Originally Posted by
MaxVO
You could first downgrade to Green with prorated AF reduction, then cancel with some wasted AF (no AF refund). While you're at Platinum, at least try to recover any easy benefits you could use.
I appreciate the reply.
If I follow your strategy, the total AF over a two year period would be:
-- first 6 months (half of original $295 for Gold)
-- second 6 months (half of $695) as a Platinum upgrade
-- third 6 months (half of $695 as a renewing Platinum, because I need to keep the card as Platinum for 12 months [sum of second 6 months and third 6 months] to avoid getting the upgrade MR bonus clawed back)
-- fourth 6 months (half of whatever the Green card costs annually, because as you put it correctly, we can get a credit at mid-year consequent to an upgrade or downgrade, but not for a cancellation)
If that is the case, then only the small amount associated with the fourth 6 months was unanticipated, which is not so bad. And, yes, the benefits of a full year on a new Platinum are good (12x or 13x $10 cellphone bill credit; 2x $200 airfare, 3X$200 Dell).
I am presuming here that there is not an implied fifth 6 months, since the downgrade to Green will not trigger another bonus that needs at-least-12-month protection.