topic Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC in Credit Cards

Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

matthew2115 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:02:49 GMT

I thought I'd recount a conversation I just had with Chase about my United MileagePlus WEMC (was a Continental OnePass card before the merger, which was a MC product and not a Visa like the current Chase United cards) and ask if anyone else has had a similar experience trying to PC:

The AF is coming due on this card in March, so I called United/Chase Cardservices at 1-800-323-6252 to see what I could do about it. First off, a CSR answered the phone immediately and she was very pleasant through the whole conversation. I let her know that I was calling because I'm considering closing the card. She asked what the issue is and if there's anything she could do to fix it before taking action to close. I told her that the upcoming increase to the AF ($95, up from $85 I believe) was the primary reason, and since Southwest has increased their service in my area, I'm just not flying United enough to make the AF worth it any more.

She apologized and said that she pulled up my account to see if there is anything she could do to waive the fee or offer a mileage credit, and there are no offers available. (I didn't ask her to check, she just did it while I was talking.) I said, that's too bad -- what about the option of converting this account to another Chase card that does not carry an annual fee? (I didn't name names at first, but I was going to ask about the Amazon card.) She responded, unfortunately, we have signed an agreement with United NOT to change their cards into any other card.

I asked her to say that again - "just to confirm, you're saying that you cannot change this card into another Chase card, like the Amazon or the Freedom or the Sapphire?" She said, that's right - has to stay a United card. Then she went to check her system and came back saying that she COULD change the card into another United card that has NO annual fee, but that one only earns 1 mile per dollar on United instead of the 2 miles on my current card and that my card number would change as they need to move to a Visa product from MC.

She also then volunteered that if I am interested in another Chase product, I could always apply for that separately (pointing out that it's a HP on my credit) and then move the credit line over from the United card before closing it so that I don't lose the available credit.

So, I closed out the conversation having her recap that my options are as follows: 1 - There are NO retention offers available, so I have to pay the fee if I keep this open, 2 - I cannot change this into a new product that isn't United-branded, 3 - I CAN change to a no-annual-fee United card with lower rewards, or 4 - I can open a new card of my choosing and move this limit over before closing out.

Ultimately, I said since I have until March when the new AF charges, I will think about it and call back again next month.

So I suppose my ultimate question to you all is: Anyone else been told that you can't change a United card into anything other than another United card?

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:04:09 GMT

I'm pretty sure that Chase does not PC any co branded card like United or Amazon.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

matthew2115 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:08:06 GMT

A few months ago, I was able to PC my Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Business card to the Chase Ink Cash card with no problem whatsoever. Different rules for business v. personal cards perhaps?

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:12:20 GMT

@matthew2115 wrote:
A few months ago, I was able to PC my Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Business card to the Chase Ink Cash card with no problem whatsoever. Different rules for business v. personal cards perhaps?

Probably because you were willing to give up the signup bonus.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

matthew2115 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:20:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@matthew2115 wrote:
A few months ago, I was able to PC my Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Business card to the Chase Ink Cash card with no problem whatsoever. Different rules for business v. personal cards perhaps?
Probably because you were willing to give up the signup bonus.

Well, you're right on that point, but I don't know if that's why they'd allow it in this case but not in the case of a United card - I never expected to get a signup bonus for the Ink Cash; they had just given me 50k Southwest points. And I remember the CSR pointing this out to me, which I expected and accepted. But, I would be willing to give up the signup bonus on the Amazon card, too, so I don't know that this logic holds. ;-P

Anyone have direct experience with Chase saying no to a United card switcheroo?

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

Imperfectfuture — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:01:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm pretty sure that Chase does not PC any co branded card like United or Amazon.

I'm doubly sure. They don't really PC ANY cards, except maybe CSP to CS. It's standard operating procedure to open another card you want, and move the credit line over, (for chase)

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

msbia — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:02:13 GMT

@Imperfectfuture wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm pretty sure that Chase does not PC any co branded card like United or Amazon.
I'm doubly sure. They don't really PC ANY cards, except maybe CSP to CS. It's standard operating procedure to open another card you want, and move the credit line over, (for chase)

I must be the exception to the rule. In November a credit analyst PC'd my Chase Amazon to the Freedom.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:04:45 GMT

@msbia wrote:
@Imperfectfuture wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm pretty sure that Chase does not PC any co branded card like United or Amazon.
I'm doubly sure. They don't really PC ANY cards, except maybe CSP to CS. It's standard operating procedure to open another card you want, and move the credit line over, (for chase)
I must be the exception to the rule. In November a credit analyst PC'd my Chase Amazon to the Freedom.

Probably because of the signup bonus at the time.

Supervisor: "If it saves the $200 signup bonus, go ahead and push it through"

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

msbia — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:11:17 GMT

^ Then I guess it was a win/win. I didn't care about the $200, I wanted the 5% categories to complement my Discover. My point was, I was able to PC a Chase card.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

370Z — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 06:08:22 GMT

The CSR was correct. The only PC options are the Mileage Plus Visa or United Club.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

FinStar — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:15:21 GMT

@370Z wrote:
The CSR was correct. The only PC options are the Mileage Plus Visa or United Club.

