Best time to change from Chase Signature Visa to Platinum
Jan 8, 2008, 7:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold (1MM), AS MVP
Posts: 989
Best time to change from Chase Signature Visa to Platinum
I've done the research, paid attention to the posts, and I believe I fully understand what the differences are (annual fee, EQM/RDM earning, etc.). Since I knew by mid-2007 I didn't need the EQM to qualify for 2008 1K, I held off to apply for the change until 2008.
So I figured the first of the year would be the right time to upgrade to Platinum, so I get a full year's worth of benefits, and all the EQMs in the year I need it. Am I correct in this thinking?
My annual fee for the Signature card just posted on 1/1/08 - will they charge me an additional $80 for the year? I'm not sure if I will get the whole $140 waived, as I've only been 1K for two years and had the card for about three.
So I figured the first of the year would be the right time to upgrade to Platinum, so I get a full year's worth of benefits, and all the EQMs in the year I need it. Am I correct in this thinking?
My annual fee for the Signature card just posted on 1/1/08 - will they charge me an additional $80 for the year? I'm not sure if I will get the whole $140 waived, as I've only been 1K for two years and had the card for about three.
Jan 8, 2008, 7:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,054
It really all depends on your situation. If you think you'll need the EQM, then you could either apply now and make the most of the benefits, or you could wait until November to see if you even need it, albeit at that point you'll likely only be able to get the 5K sign-up bonus (unless you buy $5K of tickets during November/December).
I don't think they will waive the full $140 because you're signing up for the card now... but you never know, some people who "shouldn't" (according to Chase policy) have qualified for the full waiver still received it.
I don't think they will waive the full $140 because you're signing up for the card now... but you never know, some people who "shouldn't" (according to Chase policy) have qualified for the full waiver still received it.
Jan 8, 2008, 7:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: UA1P MM, Delta, AA, IC Royal Ambassador, Starwood Gold
Posts: 333
BTW, and slightly off track, I just spotted the annual $140 fee on my upcoming electronic statement and called Chase to inquire. Was told the 1K waiver is not automatic, but has to be requested by the card holder each year. Live and learn.
Dave
Dave
Jan 8, 2008, 9:43 pm
#4
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
When to switch??
The Platinum card offers
-- 20,000 bonus miles after your first purchase
-- 2 miles per $1 spent on groceries, dining, gas at the pump and home improvement purchases
-- 2 miles per $1 spent on United and Star Alliance purchases
-- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
-- 5,000 EQM at sign up
-- EQMs for purchases at united.com (up to 5,000 EQM)
-- 5,000 EQM bonus for $35K in a calendar year
So, the longer one waits, one will receive less
-- double RDMs
-- EQMs for united.com purchases
and have
-- less time to make the $35K spending bonus
The question is does any of the above matter to you?
The Platinum card offers
-- 20,000 bonus miles after your first purchase
-- 2 miles per $1 spent on groceries, dining, gas at the pump and home improvement purchases
-- 2 miles per $1 spent on United and Star Alliance purchases
-- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
-- 5,000 EQM at sign up
-- EQMs for purchases at united.com (up to 5,000 EQM)
-- 5,000 EQM bonus for $35K in a calendar year
So, the longer one waits, one will receive less
-- double RDMs
-- EQMs for united.com purchases
and have
-- less time to make the $35K spending bonus
The question is does any of the above matter to you?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 8, 2008 at 9:46 pm Reason: formatting
Jan 8, 2008, 10:03 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, United Silver
Posts: 575
Follow-Up Questions
I just called the following application phone # (1-800-613-7169) and was told the following:
1) As a prior cardholder of a non-platinum UA MP Visa card, I would NOT be eligible for a 20,000 mile bonus on the platinum card
2) The $140 annual fee on the platinum card would NOT be waived for 1k's
Can you confirm this? What is the best phone number to apply? My impressions from this forum and from prior phone calls with CHASE was that I would be eligible for the 20,000 mile bonus as long as I had not previously had a Platinum card and that the $140 fee would be waived for 1k's.
Thanks for your input.
