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Chase Product Change/Card Conversion: Downgrade, Upgrade, Keep or Cancel? (2016-2019)

Old Feb 12, 2016, 8:56 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: beltway
This is the general 2016-2019 thread for weighing the relative merits
of keeping, downgrading, or canceling Chase-issued credit cards.


Post-2019 discussion continues in this thread.

What's the main reason people product change (PC)?
The benefits offered by a particular card, might suit you better than the card you are holding. Many people, unable to qualify for a new Chase Sapphire Reserve application, upgraded from the Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve, because the benefits of the CSR's cash reimbursements made the annual fee a nominal difference the first year. And vice versa- the onerous $450 yearly fee of the CSR makes an appealing case to downgrade to the Sapphire Preferred, and eventually to the no-fee Sapphire or a Freedom card.

Many people product change to avoid the annual fees on the premium versions of the card. Keeping the card open, via a product change, keeps the account open. This allows you to retain the seasoned account, and the banking relationship that the older card has established with Chase.

Why not just cancel the card and be done with it?
This may be the right choice for you, but others want some of the card benefits without having to reapply. Also, Chase has become very restrictive for new card applicants. For Chase cards, you must wait 24- 48 months since the last time you received a bonus before reapplying. Please see the threads on the individual cards for updated overlay rules.

An additional (and more stringent) overlay is the infamous 5/24 rule, which Chase instituted in May 2016 as a counter-measure against churning, or, as they refer to it, "Serial Starters." The 5/24 rule is that you won't be eligible for most Chase card products if you've opened more than 5 credit cards in 24 months. For more on this and other application-related issues, see the current "Applying for Chase Credit Cards " Master thread.

Finally, canceling certain cards--those earning Chase Ultimate Rewards--may deprive you of the ability to exchange UR for miles/points in air & hotel programs. See Ultimate Rewards transfer partners, times & rules.

Is there any way I can keep a card without paying the annual fee?
See Chase Retention Bonuses: June 2015-Present

Are there any restrictions on product changes?
Product changes are only allowed within the same card "family," and are not permitted between business and personal cards. Also, Chase cites the federal CARD Act to deny product changes on any account less that one year old.

Will a product change count as a new card?
No, you will keep your same card number, "opened on" date, credit line, automatic payment arrangements, etc. A product change does not count against Chase's 5/24 limitations on new cards.

Will I get a signup bonus when I change?
No, product changes do not result in point bonuses. Signup bonuses are reserved for new applicants only. For the complete list of public sign up offers, check the Chase sitemap here: https://creditcards.chase.com/sitemap

Is there a place I can look to compare cards?
Go here: https://creditcards.chase.com/credit...D=177087865887
Click: All cards
Place a checkmark in the Compare box for up to three cards.
Click: Compare cards...and you should see a side-by-side display.

I've figured out what I want to switch to. How do I product change my card?
Call the number on the back of your card.

Product changes for the Ultimate Reward Business and Personal Card Family

The UR family of cards includes the Chase Ink business cards, the Freedom Unlimited, the Freedom Card, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Reserve and Sapphire.

The Slate (personal) card is also available to downgrade to. It has no annual fee and does not earn any type of reward points. It offers a low fee (currently 0% for the first 60 days) balance transfers and APR.

Personal Cards
  • Freedom: 5X points in rotating quarterly categories up to $1500 spend per quarter. If you max out the $1500 every quarter, it totals 7500 UR per quarter, or 30,000 UR per year.
  • Freedom Unlimited: 1.5X for all spending, no bonus categories. $20,000 in spend would net 30,000 UR per year.
  • Sapphire Reserve: $450 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit, 3X points for travel and dining. Books travel through the UR portal for 1.5 per dollar. Lounge access and other goodies. See the thread here for details.
  • Sapphire Preferred: $95 annual fee, 2X points for travel & dining
  • Sapphire: Not available to new applicants. Available as a product downgrade/change only, must tier down from the Sapphire Reserve to Sapphire Preferred to Sapphire or Freedom cards. No annual fee. Some Customer Service Reps are citing that the original product (i.e., the CSR), must be held for one year before downgrading. Please provide data points in the thread if this happens to you.


Business Cards
  • Ink Plus: $95 annual fee, 5X office supplies, 5X cellular/landline/cable; 2X gas and hotels
  • Ink Preferred: 3x on travel, shipping, internet/phone/cable, & some online advertising.
  • Ink Cash: No annual fee, 5X office supplies, 5X cellular/landline/cable; 2X gas and restaurants

If you still have a legacy Ink Classic or Ink Bold business card, neither of which is available for new signups, you can product change to one of the other Ink cards.

