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In the context of food, an omnivore eats all types of energy sources: animals and plants, and even algae, fungi, and bacteria. In the context of travel rewards, a points omnivore collects any mile or point they can to get more travel. Their motto is a dollar saved is a dollar saved.

This post is for all my points omnivores out there and particularly for those who strive to be one and are just starting to collect rewards cards. Following the advice outlined here today will help you squeeze as much value possible out of Chase before they squeeze you out.

The Hard Truth

Chase will deem you ineligible for their credit cards once you’ve opened five credit cards from any bank whatsoever in the last 24 months (not counting most business cards). People refer to this as the infamous 5/24 rule. Chase issues travel rewards cards with valuable sign up bonuses and earning rates so there is an opportunity cost to signing up for credit cards from other banks first. Therefore, it behoves you to pick the Chase cards you want before moving on as most other travel rewards cards issued by other banks are not inhibited by a rule such as 5/24.

The bank issues a variety of credit cards to suit a variety of consumers and travelers. In this Five Chase Cards You Should Apply For series I’ve broken down three five-card combos so far, which you can read more about by clicking the links below.

Five-Card Combos

For the traveler who can open both consumer and business credit cards and is interested in Southwest Rapid Rewards, there is Combo #1:

  1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  3. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  4. One Chase Southwest consumer card
  5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

For the traveler who can open both consumer and business credit cards but is not interested in Southwest there is Combo #2: 

  1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  3. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  4. Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  5. Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

For the traveler who can only open consumer cards (check here if you’re not sure), there’s Combo #3:

  1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  2. Chase Freedom Flex℠
  3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  4. United℠ Explorer Card
  5. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

And finally, for the traveler who can open both consumer and business cards and is a points omnivore, there’s the Bonus Combo:

  1. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  2. Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  3. Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  4. United℠ Business Card
  5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

+ Combo #3

Business credit cards do not typically count in one’s 5/24 total. So if you want to milk the Chase cards for as much as possible and you’re not particularly concerned with the possibility of getting locked out of any of the Chase consumer cards before you get to them, then go with combo #3 after working your way through all the valuable Chase business cards that appeal to you first. I want to emphasize the not particularly concerned with getting locked out of any Chase consumer cards clause of the above sentence, as this strategy is hypothetical. There’s an (increasingly probable) chance you may not get to the consumer cards you want if you hit five business cards first, as Chase becomes increasingly sensitive to credit histories/inquiries/new accounts over time. That’s why I went I over Combo’s #1 and #2 first, which are a balance of valuable consumer and business cards.

I personally think the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the most valuable travel card out there for the majority of people, and wouldn’t recommend anyone potentially lock themselves out of it if they can help it. I’d always prioritize the Reserve first, then hit four business cards followed by any desirable consumer cards.

Below I’ll talk about the business cards I chose as being the five most valuable to prioritize and what you’d earn total from those cards. I went over most of these cards in detail already in prior posts of this series, so instead of copy and pasting I’ll link to where you can read more if interested.

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Read specifics about the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card in The Five Chase Cards You Should Apply For: Combo #1.

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Read more about the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card in The Five Chase Cards You Should Apply For: Combo #2.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Read more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card in The Five Chase Cards You Should Apply For: Combo #2.

United℠ Business Card

The United℠ Business Card comes with a good chunk of United miles. This card’s bonus wavers, so I wouldn’t apply unless it was 50k or higher. Sometimes it’s less.

Other benefits:

  • 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores, and on United purchases
  • $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit
  • a free checked bag when ticket is purchased on card and flying United for traveler + 1  companion
  • Priority Boarding
  • 2 one-time passes each year to the United Club
  • 25% off United inflight purchases
  • More award space (available to you compared to non-cardholders)
You can book award flights on any of these airlines with United miles and not have to worry about fuel surcharges flying any of them.
You can book award flights on any of these airlines with United miles and not have to worry about fuel surcharges flying any of them. 

United miles’ biggest strengths are that economy (flying United or partners) and Business Class (flying specifically United) awards are fairly priced and there is a good deal of award space compared to other programs. There are never any fuel surcharges on United awards, and searching for award space and booking is easy.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Beyond just the Rapid Reward points, you may also be interested in the Southwest Companion Pass, in which case you should apply for the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card card at a strategic time of year (typically the very end or very beginning of a year). Read specifics in The Five Chase Cards You Should Apply For: Combo #1.

What You’ll Get Total From the Bonus Combo 

Not considering category bonuses you could earn at least 192,500 Ultimate Rewards, 53,000 United miles, and 63,000 Rapid Rewards from spending $17,000 to meet the minimum spending requirements for the sign up bonuses on the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, United℠ Business Card, and the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card . 

  • 5 Ultimate Rewards per dollar spent at office supply stores, and with internet, cable and phone services via the Ink Business Cash
  • 3 Ultimate Rewards per dollar spent on shipping and search engine or social network advertising via the Ink Business Preferred
  • 2 Ultimate Rewards per dollar spent at gas stations via the Ink Business Cash
  • 2 United miles per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores, and on United purchases via the United Business Card
  • 2 Southwest Raid Rewards per dollar spent on Southwest purchases via the Southwest Business Card
  • 1.5 Ultimate Rewards per dollar spent on everything else via the Ink Business Unlimited

+ everything you’ll get from Combo #3.

Timing of Applications

The general consensus is that Chase won’t, automatically at least, approve more than two applications in a 30 day period. It is possible to get approved for more than that, but you’ll almost certainly have to put in a reconsideration phone call and Chase representatives are known for being rather difficult in that aspect, especially with business cards. If you want smoother sailing, keep it to two applications every 30 days.

Bottom Line

If you’re a points omnivore who doesn’t care about getting locked out of any of the Chase consumer cards for a while, then apply for five of Chase’s business cards before moving on to consumer cards as they are known not to count towards your 5/24 total.

Card combo recommendations in this series will apply to the majority of people, but not everyone. If you have a very specific destination in mind and/or already have some rewards but need more to compliment, use our Free Credit Card Consultation Service. I’ll make sure you’re set up with the right cards.

And that’s all she wrote.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!


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