topic Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next? in SmorgasBoard

So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:13:53 GMT

So, we have seen the downfall of the Chase Sapphire preferred card, and most recently the slashing of the US Bank Cash+ card.

who is next? It seems like its the popular cards that are going down hard.

Amex Blue cash preferred?

Maybe Discover IT/ Chase freedom with those insane 5% categories?

Maybe that Double cash card from citi is up next on the chopping block?

It seems that cards that offer >2% cash back equivalent are getting axed, and if its not the cash back, its the benefits such as points transfers or bonus category shifts to lame categories.

On a similar note, could we be seeing declines in Visa Signature and World mastercard/elite benefits in the future?

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:19:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So, we have seen the downfall of the Chase Sapphire preferred card, and most recently the slashing of the US Bank Cash+ card.

who is next? It seems like its the popular cards that are going down hard.

Amex Blue cash preferred?

Maybe Discover IT/ Chase freedom with those insane 5% categories?

Maybe that Double cash card from citi is up next on the chopping block?

It seems that cards that offer >2% cash back equivalent are getting axed, and if its not the cash back, its the benefits such as points transfers or bonus category shifts to lame categories.

On a similar note, could we be seeing declines in Visa Signature and World mastercard/elite benefits in the future?

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

Possibly the AMEX PRG.

Doublecash is too new. Wait about 1-2yrs.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:22:23 GMT

How so with the PRG?

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:23:41 GMT

What was the big benefit slash for the CSP? The programs they got rid of weren't essential IMO.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:24:54 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So, we have seen the downfall of the Chase Sapphire preferred card, and most recently the slashing of the US Bank Cash+ card.

who is next? It seems like its the popular cards that are going down hard.

Amex Blue cash preferred?

Maybe Discover IT/ Chase freedom with those insane 5% categories?

Maybe that Double cash card from citi is up next on the chopping block?

It seems that cards that offer >2% cash back equivalent are getting axed, and if its not the cash back, its the benefits such as points transfers or bonus category shifts to lame categories.

On a similar note, could we be seeing declines in Visa Signature and World mastercard/elite benefits in the future?

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

Not sure that those examples count as "slashed" CSP has the 7% bonus removed, but that really is small (about 7%). Cash Plus really was slashed a year ago, the changing of categories is much more minor. Similarly BCP was capped about 18 months ago, so I think it is probably now OK.

I think the main danger is any card with a high uncapped category, such as Chase AARP with 3% etc. And of course the Amex Blue Cash but I am in denial about that possibility.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

gh17 — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:25:58 GMT

Citi Forward seems the obvious answer to me - it's already discontinued for new accounts, but those of us who have it are still getting 5x the points on restaurants, entertainment, and bookstores/Amazon.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:26:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
How so with the PRG?

I think they'll nerf the signup bonus and we may see yet another devaluation in MR redemption.

Also, if you haven't heard. They're killing the 15K bonus MR after $30,000 annual spend. It's already started.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

CreditUnionFan — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:28:44 GMT

I doubt the Citi Double Cash will be axed quickly, since it was just released.

I wouldn't be surprised if AmEx changes the Blue Cash Everyday / Preferred, perhaps in favor of the "Everyday".

I wouldn't be surprised to see a change to the Sallie Mae and UPromise cards, now that Sallie Mae is divided into two companies, with one being Navient. (they say there's no change, but I'm not holding my breath)

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:30:59 GMT

@gh17 wrote:
Citi Forward seems the obvious answer to me - it's already discontinued for new accounts, but those of us who have it are still getting 5x the points on restaurants, entertainment, and bookstores/Amazon.

Yes, I agree with that. But that has been predicted for a long time and hasn't happened yet, maybe Citi forgot! Oh no, they sent those emails promoting the reward structure last month.

But will get more use from those currently using cash plus.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:33:46 GMT

@CreditUnionFan wrote:
I doubt the Citi Double Cash will be axed quickly, since it was just released.

I wouldn't be surprised if AmEx changes the Blue Cash Everyday / Preferred, perhaps in favor of the "Everyday".

I wouldn't be surprised to see a change to the Sallie Mae and UPromise cards, now that Sallie Mae is divided into two companies, with one being Navient. (they say there's no change, but I'm not holding my breath)

Citi has nerfed quickly in the past, both Premier and Prestige (although some benefits were also added eventually to the Premier).

