Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus

[TomTX]

Congratulations on the CSR. Any reason you went for a Freedom instead of CSP?

[Ebrat]

This is my n=1 anecdotal evidence yet I posit Chase extends approximately half your stated income in credit as I am currently sitting at 35K.

Between the same trifecta, I'm at over 50k. I told my husband I was going to use it all to buy a new, really nice car. He wasn't pleased :)

I booked tickets today to Paris with some of my points. So excited!

[ZagNation]

Congratulations on the CSR. Any reason you went for a Freedom instead of CSP?

Good question Tom. Ultimately I will be using the freedom cards as an UR point pipeline for the CSR and the 5% rotating categories from the CF would provide a boost in points every quarter. I freely admit that I did not do my due diligence researching the merits of keeping both but in my humble opinion the CSR is essentially the CSP on steroids in terms of more generous bonus categories, a higher redemption rate through the Chase travel portal as well as the same if not better benefits across the board. Since I plan on keeping the CSR and already had the CFU, having two Chase cards with annual fees didn't really make sense for my situation.

[TomTX]

Congratulations on the CSR. Any reason you went for a Freedom instead of CSP?

Good question Tom. Ultimately I will be using the freedom cards as an UR point pipeline for the CSR and the 5% rotating categories from the CF would provide a boost in points every quarter. I freely admit that I did not do my due diligence researching the merits of keeping both but in my humble opinion the CSR is essentially the CSP on steroids in terms of more generous bonus categories, a higher redemption rate through the Chase travel portal as well as the same if not better benefits across the board. Since I plan on keeping the CSR and already had the CFU, having two Chase cards with annual fees didn't really make sense for my situation.

Absolutely.

Another option for that situation is to sign up for the CSP, get the 50k signup bonus, no AF for the first year. Later do a product change to Freedom. Might need to downgrade to the unadvertised CS first, then CF.  Max bonus points on CF for a quarter is only $75.

[katsiki]

No changes on the in-branch pre-approvals, right?  They are still dead from everything I can find online.

[ZagNation]

Congratulations on the CSR. Any reason you went for a Freedom instead of CSP?

Good question Tom. Ultimately I will be using the freedom cards as an UR point pipeline for the CSR and the 5% rotating categories from the CF would provide a boost in points every quarter. I freely admit that I did not do my due diligence researching the merits of keeping both but in my humble opinion the CSR is essentially the CSP on steroids in terms of more generous bonus categories, a higher redemption rate through the Chase travel portal as well as the same if not better benefits across the board. Since I plan on keeping the CSR and already had the CFU, having two Chase cards with annual fees didn't really make sense for my situation.

Absolutely.

Another option for that situation is to sign up for the CSP, get the 50k signup bonus, no AF for the first year. Later do a product change to Freedom. Might need to downgrade to the unadvertised CS first, then CF.  Max bonus points on CF for a quarter is only $75.

Now that you mention it, that would have been a better strategy however I am now back at 5/24 so I'll need to wait until another card drops off to take advantage of the CSP signup bonus.

[TomTX]

If anyone wants to chse the business card bonuses, one of the Ink variants is rumored to be getting bumped up to a 100k bonus sometime soonish

[robtown]

I have the CSR and just closed my Chase Sapphire.  I also have the Amazon Prime (5% off Amazon) administered by Chase.   What Chase cards should I pick up for sign-on points (transferable to CSR)?

I also have AMEX blue that gives 6% on first $6k of groceries and costs $90,  that's $270 net per year.

[Catbert]

I have the CSR and just closed my Chase Sapphire.  I also have the Amazon Prime (5% off Amazon) administered by Chase.   What Chase cards should I pick up for sign-on points (transferable to CSR)?

Freedom and Sapphire Preferred both earn Ultimate Reward points which you can transfer to CRS.

But what are you going to do with the points?  If traveling internationally is part of the plan you might be better off getting something like a United Card (50,000 point bonus at the moment) and transfer UR points to get air fare overseas.

[chesebert]

Is CSR offer still valid?

[Catbert]

Is CSR offer still valid?

100K offer is still valid in a Chase branch (through March 12th I believe).  Public offer is otherwise 50K.

