What are credit card applications?

Credit card applications are a form that you fill out when you apply for a new card. Applying without knowing your chances can affect your credit score due to credit inquiries. Most issuers have specific rules for approvals; failing to meet these could result in automatic decline.

Applying without knowing your chances can affect your credit score due to credit inquiries.

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Chase Application Rules

• Chase 5/24 rule: Denies applicants with 5 or more new cards in the past 24 months.
• Up to 2 Chase cards in 30 days, counted separately for business and personal cards.
• Sapphire card rules: No new Sapphire card if you already have one open.

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American Express Application Rules

• 2 Amex cards approved within 90 days.
• Maximum of 5 Amex credit cards, although not strictly enforced.

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Citi Application Rules

• One personal card every 8 days; maximum 2 within 65 days.
• One business card every 95 days.

Barclays Application Rules

• Usually up to 2 personal cards within 12 months.
• No business card if 6 or more new cards were opened in the past 24 months.

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Bank of America Application Rules

• Up to 2 cards within 2 months, 3 within 12 months, and 4 within 24 months.
• No approval if more than 2 new cards from any issuer in the past 12 months.

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Capital One Application Rules

• Maximum of 2 personal branded cards.
• One personal card approval every 6 months.

Discover Application Rules

• One card approval every 12 months; maximum of 2 open cards.

Wells Fargo Application Rules

• A Wells Fargo bank account may be required for some cards.

US Bank Application Rules

• No known specific rules for applications.

Before applying for credit cards, refer back to these rules to avoid wasting a credit inquiry.