The unwritten rules of credit card points. Every velocity limit, every issuer quirk, every golden rule — in one place.
Chase will automatically deny your application if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards (across all issuers) in the past 24 months. No exceptions, no reconsideration, no amount of "I have a great relationship with Chase" will help.
Chase has the strongest lineup in the game — Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Ink Business Preferred, United, Hyatt, Southwest, Marriott. Burning your 5/24 slots on lesser cards is the single most common beginner mistake.
Strategy: Fill your Chase slots FIRST, then move to Amex, Citi, and everyone else. This is the single most important rule in the game.
Amex will only approve you for one credit card every 5 calendar days. Charge cards (Platinum, Gold, Green) don't count against this.
You can open at most 2 Amex credit cards in any rolling 90-day window. Again, charge cards are exempt.
You can only earn the welcome bonus on a specific Amex card once per lifetime. If you had the Gold Card in 2018, closed it, and reapply in 2026 — no bonus. Amex is the only issuer this strict. Always check whether you've held a card before applying.
You can hold a maximum of 5 Amex credit cards at one time. Charge cards (Platinum, Gold, Green, Business Platinum, Business Gold) do not count toward this limit. If you're at 5, you'll need to close or product-change one before opening another.
The lifetime rule is the reason you should wait for the best available offer on any Amex card. Once you take a bonus, that's it — forever.
You can only earn one bonus per card family every 8 days. This applies to applications — space your Citi apps at least 8 days apart.
Citi will deny your application if you've been approved for 2 Citi cards in the past 65 days.
If you've opened (or closed) 6 or more cards across all issuers in the past 6 months, Citi will deny you. Note: both openings and closings count. Don't go on a closing spree right before applying for a Citi card.
Citi's rules are the most punishing for churners. The 6-in-6 rule counting closed accounts catches people off guard constantly.
New inquiries are only 10% of your FICO score, and each one fades in impact after a few months. Meanwhile, opening cards increases your total available credit, which lowers your utilization ratio (30% of your score). Most active points collectors have 750+ scores.
If you're planning to apply for a mortgage in the next 6–12 months, stop opening cards. Mortgage underwriters manually review your credit and don't love seeing a bunch of recent inquiries and new accounts, even if your FICO is fine. Pause the hobby, close on the house, then resume.
The most valuable currencies in the game. These can transfer to airlines and hotels, giving you maximum flexibility.
Hotel programs offer outsized value for aspirational redemptions — think overwater bungalows and luxury suites at 2–5x cash value.
Airline-specific miles lock you into one program. Great if you have a home carrier, but less flexible than transferable points.
Flexibility beats loyalty. Transferable points let you shop across 15+ airline and hotel programs for the best deal every time. Locking into one airline's miles means you're stuck with their availability and pricing.
Never miss a payment. Ever.
One missed payment tanks your score more than anything else in this hobby. Set up autopay for the minimum at the very least.
Never close your oldest card.
Your average age of accounts matters. If it has no annual fee, sock-drawer it. If it does, product-change to a no-fee version.
Always pay in full.
Points are worthless if you're paying 25% APR in interest. If you can't pay the statement balance in full every month, this hobby is not for you yet.
Know your 5/24 count before every Chase app.
Check your count before every Chase application. One wasted slot can cost you tens of thousands of points.
Check Amex lifetime rule before applying.
Pull up your Amex login or call in. If you've ever had the card, you won't get the bonus again. Don't waste a hard pull.
Never apply for a card 6–12 months before a mortgage.
Mortgage underwriters manually review inquiries. Pause the hobby, close on the house, then pick back up.
Fill Chase slots first. Always.
Chase has the best cards and the strictest velocity rule. Every non-Chase personal card you open burns a 5/24 slot. Prioritize accordingly.