Chase Sapphire Reserve: downgrade/upgrade

[longtimelurker]

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.

[K-in-Boston]

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.

[distal_cluster]

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.

[FinStar]

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@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.

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@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.

[NRB525]

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@longtimelurker 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.

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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?

[longtimelurker]

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@NRB525 wrote:

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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?

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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.

[EAJuggalo]

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@longtimelurker wrote:

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@NRB525 wrote:

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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?

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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.

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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?

[longtimelurker]

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@EAJuggalo wrote:

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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?

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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.

[mkhan1093]

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?

[wasCB14]

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@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?

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