pallhedge

Yes, you can do this. I suspect many people will.

RNE

That's an option I'm considering. But why PC so soon before October?

Chase, of course, knows many people will do this and, therefore, may pull the rug out from under us beforehand like they did shortly before the 24-month mark.

sds1493

I haven't had a Sapphire bonus in 48 months. I'm interested in getting the CSR for the 1.5c redemption, however the CSP has a higher SUB, plus I don't need any of the other CSR benefits. Can I apply for CSP and then subsequently upgrade a Freedom to the CSR?

pallhedge

Assuming your Freedom has a minimum $10k CL and is at least 1 year old, yes you can do this. Since you aren't interested in any other CSR benefits, I suggest you do the math to ensure that the .25c bump in UR travel redemptions over the CSP is worth the annual fee.

Happy

I did a casual look on the travel redemption we made in 2019 with the CSR. The difference between using 1.25 versus 1.50 was about $200 net all on lodgings, not very promising to justify the hike on AF, especially after giving a look on what restaurants are in the Door Dash platform for our area - 95% of them are fast foods

While we got our CSRs in late Aug but we did not earn the bonus until late Nov due to the CSRs arrived in the afternoon of the day we left the country for a 45 days trip... Given that it would be Dec 2020 we become eligible of another Sapphire bonus... But we can live 3 months without a Chase travel card, we can still cancel the CSR if there is no retention offer. Then we see if getting CSP is possible (not ruling out Chase would pull yet another stunt to prevent people gaining any benefit based on CURRENT rules).

We also have Ink+ so we will still get 1.25 if needed plus international rental car coverage since all international car rental would be primarily incl personal usage.

Bretmd

IMO it seems very likely that Chase will tighten this 48 month restriction even further by August, since they did it before. This time around, they have even more incentive to do it since the annual fee has increased.

RNE

Indeed! Yet the Pollyannas here go merrily along strategizing like Chase is asleep.

RNE, listening to Jamie LOL at them.

wco81

Annual fee has increased?

So it's no longer speculation?

RNE

Yes. It's increasing. Let's hope the 48-month limit doesn't do likewise.

Diplomatico

I don't think the 48 month limit will increase....if Chase does that they might as well just close the card to new applicants.

I have no data/information to prove/disprove this but I suspect the fee increase has been tactically implemented just prior to the expiration of the 48 month limit to increase fee revenue when the next wave of apps hit. Theory only.

philemer

I'd agree. But I think the next 'wave' of applications will a 'ripple'. JMHO.

lax01

I wonder if Chase changes the 5/24 rule...that would be interesting and definitely disqualify a lot of people from re-receiving the Sapphire bonus later this year...

RNE

Pardon me if I scoff. Who thought they'd extend the 24 month limit?

Bretmd

IMO the fee increase timing has nothing to do with the expiration of the 48 month limit. They are simply following the price point of the competition and attempting to make the card more profitable.

In addition - Chase only wants new customers to obtain the CSR. If it’s already a loss leader, they will likely do something to make sure existing customers can’t receive a new bonus. Last time, they made a “48 month” rule. Next time - we will see. Personally, I’m expecting some sort of further restriction. Of course, I could be wrong.

beltway

Wouldn't surprise me to see Chase unlink it from the CSP restriction and make CSR a once-in-a-lifetime* product.

*As we know from Amex, OIAL may not be literally once only, depending on how the back-end systems retain records.