Just thought I'd share this experience to help people understand the Chase rules. I got the Chase Freedom a year ago and product-changed it to Freedom Unlimited like 6 months ago. Now I'm wishing I hadn't done that as I would really like that 5% on groceries during Covid and all. So I tried to switch back and they said that wasn't an option. I logged on to Chase and they said I was pre-approved for the Chase Preferred or Reserve, which is funny b/c the Reserve was my dream card before traveling became impractical. Being pre-approved for those cards I figured it'd be easy to get the Freedom. Nope. I was declined because I had already received the sign up bonus. But I didn't want the bonus, I just wanted 5% on groceries. I called the recon line and she said that basically once you have a Freedom, normal or unlimited, you cannot have another one in 24 months because they come with a bonus and that can't be separated from the card. I could still get the Preferred or Reserve and Chase at least didn't ping me with a hard hit for my application.
AU
Thanks for sharing.
On the card front page right below the SUB:
"This product is available to you if you do not have this card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 month"
From that statement, they lock you out of the card (product) and not just the SUB, like you have found out. Sorry about your denial. Looks like it didn't hurt you, though.
