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)
Mar 24, 2018, 10:28 pm
#721
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 78
I thought it was 60 days from when the statement closed, not when it posted. If you're right, then we already missed the 60 day cutoff.
Mar 25, 2018, 6:09 am
#722
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
If you decide to downgrade, let us know the results after you get your refund. Ignore what the phone rep tells you--they will get it wrong. You can be a fresh data point on this subject.
Mar 27, 2018, 3:05 pm
#724
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 51
Sorry to but into this thread, but I have a couple of questions:
1. I have a Chase Freedom card and I have used it for years. but I am interested in opening a new Chase business card. If I close out the Freedom card will all the points I have in it go away?
2. Since the Freedom card cannot transfer points to ff miles, can I trade the Freedom card for a new Chase card and have the points transfer into the new account?
3. Would it be better to close the Freedom card before applying for a new card? Do not want a lot of cards, but if it will hurt my chances to get the new card I can keep it for a while.
Thanks!
1. I have a Chase Freedom card and I have used it for years. but I am interested in opening a new Chase business card. If I close out the Freedom card will all the points I have in it go away?
2. Since the Freedom card cannot transfer points to ff miles, can I trade the Freedom card for a new Chase card and have the points transfer into the new account?
3. Would it be better to close the Freedom card before applying for a new card? Do not want a lot of cards, but if it will hurt my chances to get the new card I can keep it for a while.
Thanks!
Mar 27, 2018, 3:29 pm
#725
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Sorry to but into this thread, but I have a couple of questions:
1. I have a Chase Freedom card and I have used it for years. but I am interested in opening a new Chase business card. If I close out the Freedom card will all the points I have in it go away?
2. Since the Freedom card cannot transfer points to ff miles, can I trade the Freedom card for a new Chase card and have the points transfer into the new account?
3. Would it be better to close the Freedom card before applying for a new card? Do not want a lot of cards, but if it will hurt my chances to get the new card I can keep it for a while.
Thanks!
1. I have a Chase Freedom card and I have used it for years. but I am interested in opening a new Chase business card. If I close out the Freedom card will all the points I have in it go away?
2. Since the Freedom card cannot transfer points to ff miles, can I trade the Freedom card for a new Chase card and have the points transfer into the new account?
3. Would it be better to close the Freedom card before applying for a new card? Do not want a lot of cards, but if it will hurt my chances to get the new card I can keep it for a while.
Thanks!
2. You can combine UR points that are earned on your Freedom onto any other Chase UR earning credit card. You can then transfer points to ff or hotel accounts (if the other Chase card allows it). This is what makes Freedom so valuable and is another reason that you should keep the card.
3. You should never close the Freedom card. See #1 and #2 .
Apr 6, 2018, 8:51 am
#726
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Delta; UA
Posts: 6
If I downgrade my explorer card to the no annual fee card, do I still get to keep the miles I earned from the sign-up offer? What if I downgrade before the $95 annual fee is applied?
Apr 6, 2018, 9:21 am
#727
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Apr 17, 2018, 9:16 pm
#728
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: WN A-list, Hyatt Glob, HH DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 434
I applied for CSR a couple of days ago and didn't get approved instantly. I have excellent credit. I didn't realize that I may not get approved for CSR if I already have CSP. I've had CSP for 4 years. What is my best course of action now?
Apr 17, 2018, 11:42 pm
#729
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,195
If you really want the CSR, downgrade the CSP to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited. Wait 30 days for your rejected CSR app to clear and your CSP to disappear from the Chase system. Apply again.
(Note: Once you've downgraded your CSP to another card, it's not impossible to obtain both the CSR and CSP by applying for both of them consecutively on the same day in different browsers or through different Incognito/private browsing windows. A bit of searching should lead you to the "double dip" method of obtaining both.)