[EconDiva]

I might be booking a flight and using some of my 120,000 points soon...

Where can I see the transfer value to different airlines?  It's 1:1 for United, right?  So if I transfer 30,000 points to United it will be the equivalent of 30,000 miles, correct?

I need to see the ratio for American, Southwest and Delta as well.

[CloserToFree]

Thanks for the heads up re Southwest being under 5/24-- I got conflicting advice on another thread.  I did apply online and got the foreboding "we'll let you know within 30 days" response which probably means I'm going to be rejected.  Guess it's back to the drawing table and time to decide whether I apply for something else or lay low until I get under 5/24 in November.  DH has the Reserve so at least one of us is benefiting from that sweet deal!

Circling back again.  Got rejected for the first Southwest card I applied for so I can confirm they use the 5/24 rule too.  My new plan is to sit tight until November when I'll be under 5/24. :-/

[EconDiva]

For those mentioning doing product switches (i.e., cancel CSR and get another Chase card for instance), you don't get any bonus offers doing a product switch correct?

[iamlindoro]

For those mentioning doing product switches (i.e., cancel CSR and get another Chase card for instance), you don't get any bonus offers doing a product switch correct?

Correct. You just avoid paying the annual fee, and keep your available credit high to minimize the impact on credit score versus closing the card.

[TomTX]

For those mentioning doing product switches (i.e., cancel CSR and get another Chase card for instance), you don't get any bonus offers doing a product switch correct?

You seem to be conflating two different things.

Thing 1: Product change (product switch) - "turn my CSR into something else" - The card will keep the opening date and such, but will be converted into a Freedom (or whatever) - no signup bonus. May not be a hard pull on your credit report.

Thing 2: Open a new Freedom (or whatever) and get the signup bonus. Likely hard pull on your credit report. Then cancel the CSR. Optionally transfer credit limit from the CSR to the Freedom.

[TomTX]

I might be booking a flight and using some of my 120,000 points soon...

Where can I see the transfer value to different airlines?  It's 1:1 for United, right?  So if I transfer 30,000 points to United it will be the equivalent of 30,000 miles, correct?

I need to see the ratio for American, Southwest and Delta as well.

You also need to see how many points it costs to get the flight.

If may be cheaper to just buy the ticket through the Chase portal, since you get 150% value on points that way.

[josh4trunks]

I'm wondering what you guys think happened in my situation below?

I signed up for the CSR last October with a limit of $10,000. I was charged my $450 annual fee, got my $300 travel credit for 2016, got my $300 travel credit for 2017 already, and my 100k point bonus. About a month ago I signed up for the CSR for my wife (who got a ridiculous $29.5K credit limit), and now barely use my CSR anymore.

I had about 8.5K in credit card debt on my Chase Freedom, that was going to start incurring interest in a few months, in July 2017. Then a few days ago I was offered and signed up for the Chase Slate because of the 60 day no fee balance transfer period and no interest for 15 months. I got a $6.2K limit and thought, great I can delay paying most of this debt longer and frontload more towards retirement/student loan debt.

I tried doing the balance transfer for my full $6.4K limit, and noticed it was limiting me to 95% of my available limit. This was fine with me but I thought I might as well call Chase to confirm this was policy, what is more interesting is what happened next...
The agent suggest I transfer my credit (not balance) from my CSR to my Slate. I was allowed to transfer almost all of it except $1000 and my current balance on the card (a little under $200). So I proceeded to transfer $8800 from my CSR to my Slate. My Slate now has a $15K balance, and my CSR $1.2K.

Now this is what really is weird. A few days later, on my last CSR statement close, my CSR got a $450 "MEMBERSHIP FEE CREDIT"... I have no idea what this is about but I plan on spending down the negative balance, and closing the card as soon as possible.

Anyone know why I got this credit?!

[renata ricotta]

I'm wondering what you guys think happened in my situation below?

I signed up for the CSR last October with a limit of $10,000. I was charged my $450 annual fee, got my $300 travel credit for 2016, got my $300 travel credit for 2017 already, and my 100k point bonus. About a month ago I signed up for the CSR for my wife (who got a ridiculous $29.5K credit limit), and now barely use my CSR anymore.

