Originally Posted by
LETTERBOY
While we'll never know for certain, I think that saying this is a Chase decision would be a safe bet. Chase & BA just renewed their co-branded credit card agreement, and Chase doesn't like it when it's partners are involved with other programs. CO left MR when they merged with UA, IHG left, WN left. IMO this is Chase trying to maintain exclusivity.
That's really interesting. Looks like they announced the partnership renewal on May 18th, so the timing is right. The only remaining partners common to both UR and MR are Singapore (no US cobranded card), and Virgin Atlantic (BoA cobranded card).
Makes me wonder about the transfer bonus last year. Was this some sort of brinksmanship on the part of BA? Where they courting American Express?
Looks like the loser for this is going to be AmEx as the MR deferred liability hits when as people transfer the points out prior to the change. But let's be honest, it's going to go unnoticed by 99% of customers until months later when they go to transfer the points and realize the transfer ratio isn't what it used to be.