1) As a prior cardholder of a non-platinum UA MP Visa card, I would NOT be eligible for a 20,000 mile bonus on the platinum card
2) The $140 annual fee on the platinum card would NOT be waived for 1k's
Can you confirm this? What is the best phone number to apply? My impressions from this forum and from prior phone calls with CHASE was that I would be eligible for the 20,000 mile bonus as long as I had not previously had a Platinum card and that the $140 fee would be waived for 1k's.
Thanks for your input.
Jan 8, 2008, 10:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: RMQ
Programs: UA 1K Marriott T.E. Hertz PC
Posts: 148
None. Your best bet is to submit your request online. I am not sure of the difference, but the service from the website is great, and the answer I receive on the 1K annual fee credit request is "It's been taken care of Mr FF_PH"
Jan 8, 2008, 10:43 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
I just called the following application phone # (1-800-613-7169) and was told the following:
1) As a prior cardholder of a non-platinum UA MP Visa card, I would NOT be eligible for a 20,000 mile bonus on the platinum card
2) The $140 annual fee on the platinum card would NOT be waived for 1k's
Can you confirm this?
1) As a prior cardholder of a non-platinum UA MP Visa card, I would NOT be eligible for a 20,000 mile bonus on the platinum card
2) The $140 annual fee on the platinum card would NOT be waived for 1k's
Can you confirm this?
Re #1: My experience from some time ago and my wife's experience from late last year both are contrary to this. We both had non-platinum US MP Visa cards and both received the 20,000 sign-up bonus when we subsequently obtained the platinum card.
Re #2: As a 1K my entire annual fee was waived, but IIRC there is a thread explaining that this benefit was grandfathered in. That is, I think you only qualify for a complete waiver if you originally obtained the plat card some time ago, but not if you just got it recently. But I'm not certain.
Jan 8, 2008, 11:29 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, United Silver
Posts: 575
Thank you for the quick response. How do I submit requests online? Through 1k website? Or do you mean through to Chase to process the applicaton? Naturally I'd prefer not to submit an application until I have some answers.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jan 8, 2008, 11:54 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the airlines I worked for.
Posts: 1,894
Question: For NEW Visa Platinum MP accounts, don't they discount the annual fee by $60 for 1Ks (i.e. the amount they waive for regular MP Visa 1K cardholders)?
Jan 9, 2008, 1:03 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,054
Yes, 1K members get a $60 discount on any of the cards.
Jan 9, 2008, 8:21 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold (1MM), AS MVP
Posts: 989
Thanks all for the input, I guess the situation is as simple as I'd hoped - I will need the EQM this year (and the RDM too, if that indeed comes through). I just hope that I'm able to book most of my travel on united.com. Does anyone know if UnitedVacations.com counts? The RDM offer seems to give more leeway than the EQM offer.
Jan 9, 2008, 12:20 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,054
Jan 9, 2008, 2:04 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
Thanks all for the input, I guess the situation is as simple as I'd hoped - I will need the EQM this year (and the RDM too, if that indeed comes through). I just hope that I'm able to book most of my travel on united.com. Does anyone know if UnitedVacations.com counts? The RDM offer seems to give more leeway than the EQM offer.
Last edited by chitownflyer; Jan 9, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Jan 9, 2008, 2:18 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Ironically, we shelled out the $140 and signed her up for the platinum so she would get the 5,000 EQMs necessary to bump her up from 2P to 1P before the end of 2007, but didn't expect to get the 20,000 RDMs. Then it turned out that a last minute business trip got her enough EQMs to make 1P anyway, rendering the 5,000 EQM bonus meaningless. But the 20,000 RDMs made it at least somewhat worthwhile.
Mileage Plus giveth, and Mileage Plus taketh away.
Jan 9, 2008, 11:16 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NYC/SFO
Programs: UA 1K*MM, AA PP
Posts: 1,097
I called two days ago about switching my card to Platinum (I'm in the same position as the OP, not needing EQM's last year but probably will need them this year).
I was told that the 5K EQM on "sign-up or switch" promotion ended November 30th and I wouldn't get them if I switched.
I said thanks no thanks, but now I wonder if I should call again... the person did check with someone, but still, they could be wrong...
I was told that the 5K EQM on "sign-up or switch" promotion ended November 30th and I wouldn't get them if I switched.
I said thanks no thanks, but now I wonder if I should call again... the person did check with someone, but still, they could be wrong...