I had about 8.5K in credit card debt on my Chase Freedom, that was going to start incurring interest in a few months, in July 2017. Then a few days ago I was offered and signed up for the Chase Slate because of the 60 day no fee balance transfer period and no interest for 15 months. I got a $6.2K limit and thought, great I can delay paying most of this debt longer and frontload more towards retirement/student loan debt.

I tried doing the balance transfer for my full $6.4K limit, and noticed it was limiting me to 95% of my available limit. This was fine with me but I thought I might as well call Chase to confirm this was policy, what is more interesting is what happened next...
The agent suggest I transfer my credit (not balance) from my CSR to my Slate. I was allowed to transfer almost all of it except $1000 and my current balance on the card (a little under $200). So I proceeded to transfer $8800 from my CSR to my Slate. My Slate now has a $15K balance, and my CSR $1.2K.

Now this is what really is weird. A few days later, on my last CSR statement close, my CSR got a $450 "MEMBERSHIP FEE CREDIT"... I have no idea what this is about but I plan on spending down the negative balance, and closing the card as soon as possible.

Anyone know why I got this credit?!

Weird.  I've certainly heard about transferring credit between cards (when I call to cancel a card, they usually give me the option to spread the credit limit to the other cards I'm keeping open, which is nice because it keeps my debt to credit ratio very good).  But the membership credit is a new one to me.  Maybe if you have a very low limit it figures you aren't using the card benefits so you don't need to pay for them (other than the obvs $600 in travel credit and 100k URs...)?

[dragoncar]

They might be about to close the card themselves, in which case it makes sense for them to refund the annual fee.

[katsiki]

I believe CSR is of the type of card that requires a certain minimum limit (maybe 5K).  Since you're below that, the card isn't eligible for some of the benefits.  The system must flag that and return the annual fee.  Pretty slick!  I wouldn't close the card myself though.

[josh4trunks]

I believe CSR is of the type of card that requires a certain minimum limit (maybe 5K).  Since you're below that, the card isn't eligible for some of the benefits.  The system must flag that and return the annual fee.  Pretty slick!  I wouldn't close the card myself though.

Ohh, that might be it. Interesting, I'm guessing they will not give me the $100 Global Entry bonus then. That is one last thing I plan to take advantage of before closing the card.

[Jaayse]

Well, it looks like I'm late to the party, but for anyone else who clicks on this like I did, hoping that the deal was still valid, they cut the points to 50,000 when you spend $4k in the first 3 months with the same $300 travel bonus each year for $450 fee. 

So if you get the card it is worth $500 in points ($750 towards travel) with $600 for travel over the calendar year divide.  The $1100 (or $1350 if you use it all for travel) seems to still be worth the $450 cost as long as you remember to cancel after the first year.  Not quite the amazing deal the early birds got, but I will be getting one shortly. 

I have a lot of travel coming up due to transferring overseas for my job and a lot of costs I will incur over the next few months as I move.  Thankfully my job will be giving me the money I will be spending on my new card and funding my travel which I will then pay for free with the card... so does that mean I win twice? 

[johnny847]

I believe CSR is of the type of card that requires a certain minimum limit (maybe 5K).  Since you're below that, the card isn't eligible for some of the benefits.  The system must flag that and return the annual fee.  Pretty slick!  I wouldn't close the card myself though.

Ohh, that might be it. Interesting, I'm guessing they will not give me the $100 Global Entry bonus then. That is one last thing I plan to take advantage of before closing the card.

If Chase wanted to do this then it would have to disclose in the terms and conditions of the card that they will take away your benefits if your credit limit is not high enough. As far as I know, no such clause exists.

What actually happened is Chase's system triggered one of the CARD act provisions which states that in the first year, annual fees can not be greater than 25% of the credit limit offered. When this gets violated by reducing the credit limit on your card, Chase automatically issues you an annual fee refund.
http://www.creditcardwatcher.com/credit-hack-getting-fees-waived-on-high-annual-fee-cards/

[josh4trunks]

I believe CSR is of the type of card that requires a certain minimum limit (maybe 5K).  Since you're below that, the card isn't eligible for some of the benefits.  The system must flag that and return the annual fee.  Pretty slick!  I wouldn't close the card myself though.