Or, the only downgrade (provided they still offer it depending on whether the account is elegible) is the MP Select, but no other Chase PC options OP. CSR is correct.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

matthew2115 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:22:38 GMT

Thanks for all the feedback, folks. I'm going to call back in next month on the off chance that they have a retention offer, and if not I'll downgrade to the no-AF United option.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

NRB525 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:34:23 GMT

@matthew2115 wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback, folks. I'm going to call back in next month on the off chance that they have a retention offer, and if not I'll downgrade to the no-AF United option.

That actually sounds like an excellent option. I've got an offer to get the Mileage Plus, AF first year waived, and the signup bonus is good, but looking at the other cards available, which no AF card did they offer?

Mileage Plus Awards - $1 = 1 mile, Priority boarding, miles don't expire, should be no AF (this is interesting)

Mileage Plus Select - 3 miles per $1 on United tickes, 2 miles on gas, grocery, restaurant, home improvement, 2 miles on other Star Alliance tickets, 1 mile on everything else. Not clear if this one has AF or not, but the awards rate is interesting. Taking out the Club access raises some possibilities.

Explorer is the $95 AF, two Club passes per year, other stuff.

Club is the $395 AF.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

matthew2115 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:44:20 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
@matthew2115 wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback, folks. I'm going to call back in next month on the off chance that they have a retention offer, and if not I'll downgrade to the no-AF United option.
That actually sounds like an excellent option. I've got an offer to get the Mileage Plus, AF first year waived, and the signup bonus is good, but looking at the other cards available, which no AF card did they offer?

Mileage Plus Awards - $1 = 1 mile, Priority boarding, miles don't expire, should be no AF (this is interesting)

Mileage Plus Select - 3 miles per $1 on United tickes, 2 miles on gas, grocery, restaurant, home improvement, 2 miles on other Star Alliance tickets, 1 mile on everything else. Not clear if this one has AF or not, but the awards rate is interesting. Taking out the Club access raises some possibilities.

Explorer is the $95 AF, two Club passes per year, other stuff.
Club is the $395 AF.

CSR didn't specify the product she was offering me by name (I didn't ask either), but she did say the reward rate was $1= 1 mile. So, presumably she was offering me the Mileage Plus Awards card. I'll be sure to ask what all the options are when I call back in next month.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 23:43:50 GMT

CSR didn't specify the product she was offering me by name (I didn't ask either), but she did say the reward rate was $1= 1 mile. So, presumably she was offering me the Mileage Plus Awards card. I'll be sure to ask what all the options are when I call back in next month.

I know my dad has had the Mileage Plus Awards card since they first offered it and I believe it had a $65 AF. He is still paying the AF and I believe he is going to be charged for it again soon. If you end up getting the Awards card with no-AF, could you please post it in here so I can hopefully help him get his removed. Thanks.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 23:54:02 GMT

@Imperfectfuture wrote:
I'm doubly sure. They don't really PC ANY cards, except maybe CSP to CS. It's standard operating procedure to open another card you want, and move the credit line over, (for chase)

I can PC my Freedom to CSP or Slate anytime

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

HiLine — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 02:07:22 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
@matthew2115 wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback, folks. I'm going to call back in next month on the off chance that they have a retention offer, and if not I'll downgrade to the no-AF United option.
That actually sounds like an excellent option. I've got an offer to get the Mileage Plus, AF first year waived, and the signup bonus is good, but looking at the other cards available, which no AF card did they offer?

Mileage Plus Awards - $1 = 1 mile, Priority boarding, miles don't expire, should be no AF (this is interesting)

Mileage Plus Select - 3 miles per $1 on United tickes, 2 miles on gas, grocery, restaurant, home improvement, 2 miles on other Star Alliance tickets, 1 mile on everything else. Not clear if this one has AF or not, but the awards rate is interesting. Taking out the Club access raises some possibilities.

Explorer is the $95 AF, two Club passes per year, other stuff.
Club is the $395 AF.

Pretty sure these two cards are no longer offered...

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

NRB525 — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:02:01 GMT

There is no app link, that is true. There is no pricing information either, so if there is a downgrade option from the $95 Explorer card, it is not obvious what the result would be, whether an AF would be charged.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

HiLine — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:30:49 GMT

The most plausible scenario is that the CSR is misinformed. I doubt there is a Chase-issued United credit card that the Explorer can be "downgraded" to.

Re: Chase United MileagePlus Cannot PC

matthew2115 — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:47:50 GMT

Well, I went ahead and pulled the trigger. The original CSR was misinformed when she said that the no-fee downgrade option offered 1 mile per $ on United - it doesn't. But there is a downgrade product available. Since there continued to be no offers available for me to keep the Explorer, I decided to make the switch while I decide what I want to do long-term - either keep this permanently in the SD or close. I think ultimately I will close this down and move the CL over to my other Chase products, but this at least gives me some breathing room where I don't have to worry about the fee hitting before I make up my mind. I was told that if I wanted to convert back up later I could do so, but the AF would come due pretty much as soon as I did that.

So, here's what they offer:

United MileagePlus Rewards Card

Visa (NOT a signature)

No annual fee

Earns 1 mile for every $2 spending (So, this will be used NEVER)

Carries no other benefits that the Explorer does (no free bags, etc)

Does NOT keep United Miles alive like the Explorer - so the 18 month expiration clock starts ticking