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)
Sep 22, 2018, 10:55 am
#871
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,064
My account had just passed its one year anniversary on September 6th.
On September 12, I called in to ask if I could product change to the Ritz Carleton Infinite Visa and he put me on hold for 2-3 minutes and said I was good to go.
My Chase online account immediately showed the change and I received my new Ritz card a few days later with the same account number.
They told me I had access to the $300 2018 travel credit immediately. I made a reservation on Southwest airlines in coach, waited a couple days and decided to pay to upgrade to Business class.
I called Chase and asked them if they would apply my travel credit to the Business Class upgrade charge. They did and it was a painless conversation.
I am waiting to see when the $450 Ritz Carleton annual fee will post.
Oct 3, 2018, 7:52 pm
#872
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
Chase Sapphire Upgrade Question
Hi Guys,
So I currently have a chase sapphire preferred that I want to upgrade to a chase sapphire reserve. I've had my sapphire preferred for 15 months (6/17), and just applied for a chase freedom unlimited last month (8/17).
My question is, is it a bad idea to request an upgrade so soon after applying for the freedom unlimited? I've heard it's usually best to wait 3-4 months between applications, but does the same hold true for upgrades?
I'm planning to apply for the regular freedom eventually as well.
Thanks!
So I currently have a chase sapphire preferred that I want to upgrade to a chase sapphire reserve. I've had my sapphire preferred for 15 months (6/17), and just applied for a chase freedom unlimited last month (8/17).
My question is, is it a bad idea to request an upgrade so soon after applying for the freedom unlimited? I've heard it's usually best to wait 3-4 months between applications, but does the same hold true for upgrades?
I'm planning to apply for the regular freedom eventually as well.
Thanks!
Oct 3, 2018, 8:13 pm
#874
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Hi Guys,
So I currently have a chase sapphire preferred that I want to upgrade to a chase sapphire reserve. I've had my sapphire preferred for 15 months (6/17), and just applied for a chase freedom unlimited last month (8/17).
My question is, is it a bad idea to request an upgrade so soon after applying for the freedom unlimited? I've heard it's usually best to wait 3-4 months between applications, but does the same hold true for upgrades?
I'm planning to apply for the regular freedom eventually as well.
Thanks!
So I currently have a chase sapphire preferred that I want to upgrade to a chase sapphire reserve. I've had my sapphire preferred for 15 months (6/17), and just applied for a chase freedom unlimited last month (8/17).
My question is, is it a bad idea to request an upgrade so soon after applying for the freedom unlimited? I've heard it's usually best to wait 3-4 months between applications, but does the same hold true for upgrades?
I'm planning to apply for the regular freedom eventually as well.
Thanks!
Oct 3, 2018, 8:18 pm
#875
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
Thanks!
Last edited by lauren12; Oct 3, 2018 at 8:26 pm
Oct 10, 2018, 5:14 pm
#876
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Hi earlier this year we changed our Sapphire Reserve to a Freedom Unlimited. IF we change the FU to a freedom, can we then apply for the freedom unlimited and get the sign on offers including the 150 cash back and the 0% interest for 15 mos currently being offered? How long after the product change would we have to wait to apply? Thanks
Oct 10, 2018, 8:40 pm
#877
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
I was recently charged the $95 annual fee for my Marriott Premier Rewards card. I received my 35000 free night certificate and was easily able to redeem for an upcoming reservation.
My account had just passed its one year anniversary on September 6th.
On September 12, I called in to ask if I could product change to the Ritz Carleton Infinite Visa and he put me on hold for 2-3 minutes and said I was good to go.
My Chase online account immediately showed the change and I received my new Ritz card a few days later with the same account number.
They told me I had access to the $300 2018 travel credit immediately. I made a reservation on Southwest airlines in coach, waited a couple days and decided to pay to upgrade to Business class.
I called Chase and asked them if they would apply my travel credit to the Business Class upgrade charge. They did and it was a painless conversation.
I am waiting to see when the $450 Ritz Carleton annual fee will post.
My account had just passed its one year anniversary on September 6th.
On September 12, I called in to ask if I could product change to the Ritz Carleton Infinite Visa and he put me on hold for 2-3 minutes and said I was good to go.
My Chase online account immediately showed the change and I received my new Ritz card a few days later with the same account number.