Ohh, that might be it. Interesting, I'm guessing they will not give me the $100 Global Entry bonus then. That is one last thing I plan to take advantage of before closing the card.

If Chase wanted to do this then it would have to disclose in the terms and conditions of the card that they will take away your benefits if your credit limit is not high enough. As far as I know, no such clause exists.

What actually happened is Chase's system triggered one of the CARD act provisions which states that in the first year, annual fees can not be greater than 25% of the credit limit offered. When this gets violated by reducing the credit limit on your card, Chase automatically issues you an annual fee refund.
http://www.creditcardwatcher.com/credit-hack-getting-fees-waived-on-high-annual-fee-cards/

Sweet... well I wasn't trying to cheat my way out of the fee so I don't feel too bad.

[Roots&Wings]

What are people's plans for keeping this card?

Will you cancel before the annual $450 fee this year for those that acquired one last year?  Or do you feel the $300 travel reimbursement and other perks are worth keeping it for the long haul?

Why would you want to ?? Chase has a policy getting the bonus points if you haven't recieved one within the last 24 months.
Use it until the year is up. Use the 2 $300 travel reaward. Cancel. Make sure you transfer or use up your points before you cancel. Like I would transfer all my points to my Hyatt account. Or transfer it to your FREE annual fee Freedom card and just let the points sit there.
Wait another 12 months or so and re-apply. Even if you don't get the bonus points, you can still do the 2 $300 again.
Even better, re-rinse with the CSP.
When its time to cancel the CSR, apply for the CSP and transfer the points over.
I mean you're not losing money by keeping the CSR but its an advantage to cancel it and re-rinse.

Just wanted to check on exit strategies/timing to avoid the 2nd yr annual fee. What are others doing?

Thinking:
- Get $300 travel credit 2nd time on 1 yr anniversary (book a trip or travel company gift card like Expedia) immediately before cancelling
- Book Ultimate Rewards travel (worth 1.5) prior to cancelling, call Chase to consolidate any remaining UR points to another Chase card (still worth 1.25)
- Cancel or downgrade before $450 annual fee hits (sounds like annual fee posts 1 month after 1 yr anniversary)
- If downgrade, is the only option the Chase Sapphire (which I already have because of downgrading the Preferred last year)?

[Dollar Slice]

- Get $300 travel credit 2nd time on 1 yr anniversary (book a trip or travel company gift card like Expedia) immediately before cancelling

The travel credit is based on the calendar year, not your anniversary of getting the card. So if you signed up in 2016, you can use the second year's $300 travel credit anytime in 2017. You don't have to try to thread the needle by using it between the anniversary date and the fee being charged.

[Roots&Wings]

^ Ah, thank you both! Didn't realize it was calendar year for $300 travel credit, and that having another Sapphire was a downgrade option. Details, details!

Yeah, debating outright cancel or just downgrade/put it away, and possibly become a tradeline card down the line, depending. I haven't had Chase cancel other cards from lack of use, some are over 2 years.

[Ebrat]

^ Ah, thank you both! Didn't realize it was calendar year for $300 travel credit, and that having another Sapphire was a downgrade option. Details, details!

Yeah, debating outright cancel or just downgrade/put it away, and possibly become a tradeline card down the line, depending. I haven't had Chase cancel other cards from lack of use, some are over 2 years.

Yeah, the travel credit re-ups after your December statement closes. For example, I got the card in October and used up the 2016 travel credit in November. My December statement closed on Dec 2, and then the 2017 travel credit was available. So technically I was able to (and did) spend some of 2017's credit in December 2016.

I've decided to keep the card because I roll my Freedom Unlimited and Freedom URs over to it to get the 1.5X points for travel, making the Unlimited worth 2.25% back and the Freedom 5% categories worth 7.5%. Probably not the most efficient method of earning points, but I'm not a super-churner (yet!), and it's more efficient than what I was doing before.

