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)
Jun 30, 2018, 11:20 pm
#781
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
I tried doing a PC from Chase unlimited to chase freedom thru message service. I got a response that I can PC but I need to call in CS. They are not able to do a PC through secure message although I've done it before many times. Anyone know if that's Chase's new policy?
Jun 30, 2018, 11:30 pm
#783
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: ANA & ROP
Posts: 13
I tried doing a PC from Chase unlimited to chase freedom thru message service. I got a response that I can PC but I need to call in CS. They are not able to do a PC through secure message although I've done it before many times. Anyone know if that's Chase's new policy?
Jul 1, 2018, 11:49 am
#784
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,792
Jul 5, 2018, 5:40 pm
#785
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1
Chase Credit Cards - Keep or let go?
I get have 1 more card to collect before the Chase 5/24 comes into play. I need some help deciding. I’m still a bit new to all of this and need advice.
*I have the Chase Freedom (not the Freedom Unlimited). I use it for the 5x quarterly bonuses. (no annual fee)
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Cash that I use for Phone/Internet, Cable, Office Supply for 5x and it also give me 2x on Gas and Restaurants. (no annual fee)
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Preferred that I use for Travel x3. ($95 annual fee)
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Plus but see no reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Cash, Ink Biz Preferred and Ink Biz Cash for my extra point. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first. I
*I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card but I do not see a reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Preferred to use for transfers to Ultimate Rewards. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first.
I see no reason to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve since I do not plan and using the travel portal so the 1.5X doesn’t really come into play, right? I think the best way to use the Ultimate Rewards Points is for biz class overseas travel on airlines or transfer hotels (Hyatt/Marriott/Ritz/IHG). Am I missing out?
I just got the $450 Ritz Carlton card because the two free certs MIGHT be worth more than normal and I think I will get Platinum Elite with the new Marriott/Starwood/Ritz group which will work well for a trip I have in 2019. I have the Chase Marriott card but they just added a new one called the Marriott Premier Card for 100K sign up that is appealing and then I can get rid of my old Marriott card but not sure I can have both at the same time as I need to use my certificates before I cancel it.
Do I have the Chase deal under control with proper thinking from what you see in my Chase Portfolio? What card should I get for my Everyday Spend since the Starwood SPG card will devalue in August? I need guidance!! Please... Thank you, Kat
*I have the Chase Freedom (not the Freedom Unlimited). I use it for the 5x quarterly bonuses. (no annual fee)
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Cash that I use for Phone/Internet, Cable, Office Supply for 5x and it also give me 2x on Gas and Restaurants. (no annual fee)
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Preferred that I use for Travel x3. ($95 annual fee)
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Plus but see no reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Cash, Ink Biz Preferred and Ink Biz Cash for my extra point. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first. I
*I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card but I do not see a reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Preferred to use for transfers to Ultimate Rewards. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first.
I see no reason to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve since I do not plan and using the travel portal so the 1.5X doesn’t really come into play, right? I think the best way to use the Ultimate Rewards Points is for biz class overseas travel on airlines or transfer hotels (Hyatt/Marriott/Ritz/IHG). Am I missing out?
I just got the $450 Ritz Carlton card because the two free certs MIGHT be worth more than normal and I think I will get Platinum Elite with the new Marriott/Starwood/Ritz group which will work well for a trip I have in 2019. I have the Chase Marriott card but they just added a new one called the Marriott Premier Card for 100K sign up that is appealing and then I can get rid of my old Marriott card but not sure I can have both at the same time as I need to use my certificates before I cancel it.
Do I have the Chase deal under control with proper thinking from what you see in my Chase Portfolio? What card should I get for my Everyday Spend since the Starwood SPG card will devalue in August? I need guidance!! Please... Thank you, Kat
Jul 5, 2018, 7:14 pm
#786
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Land of 10,000 Upgrades
Posts: 9,465
A moderator has been asked to move this to the Chase forum.
Jul 6, 2018, 12:31 pm
#787
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Preferred that I use for Travel x3. ($95 annual fee)
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Plus but see no reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Cash, Ink Biz Preferred and Ink Biz Cash for my extra point. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first. I
*I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card but I do not see a reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Preferred to use for transfers to Ultimate Rewards. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first.
