CO effects of Pres Plus Card Changes
 

I wanted to make sure everyone from the CO side of the house saw the recent changes to the Presidential Plus Chase Card.

I'm really disappointed in this for two main reasons. First, the 25% RDM bonus. I avg about 90-95k/yr so that extra 25% is almost a free domestic ticket. Second, the flex EQMs being used to get that last push to 100k. The Pclub access really is a small benefit considering most of my flights are INTL and I've got *G access. So, why should I keep this card going forward?

I think any time changes are made to a loyalty program, participants are wise to re-evaluate if and how much it continues to meet their needs. You (the OP) mentioned a few things that affect you, and that as a result, it may not be worth the money for you going forward. That may in fact be the case. But all too many times, I see posts here that take their individual situation and extrapolate it broadly, with comments like "they're trying to screw us!" or "this card isn't worth it any more!" and so on (not saying that you did so).

I just recently got the card (two months ago) and was just getting used to the features. Now, I have to figure out how the changes affect me, as a current Gold likely to be Silver or Gold next year. Here's what I see the benefits will be:

- Waiving of last-minute award booking fee.
- Double miles on CO/UA tickets.
- Double miles on hotels and car rentals.
- Primary rental car collision damage coverage.
- Full PClub membership
- Flex EQM

PClub membership is valuable for me for two reasons: 1) I fly mostly domestic, and 2) it gives me gate pass privileges when not flying, which I actually used last week.

Based on my travel and spending, the first four benefits above more than pay for the annual fee. Adding in the 5th and 6th benefit above makes it a "no-brainer" for me in terms of it being worth the cost.

Regarding the value of an included full PClub membership, it's not much an issue for mostly-int'l travelers. But I suspect that the vast majority of frequent CO fliers do a good amount of domestic US flying. Also, there's another issue that can't be overlooked for people that are using the credit card primarily for business expenses: an airline club membership is NOT tax deductible in the US, even if it's used exclusively for business travel. But the annual fee for a credit card that's used exclusively for business purposes is.

I think another aspect of the card is that it's quite clear to me that it's designed to compete with the Amex Platinum charge card. It's about the same annual fee, and has these benefits:

- equivalent of Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program
- no foreign exchange fee

I think that for the most part, they are targeting this card as a competitor to Amex Platinum for people that travel a lot, especially vs the current Amex Platinum that comes with CO lounge access. It's the strongest high-end credit card offering I've seen offered directly in conjunction with an airline.

Also, considering the number of "elite access" type of benefits it includes which don't matter to anyone with genuine elite status, it's clear to me that their target market for this card is folks that spend moderately on their credit cards and on travel, starting with those that fly enough on CO to benefit from elite access but not enough to earn elite status, up to those that earn Platinum Elite status through flying. It's not the best fit for those that travel once or twice a year, or those that travel so much that they earn miles faster than they could possibly spend them.

There's already a million threads on this

I don't like the changes and may cancel, but keep in mind this is a CO product and CO's top tier is 75K - not 100K even though you do get SWUs at that point.

100K is the new top tier in 2012

Yes, after CO Onepass fades away. 100K is a United thing.

I just want clarification on whether you have to fly 100k to get 1K status or whether the FEQM you apply count towards 1K status.

That's a very key question right now.

The new 100K tier for 2012 can be reached based on 2011 CO OnePass activity so saying that it "is a United thing" is meaningless.

Well put and my sentiments exactly. An additional benefit that I have not read whether it will be retained is the primary rental car coverage. In my case I have a lifetime President Club membership which resulted in a reduced annual fee. The fee reduction when my card is due for renewal will determine whether I retain this card.

If anyone figures out the answer, I (and I am sure others) would be very appreciative if you'd post it in more than one place so the information doesn't slip through the cracks. I'm currently weighing my options and, if the miles can't count at all towards 1K status, there isn't really any decision to make.

I thought what CO Insider said was definitive. FEQMs can only be used to gain platinum status aka 75k. So You would be responsible to fly those last 25k miles if you want the 100k tier

The question being posed is can we use the FEQM at the beginning of the year for perhaps the first 50K and then fly 50K to 100K miles for the UA 1K tier.

Or buy the EQMs through elite maximizer, right?

My understanding is the double miles are awarded on the value of the ticket charged on the card, *not* on the flight miles...i.e. you buy a $600 ticket and earn 1,200 miles. Just want to clarify this in case someone thinks you earn double flown miles on these tickets.