Changes to Chase Freedom (starting June 30, 2009)
May 13, 2009, 11:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SF, NYC (Upper WS), Europe
Posts: 307
Changes to Chase Freedom (starting June 30, 2009)
I haven't seen this posted anywhere but I received this letter yesterday regarding "enhancements" to my Chase Freedom Visa with Ultimate Rewards (after June 30, 2009).
Enhancement:
1.) 1% cashback will have no caps and rewards never will expire.
Reductions:
1.) "The automatic 3% cash back on your top Everyday spending categories has been replaced by the opportunity to earn a bonus 3% cash back on a wider variety of purchases throughout the year"......fine print: "eligible for quarterly bonus rewards."
2.) "The option of receiving a $250 check for $200 in rewards will no longer be available. Redemptions for cash back are still available, starting at $50."
"In the coming weeks, you'll receive a Welcome Kit that explains your new rewards and benefits......"
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The obvious elimination of the $250 check for $200 rewards is the BIG change and the reason most people on this board probably carry this card.
Also, the fact that the automatic 3% in Top 3 spending categories being replaced by quarterly bonus promos of Chase's choosing is also another deal breaker.
This card has entirely lost it's luster......
Enhancement:
1.) 1% cashback will have no caps and rewards never will expire.
Reductions:
1.) "The automatic 3% cash back on your top Everyday spending categories has been replaced by the opportunity to earn a bonus 3% cash back on a wider variety of purchases throughout the year"......fine print: "eligible for quarterly bonus rewards."
2.) "The option of receiving a $250 check for $200 in rewards will no longer be available. Redemptions for cash back are still available, starting at $50."
"In the coming weeks, you'll receive a Welcome Kit that explains your new rewards and benefits......"
================================================== ====================
.
.
.
The obvious elimination of the $250 check for $200 rewards is the BIG change and the reason most people on this board probably carry this card.
Also, the fact that the automatic 3% in Top 3 spending categories being replaced by quarterly bonus promos of Chase's choosing is also another deal breaker.
This card has entirely lost it's luster......
May 13, 2009, 1:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,498
I got a similar letter for my Chase Cash Plus Rewards MC. Instead of earning 5% cash back on groceries, gas and drugstores I'm being "upgraded" to the new Chase Freedom with the the opportunity to earn a bonus 3% cash back on a wider variety of purchases throughout the year.
May 14, 2009, 7:32 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Prem Exec
Posts: 153
Got the same letter for Chase Freedom. So their gas/grocery cashback goes from an effective 3.75% to just 1%. No good there.
Seems like all these cards are copying the Discovery Card model of changing the favored categories every 3 months, which is not only annoying to follow, but usually you have to register for them every 3 months also. All apparently designed to make it difficult to get bonuses. Some VP somewhere will get a huge bonus due to his irreplaceable talent I am sure!
So its back to Citibank Drivers Edge, still 3% there on gas and grocery. Slightly harder to redeem, but not too bad.
Seems like all these cards are copying the Discovery Card model of changing the favored categories every 3 months, which is not only annoying to follow, but usually you have to register for them every 3 months also. All apparently designed to make it difficult to get bonuses. Some VP somewhere will get a huge bonus due to his irreplaceable talent I am sure!
So its back to Citibank Drivers Edge, still 3% there on gas and grocery. Slightly harder to redeem, but not too bad.
May 14, 2009, 9:49 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: UA (former CO), TrueBlue, Etc.
Posts: 291
It has been posted. Check the "Chase Sapphire" discussion thread - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...edit-card.html
May 15, 2009, 5:03 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 12,171
It has been posted. Check the "Chase Sapphire" discussion thread - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...edit-card.html
May 15, 2009, 8:16 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: UA (former CO), TrueBlue, Etc.
Posts: 291
By the way, if you're interested, this is the letter I got back when I tried to opt-out of any change to my card:
We have received your inquiry regarding the changes that
will be made to your Chase Freedom Card account on June
30, 2009.
Unfortunately, all Chase Freedom Card accounts will be
changed to this new format. You will be unable to opt out
of these changes. We apologize for any inconvenience this
may cause you.
Your Chase card should reward you for everyday purchases
in a wide variety of categories and allow you more
flexibility to redeem at your convenience. With this in
mind, we have restructured your rewards to be more
encompassing and built an online site where you can manage
and redeem your rewards for more options than ever before.
The good news is that there will be no change to your
account number and you get to keep all the rewards you've
already earned. Plus, with the new program you'll receive
additional benefits and rewards like:
"Now there are no more caps and your rewards never
expire."
"A new online site that allows you to redeem for what you
want including gift cards and million of products."
For more information regarding the Sapphire rewards
program, you will need to contact us at 888-320-9961.
If you have any further questions, please reply using the
Secure Message Center.
Thank you,
XXXXXXXXXXX
E-Mail Customer Service Representative
1-800-436-7927
Account is owned by Chase Bank USA, N.A. and may be
serviced by its affiliates.
will be made to your Chase Freedom Card account on June
30, 2009.
Unfortunately, all Chase Freedom Card accounts will be
changed to this new format. You will be unable to opt out
of these changes. We apologize for any inconvenience this
may cause you.
Your Chase card should reward you for everyday purchases
in a wide variety of categories and allow you more
flexibility to redeem at your convenience. With this in
mind, we have restructured your rewards to be more
encompassing and built an online site where you can manage
and redeem your rewards for more options than ever before.
The good news is that there will be no change to your
account number and you get to keep all the rewards you've
already earned. Plus, with the new program you'll receive
additional benefits and rewards like:
"Now there are no more caps and your rewards never
expire."
"A new online site that allows you to redeem for what you
want including gift cards and million of products."