[seattlecyclone]

Yeah, I'm not much of a churner. I prefer to get cards that give me decent rewards on an ongoing basis. I'll take a look at the end of the year to see if the extra 2.5% back on Chase Freedom categories plus extra 2.5% back on dining and travel (compared to Citi Double Cash) plus whatever value I assign to getting free beer at airport lounges pays for the $150 net annual fee after travel credit.

[katsiki]

Good info as always.  I think we'll keep one CSR.  I travel enough to make it work (I think).  Just applied for a CSP also.  Once I drop below 5/24, I will try this again under my name (previous 2 under DW).  I think we can use the points to get 2, maybe 3 tickets to Europe next summer.  Pretty pumped!!

[golfreak12]

What are people's plans for keeping this card?

Will you cancel before the annual $450 fee this year for those that acquired one last year?  Or do you feel the $300 travel reimbursement and other perks are worth keeping it for the long haul?

Why would you want to ?? Chase has a policy getting the bonus points if you haven't recieved one within the last 24 months.
Use it until the year is up. Use the 2 $300 travel reaward. Cancel. Make sure you transfer or use up your points before you cancel. Like I would transfer all my points to my Hyatt account. Or transfer it to your FREE annual fee Freedom card and just let the points sit there.
Wait another 12 months or so and re-apply. Even if you don't get the bonus points, you can still do the 2 $300 again.
Even better, re-rinse with the CSP.
When its time to cancel the CSR, apply for the CSP and transfer the points over.
I mean you're not losing money by keeping the CSR but its an advantage to cancel it and re-rinse.

Just wanted to check on exit strategies/timing to avoid the 2nd yr annual fee. What are others doing?

Thinking:
- Get $300 travel credit 2nd time on 1 yr anniversary (book a trip or travel company gift card like Expedia) immediately before cancelling
- Book Ultimate Rewards travel (worth 1.5) prior to cancelling, call Chase to consolidate any remaining UR points to another Chase card (still worth 1.25)
- Cancel or downgrade before $450 annual fee hits (sounds like annual fee posts 1 month after 1 yr anniversary)
- If downgrade, is the only option the Chase Sapphire (which I already have because of downgrading the Preferred last year)?

-Since you live in Orlando, you can just prepaid $300 for E-pass and they will credit you back right away. I did this when I first got the card. As soon as 2018 hit, I will prepaid another $300, get the credit back and then cancel the card. Not repaying another $450. Not worth it.
- I've always used my Chase points for Hyatt. We stay at Hyatt when ever we travel so Hyatt points are easily the best value for us.

[Duke03]

I'm thinking Ill keep my Reserve card for year two and see how it plays out by transferring ultimate reward points over and getting the 1.5 multiplier. I referred my wife for a chase sapphire card.  I got the 10k point referral bonus. She added me as an authorized user so she got a 5k point bonus plus the 50k  sign up bonus. 65k points all transferred to my Reserve card equals $975 for travel.  Can't beat that!  I'm probably going to sign up for the Chase Ink business preferred card that comes with an 80k miles sign up bonus and transfer that over also.  After the dust settles I'll have over $5,000 of free travel from chase in a period of two years.  I love it.

[katsiki]

I'm thinking Ill keep my Reserve card for year two and see how it plays out by transferring ultimate reward points over and getting the 1.5 multiplier. I referred my wife for a chase sapphire card.  I got the 10k point referral bonus. She added me as an authorized user so she got a 5k point bonus plus the 50k  sign up bonus. 65k points all transferred to my Reserve card equals $975 for travel.  Can't beat that!  I'm probably going to sign up for the Chase Ink business preferred card that comes with an 80k miles sign up bonus and transfer that over also.  After the dust settles I'll have over $5,000 of free travel from chase in a period of two years.  I love it.

Thanks for mentioning the referral.  I need to be sure I take advantage of that too.

[TomTX]

I'm thinking Ill keep my Reserve card for year two and see how it plays out by transferring ultimate reward points over and getting the 1.5 multiplier. I referred my wife for a chase sapphire card.  I got the 10k point referral bonus. She added me as an authorized user so she got a 5k point bonus plus the 50k  sign up bonus. 65k points all transferred to my Reserve card equals $975 for travel.  Can't beat that!  I'm probably going to sign up for the Chase Ink business preferred card that comes with an 80k miles sign up bonus and transfer that over also.  After the dust settles I'll have over $5,000 of free travel from chase in a period of two years.  I love it.