They told me I had access to the $300 2018 travel credit immediately. I made a reservation on Southwest airlines in coach, waited a couple days and decided to pay to upgrade to Business class.
I called Chase and asked them if they would apply my travel credit to the Business Class upgrade charge. They did and it was a painless conversation.
I am waiting to see when the $450 Ritz Carleton annual fee will post.
No assigned seats and all seats are the same size,with the exception of a few exit row seats with extra legroom.
Oct 11, 2018, 5:59 am
#878
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
It's funny how stuff can change on a dime in this world.
Chase Sapphire Reserve has been my main card for 2 years as I travel extensively and dine out a lot and spend on hotels and Airbnb. I never did a Korean redemption until the very end when they took it away, but I thought it was a great option. United and Singapore were my main transfer partners, and occasional British Airways.
Anyways, I recently got the Citi Premier which has a great 3x/2x earning profile, and the 60K point bonus is/was great. Citi has been my main squeeze lately b/c they are relatively easy to get approved with. I have an AMEX Gold which is suddenly a pretty damn good card with a 4x earning chance, but I originally got it only for the 50K bonus. Anyways, glad they changed it before the renewal date as I may have canceled it!
My CSR renews in January and I am seriously thinking of canceling it. Priority Pass is valuable to me, but I just upgraded my AMEX Ascend to Aspire (including the 150K bonus, although I am in pop-up hell with AMEX normally) so the stars have seriously aligned. I do not value United miles THAT heavily, and I can get Priority Pass elsewhere, and Citi and AMEX points have great airline transfer partners.
I realize I am in a unique situation, but I will likely cancel the CSR in January and I have to believe at some point Chase will make a move on the CSP and/or CSR to keep up.
Chase Sapphire Reserve has been my main card for 2 years as I travel extensively and dine out a lot and spend on hotels and Airbnb. I never did a Korean redemption until the very end when they took it away, but I thought it was a great option. United and Singapore were my main transfer partners, and occasional British Airways.
Anyways, I recently got the Citi Premier which has a great 3x/2x earning profile, and the 60K point bonus is/was great. Citi has been my main squeeze lately b/c they are relatively easy to get approved with. I have an AMEX Gold which is suddenly a pretty damn good card with a 4x earning chance, but I originally got it only for the 50K bonus. Anyways, glad they changed it before the renewal date as I may have canceled it!
My CSR renews in January and I am seriously thinking of canceling it. Priority Pass is valuable to me, but I just upgraded my AMEX Ascend to Aspire (including the 150K bonus, although I am in pop-up hell with AMEX normally) so the stars have seriously aligned. I do not value United miles THAT heavily, and I can get Priority Pass elsewhere, and Citi and AMEX points have great airline transfer partners.
I realize I am in a unique situation, but I will likely cancel the CSR in January and I have to believe at some point Chase will make a move on the CSP and/or CSR to keep up.
Oct 11, 2018, 7:06 am
#879
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Hi earlier this year we changed our Sapphire Reserve to a Freedom Unlimited. IF we change the FU to a freedom, can we then apply for the freedom unlimited and get the sign on offers including the 150 cash back and the 0% interest for 15 mos currently being offered? How long after the product change would we have to wait to apply? Thanks
If you go the route you described, wait a week between product change and application.
Oct 11, 2018, 8:49 am
#880
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Thanks, it's because they have 1.5% cash back.
Oct 11, 2018, 6:43 pm
#881
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Is it possible to close a card via SM? Looking to close my Hyatt. Thanks.
Oct 12, 2018, 5:53 am
#882
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
Oct 12, 2018, 8:04 pm
#883
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,064
Hopefully you are aware that Southwest has no Business class. They offer a Business Select fare, which gives you an earlier boarding position, free drink and extra Southwest points.
No assigned seats and all seats are the same size,with the exception of a few exit row seats with extra legroom.
No assigned seats and all seats are the same size,with the exception of a few exit row seats with extra legroom.
Oct 23, 2018, 1:26 pm
#884
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,474
Is the no annual fee UA card that earns 1 mile per $2 still around? I can only see links to the United TravelBank card.
Oct 23, 2018, 6:54 pm
#885
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255
What’s the deal with AF refunds these days. I know they don’t refund if you cancel after 30 days, but if you downgrade to a Freedom will you get a prorated CSR refund?