For more information regarding the Sapphire rewards
program, you will need to contact us at 888-320-9961.
If you have any further questions, please reply using the
Secure Message Center.
Thank you,
XXXXXXXXXXX
E-Mail Customer Service Representative
1-800-436-7927
Account is owned by Chase Bank USA, N.A. and may be
serviced by its affiliates.
May 15, 2009, 7:53 pm
#8
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
This is interesting... We have the Freedom Plus Visa Signature and have heard nothing about any changes... Also not reflected on our online account. Still see 3% cashback on top 6 cateogires, still see option for $250 check - although the redemption part of the system is "down" for the weekend.
May 16, 2009, 12:04 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: UA (former CO), TrueBlue, Etc.
Posts: 291
I posted this earlier in the Sapphire topic, but they sent me a second response as well:
Good afternoon! Thank you for your recent inquiry. It is
important to us that we promptly address your concerns
regarding your account.
Our records indicate that your account will automatically
be enrolled in the Ultimate Rewards Program on 06/30/2009.
Please review your new terms below:
You will earn 1% per $1.00 spent on all purchases and an
additional 1% on online airline purchases. In addition,
you will earn an additional 2% on gas, grocery, and fast
food purchases with a $12.00 monthly cap. There is no cap
for the 1% earnings. There is no expiration dates for the
rebates earned. There is a $30.00 annual fee with the
first year free. Once your account has migrated, please
allow until after June 30, 2009, to verify if your account
is eligible to product trade the Sapphire Rewards Program.
Please review the additional benefits the Ultimate Rewards
Program has to offer below:
· 3% bonus cash back opportunities on a variety of
purchases throughout the year
· A new online site that allows you to redeem for what you
want including gift cards
and millions of products.
· Get cash back starting at $50
· New redemption options such as entertainment, sports,
parks and recreation, and wine and
culinary.
In addition, you can also earn up to 10%/points or rebate
bonus rewards per $1 spent in
the online Ultimate Rewards Mall.
Please be assured that we value our business relationship
with you. We hope you find the new Chase Freedom with
Ultimate Rewards will benefit you. We offer you our
commitment of providing you customer service of the
highest caliber.
If you have any further questions, please reply using the
Secure Message Center.
important to us that we promptly address your concerns
regarding your account.
Our records indicate that your account will automatically
be enrolled in the Ultimate Rewards Program on 06/30/2009.
Please review your new terms below:
You will earn 1% per $1.00 spent on all purchases and an
additional 1% on online airline purchases. In addition,
you will earn an additional 2% on gas, grocery, and fast
food purchases with a $12.00 monthly cap. There is no cap
for the 1% earnings. There is no expiration dates for the
rebates earned. There is a $30.00 annual fee with the
first year free. Once your account has migrated, please
allow until after June 30, 2009, to verify if your account
is eligible to product trade the Sapphire Rewards Program.
Please review the additional benefits the Ultimate Rewards
Program has to offer below:
· 3% bonus cash back opportunities on a variety of
purchases throughout the year
· A new online site that allows you to redeem for what you
want including gift cards
and millions of products.
· Get cash back starting at $50
· New redemption options such as entertainment, sports,
parks and recreation, and wine and
culinary.
In addition, you can also earn up to 10%/points or rebate
bonus rewards per $1 spent in
the online Ultimate Rewards Mall.
Please be assured that we value our business relationship
with you. We hope you find the new Chase Freedom with
Ultimate Rewards will benefit you. We offer you our
commitment of providing you customer service of the
highest caliber.
If you have any further questions, please reply using the
Secure Message Center.
May 16, 2009, 6:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: USA
Programs: UA (1K, 2MM), AA, Avis, National
Posts: 867
I have not gotten the "enhancement" letter so I asked via Secure Message Center, and the reply was that "currently" there is no change to my Chase Freedom reward program. Either not all accounts are affected, or the agent is wrong.
May 20, 2009, 4:54 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Ditto for me, have received no communication about any changes - at least so far - from Chase. Have been a big fan of this card and its effective 3.75% cash rebate for years, would hate to see it go.
May 21, 2009, 9:47 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,041
Same reductions for business cards
I have a Chase Business card (see here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...-ink-plus.html ) and I'm facing the same problems.
It looks like what I'm losing was even better to start with - for 10K miles you get a $150 check, no limit. Well, they're now retitling that to be a $100 check with a $50 bonus, and the $50 bonus will no longer be offered.
So I'm going from 1.5% to 1%. Needless to say, I'm looking for a new card ASAP.
I can't get a Schwab business card, and, considering the credit limit I need, I think I'm really going to be stuck.
It looks like what I'm losing was even better to start with - for 10K miles you get a $150 check, no limit. Well, they're now retitling that to be a $100 check with a $50 bonus, and the $50 bonus will no longer be offered.
So I'm going from 1.5% to 1%. Needless to say, I'm looking for a new card ASAP.
I can't get a Schwab business card, and, considering the credit limit I need, I think I'm really going to be stuck.
May 21, 2009, 10:48 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SFO/SJC, CA
Posts: 630
Thanks for head up. I and with normal version Chase Freedom (Visa) and I got the same mail. Just in time for my first $50 bonus check before the deadline (I mainly use Citi AMEX for 5% EDS/3% everything else).
Time to put this into drawer for a while...
Time to put this into drawer for a while...
Jun 1, 2009, 12:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Starwood, Hilton, Delta, AA, UsAirways, AmWest, NWA, United
Posts: 123
I got the same "enhancement" letter as above that also mentions the start of a $30 annual fee (after one free year). And I had $140 towards the $200 needed to get $250 check. Will be searching for Chase alternatives now.