Best Credit Cards to Get While Under 5/24 in 2026 — The Priority List

Why Every 5/24 Slot Matters in 2026

Chase's 5/24 rule counts every new personal credit card you open from any bank in the past 24 months. Once you hit 5 or more, Chase will automatically deny your personal card applications. That means every non-Chase personal card you open burns a slot that could have gone to a Chase card.

In 2026, this matters more than ever because Chase has raised welcome bonuses across several cards, and competition among issuers has pushed bonus values to near-historic highs. A single misallocated 5/24 slot can cost you $500 to $1,000+ in missed bonus value.

The math is simple: Chase cards are the only cards restricted by 5/24. Cards from Amex, Citi, Bank of America, and most other issuers can be applied for at any time regardless of your 5/24 count. So unless a non-Chase card offers significantly more value than your next best Chase option, it should wait until after you are over 5/24.

Track your exact count and see when each card drops off using our free 5/24 tracker on the homepage.

The 2026 Priority List: Best Cards to Get Under 5/24

This list ranks cards by total first-year value (welcome bonus + ongoing earning potential minus annual fee). Chase cards dominate because they are the ones you lose access to at 5/24, but a few non-Chase cards make the list when their value is exceptional enough to justify burning a slot.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95 annual fee)

The Sapphire Preferred remains the single best first Chase card for most applicants. The welcome bonus regularly reaches 60,000–80,000 Ultimate Rewards points, worth $750–$1,000+ when transferred to airline partners. It earns 3x on dining, 2x on travel, and serves as the gateway to the Chase transfer partner ecosystem. If you do not have this card yet, it should be your first priority.

Check the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee)

The Reserve is the premium alternative to the Preferred. Higher annual fee, but it comes with a $300 annual travel credit (bringing the effective fee to $250), Priority Pass lounge access, 3x on travel and dining, and a higher point redemption rate through Chase Travel (1.5 cents per point vs. 1.25 cents). The welcome bonus is typically 60,000 points. Best for travelers who spend $5,000+ per year on travel and want lounge access.

Note: You cannot hold both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve simultaneously. If you have one, you must downgrade or cancel before applying for the other. Chase also enforces a 48-month rule between Sapphire bonuses.

3. Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee)

The Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% back on everything, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on Chase Travel purchases. With no annual fee, it is a permanent earning card that pairs perfectly with either Sapphire card — points earned on the Freedom Unlimited can be transferred to your Sapphire card for partner transfers. Welcome bonuses have reached $200+ in bonus cash back. This is the ideal second or third Chase card.

4. Chase Freedom Flex (no annual fee)

The Freedom Flex features rotating 5% categories each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases), plus 3% on dining and drugstores and 1% on everything else. Like the Freedom Unlimited, points transfer to a Sapphire card for premium redemptions. The rotating categories can be extremely lucrative in quarters that align with your spending. Having both Freedom cards maximizes your Chase earning potential at no annual fee.

5. Chase United Explorer ($95 annual fee)

For United Airlines flyers, the Explorer card earns 2x on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays. It includes perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding, and 2 United Club passes per year. Welcome bonuses typically range from 50,000 to 75,000 United miles. If you fly United even a few times per year, the free checked bag and priority boarding alone may justify the annual fee.

6. Chase World of Hyatt ($95 annual fee)

The Hyatt card is a favorite among the points community because Hyatt points are among the most valuable hotel points — often worth 2+ cents each. The welcome bonus is typically 60,000 Hyatt points (worth $1,200+ in hotel stays), and the card earns 4x at Hyatt properties and 2x on dining. It also provides automatic Discoverist status and a path to Globalist status through card spending. This card consistently delivers outsized value relative to its annual fee.

7. Capital One Venture X ($395 annual fee)

This is the first non-Chase card on the list, and it earns its spot. The Venture X welcome bonus has been strong in 2026, and the effective annual fee after credits is approximately $95. However, be aware that applying for the Venture X uses a 5/24 slot and triggers a 3-bureau hard pull. Only prioritize this card if you specifically need lounge access and cannot wait until after 5/24, or if the current welcome bonus is exceptionally high. Use our Annual Fee Calculator to compare the net value.

