Best Credit Cards to Get After You're Over 5/24

What Does “After 5/24” Mean?

Chase's 5/24 rule automatically denies personal credit card applications if you've opened 5 or more new credit card accounts — from any bank — in the past 24 months. Once you cross that threshold, Chase's personal card lineup is off limits until enough older accounts age past the 24-month window.

But 5/24 is a Chase-only restriction. American Express, Capital One, Citi, Bank of America, and most other issuers do not enforce anything similar. That means going over 5/24 does not close the door on high-value cards — it just changes which doors are open.

For a complete breakdown of the 5/24 rule, how it's counted, and when cards drop off, see our complete bank rules guide.

Best Amex Cards After 5/24

American Express is the most popular issuer for applicants over 5/24. Amex does not have a velocity rule comparable to 5/24 and has one of the broadest premium card lineups. The key restriction to know is the once-per-lifetime bonus rule: you can only earn the welcome bonus on each Amex card product once in your lifetime. Plan your applications accordingly.

Amex Platinum

The Platinum is Amex's flagship travel card, offering a large welcome bonus, airport lounge access through Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass, and a suite of annual statement credits that can offset much of the annual fee. It's an excellent post-5/24 pickup because of the outsized welcome bonus value and because the once-per-lifetime rule means waiting only delays when you can earn that bonus.

Amex Gold

The Gold card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on dining and U.S. supermarkets, making it one of the strongest everyday earning cards available. The annual fee is partially offset by dining and Uber credits. If you eat out frequently or cook at home, the Gold card may deliver more ongoing value than the Platinum for daily spending.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred

For cash-back seekers, the Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year) and 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. It pairs well with a points-earning card like the Gold for a two-card Amex setup. The once-per-lifetime rule applies here too, so grab the welcome bonus when you can.

Amex Hilton Honors Surpass

If you stay at Hilton properties, the Hilton Honors Surpass earns strong bonus points on Hilton stays, dining, and supermarkets. It comes with complimentary Hilton Gold status and a free weekend night certificate after a spending threshold. Co-branded Amex cards are still subject to the once-per-lifetime bonus rule.

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is a premium hotel card offering a large welcome bonus in Marriott points, Platinum Elite status, a free night award annually, and statement credits for Marriott purchases. It is a strong choice for Marriott loyalists who want to stack hotel status benefits alongside points earnings. Note that the once-per-lifetime rule applies.

Best Capital One Cards After 5/24

Capital One does not enforce a 5/24-style rule, although it generally limits consumers to two Capital One credit cards at a time. Capital One's travel cards have become increasingly competitive, and the Venture X in particular is considered one of the best values in the premium travel card space.

Capital One Venture X

The Venture X earns 2x miles on all purchases with bonus multipliers on flights and hotels booked through Capital One Travel. It includes Priority Pass lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit through the Capital One portal, and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus — making the effective annual fee remarkably low. This is the card most strategists recommend as a first Capital One pickup after 5/24.

Capital One Venture

The standard Venture card earns 2x miles on every purchase with a straightforward redemption model. Miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or used to erase travel purchases at 1 cent per mile. It is a strong mid-tier option if the Venture X annual fee feels like more than you need.

Capital One Savor

The Savor card earns 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 3% on grocery stores, and 1% on everything else. It is best suited for applicants who spend heavily on food and entertainment and want a simple cash-back card rather than a travel points strategy.

Best Citi Cards After 5/24

Citi does not have a 5/24-equivalent rule, but it does enforce the 8/65 rule: you can submit only 1 Citi application per 8 days and 2 per 65 days. Citi also has a 24-month bonus restriction on the same card family. Keep these timing rules in mind when planning applications. For full details, see the Citi 8/65 section in our rules guide.

Citi Strata Premier

The Strata Premier earns 3x ThankYou points on travel, dining, supermarkets, and gas, with a solid welcome bonus. ThankYou points transfer to a strong set of airline and hotel partners. It is one of the best flexible-points cards available outside the Chase ecosystem and a natural complement to an Amex setup.

Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite

For American Airlines flyers, this card offers Admirals Club lounge access, strong AAdvantage mile earnings on AA purchases, and a welcome bonus in AAdvantage miles. The annual fee is high, but lounge access alone can justify it for frequent AA travelers. If you fly American regularly, this is a strong post-5/24 pick.

Best Bank of America Cards After 5/24

Bank of America enforces the 2/3/4 rule: a maximum of 2 new Bank of America cards per 30 days, 3 per 12 months, and 4 per 24 months. This applies only to BofA-issued cards, not cards from other banks. Within those limits, BofA remains accessible to applicants over Chase 5/24. See the BofA 2/3/4 section in our rules guide.

Bank of America Premium Rewards

The Premium Rewards card earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points on everything else, with a generous welcome bonus. If you have a BofA banking relationship and qualify for Preferred Rewards, point earnings can be boosted by up to 75% — making this one of the highest flat-rate earning cards available to BofA customers.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature

Issued by Bank of America, the Alaska Airlines card earns 3x miles on Alaska purchases and 1x on everything else. It includes a companion fare annually and a free checked bag. Alaska miles are especially valuable for West Coast travelers and can be used on partner airlines like American, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific. The companion fare alone can be worth more than the annual fee.

How to Prioritize Which Card to Get Next

With Chase off the table, you have more flexibility — but a strategic approach still matters. Here is how to think about sequencing your applications when you're over 5/24.

Start with the highest-value welcome bonuses. If you have not had the Amex Platinum or Gold, those typically offer the largest point bonuses. Since the once-per-lifetime rule means you can only earn each bonus once, there is no advantage in waiting.

Consider your spending patterns. Match cards to where you actually spend money. The Amex Gold dominates dining and groceries. The Venture X is strong for general travel. The Citi Strata Premier covers a broad set of categories. Pick the card that maximizes earnings on your real spending, not theoretical maximums.

Respect issuer velocity rules. Even though these banks do not have 5/24, they each have their own application limits. Space out Citi applications by at least 8 days. Keep BofA applications within the 2/3/4 thresholds. Capital One generally limits you to 2 consumer cards total. Ignoring these rules leads to automatic denials.

Plan your return to Chase. If you want to eventually get Chase cards again, track when your oldest accounts will age past 24 months. Use our free 5/24 tracker to see exactly when you will drop below the threshold. When that date approaches, stop opening new cards so you can re-enter the Chase ecosystem.

Do not forget business cards. Many issuers offer business cards that may not count toward personal account velocity rules. Chase Ink business cards, for example, do not count toward 5/24 and can be applied for even while you are over the threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Chase cards after 5/24 clears?

Yes. Once your 5/24 count drops below 5 — meaning fewer than 5 new card accounts were opened in the trailing 24 months — you are eligible to apply for Chase personal cards again. Use a tracker tool to see exactly when each card drops off your count.

Do Amex cards count toward 5/24?

Yes, Amex personal cards count toward your Chase 5/24 total because Chase counts all new personal credit card accounts across every bank. However, Amex does not enforce a 5/24 rule itself, so you can freely apply for Amex cards while over 5/24.

How long does it take to get under 5/24?

Each card drops off your 5/24 count 24 months after the month it was opened. If you stop opening new cards, you will naturally fall below 5/24 as older accounts age past the 24-month window. The exact timeline depends on how many cards you opened and when.

What is the best card to get immediately after dropping below 5/24?

Most strategists recommend a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve as the first card to get when you drop below 5/24, because Chase cards are the ones restricted by the 5/24 rule. Lock in Chase cards first, then return to other issuers.