What is the 5/24 Rule? A Simple Guide for Moms Looking to Maximize Travel Rewards
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
What Is the 5/24 Rule and Why It Matters for Family Travel
If you’ve been exploring the world of points and miles, chances are you’ve heard whispers about the “5/24 rule.” It’s one of those things that sounds more complicated than it is, but it can make a huge difference in your travel rewards strategy—especially if you're hoping to earn nearly free family vacations.
Let’s break it down in plain English so you can move forward with confidence.
What Is the 5/24 Rule?
The 5/24 rule is an unofficial guideline followed by a major credit card issuer. It basically says: if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, you won’t be approved for most of their cards.
So even if none of those five cards are from this specific bank, they still count. Once you're over the threshold, you're considered "over 5/24" and you'll likely be denied new cards from them—at least for a while.
That’s why many people stop at four new cards and focus on business card applications next. More on that in a minute.
Why the 5/24 Rule Matters
This rule matters because some of the most flexible and valuable travel cards fall under this restriction. These are cards that offer great welcome bonuses, allow you to combine points across multiple cards, and open the door to huge redemptions on flights and hotels.
If you're over 5/24, you could miss out on some of the cards that make the biggest impact. It's one of the first things I talk about in my Beginner’s Guide to Points and Miles.
If tracking your status sounds overwhelming, I highly recommend using a free tool like Travel Freely to help you stay organized. It's one of my go-to recommendations for moms trying to juggle busy family life and a points hobby.
How to Check Your 5/24 Status
Checking where you stand is pretty straightforward:
Pull your credit report using a free service like Credit Karma or Experian.
Count how many personal credit cards you’ve opened in the past 24 months (even closed ones still count).
Watch for authorized user accounts—these often show up on your report and can push you over the limit, even if you didn’t open them yourself. You can call the issuer and ask for those to be excluded.
What Doesn’t Count Toward 5/24?
Not everything on your credit report counts. Here’s what won’t go against your 5/24 status:
Auto loans, mortgages, student loans
Credit card applications that were denied
Most business credit cards (including some of my favorites like these ones)
Store cards and some secured cards
Exceptions include a few business cards from banks like TD Bank and Discover, which may still count.
Why I Don’t Add My Husband as an Authorized User
It might seem convenient to add your spouse as an authorized user, but it could come back to bite you—especially with the 5/24 rule.
Here’s why: authorized user accounts often count just like primary cardholder accounts. That means your husband could hit 5/24 sooner than necessary, limiting the cards he can get in the future.
Instead, we each open our own cards. That way, we both earn full welcome bonuses, and we double the points for our family. If we really need to share benefits (like lounge access), we add authorized user cards selectively on premium cards that allow it without hurting our strategy.
Smart Ways to Manage 5/24
Want to stay under the radar and maximize your points? Here are a few things I always recommend:
Apply for certain cards early in your points journey, before you hit 5/24.
Add in business cards (like these) when you’re close to the limit. Selling on Facebook Marketplace or having a hobby side hustle might qualify you.
Wait it out—if you’re over 5/24, know that it’s temporary. You’ll drop back down 24 months after the date your fifth most recent personal card was opened.
Ready to Get the Most from Your Cards?
Managing your 5/24 status can feel like a lot, but once you understand it, it becomes second nature. With the right strategy (and a little patience), you can open the door to the best cards, biggest bonuses, and most family-friendly redemptions.
Want more help like this? Sign up for my free weekly newsletter where I share simple tips, current transfer bonuses, family travel ideas, and ways to stretch your points further. You can also find me on Instagram or join the conversation in our private Facebook group.
And if you're still learning, be sure to check out my full beginner's guide to walk through everything step-by-step.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