Considerations for downgrading/upgrading:

Can I combine my UR points?
Yes, UR can be combined freely across the cardholder's own personal and business accounts.

What about transfering my UR to another person's Chase UR account? To their air/hotel partner account?
With restrictions, UR from a personal card can be transferred to a person living at the same address. Business cards allow transfer to owners of the company listed as authorized users.

However, be warned that there are transfer restrictions. Unauthorized transfers have resulted in shut-downs. Review the Chase T&C for details before planning a transfer. For discussion, see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...-accounts.html.

The Freedom cards, no-fee Ink Cash, and no-fee Sapphire cards do not allow UR transfer to airline/hotel partners. If you are downgrading from a premium UR card and will only have no-fee cards left, it may be prudent to transfer your points to the partner of your choice beforehand.

I know I can use UR to pay for travel directly (as opposed to transfering points into a travel partner program). Do the Chase UR cards differ on this?
Only the Sapphire Reserve books travel on the UR portal for 1.5. So you can stack your card bonus opportunities when your UR points are combined into your CSR account and used for booking travel. If, for instance, you earned 5x on your Ink Plus on your phone bill, and combine those 5x Ink earned points into your CSR's UR account, you'll now get an additional .5 in value when you redeem them on the travel portal.

Product Changes for United Airlines Cards

There are options to downgrade or upgrade UA cards.
  • United Mileage Plus Card- no annual fee, 1 UA mile per $2 in spend
  • United Mileage Plus Explorer Card- $95 annual fee, 1 mile per dollar earning, additional award inventory on UA, free checked bag, 25% bonus on the shopping portal.
  • United Plus Club Card- $450 annual fee, 1.5 miles per $1, many additional premium card benefits
  • Business Cards for the Mileage Plus and Club Card give you a choice to upgrade or downgrade between those two.

Southwest Airlines Cards

The difference here is a nominal $30/3000 points per year.

Personal cards
  • Plus Card- $69 annual fee, 3000 bonus points upon renewal
  • Premiere Card- $99 annual fee, 6000 bonus points upon renewal
The Business cards also have a Plus and Premiere version.
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Chase Product Change/Card Conversion: Downgrade, Upgrade, Keep or Cancel? (2016-2019)

Old Oct 20, 2016, 12:56 pm
  #331  
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Just got a refund of $15.83 after downgrading my CSP to a Freedom Unlimited. Woot! Totally unexpected. I assume this is the pro-rated amount left from my $95 annual fee.

Neil
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 1:48 am
  #332  
 
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What is the best strategy for cancelling the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

I'm keeping mine, but after acquiring her bonus UR points and transferring them out, my wife may decide to cancel her CSR and just remain an AU on my account. Maybe not...

Her renewal will be about one year from now. What is the best strategy for getting the most from her card, yet cancelling it before the 2017 annual fee is due? When should she cancel? Any considerations as to timing?

Thanks for your advice!

Last edited by 747FC; Oct 21, 2016 at 2:58 am
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 6:33 am
  #333  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Originally Posted by 747FC
I'm keeping mine, but after acquiring her bonus UR points and transferring them out, my wife may decide to cancel her CSR and just remain an AU on my account. Maybe not...

Her renewal will be about one year from now. What is the best strategy for getting the most from her card, yet cancelling it before the 2017 annual fee is due? When should she cancel? Any considerations as to timing?

Thanks for your advice!
When next year's annual fee appears on her statement, she has 30 days to cancel or downgrade to a no-annual-fee card and get a full refund. If she chooses to cancel, she should combine any unused points onto your card before she does so.
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 9:12 am
  #334  
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You may want to know the view Chase takes on fee card to no fee card

Came across this data point found in the comment section of an article DoC wrote up about the new policy on the AF refund (strictly 30 days from billed, no pro-rata either).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27375302-post10.html

Strongly suggest people to read the DP before doing a downgrade / switch from Fee cards to No Fee cards.
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 10:20 am
  #335  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 391
Product change CSP to Freedom

Hello,

I was trying to change my CSP to Freedom (have it for almost 2 years now) due to getting my CSR.

I was told I can only downgrade to regular Sapphire and not to Freedom. Do that make sense? Is there something I can do to get the Freedom instead?

Thanks,
Joe
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 10:30 am
  #336  
 
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There are DP from others in the PC thread stating that they first had to PC to the Sapphire, then PC to the Freedom Unlimited. Not sure if the same applies to the Freedom, but I would confirm via SM.
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 11:08 am
  #337  
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Ask them to check for an incorrect code on your account. See this post from earlier in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27347628-post323.html

Neil
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 1:37 pm
  #338  
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Originally Posted by missamo80
Just got a refund of $15.83 after downgrading my CSP to a Freedom Unlimited. Woot! Totally unexpected. I assume this is the pro-rated amount left from my $95 annual fee.

