How long to wait between credit card applications (2024)

With so many incredible credit card bonus offers, some people are tempted to apply for them all. While this may sound like a good idea, it’s not. Applying for too many cards in a short period of time can lead to negative consequences. The best approach is to space out your applications to keep your credit score high, ensure you can earn each welcome bonus and avoid getting on a bank’s naughty list.

How often can you apply for a credit card?

In theory, there isn’t a hard and fast rule on how often you can apply for credit. The reality is that applying for too much credit too quickly can harm your credit score and cause banks to think you’re in financial distress. Each time you apply for credit, your score can drop up to five points. While this impact is short-lived, it can cause you to fall below the minimum score required for approval on loans, rental applications, insurance policies or even a new job.

Additionally, many banks have application rules that limit how often you can apply for a new card or qualify for a welcome bonus. The rules vary by bank and sometimes by the specific credit card you want to apply for.

When you’re wondering “How long should I wait between credit card applications?”,a reasonable answer is four to six months. This allows your credit score to recover and give you time to earn the welcome bonus without overspending. Additionally, this cadence minimizes the chances you’ll be declined due to restrictive bank application rules.

Reasons to wait between applying for credit cards

There are benefits to waiting between credit card applications. Some of them relate to the credit card itself, while others focus on aspects of your personal finances. Here are a few of the common reasons.

• Impact on credit score. Credit scores are involved in borrowing money, buying insurance, finding a place to live and, sometimes, getting a job. Spacing out your credit applications maintains a higher score to qualify for other needs.
• Minimum spend requirements. A new credit card often comes with a welcome bonus after spending a certain amount within a short timeframe. If you apply for too many cards together, you might not be able to meet those spending requirements without going into debt.
• Bank application rules. Staying within a bank’s application rules ensures that you can qualify for the best offers as they become available. Once you go over the bank’s limit, you are ineligible for its cards.
• Building credit score to qualify. Many credit cards require good to excellent credit, so you may need to build your score to be eligible for the best offers.
• Getting a mortgage or auto loan. While credit cards offer numerous advantages, other loan applications tend to be more important. Prioritize your borrowing needs and hold off on new credit cards until your other loans are finalized.

Why is good credit such a big deal? Here are 5 benefits of a good credit score.

Why should you avoid applying for multiple credit cards at the same time?

In the past, cost and technological limitations meant that new credit inquiries were batch-processed. This allowed consumers to apply for numerous credit cards from different banks without each bank knowing about the other applications.

Today, hard inquiries are posted instantaneously to your credit report, so a bank can decline your application if you’ve applied for multiple cards on the same day. Your credit score can still be negatively affected by the hard inquiry, yet you most likely won’t get approved for the card.

Multiple inquiries at once can also drag down your credit score. This can make it harder to get approved for other loans. Additionally, banks proactively review customer credit histories on a regular basis. If the bank feels that your financial situation is deteriorating, it may cut your credit limit or close the account to protect itself from a loss.

Factors to consider before applying for a new credit card

Before applying for a credit card, comparing these features of potential cards helps you select the best one for your situation.

• Annual fees. Many consumers avoid paying annual fees, but it can make sense when the enhanced rewards and benefits outweigh the cost.
• Welcome bonus. New customers may be eligible for a welcome bonus after meeting a minimum spend requirement within a short timeframe. An example would be 50,000 points when you spend $3,000 within three months.
• Introductory APR offers. New cardholders may receive a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases, balance transfers or both. These promotions are for a limited time, and any balance remaining when the promo expires becomes subject to the standard interest rates. Balance transfers may be time-sensitive and incur fees based on the amount transferred.
• Type of rewards. Think about the type of rewards you want to earn – cash back, miles or points. Flexible points are redeemable for travel, cash back, gift cards and more. Some points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners.
• Rewards rates. The reward rate is the amount of rewards you’ll earn on every purchase. Some cards have a flat rate on every purchase, while others offer higher rewards on certain categories. Pay attention to monthly, quarterly or annual caps on bonuses or the need to activate bonus categories.
• Interest rates. The interest rate you’re charged if you carry a balance.
• Benefits. The complimentary perks you receive as a cardholder, like travel, cellphone or purchase protections. Co-branded airline cards and hotel cards often have exclusive perks for their customers, like free checked bags, priority boarding, elite status or an annual free night.
• Foreign transaction fees. Does the card charge transaction fees when making purchases outside the U.S.? These fees are typically up to 3% of the transaction amount.
• Security deposit. If you need to open a secured credit card, what is the required security deposit to open the account?

Credit card application issuer limitations

Banks implement rules on new applications to protect themselves against bad behavior. Customers who only open new credit cards to get the bonus and then close the account are unprofitable. Additionally, a customer who is new to the bank may present a higher risk of default than an existing customer with a long track record with the bank.

The rules vary by bank, so it is important to understand how each bank’s rule affects the number and timing of your applications.

American Express

American Express has a “once in a lifetime” rule for welcome bonuses on its credit cards. This means that once you’ve received the bonus, you cannot get it again. However, multiple anecdotal reports suggest that you may become eligible again after seven years.

Some cards within the Amex portfolio have additional restrictions based on previous cards opened. You are ineligible to receive a welcome bonus if you’ve had previous versions of the card or other cards within its family. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card does not offer welcome bonuses to current or previous cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Terms apply.

Generally, you can open no more than two American Express cards within 90 days. Amex also limits the number of open credit cards you can have with the bank. Customers can have up to five personal or small business credit cards open at one time. Once you’ve reached the limit, you cannot open another credit card without closing an existing card.

Bank of America

Bank of America limits new applications based on how many of its credit cards you’ve opened recently. You can open a maximum of two cards within two months, three within 12 months and four within two years.

Some credit cards in the bank’s portfolio, like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card*The information for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer., restrict new applications if you currently have it or have had it in the last 24 months.

Capital One

Capital One customers can have no more than two of its consumer cards open at one time. Additionally, you cannot open more than one new credit card every six months.

Chase

Customers can open no more than two cards from Chase within 90 days.

Chase also has the unwritten 5/24 rule that says you will not be approved for a new card if you’ve opened more than five new cards from any bank in the last 24 months. This rule targets people who open numerous cards from different banks in order to get a welcome bonus.

Additionally, many Chase cards limit welcome bonuses to once every 24 to 48 months. In some cases, you won’t be approved if you currently have an open personal card in that family, like the Southwest Airlines family of cards.

Citi

Citi doesn’t have a limit on the number of credit cards you can have open. But, many of its credit cards have language limiting how often you can earn a bonus. Most require you to wait 48 months before you can earn another bonus on the same. For example, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®*The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. says that you’re ineligible for a bonus if you’ve received a new account bonus in the past 48 months.

For multiple accounts, you can open one personal or business credit card every eight days but no more than two within a 65-day window. Additionally, you have to wait 90 days between business credit card applications.

Wells Fargo

Customers are limited to opening one Wells Fargo credit card every six months. Wells Fargo can limit the number of cards you have open, but it doesn’t have a set limit. Generally, having an open bank account helps to get new credit cards approved.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)