “5/24” rule and understand I will not be approved for a Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card issued in my name using my social security number.  However if I apply for a Chase Ink Business Preferred card in the name of my LLC, (which has an EIN) will it fall outside the “5/24” rule?

    Will they use my social security number or the company’s EIN to get the “5/24” count?

    Chase will look at your personal credit report to get your “5/24” count.  And even when your business has an EIN, you still need to add your social security number to your business card application.  So unfortunately, having an EIN will not help you get around the Chase “5/24” rule. 🙁

    But depending on your situation, you might still have options.

    Are You an Authorized User?

    If you have been added as an authorized user on someone else’s account, that card will likely count toward your “5/24” limit.  Some folks have reported being able to call the Chase reconsideration line and convince them to disregard these accounts.  But the results are mixed.

    If you can, it might be helpful to have the authorized user account closed AND removed from your credit report.  Team member Jason had success calling Chase to have an authorized user account completely removed from his credit report (not just closed).

    He did this so that he wouldn’t have to call and convince Chase to disregard the authorized user account later.  But not all banks make this process as easy as Chase does.

    There Is More Than One Way to Dodge the Chase “5/24” Rule!

    Remember, just because you close the authorized user card that does not mean the account is removed from your credit report!  That will take an extra step.

    You might be able to contact the bank and have them remove the account from your personal credit reports.  Or you’ll have to contact each credit reporting agency individually to have them remove your authorized user accounts once they are closed.  Changes to your credit report can take a month or more to appear.

    Develop a Relationship With Chase

    Some folks have been able to get around the Chase “5/24” rule by being targeted for pre-approved offers in-branch.  But there’s no way to know for sure if you’re targeted.

    Another way you can potentially bypass the “5/24” rule is by becoming a Chase Private Client.  In order to qualify, you’ll need to have a large amount of money invested with Chase.  But this includes retirement accounts, so it might be more realistic than it first seems.

    If All Else Fails, Be Patient

    Waiting to fall under the “5/24” rule does NOT mean that you have to put Big Travel with Small Money on hold!

    You could only apply for business cards from certain banks which do NOT appear on your personal credit report.  Because these business card accounts won’t count toward your “5/24” limit.

    Once you’re back under the “5/24” limit, you could then apply for Chase business cards.  And you still won’t be over “5/24,” because Chase business card accounts do NOT appear on your personal credit report!  So you’ll still be able to apply for Chase personal cards!

    Also, you can always earn bonuses for referring friends and family to some your favorite credit cards.  Because you won’t have to worry about a credit pull!

    Bottom Line

    When you apply for business credit cards, the banks will look at your personal credit report.  This is true even if your business has an EIN.

    So if you’re over the Chase “5/24” limit, you’ll have to get creative to work around it.  If you’re an authorized user on someone else’s account, you might have luck getting those accounts removed from your credit report.  Or if it makes sense for your situation, becoming a Chase Private Client can help your approval chances.

    One of the better strategies is to only apply for small business cards from certain banks which do NOT appear on your personal credit report.  So they won’t add to your “5/24” count.  Once you fall under the “5/24” rule you’ll be able to apply for Chase business cards, which also won’t count toward your limit.  So you’ll still be free to get Chase personal cards later on!

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)