Feb 12, 2016, 8:56 am
Last edit by: beltway
This is the general 2016-2019 thread for weighing the relative merits
of keeping, downgrading, or canceling Chase-issued credit cards.
Post-2019 discussion continues in this thread.
of keeping, downgrading, or canceling Chase-issued credit cards.
Post-2019 discussion continues in this thread.
What's the main reason people product change (PC)?
The benefits offered by a particular card, might suit you better than the card you are holding. Many people, unable to qualify for a new Chase Sapphire Reserve application, upgraded from the Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve, because the benefits of the CSR's cash reimbursements made the annual fee a nominal difference the first year. And vice versa- the onerous $450 yearly fee of the CSR makes an appealing case to downgrade to the Sapphire Preferred, and eventually to the no-fee Sapphire or a Freedom card.
Many people product change to avoid the annual fees on the premium versions of the card. Keeping the card open, via a product change, keeps the account open. This allows you to retain the seasoned account, and the banking relationship that the older card has established with Chase.
Why not just cancel the card and be done with it?
This may be the right choice for you, but others want some of the card benefits without having to reapply. Also, Chase has become very restrictive for new card applicants. For Chase cards, you must wait 24- 48 months since the last time you received a bonus before reapplying. Please see the threads on the individual cards for updated overlay rules.
An additional (and more stringent) overlay is the infamous 5/24 rule, which Chase instituted in May 2016 as a counter-measure against churning, or, as they refer to it, "Serial Starters." The 5/24 rule is that you won't be eligible for most Chase card products if you've opened more than 5 credit cards in 24 months. For more on this and other application-related issues, see the current "Applying for Chase Credit Cards " Master thread.
Finally, canceling certain cards--those earning Chase Ultimate Rewards--may deprive you of the ability to exchange UR for miles/points in air & hotel programs. See Ultimate Rewards transfer partners, times & rules.
Is there any way I can keep a card without paying the annual fee?
See Chase Retention Bonuses: June 2015-Present
Are there any restrictions on product changes?
Product changes are only allowed within the same card "family," and are not permitted between business and personal cards. Also, Chase cites the federal CARD Act to deny product changes on any account less that one year old.
Will a product change count as a new card?
No, you will keep your same card number, "opened on" date, credit line, automatic payment arrangements, etc. A product change does not count against Chase's 5/24 limitations on new cards.
Will I get a signup bonus when I change?
No, product changes do not result in point bonuses. Signup bonuses are reserved for new applicants only. For the complete list of public sign up offers, check the Chase sitemap here: https://creditcards.chase.com/sitemap
Is there a place I can look to compare cards?
Go here: https://creditcards.chase.com/credit...D=177087865887
Click: All cards
Place a checkmark in the Compare box for up to three cards.
Click: Compare cards...and you should see a side-by-side display.
I've figured out what I want to switch to. How do I product change my card?
Call the number on the back of your card.
Product changes for the Ultimate Reward Business and Personal Card Family
The UR family of cards includes the Chase Ink business cards, the Freedom Unlimited, the Freedom Card, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Reserve and Sapphire.
The Slate (personal) card is also available to downgrade to. It has no annual fee and does not earn any type of reward points. It offers a low fee (currently 0% for the first 60 days) balance transfers and APR.
Personal Cards
- Freedom: 5X points in rotating quarterly categories up to $1500 spend per quarter. If you max out the $1500 every quarter, it totals 7500 UR per quarter, or 30,000 UR per year.
- Freedom Unlimited: 1.5X for all spending, no bonus categories. $20,000 in spend would net 30,000 UR per year.
- Sapphire Reserve: $450 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit, 3X points for travel and dining. Books travel through the UR portal for 1.5 per dollar. Lounge access and other goodies. See the thread here for details.
- Sapphire Preferred: $95 annual fee, 2X points for travel & dining
- For discussion specific to the Sapphire Preferred Card, see Chase Sapphire Preferred - Keep, Downgrade, or Cancel?
- Sapphire: Not available to new applicants. Available as a product downgrade/change only, must tier down from the Sapphire Reserve to Sapphire Preferred to Sapphire or Freedom cards. No annual fee. Some Customer Service Reps are citing that the original product (i.e., the CSR), must be held for one year before downgrading. Please provide data points in the thread if this happens to you.