You could certainly be right about Amex, pushing their cards from cash back to MR, though that wouldn't really be nerfing.

Sallie Mae gas and grocery caps are small, I can see them reducing the bookstore one (250/250/250 sounds nice and simple!) but I don't know if a lot of people also use it in 1% categories.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

CreditUnionFan — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:35:53 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Not sure that those examples count as "slashed" CSP has the 7% bonus removed, but that really is small (about 7%). Cash Plus really was slashed a year ago, the changing of categories is much more minor. Similarly BCP was capped about 18 months ago, so I think it is probably now OK.

I think the main danger is any card with a high uncapped category, such as Chase AARP with 3% etc. And of course the Amex Blue Cash but I am in denial about that possibility.

Bite your tongue on the AARP... it's on my list.

Same with the Blue Cash. I'm loving the uncapped 5% on gas, groceries, and drugstores.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

CreditUnionFan — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:45:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Citi has nerfed quickly in the past, both Premier and Prestige (although some benefits were also added eventually to the Premier).

You could certainly be right about Amex, pushing their cards from cash back to MR, though that wouldn't really be nerfing.

Sallie Mae gas and grocery caps are small, I can see them reducing the bookstore one (250/250/250 sounds nice and simple!) but I don't know if a lot of people also use it in 1% categories.

The smart users choose percentages, rather than points... because points can be devalued at any time.

Therefore, if AmEx wanted to give themselves flexibility, they would switch from cash to points. I've been stumped what to do with 45k MR points I have sitting on an AmEx Blue (points)...

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:09:45 GMT

@CreditUnionFan wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Citi has nerfed quickly in the past, both Premier and Prestige (although some benefits were also added eventually to the Premier).

You could certainly be right about Amex, pushing their cards from cash back to MR, though that wouldn't really be nerfing.

Sallie Mae gas and grocery caps are small, I can see them reducing the bookstore one (250/250/250 sounds nice and simple!) but I don't know if a lot of people also use it in 1% categories.
The smart users choose percentages, rather than points... because points can be devalued at any time.

Therefore, if AmEx wanted to give themselves flexibility, they would switch from cash to points. I've been stumped what to do with 45k MR points I have sitting on an AmEx Blue (points)...

This is why i defend the Blue Sky line of cards.

It's been 7500pts for $100 cashback on travel since the beginning.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

gh17 — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:30:53 GMT

Also kind of agree with the Sallie Mae. Its year-round 5% gas/groceries just seems too good to be true sometimes.

And with the Navient swtich, it's definitely possible that it could be an ideal time for them to drop the card or its benefits along with the rebranding.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

gh17 — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:32:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@gh17 wrote:
Citi Forward seems the obvious answer to me - it's already discontinued for new accounts, but those of us who have it are still getting 5x the points on restaurants, entertainment, and bookstores/Amazon.
Yes, I agree with that. But that has been predicted for a long time and hasn't happened yet, maybe Citi forgot! Oh no, they sent those emails promoting the reward structure last month.

But will get more use from those currently using cash plus.

I know, I'm always surprised when they send me reminder emails about the 5x the points, and I feel like they do pretty often. Who knows.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

L-TWT — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 01:04:40 GMT

I foresee Amex raising the AF of the BCP to $95, which IMO would be a slash, especially if nothing is added!

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 01:15:09 GMT

I don't think Discover will remove their rotating category for 5% cash back, otherwise they would lose lots of customers. There are lots of people who doesn't like discover just because they're not widely accepted as visa or mastercard.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

joedtx — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 14:11:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What was the big benefit slash for the CSP? The programs they got rid of weren't essential IMO.

Huh???? You ask a valid question, and then reply without an answer?

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

chalupaman — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:01:39 GMT

Maybe Barclays might start cutting back on their benefits a bit, perhaps for the Arrival + or something like that.

Re: So what card will get it's benefits slashed next?

CreditJim — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:52:19 GMT

The Arrival + is basically a 2% cash back card (a little extra if you redeem for a credit towards travel). Citi now offers a 2% cash back card with no AF. Exactly what benefits does the Arrival+ have to slash??