8. Chase Southwest Priority ($149 annual fee)

For Southwest flyers, the Priority card earns 3x on Southwest purchases and 2x on other travel and dining. It includes 4 upgraded boardings per year, a $75 Southwest travel credit, and 7,500 anniversary points. The real play here is the Companion Pass — earning 135,000 Southwest points in a calendar year gets you a Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly free on every Southwest flight you take. Combining the Priority card bonus with a Southwest business card bonus can get you to the Companion Pass threshold quickly.

Business Cards: Free Bonus Slots That Do Not Count Toward 5/24

Business cards from Chase, Amex, Citi, and Bank of America generally do not report to personal credit bureaus, which means they do not count toward your 5/24 total. This makes them “free” bonus slots that you can use between personal card applications without burning a 5/24 slot.

The best business cards to interleave with your personal card strategy in 2026:

• Chase Ink Business Preferred ($95 annual fee): Earns 3x on travel, shipping, internet, and phone services. Welcome bonus typically 80,000–100,000 Ultimate Rewards points. Points transfer to your personal Sapphire card for airline transfers. This is one of the highest-value business cards available.
• Chase Ink Business Cash (no annual fee): Earns 5% on office supplies, internet, and phone services (up to $25,000/year) and 2% on gas and dining. Welcome bonus around $750 in cash back value. No annual fee means you can hold it indefinitely.
• Chase Ink Business Unlimited (no annual fee): Earns 1.5% on everything. The business equivalent of the Freedom Unlimited. Simple and effective for general business spending.
• Amex Business Gold ($375 annual fee): Earns 4x on your top 2 spending categories each month. Amex business cards do not count toward 5/24 and are always available regardless of your count.
• Amex Blue Business Plus (no annual fee): Earns 2x Membership Rewards on everything up to $50,000/year. One of the best flat-rate business earning cards with no annual fee.

The one exception: Capital One business cards DO report to personal credit bureaus and DO count toward 5/24. Avoid Capital One business cards while managing your 5/24 count.

When to Use a 5/24 Slot on a Non-Chase Card

The default advice is “never use a 5/24 slot on a non-Chase card.” But there are situations where it makes sense:

• You have already gotten all the Chase cards you want. If you have the Sapphire, both Freedom cards, Hyatt, and any airline cards that matter to you, your remaining 5/24 slots have no Chase cards to fill them with. At that point, non-Chase personal cards are fair game.
• A non-Chase bonus is at a historic high. If an Amex Platinum or Citi Strata Premier is offering a bonus well above its usual range, the incremental value may justify the slot. Calculate the difference between the elevated bonus and the next best Chase card you could get instead.
• You are at 4/24 and planning to go over. If you are about to cross 5/24 intentionally (to access Amex or other issuers), your last slot can go to whichever card — Chase or not — offers the most value right now.
• Time-sensitive needs. If you need specific card benefits immediately (like lounge access for an upcoming trip), waiting for a Chase alternative may not be practical.

In all other cases, save your slots for Chase personal cards and use business cards or post-5/24 applications for everything else. Check the Application Timing Calculator to plan your optimal sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a 5/24 slot on an Amex card?

Generally no. Amex cards do not have a 5/24-style restriction, so you can apply for them at any time. Using a precious 5/24 slot on an Amex card means one fewer Chase card you can get. The exception is if you are close to hitting 5/24 anyway and the Amex bonus is time-limited or historically high.

Do store cards count toward 5/24?

It depends on the type. Store cards that are only usable at that retailer (closed-loop) generally do not count toward 5/24. However, co-branded Visa or Mastercard store cards that can be used anywhere (open-loop) do count. Check your credit report to see how the account is classified.

When should I get business cards in my 5/24 strategy?

Business cards from Chase, Amex, Citi, and Bank of America generally do not count toward 5/24 because they do not report to personal credit bureaus. Apply for business cards between personal card applications to earn bonuses without using 5/24 slots. The major exception is Capital One, whose business cards do report personally.

How many Chase cards can I get in a year?

Chase does not have a strict annual limit, but most applicants find success spacing applications 3 months apart. The unofficial guidance is 2 to 4 Chase cards per year, depending on your credit profile. Applying too aggressively may trigger a velocity denial even if you are under 5/24.