About 11 months ago I used the free-for-one-year link to get the United Mileage Plus Club card. I don't want to pay the $450 annual fee so need to cancel or downgrade. Sent an SM to Chase asking to downgrade to an Explorer Card (simply moving the available credit to that card) and got this response:
Thank you for contacting Chase requesting to switch to a
United Explorer card.
At this time, I'm unable to change your account to a
different product. An account that is open less than 12
months is not eligible to change to a different product. I
apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
As an alternative, you may apply for a new United Explorer
card product. New applications are available online at our
secure website. Please visit our website for the most
current offers and terms available:
http://www.creditcards.chase.com
When selecting the credit card that best meets your needs,
please remember that our policy no longer allows for
customers to have more than one credit card in the same
product. Applications for a card product you already have
may not be eligible for approval.
Do I have any alternatives to closing the account and re-applying for a different card?
I don't want to take a bad hit to my FICO. Along with the United Club card I have an Amex Hilton HHonors card (open for about 5 years, zero balance), and an old United Mileage Plus Signature card (had for about 20 years)
Be gentle; it's my first foray into the credit card forums 