They are

I called and got an application. They asked if I had a private banker and said yes in respect to having a personal banker. They sent the app and had the card in 3 days at my doorstep.

Got mine, too. Pretty, not terribly impressive benefits, but whatever for now. Will reassess in a year.

Does anybody know if they actually check to see if you have a private banking relationship before sending you the app? From others posts here it sounds like you just need to say yes and they send the app.

No. They don't ask anything about wealth management on the app. They ask if you have checking/savings accounts and if they are Chase. They just vet your credit report and income.

I have a private banking account with Chase, though I don't see the benefits of this card when I already have the Amex Plat. (And I'd rather have the Plat than this one.) The one interesting advantage of this card is that it seems to have the chip (& pin?) system that is common in Europe & elsewhere. But for that I could get the JPM Select card for a $95 annual fee. The JPM Select card seems basically comparable to the Sapphire, except that it has the chip system. https://creditcards.chase.com/credit...lect-card.aspx

It is Chip and Signature. None of the Chase cards (currently) have a PIN. You're right though, aside from the material of the card (and this benefit that is on the Select), Palladium is unimpressive.

But "chip and signature" would be sufficient in most places, in Europe, right? If I wasn't holding out for the rumored 50+10k United card, I'd apply for the Select and cancel my Sapphire.

No. Ok, well sometimes.

Chip and signature won't work for unmanned kiosks. This is a really big deal sometimes (gas, tolls, trying to buy a train/tram/bus ticket). I had to wait 45 minutes to get to a live person all the time watching locals come in, buy a ticket at a machine and be gone if a minute or two. Grrrr.

Also some stores don't understand chip and signature very well can get confused.

In my experience if chip and signature are supported then generally, but not always, so is swipe and signature.

You really want chip and pin. That is the puppy that will save your butt when you are out of gas someplace or at an unmanned train/bus/tram stop.

I don't have Chase checking...do they ask for any banking relationship (i.e. credit cards)? I have a couple of their credit cards

Moderator guidepost
 

Note that the EMV (Chip & Signature or Chip & PIN) topic is already addressed in these threads:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...signature.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...signature.html

No it's a pretty standard application form, actually shorter than most.

Personal Info, Employer, Occupation, Annual Income, Monthly Housing Payments, If you have Checking/Savings Accounts.(If they are JP Morgan or Chase) Signature and a box for another signature so that if you are approved it can be etched from it.

I do have a few Chase checking accounts, but definitely not my primary accounts. I don't think they played any factor in the approval. Truly believe it's just the stated income and if your credit supports that to be so.

Agreed. I am curious why one would choose Palladium over Select

I got it in hopes that the rumors of the perks/statuses being enhanced come to fruition. Chase is in bed with a good amount of Airlines/Hotels, so it would be nice. If not I'll likely give it up when the next yearly fee is due.

I agree: if they rolled out a bunch of great partners, then it might be worth it. For me, it might be worth switching when my Amex Plat is up for a fee, if their perks beat the Plat.

But as I understand it, the Palladium doesn't waive the first year's fee, right? Would it be possible to get a Select (first year waived), and then 'upgrade' to the Palladium? Would they just pro-rate the Palladium's yearly fee, or could we potentially get the Palladium with the first year effectively free (riding out the balance of the Select)?