Apr 18, 2018, 1:04 pm
#730
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: WN A-list, Hyatt Glob, HH DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 434
Thank you! Would it help at all calling the reconsideration line now, asking the CSP to be downgraded and reconsidering the CSR application again? Also, if I downgrade the CSP and have points on it, would the points be still safe with the downgraded freedom until I get the CSR, or should I transfer all the points to airline/hotel first?
You will not get approved for a CSR if you currently hold a CSP (see: "One Sapphire Rule").
If you really want the CSR, downgrade the CSP to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited. Wait 30 days for your rejected CSR app to clear and your CSP to disappear from the Chase system. Apply again.
(Note: Once you've downgraded your CSP to another card, it's not impossible to obtain both the CSR and CSP by applying for both of them consecutively on the same day in different browsers or through different Incognito/private browsing windows. A bit of searching should lead you to the "double dip" method of obtaining both.)
If you really want the CSR, downgrade the CSP to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited. Wait 30 days for your rejected CSR app to clear and your CSP to disappear from the Chase system. Apply again.
(Note: Once you've downgraded your CSP to another card, it's not impossible to obtain both the CSR and CSP by applying for both of them consecutively on the same day in different browsers or through different Incognito/private browsing windows. A bit of searching should lead you to the "double dip" method of obtaining both.)
Apr 18, 2018, 6:50 pm
#731
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,195
Thank you! Would it help at all calling the reconsideration line now, asking the CSP to be downgraded and reconsidering the CSR application again? Also, if I downgrade the CSP and have points on it, would the points be still safe with the downgraded freedom until I get the CSR, or should I transfer all the points to airline/hotel first?
Your points should be safe with the Freedom (or Freedom Unlimited) though you won't be able to transfer them to partner hotel/airlines until after you've gotten another Chase premium card (CSR, CSP, CIP, etc.) The account number stays the same as the account number on the CSP (though the CVV and expiration date will probably change.) If/when you call to downgrade the CSP, you might casually mention to the Chase rep you are concerned about losing your UR points to put some extra attention on that aspect of your transaction.
Apr 22, 2018, 7:14 pm
#732
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
How often can you product change a Chase card? I downgraded my CSP to the Freedom a couple months ago to avoid the annual fee, but now I might need to upgrade it again to transfer my current UR points to airline miles. After transferring the points I would probably consider product changing back down to the Freedom so I don't pay the annual fee. Has anyone gone through this situation?
Thanks
Thanks
Apr 25, 2018, 11:57 am
#733
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Cancelled CSR card today. AF posted 4-1-18. CS rep said she cannot credit the AF on the account. I must pay statement where AF has posted then they will "credit" AF amount to a closed account.!
I was sure since I was within the 30 days, credit would go right on account. Is this the policy or do I call again?
No offer made to downgrade to another card. We already have CSR, CS and Freedom Unlimited between the two of us.
Thanks
I was sure since I was within the 30 days, credit would go right on account. Is this the policy or do I call again?
No offer made to downgrade to another card. We already have CSR, CS and Freedom Unlimited between the two of us.
Thanks
Apr 26, 2018, 5:58 am
#734
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Cancelled CSR card today. AF posted 4-1-18. CS rep said she cannot credit the AF on the account. I must pay statement where AF has posted then they will "credit" AF amount to a closed account.!
I was sure since I was within the 30 days, credit would go right on account. Is this the policy or do I call again?
No offer made to downgrade to another card. We already have CSR, CS and Freedom Unlimited between the two of us.
Thanks
I was sure since I was within the 30 days, credit would go right on account. Is this the policy or do I call again?
No offer made to downgrade to another card. We already have CSR, CS and Freedom Unlimited between the two of us.
Thanks
Apr 26, 2018, 11:02 am
#735
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
The credit does go onto your account automatically, but it's not instantaneous. It could take days or even a couple weeks. Make sure you pay your statement balance by the due date to avoid fees and interest. When the credit hits, you can call Chase and ask them to send you a check for the credit balance.