Did you downgrade, or just ask? What might be the benefit of downgrading at seven months?
Yesterday just inquired, called again today and did “downgrade” although I see it as a product change UPGRADE.
I was barely using the CSP after the minimum spend and bonus (which I did within the first billing cycle), maybe $150 per month, mostly un-bonused categories to show activity. Was recently approved for CIP so travel (and possible UR redemptions) will go to that card. New this year, a large part of my total CC spend is estimated taxes, not a bonus category for any card and 1.96% vig (juice). Have an AmEx Plat with 2x for charges over $5000 which covers the majority of tax payments. CFU with 1.5x on all spend will be used for smaller (estimated and property) tax payment and other un-bonused spend. (I’m single without a business which generates much spend so quarterly 5x categories is of no interest to me.) CFU will also be my highest restaurant (3x) card, not a major spend category for me, particularly since COVID, but more lucrative than Aspire 7x on restaurants.
I’m bummed that with the product change I don’t get a year of 5x on groceries. Since COVID and some lifestyle changes (weight loss, improved fitness) at about the same time, my grocery spend has increased significantly, from ~$75/month to ~$350/month. Similar to what someone else wrote recently, I wish there was a grocery bonus card that had enough other perks to be of interest to me.
At 1.5x for spend and then 1.25x (1.875x total) for certain redemptions and my belief that I can get more than $0.02/point for other redemptions, I can easily justify the juice on estimated tax payments.
In a nutshell, minimal use of CSP plus expected higher usage of CFU due to unlimited 1.5x on everything, were the deal makers. The bonus on CFU is relatively small (20,000), so to me not enough to justify using 1 of the 5/24 and although I’m most definitely a cancel and apply believer, I don’t feel like I’m leaving TOO much on the table by product changing with no bonus. That pesky 5/24, changes everything for a bonus addict like me.
Probably way TMI, but you did ask!