Neil
Should be. I was told full refund within 60 days (or maybe it was 90) of annual fee being billed, and pro-rated after that).

Originally Posted by pallhedge
When next year's annual fee appears on her statement, she has 30 days to cancel or downgrade to a no-annual-fee card and get a full refund. If she chooses to cancel, she should combine any unused points onto your card before she does so.
Is that different for CSR compared to CSP. Per above, I was told either 60 or 90 days (can't remember) for full refund. I just downgraded my CSP yesterday, and annual fee was billed Sept. 1. Refund was applied as credit to the account pretty quick - called in the afternoon for the downgrade, and refund was on the card before I went to bed.

Unused points, according to my question with Chase, re: CSP, need to be done within 30 days of cancellation. Personally, I would move all the points out first.

Originally Posted by Happy
Came across this data point found in the comment section of an article DoC wrote up about the new policy on the AF refund (strictly 30 days from billed, no pro-rata either).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27375302-post10.html

Strongly suggest people to read the DP before doing a downgrade / switch from Fee cards to No Fee cards.
Maybe refunds are different than if you just downgrade and take a credit, but like i said above, my CSP fee was billed Sept. 1, paid with my auto-payment last week, and full amount of AF was posted as a credit pretty much immediately.

Originally Posted by jjoe123
Hello,

I was trying to change my CSP to Freedom (have it for almost 2 years now) due to getting my CSR.

I was told I can only downgrade to regular Sapphire and not to Freedom. Do that make sense? Is there something I can do to get the Freedom instead?

Thanks,
Joe
Odd. My CSP downgrade yesterday was to Freedom Unlimited...down quickly and without any questions or issues.
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Old Oct 21, 2016, 1:43 pm
  #339  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by jjoe123
Hello,

I was trying to change my CSP to Freedom (have it for almost 2 years now) due to getting my CSR.

I was told I can only downgrade to regular Sapphire and not to Freedom. Do that make sense? Is there something I can do to get the Freedom instead?

Thanks,
Joe
See post: 316 -> 321 -> 323
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Old Oct 22, 2016, 7:51 am
  #340  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Originally Posted by emcampbe
Is that different for CSR compared to CSP. Per above, I was told either 60 or 90 days (can't remember) for full refund. I just downgraded my CSP yesterday, and annual fee was billed Sept. 1. Refund was applied as credit to the account pretty quick - called in the afternoon for the downgrade, and refund was on the card before I went to bed.
It's confusing so I'm sticking with 30 days. And quite honestly, I'm not sure if the count is from Sep 1 (in your case) or from the date of the statement that has the AF on it. I think it's the latter.
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Old Oct 22, 2016, 12:33 pm
  #341  
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Originally Posted by pallhedge
It's confusing so I'm sticking with 30 days. And quite honestly, I'm not sure if the count is from Sep 1 (in your case) or from the date of the statement that has the AF on it. I think it's the latter.
My statement date would have been 9/16. So that was more than 30 days anyway.
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Old Oct 23, 2016, 5:12 pm
  #342  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 248
If I cancel all my tier 2 cards (CRS, CSP...) but keep Chase Freedom card (or other tier 1 card) will my UR points revert back to the higher value tier 2 points usage when I get a new tier 2 card in the future? thanks
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Old Oct 23, 2016, 5:19 pm
  #343  
mia
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Originally Posted by phiota
... will my UR points revert back to the higher value ...
Chase creates a separate Ultimate Rewards account for each card. Before you close any card you should use the Combine Points feature to move the points to another card, otherwise they will be lost. If you open a new account you could use Combine Points to move them again (assuming the program rules do not change). The redemption value is based on the account from which they are redeemed, not the account in which they were originally earned.
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Old Oct 29, 2016, 3:35 pm
  #344  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: California
Posts: 264
If I want to downgrade CSP to Freedom, and also want to reallocate part of the credit limit from a new CSR to that old CSP/Freedom, is there any particular order I need to do the downgrade & reallocation? (e.g., will the downgrade prevent me from doing a reallocation within a certain time period, or vice versa?)
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Old Oct 29, 2016, 8:10 pm
  #345  
 
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I recently converted my Sapphire Preferred to a no fee Sapphire. I then requested via SM to convert it to a Freedom (I already have one Freedom and one Freedom Unlimited). They responded that PC to Freedom is not possible, but offered to PC to FU (which obviously is of no benefit to me). Has anyone encountered this?
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