topic Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade in Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:37:14 GMT

I currently have the CSR, and I assume I am on the old "cardmember year" regime, in that a got a travel credit on Dec 24 2021 (having certainly used up $300 elsewhere in 2021) and the AF posting on Feb 1, 2022. I have now used all the $300

I am about to downgrade to the CSP. While the difference after travel credit is only $155, it feels, for now, that since I have used the credit this year, the difference is $455 which is certainly not worthwhile this year.

My question is if I upgrade again later, anyone know if I move to calander year model? i.e. if I upgraded in Nov 2022, would I get my travel credit in Dec or have to wait till Jan 2023 (not all that different I know).

And yes, I know the way to really play this game is to convert the CSR to a freedom or whatever, and apply for a CSP (or do the same for the CSP later and apply for the CSR) but too aggressive for my current tastes.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

K-in-Boston — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:52:47 GMT

Calendar year model was completely discontinued after "app for card in December, use two travel credits in December and January, CLD card below $10,000 and not have to pay a single annual fee" games. Oops, I mean after "Chase nerfed the card and will go out of business soon!" 😂

If you PC to or app for a CSR again in the future, it will always be based on cardholder year.

Edit: Also, the travel credit should be available immediately. Chase always charges the AF months later on renewals but the travel credit still resets on the card anniversary.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

distal_cluster — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 00:31:32 GMT

If it interests you, there is also the option to downgrade the CSR/CSP to a no-fee Sapphire. You can even continue using the same physical card. I don't remember the rewards program details, but they are predictably basic. I did that a few years ago to go for a ride with AMEX PRG instead of Chase for my lone AF and upper tier rewards card.

I ultimately canceled the AMEX and re-upped with Chase to a Reserve.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

FinStar — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 01:31:37 GMT

@distal_cluster wrote:
If it interests you, there is also the option to downgrade the CSR/CSP to a no-fee Sapphire. You can even continue using the same physical card. I don't remember the rewards program details, but they are predictably basic. I did that a few years ago to go for a ride with AMEX PRG instead of Chase for my lone AF and upper tier rewards card.

I ultimately canceled the AMEX and re-upped with Chase to a Reserve.

@distal_cluster

While it may be a viable alternative for some, the non-Preferred version only earns 2x on dining and 1x on all other purchases, but $0 earnings on travel purchases. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get a redemption bonus like the other Sapphire CCs nor does it allow any transfer of points to partners.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

NRB525 — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 05:31:06 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I currently have the CSR, and I assume I am on the old "cardmember year" regime, in that a got a travel credit on Dec 24 2021 (having certainly used up $300 elsewhere in 2021) and the AF posting on Feb 1, 2022. I have now used all the $300

I am about to downgrade to the CSP. While the difference after travel credit is only $155, it feels, for now, that since I have used the credit this year, the difference is $455 which is certainly not worthwhile this year.

My question is if I upgrade again later, anyone know if I move to calander year model? i.e. if I upgraded in Nov 2022, would I get my travel credit in Dec or have to wait till Jan 2023 (not all that different I know).

And yes, I know the way to really play this game is to convert the CSR to a freedom or whatever, and apply for a CSP (or do the same for the CSP later and apply for the CSR) but too aggressive for my current tastes.

Are you keeping the CSP to be able to transfer points?

What is your long term view to UR points, and the Chase cards you have?

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 06:00:37 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
Are you keeping the CSP to be able to transfer points?
What is your long term view to UR points, and the Chase cards you have?

Probably not transferring points. I have the CFF and CFU, and, along with travel and dining on CSR, I have been using the URs with Pay Yourself Back. I may well move the CSP to a Freedom or something later on, but the drop from CSR to nothing seems a bit extreme to do in one go. Looks like the downgrade will cause me less rewards for:

1) Dining (and drug stores) when not able to use mobile pay (AR). With PYB, I get 4.5%, switching to the CSP makes this 3.75%. With no CSP, 3%

2) On points gained on CFF, currently 7.5%, switching to 6.25%, but that's not on a huge amount. With no CSP, 5%

3) Parking and tolls etc (travel not covered by AR), currently 4.5%, would change to 2.5% with CSP (once my 3% with USAlliance ceases). With no CSP, 2%

I also will lose better travel insurance and good Priority Pass (AR is 4 a year)

None of this is all that significant and I might well decide that the $95 fee for the CSP isn't justified either.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

EAJuggalo — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 12:18:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@NRB525 wrote:
Are you keeping the CSP to be able to transfer points?
What is your long term view to UR points, and the Chase cards you have?
Probably not transferring points. I have the CFF and CFU, and, along with travel and dining on CSR, I have been using the URs with Pay Yourself Back. I may well move the CSP to a Freedom or something later on, but the drop from CSR to nothing seems a bit extreme to do in one go. Looks like the downgrade will cause me less rewards for:

1) Dining (and drug stores) when not able to use mobile pay (AR). With PYB, I get 4.5%, switching to the CSP makes this 3.75%. With no CSP, 3%
2) On points gained on CFF, currently 7.5%, switching to 6.25%, but that's not on a huge amount. With no CSP, 5%
3) Parking and tolls etc (travel not covered by AR), currently 4.5%, would change to 2.5% with CSP (once my 3% with USAlliance ceases). With no CSP, 2%

I also will lose better travel insurance and good Priority Pass (AR is 4 a year)

None of this is all that significant and I might well decide that the $95 fee for the CSP isn't justified either.

