Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Cannot Be Product Changed?

[NoHardLimits]

My Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card's one year anniversary was last week, and my statement just cut with the $95 annual fee.  I called to request a downgrade to the no annual fee standard Autograph card and was told that Journey was not eligible for any product changes.  Has anyone else come across this restriction?

[DatBoiQuick]

Thanks for the DP. I was actually planning to get this card for the SUB and then downgrade to the regular Autograph. So much for that plan. Maybe they'll offer you a retention deal? I know they are pretty strict on PCs but its kind of silly to not let someone downgrade.

[NoHardLimits]

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@DatBoiQuick wrote:

Thanks for the DP. I was actually planning to get this card for the SUB and then downgrade to the regular Autograph. So much for that plan. Maybe they'll offer you a retention deal? I know they are pretty strict on PCs but its kind of silly to not let someone downgrade.

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I thought about asking for a retention offer, but I don't want to pretend that I'm willing to cancel my account.  The Journey product is still useful for me since I have some pretty big bucket list trips coming up later this year which will code as MCC = travel agency / tour operator.  My other two travel reward cards (USBAR and Amex Plat) don't provide bonus rewards points in that category.  I just would have preferred not paying an annual fee for Journey this year since the standard Autograph would provide the same rewards in this case.  I know that I could just apply for the standard Autograph, but I don't want to reset my SUB clock with Wells Fargo in case the rumored Autograph Beyond product is released soon.

[Realist]

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card was somewhere on a list of mine to secure the SUB, both P1 and P2, to convert the points to choice privileges points.  With a combination of 60k points x 2, that converts to 240,000 points.  So long as you don't have champagne and caviar tastes, that transfer can land you in a $2500-$3500 vacation.

Beyond that, I would sever the card.  It's not much more valuable beyond the SUB.

[NoHardLimits]

We went the P1 and P2 route as well for double the SUB.  The plan was to downgrade at least one to the no annual fee version, but it looks like we will be keeping two Journeys now.  I like having the monthly FICO9 score, so I guess that will now effectively cost $45 a year per person.

[Debt-is-a-Scam]

Unfortunately, that is the catch with that card. When I got my Active Cash card. I called and asked them about it before I applied since I needed a balance transfer card at the time and they told me this. My plan is to PC to Autograph as soon as I'm able.

[TrapLine]

@NoHardLimits 

Hmm ... "Arranging and conducting incentive reward programs to promote the sale of banking and credit card services; Promoting the sale of banking services and credit card accounts through the administration of incentive award programs; Promoting the sale of goods and services of others by awarding purchase points for credit card use; Credit card registration" ...

So is this an add on to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey or, a whole new card product? It reads unclear as to a new card product?

'Inquiring Minds' want to know?

[NoHardLimits]

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@TrapLine wrote:

@NoHardLimits 

Hmm ... "Arranging and conducting incentive reward programs to promote the sale of banking and credit card services; Promoting the sale of banking services and credit card accounts through the administration of incentive award programs; Promoting the sale of goods and services of others by awarding purchase points for credit card use; Credit card registration" ...

So is this an add on to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey or, a whole new card product? It reads unclear as to a new card product?

'Inquiring Minds' want to know?

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@TrapLine  What is the source of that quote?  I don't think I am familiar with it.  It seems to be an example of using circular reasoning to justify bank promotions.

[Realist]

The product has a useful SUB offer, and reasonable transfer partners to make it worthwhile.   Since you can't downsize it, you should have comparable cards to replace it with.  It's my opinion the card isn't worth keeping.  Sever it after SUB use, and allow the timer to reset.

[TrapLine]

@NoHardLimits 

@TrapLine  What is the source of that quote?  I don't think I am familiar with it.  It seems to be an example of using circular reasoning to justify bank promotions.

After reading the MyFIco Forum posts on this, I went to a source that listed trademark filings 'Trademarkia'. They do report some registration for products launches. 

As an aside, the AI said there was no central repository for new finacial products. Note however, Trade and Signature Marks are recorded in a Federal site (United States Patent and Trade Office who is responsible for granting patents for inventions and registering trademarks for products and services) to declare legal ownership.

Found the following (certainly the explanation is clear as mud):

AUTOGRAPH BEYOND

Arranging and conducting incentive reward programs to promote the sale of banking and credit card services; Promoting the sale of banking services and credit card accounts through the administration of incentive award programs; Promoting the sale of goods and services of others by awarding purchase points for credit card use; Credit card registration Issuance of Credit Cards

Classification Information

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Class [036]
Insurance & Financial Services

 

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Issuance of Credit Cards

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First Use Date in General

N/A

First Use Date in Commerce

N/A