Originally Posted by
Preacher7
So I just want to make sure I'm getting the info right in this thread. I've got the A+, and have used virtually all the credits. My AF is about to hit, and my best bet to get a 2nd A+ ASAP is to simply cancel this one, not downgrade to the Arrival. Is that right?
It also seems like the waiting time in b/w canceling the A+ and applying for the next one only needs to be about a month, right?
Thanks for clarifying, and for correcting me if I've misunderstood the collective wisdom here!
My individual experience (YMMV):
Got A- (no fee) a few weeks before AF hit on A+ last January 2015,
Cancelled A+ and got fee reversed early February,
Applied for A+ a few months later (because HSBC repeatedly lied to me about their card being pin priority) and was instantly denied. Chat with reconsideration recommended that I pay off A- then call back to close it (wouldn't allow A+ with A- open due to "existing relationship"). Called back and got A+ by cancelling paid off A-, and was able to transfer limit to A+.
The only concern I had with cancelling the A- before applying for the A+ was not being able to transfer the limit. Downgrades lose the signup bonus so not good idea to me. Note that points balance was never allowed to be transferred between cards.
In the end, got 2 A+ 40k signups and 1 A- 20k signup AND, because I (by luck) opened the 2nd A+ after October 2014 and before July 2015, still have the $25 (vs $100 otherwise) min redemption reportedly until August 15th 2016 rather than November 17? 2015! Doubt the A+ makes any sense after that because of 4x increase to $100 min redemption.