You're making assumptions that PYB will continue and include categories that you spend in enough to get max value for all of your UR. Many categories have already been discontinued on the CSP. How much are you spending on AirBnB or Away?

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 14:18:56 GMT

@EAJuggalo wrote:
You're making assumptions that PYB will continue and include categories that you spend in enough to get max value for all of your UR. Many categories have already been discontinued on the CSP. How much are you spending on AirBnB or Away?

Thanks! I had thought that PYB was the same on CSR and CSP apart from rate. Now I see that CSP doesn't have dining now. So that really does push me to going straight to downgrading to a Freedom. And reevaluate if and when new categories are introduced after Mar 31.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

mkhan1093 — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 21:17:11 GMT

Making a similar decision right aroud now: don't really use PYB with my CSR, and not expecting to use my UR points for the following year or two (normally I would transfer to partners). If I downgrade to CFF, and then re-upgrade to CSP/CSR, would I run into any issues?

The Priority Pass on the CSR is now no longer competitive right? It's the same as the Amex Plat and Bonvoy Brilliant?

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

wasCB14 — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 22:11:12 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
Making a similar decision right aroud now: don't really use PYB with my CSR, and not expecting to use my UR points for the following year or two (normally I would transfer to partners). If I downgrade to CFF, and then re-upgrade to CSP/CSR, would I run into any issues?

The Priority Pass on the CSR is now no longer competitive right? It's the same as the Amex Plat and Bonvoy Brilliant?

Last I checked, Amex PP excluded restaurants while Chase PP included them.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

K-in-Boston — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 22:28:02 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
Making a similar decision right aroud now: don't really use PYB with my CSR, and not expecting to use my UR points for the following year or two (normally I would transfer to partners). If I downgrade to CFF, and then re-upgrade to CSP/CSR, would I run into any issues?

The Priority Pass on the CSR is now no longer competitive right? It's the same as the Amex Plat and Bonvoy Brilliant?

Priority Pass itself is better on CSR than Amex Platinum, Brilliant, and the Hilton card with it (additionally, I believe the latter only offers a limited number of uses). The difference would be with dining options not being available on the Amex issued cards. Platinum of course offers a multitude of additional lounge options. The cream of the crop for Priority Pass remains the Ritz-Carlton card with its dining options and unlimited guests (subject to individual participants allowing them of course).

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 22:49:32 GMT

Just used my last PYB and downgraded to Chase Freedom. No longer one of the elite (just joking, of course I am!)

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

K-in-Boston — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 23:00:51 GMT

I'm struggling to figure out the least offensive response here... Congrats on your longer hold times? 😂

In all seriousness though, will you be eligible for another CSP bonus in time to do a new app and give yourself a year for the PC before you "need" the upgrade to CSR again, or are you just planning to PC this same card back?

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 23:11:58 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
I'm struggling to figure out the least offensive response here... Congrats on your longer hold times? 😂

In all seriousness though, will you be eligible for another CSP bonus in time to do a new app and give yourself a year for the PC before you "need" the upgrade to CSR again, or are you just planning to PC this same card back?

Yes, I assume I will be eligible for the bonus, looks like I got it in Jan 2017 (looks like I met minimum spend with Plastiq for a mortgage and some gift cards, I would be more cautious these days, and Plastiq mortgage payment on Visa probably wouldn't work). But currently don't plan to app, and if something compelling happens with the CSR, I might just PC back (though giving up a large SUB would be hard).

As @Remedios mentioned in another thread, the danger is if something bad happens to the AR. Then I will certainly return to the CSR.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

K-in-Boston — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 23:46:57 GMT

If 3x mobile disappears, we riot! The GoGo WiFi passes and fewer opportunities for me to use mobile payments the past 2 years have me questioning my own AR renewal at the end of the year.

Our CSRs were the same age, then. (Mine was a wee hours of New Years Day 2017 rage CSP app after being denied a CLI on a 10 year-old Freedom. LOL) Since I've been eligible for a CSP sub again for 13 months, I've been considering the idea of closing my CSR and opening another CSP (to PC to CSR after a year).

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

wasCB14 — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:08:17 GMT

What's the state of Peloton credits on CSR/CSP? Are they going away soon?

I got my CSR SUB around July 2018 so the 48-month wait should be ending soon.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

NRB525 — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:35:20 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
What's the state of Peloton credits on CSR/CSP? Are they going away soon?

I got my CSR SUB around July 2018 so the 48-month wait should be ending soon.

The CSR and CSP Peloton enhanced points earning and $120 statement credit end on June 30, 2022.

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

SPChaser — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 05:38:21 GMT

Excluding the CSR and CSP, how many of the same Chase cards can one hold at a time?

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

mkhan1093 — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:13:56 GMT

The only rule Chase has with regards to something like this is the "one sapphire" rule which means you can only have one active Sapphire card (CS, CSP or CSR) open at a time. For the other products, there are no limits

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:31:49 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
The only rule Chase has with regards to something like this is the "one sapphire" rule which means you can only have one active Sapphire card (CS, CSP or CSR) open at a time. For the other products, there are no limits

When it first came out, the Freedom Flex said something like "only one per member" but it's not clear if that was ever enforced with downgrades. I see now it says:

"This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months"

and CSP/CSR has similar wording:

"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 48 months."

I assume "product" here means the card and the bonus, otherwise it would imply you couldn't get the CSR at all if you had opened, got the bonus and closed say the CSP two years ago. My understanding was that you could get the card, just not the SUB. Anyone know differently?