Business Cards
- Ink Plus: $95 annual fee, 5X office supplies, 5X cellular/landline/cable; 2X gas and hotels
- Ink Preferred: 3x on travel, shipping, internet/phone/cable, & some online advertising.
- Ink Cash: No annual fee, 5X office supplies, 5X cellular/landline/cable; 2X gas and restaurants
If you still have a legacy Ink Classic or Ink Bold business card, neither of which is available for new signups, you can product change to one of the other Ink cards.
Considerations for downgrading/upgrading:
Can I combine my UR points?
Yes, UR can be combined freely across the cardholder's own personal and business accounts.
What about transfering my UR to another person's Chase UR account? To their air/hotel partner account?
With restrictions, UR from a personal card can be transferred to a person living at the same address. Business cards allow transfer to owners of the company listed as authorized users.
However, be warned that there are transfer restrictions. Unauthorized transfers have resulted in shut-downs. Review the Chase T&C for details before planning a transfer. For discussion, see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...-accounts.html.
The Freedom cards, no-fee Ink Cash, and no-fee Sapphire cards do not allow UR transfer to airline/hotel partners. If you are downgrading from a premium UR card and will only have no-fee cards left, it may be prudent to transfer your points to the partner of your choice beforehand.
I know I can use UR to pay for travel directly (as opposed to transfering points into a travel partner program). Do the Chase UR cards differ on this?
Only the Sapphire Reserve books travel on the UR portal for 1.5. So you can stack your card bonus opportunities when your UR points are combined into your CSR account and used for booking travel. If, for instance, you earned 5x on your Ink Plus on your phone bill, and combine those 5x Ink earned points into your CSR's UR account, you'll now get an additional .5 in value when you redeem them on the travel portal.
Product Changes for United Airlines Cards
There are options to downgrade or upgrade UA cards.
- United Mileage Plus Card- no annual fee, 1 UA mile per $2 in spend
- United Mileage Plus Explorer Card- $95 annual fee, 1 mile per dollar earning, additional award inventory on UA, free checked bag, 25% bonus on the shopping portal.
- United Plus Club Card- $450 annual fee, 1.5 miles per $1, many additional premium card benefits
- Business Cards for the Mileage Plus and Club Card give you a choice to upgrade or downgrade between those two.
Southwest Airlines Cards
The difference here is a nominal $30/3000 points per year.
Personal cards
- Plus Card- $69 annual fee, 3000 bonus points upon renewal
- Premiere Card- $99 annual fee, 6000 bonus points upon renewal
Chase Product Change/Card Conversion: Downgrade, Upgrade, Keep or Cancel? (2016-2019)
Oct 13, 2016, 11:22 am
#316
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Marriott - Titanium, AA - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 333
I called Chase today and said now that I have the CSReserve card I don't need my CSPreferred card. I asked to have the card product changed to Freedom Unlimited and have the annual fee I paid last December refunded.
The rep asked me to hold and came back saying the computer said I was "not eligible" for product change to Freedom Unlimited but that I could change to Chase Sapphire (not preferred) card but that my annual fee would not be refunded.
This is completely NOT what anyone I have read about on these board has reported.
I currently have Freedom and Reserve and Preferred and am a CPC.
Any advice????
The rep asked me to hold and came back saying the computer said I was "not eligible" for product change to Freedom Unlimited but that I could change to Chase Sapphire (not preferred) card but that my annual fee would not be refunded.
This is completely NOT what anyone I have read about on these board has reported.
I currently have Freedom and Reserve and Preferred and am a CPC.
Any advice????
Oct 13, 2016, 11:26 am
#317
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Oct 13, 2016, 11:35 am
#318
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
Don't bother calling Chase, just send a secure message via the website.
I too just got a CSR and have no need for the CSP anymore. I sent a secure message in yesterday saying I wanted to convert my CSP to Freedom Unlimited. Had a message back in a couple of hours with all the stuff they have to say about the APR, balance transfers, etc. Said yes, go ahead, and the conversion was done. Cards are on the way.
I didn't ask about an annual fee reimbursement. I more than got my money's worth out of the $95 this year.
Neil
I too just got a CSR and have no need for the CSP anymore. I sent a secure message in yesterday saying I wanted to convert my CSP to Freedom Unlimited. Had a message back in a couple of hours with all the stuff they have to say about the APR, balance transfers, etc. Said yes, go ahead, and the conversion was done. Cards are on the way.
I didn't ask about an annual fee reimbursement. I more than got my money's worth out of the $95 this year.
