There’s an interesting comment from reader OOOQ who heard from a senior supervisor at Chase a pointer which sounds correct regarding the standard 24-month rule. The rule is:
This product is available to you if you do not have this card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months.
Now, there are some cards which offer a bonus of receiving 5% on select categories for a full year. Each time you get that 5% bonus deposit, multiple times throughout the year, the Chase system considers it as earning a signup bonus. This pushes out your eligibility to earn a signup bonus for that card another 24 months.
Essentially, assuming you take advantage of the full 12-month period to earn the signup bonus, you will be eligible for a new signup bonus around 3 years after applying for the prior card. (Side note, you’ll also have to close our product change the card away from Freedom Unlimited before applying again. Do so a few days before you are ready to apply.)
This is also quite relevant for the new double cashback bonus offer on the Freedom Unlimited which currently offers a doubling bonus at the end of the year. Since the doubling bonus posts after 12 months, that would likely start your 24 month bonus clock. You’ll be eligible for a new Freedom Unlimited bonus around 3 years after the initial application of your prior Freedom Unlimited.
Good to know.