Any experience getting the no AF Choice Privileges card, closing it and getting the AF Card?

[ACCFan]

Basically, the no AF CARD has a god SUB right now. I would like to go through those points and then get the one with the AF and the 30K annual points benefit.

I am okay with waiting a while in between.

Has anyone actually done this?

Thanks.

[Vinjints]

Not personal experience, but I've been trying to research this one recently for down the line. It seems WF doesn't allow PC either way for these, and you can't hold both. So the only way to upgrade/downgrade is to open and close. That no AF sub is nice right now and I think it should work if that's the route you go.

[NoHardLimits]

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@Vinjints wrote:

Not personal experience, but I've been trying to research this one recently for down the line. It seems WF doesn't allow PC either way for these, and you can't hold both. So the only way to upgrade/downgrade is to open and close. That no AF sub is nice right now and I think it should work if that's the route you go.

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I can vouch for these restrictions.  P2 had both the Choice Privileges and Autograph Journey 2 months ago.  Wanted to downgrade Journey to the no annual fee Autograph.  Called customer service and was told that option was not available, so closed it since the annual fee was about to post.  Asked about upgrading Choice Privileges to Select, but that option was also not available so left it open as the no annual fee version.  Was told that if P2 wants to apply for the Select, would first need to close the existing no annual fee version as it's not permitted to hold both at the same time.

After learning of the results of the phone call, I dug into the current application fine print for the cards in question and found the following restriction:

"You may not be eligible for the introductory bonus rewards offer if you opened a Choice Privileges Mastercard Credit Card or a Choice Privileges Select Mastercard Credit Card within the last 15 months from the date of this application, even if that account is closed and has a $0 balance.

You may not be eligible for a Choice Mastercard product if you currently have an open Choice Privileges or Choice Privileges Select Mastercard account."

You can find this language by going to the main website page for the specific credit card and then scrolling all the way down to the section called "Other things you need to know".  The restrictions are spelled out near the top of this section.  

Here is the link for the Select card:

https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/choice-hotels-privileges-select-mastercard/?sub_channel=SEO&vendo... 

[Realist]

That's a good sub for the no AF card, as they've been missing one for a while.  It could get you a few nights around town on it's own.  I had eyed this one some time ago, but it's a little lower on my list at the moment while I'm building something else.

One of the scenarios I had envisioned was having both P1 and P2 secure this no AF card, earn the points, and then secure the Autograph Journey card for P1 and P2.   The Journey card offers a 1:2 transfer conversion into Choice points, essentially giving you 120k points each.  If there's a P2 in the picture, and your credit scores are solid, that should yield about 360,000 Choice points in exchange to burn two inquiries each.  That value at a Cambria near a certain type of beach type location during the summer months, secures a vacation up to nine (9) days valued at about $4400.  The reason I know this, is because I was about to do this in the past, and I just checked that the information is still current.

The actions of using your credit score along with the potential of a P2, using welcome bonuses, and transfer partners can significantly enhance value.  It amplifies results and value.  Otherwise the cash value is much less as a stand alone product and effect.  Still, any positive gain is better than nothing.  These days when I'm about to burn a hard inquiry or two along with P2, I want to make sure that I'm paid handsomely to do so.

[ACCFan]

Thanks for all the helpful information.

I have confidence to apply for both now.