Neil
Last edited by missamo80; Oct 13, 2016 at 11:41 am
Oct 13, 2016, 1:13 pm
#319
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Marriott - Titanium, AA - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 333
Oct 13, 2016, 1:27 pm
#320
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Call or go and see your Private Banker and have him put through the product change for you. CPC should take care of this for you. 
Our AF was refunded because it posted Sept 1 and Chase has a policy of refunding AF up to 90 days after posting.
Longer than that, no refund request will be honored.
Our AF was refunded because it posted Sept 1 and Chase has a policy of refunding AF up to 90 days after posting.Longer than that, no refund request will be honored.
Last edited by pcoll; Oct 13, 2016 at 1:28 pm Reason: additional info
Oct 13, 2016, 4:37 pm
#321
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Marriott - Titanium, AA - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 333
Don't bother calling Chase, just send a secure message via the website.
I too just got a CSR and have no need for the CSP anymore. I sent a secure message in yesterday saying I wanted to convert my CSP to Freedom Unlimited. Had a message back in a couple of hours with all the stuff they have to say about the APR, balance transfers, etc. Said yes, go ahead, and the conversion was done. Cards are on the way.
Neil
I too just got a CSR and have no need for the CSP anymore. I sent a secure message in yesterday saying I wanted to convert my CSP to Freedom Unlimited. Had a message back in a couple of hours with all the stuff they have to say about the APR, balance transfers, etc. Said yes, go ahead, and the conversion was done. Cards are on the way.
Neil
Same response:
Hello,
Thank for contacting Chase to change your card to a chase
Freedom Unlimited card.
XXXXX, at this time, I'm unable to change your account to a
Freedom Unlimited card. I apologize for any inconvenience
this may cause you.
However, you have the option to change to your card to a
Chase Sapphire card. If a product change is processed, a
prorated refund of the fee will automatically post to your
account within one to two billing cycles.
Why me?
Oct 13, 2016, 5:06 pm
#322
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
I sent SM today:
XXXXX, at this time, I'm unable to change your account to a
Freedom Unlimited card. I apologize for any inconvenience
this may cause you.
However, you have the option to change to your card to a
Chase Sapphire card. If a product change is processed, a
prorated refund of the fee will automatically post to your
account within one to two billing cycles.
XXXXX, at this time, I'm unable to change your account to a
Freedom Unlimited card. I apologize for any inconvenience
this may cause you.
However, you have the option to change to your card to a
Chase Sapphire card. If a product change is processed, a
prorated refund of the fee will automatically post to your
account within one to two billing cycles.
Oct 14, 2016, 5:20 pm
#323
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Marriott - Titanium, AA - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 333
Dear,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us again in
regards to a product change.
Your inquiry has reached the highest level within the
Secure Message Center.
Due to a certain code on your account, the option to
change to a Chase Freedom Unlimited card isn't available
but it should be.
You will receive a letter within 7-10 business days
confirming that the card has been changed. I apologize for
the frustration caused.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us again in
regards to a product change.
Your inquiry has reached the highest level within the
Secure Message Center.
Due to a certain code on your account, the option to
change to a Chase Freedom Unlimited card isn't available
but it should be.
You will receive a letter within 7-10 business days
confirming that the card has been changed. I apologize for
the frustration caused.
Oct 14, 2016, 7:48 pm
#324
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
Nice! Good data point for others too.
Neil
Neil
Oct 14, 2016, 8:13 pm
#325
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
Any experiences changing the amazon rewards visa to something else? Mine is doing nothing and its 3 years old. I would love to change it to any other chase card.
Oct 15, 2016, 1:46 pm
#326
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SBA and LAX
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 334
I am in the same boat as most of you - can't justify keeping CSP now that I have CSR. My question is when I downgrade to Freedom (my 2nd) or FU, does this new card have 0% APR for the first 12 months? I am guessing not, but, wishful thinking..
Oct 19, 2016, 8:33 am
#327
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 135
If I downgrade my CSP to Freedom Unlimited or regular CS, will it have an impact on my credit score?
Oct 19, 2016, 8:59 am
#328
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
Oct 19, 2016, 10:37 am
#329
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,948
Just saw the announcement re the new Chase Ink Preferred for later this year. Currently I have the Ink Plus and was about to downgrade to Ink Cash. Is there any reason I should not do this downgrade in anticipation of app for Pref in a few months?