I see no reason to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve since I do not plan and using the travel portal so the 1.5X doesn’t really come into play, right? I think the best way to use the Ultimate Rewards Points is for biz class overseas travel on airlines or transfer hotels (Hyatt/Marriott/Ritz/IHG). Am I missing out?
*I have the Chase Ink Biz Plus but see no reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Cash, Ink Biz Preferred and Ink Biz Cash for my extra point. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first. I
*I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card but I do not see a reason to keep it since I have the Ink Biz Preferred to use for transfers to Ultimate Rewards. I think I should cancel when my annual fee comes due but will transfer points to Chase Ink Biz Preferred first.
I see no reason to get the Chase Sapphire Reserve since I do not plan and using the travel portal so the 1.5X doesn’t really come into play, right? I think the best way to use the Ultimate Rewards Points is for biz class overseas travel on airlines or transfer hotels (Hyatt/Marriott/Ritz/IHG). Am I missing out?
You could downgrade the CSP to another Freedom or Freedom Unlimited.
CSP is easier to refer to friends for 10K than the others though.
Jul 6, 2018, 12:49 pm
#788
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
I would downgrade the CSP to a Freedom Unlimited and switch to that for every day spend. Come August 1st, all of my AMEX SPG purchases will be switched to the Freedom Unlimited. Points will be sent to CSR to be used on Hyatt / United / Singapore Airlines.
Jul 6, 2018, 3:21 pm
#789
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BAY AREA
Posts: 1,125
I PC my Chase freedom to chase Sapphire reserve cause I needed to use the extra points to book a vacation. I already activated the 3rd Q for freedom before the PC. After I received my reserve card, I used it for gas. I realized that I received 3rd Q bonus on the gas charges and got 3x on my travel charges. Will my Sapphire reserve still earn the 3rd Q bonus? Or that was just a glitch?
Jul 6, 2018, 3:31 pm
#790
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
I would keep the chase ink plus if you can max out the 5x. 250k UR points for $89 is worth the fee imo.
I currently have one chase ink plus and two ink cash.
Jul 6, 2018, 6:46 pm
#791
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
Jul 11, 2018, 10:26 am
#792
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: USA
Programs: AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 310
Any recent DPs of cross co-brand PCing? I'm interested in the new Hyatt.
Jul 18, 2018, 11:39 am
#793
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 15
I hope I have this post in the correct location, if not please let me know. I have done some research but can’t find anything with my specific concern/idea.
My current situation:
The CSP has the following language in the terms, “Chase cardmembers who currently have or have had a Chase credit card in any Rewards Program associated with this offer, may not be eligible for a second Chase credit card in the same Rewards Program.” There is no mention of 24 months like the CF has.
In addition, I read DP from a guy who was told by a Chase Rep that the 24 month waiting period could be from product change, not signup bonus. Not sure if this would affect me or not, since there isn’t 24 month language in the CSP terms.
Is this a solid plan of attack or am I missing something here that would prevent this from working as intended?
My current situation:
- At 4/24, will be 3/23 in two months
- Opened CSP in 2013
- PC’d it to CF 7/17/18
- Opened CSR in August 2016
The CSP has the following language in the terms, “Chase cardmembers who currently have or have had a Chase credit card in any Rewards Program associated with this offer, may not be eligible for a second Chase credit card in the same Rewards Program.” There is no mention of 24 months like the CF has.
In addition, I read DP from a guy who was told by a Chase Rep that the 24 month waiting period could be from product change, not signup bonus. Not sure if this would affect me or not, since there isn’t 24 month language in the CSP terms.
Is this a solid plan of attack or am I missing something here that would prevent this from working as intended?
Jul 18, 2018, 11:46 am
#794
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Where are you looking?
I see:
https://creditcards.chase.com/reward...hire-preferred
I see:
This product is available to you if you do not have any Sapphire card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 24 months.
Jul 21, 2018, 10:28 am
#795
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 44
Product change is not subject to 5/24 but they no longer offer the free MP Visa that earns 1 mile for every $2. They will offer to PC you to the United TravelBank Visa, which I would still suggest doing. It's one of the only no-AF fee cards to offer no FTF (Foreign Transaction Fee) and it gives you a 25% statement credit on food and drink purchased onboard. There is a Visa Signature and non-Visa Signature version of the TravelBank Card, unlike the MP Visa that is only non-Visa Signature.
Does anyone know what the main differences are between the cards? Which one would you downgrade to?