I have called chase frequently to request points I think I should be getting. EVERY time I have gotten them... The Sapphire people are usually quicker to answer and quicker to apply. Every time they are taken care of right on the phone with immediate posting. For $4500 I would call.

I use the ultimate rewards mall to book every airfare. I always use travelocity or whatever has the highest bonus that month. So on Sapphire I get 4x all year. Sometimes Freedom is better but only by 1x when it's in the bonus quarter. Given the fact that you get all the travel protection with Sapphire I would even argue that it is always better to use Sapphire --> mall --> travelocity.

I do almost always use united though. They always bill United UA. Nothing about travelocity on the bill (or it might not work with freedom.) Delta does this too. Have heard of people having the website bill you, in which case, no bonus.

Hello,

I am living out of the USA so I have been using my HSBC Premier credit card from the USA since it does not have an international transaction fee. While in the US and for internet purchases I use my Plat Delta Amex or the Citi AAdvantage.

HSBC give me some rewards points but not sure how useful they are.... Today I ran across this Chase Sapphire Preferred and it got me thinking! No international transaction fee and seems like it has a good rewards program that you can then transfer to airline points with the 3 major alliances.

Any suggestions/recommendations? I have not applied for a new CC in like 2 years and have very good credit.

Thx!

Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits Thread
 

I've held out on getting this card for a long time but now i'm ready to go ahead and take the plunge. Can't decide if I should just run and take the 40,000 bonus or hold out for a higher offer. If I apply now I'll easily be able to meet the $3k spend with my holiday shopping and upcoming travel. If I wait it could be months before another 50k or more deal arrives. Anyone with words of advice?

No rumors that I'm aware of about a higher bonus. If you do have the holiday spending coming up, I'd say get the card - especially if you'll be able to put some of it through the UR mall. Can get a lot of extra points that way. Plus Chase is usually good about bumping people if a better bonus comes out soon.

Thanks! I'll apply and hit chase up for a better bonus if it appears. This may be the first card where I will willingly keep and pay the annual fee.

Data point.

I did a charge back (havent done this in 15-20 years) on this card when vendor who was to ship in four weeks refused to ship at 8 weeks without doubling the shipping cost or refunding my purchase. Took 10 minutes to explain to chase just before leaving the office. Went to dinner and credit wasa on my account by the time I arrived home. Great customer service on this front.

I'm trying to get in on the 65k mileage plus bonus, but have no miles right now so I'm only getting the 30k offer. The wife just got the CSP and we only have 820 points currently, will they let me transfer the 1000 point minimum and go negative on points (we have actually spent over 1k, the remaining points just haven't posted if that matters)? Will there be any fee or anything like that if they do let me go negative on points balance? Thanks!

Any takers?

No, nobody will let you go negative. Just either buy something cheap from their merchant mall, xfer e-rewards, or buy a $200 gift card for somebody for the holidays (to get over 1,000 points), then do the xfer.

Whats the "65k mileage plus bonus"?

For signing up for chase explorer card, it seems to require recent activity in mileage plus account though.

I figured that may be the case, but it seemed like it may let me do it.

Thanks

My wife and I both have the Sapphire Preferred. My annual fee is coming up in a few days. If I downgrade to just the Sapphire, can I still transfer my points to her UR account?

Thanks in advance!

Yes. Just do it before you downgrade or cancel.