BofA 2/3/4

What it does

BofA has a tiered velocity rule: no more than 2 new BofA consumer cards in any 2-month window, 3 in any 12-month window, and 4 in any 24-month window. All three windows must clear simultaneously for a new application to be approved. BofA has never officially published this rule - it's documented through consistent applicant reports since 2017 and verbally confirmed by BofA reps, and it has held up well ever since.

How it works

• All three windows are rolling, not calendar.
• The count is BofA-only: cards from other issuers do not affect your 2/3/4 status.
• Only personal BofA cards count - business cards are excluded per consistent data points.
• Approved applications start the clock on each window from the open date; pending and denied applications do NOT count.
• Separate from 2/3/4, BofA's official offer terms carry a per-card 24-month bonus restriction in two flavors: the stricter "not available if you currently have or have had this card in the preceding 24 month period" (Premium Rewards, Alaska - downgrading does not reset it), and the softer "unless you have had that card for at least 24 months" (Customized Cash Rewards, Travel Rewards).
• Also unofficial and inconsistently enforced: a 3/12 screen for applicants without a BofA relationship (3+ new cards from any issuer in 12 months can trigger denial), relaxing to roughly 7/12 if you hold a BofA deposit account.

What to do

• Plan BofA applications in waves separated by at least 2 months.
• If you open a 4th BofA card in 24 months, the next slot opens on the 24-month anniversary of your OLDEST applicable card.
• A BofA deposit relationship helps the separate 3/12 screen (it relaxes toward 7/12) but does NOT relax 2/3/4.