Have her remove you as an AU, and make sure it is removed from your credit reports. Otherwise, it will count toward the Chase 5/24 limits for getting a new card.

Did someone mention referrals? Look below! ;) I've gotten two on the CSP - one from another forum I frequent, and one (I think) from an in-person meetup.

[Debts_of_Despair]

Bumping this up because this is still an awesome card even though the sign up bonus has been cut in half.  I just signed up for a second card in wife's name to pay for a post-grad tuition bill.  Also redeemed the awards from the first card for free RT airfare to Hawaii from east coast x2. Not bad.

[dragoncar]

Don't forget - It's almost time to cancel/downgrade the card for many who got it early and don't want to incur the second $450 fee.

Can someone post the most pain-free way of doing this?  It would be great if it could be done online (I hate talking to humans :))

I also hate talking to humans, but but last time I downgraded a chase card it was pretty painless on the phone - they basically read some boilerplate and then did it

[Catbert]

Don't forget - It's almost time to cancel/downgrade the card for many who got it early and don't want to incur the second $450 fee.

Can someone post the most pain-free way of doing this?  It would be great if it could be done online (I hate talking to humans :))
[/quote

Log into your account and do with a message.  Move points first.

[Can't Wait]

So I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the CSR and I don't want to get hit with the $450 annual fee again. Obviously, I know I can call and switch the card to one with no annual fee - what happens to my CSR points if I were to switch to the freedom card? I have over 40k points still that I don't want to lose. Do I just lose them since the freedom card doesn't operate on the same points system?

I should add that I do not currently have any other Chase cards besides the CSR.

Do I have to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then transfer the points from my CSR card to it, and then downgrade the CSR card? In that order? I don't mind a $95 annual fee, but $450 is a bit much. I'd like to keep my 40k points as i'm not ready to make any travel plans just yet and signing up for the CSP would net me another 50k points with their sign up bonus.

[Nothlit]

So I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the CSR and I don't want to get hit with the $450 annual fee again. Obviously, I know I can call and switch the card to one with no annual fee - what happens to my CSR points if I were to switch to the freedom card? I have over 40k points still that I don't want to lose. Do I just lose them since the freedom card doesn't operate on the same points system?

I should add that I do not currently have any other Chase cards besides the CSR.

Do I have to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then transfer the points from my CSR card to it, and then downgrade the CSR card? In that order? I don't mind a $95 annual fee, but $450 is a bit much. I'd like to keep my 40k points as i'm not ready to make any travel plans just yet and signing up for the CSP would net me another 50k points with their sign up bonus.

Chase Freedom is on the same points system as the CSR (Ultimate Rewards). You will still have all the same points, they just won't be worth 1.5x for travel anymore.

[Blonde Lawyer]

So I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the CSR and I don't want to get hit with the $450 annual fee again. Obviously, I know I can call and switch the card to one with no annual fee - what happens to my CSR points if I were to switch to the freedom card? I have over 40k points still that I don't want to lose. Do I just lose them since the freedom card doesn't operate on the same points system?

I should add that I do not currently have any other Chase cards besides the CSR.

Do I have to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then transfer the points from my CSR card to it, and then downgrade the CSR card? In that order? I don't mind a $95 annual fee, but $450 is a bit much. I'd like to keep my 40k points as i'm not ready to make any travel plans just yet and signing up for the CSP would net me another 50k points with their sign up bonus.

Chase Sapphire Preferred is free for the first year, but I don't know if it is free if you downgrade.  Do you have another household member? That person can open the CSP and you can transfer points there before you close.  I think you can also just open a CSP, transfer points and then cancel the Reserve instead of downgrading. You will likely get the CSP sign up bonus this way too if you or your household member opens it.

[Travis]

So I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the CSR and I don't want to get hit with the $450 annual fee again. Obviously, I know I can call and switch the card to one with no annual fee - what happens to my CSR points if I were to switch to the freedom card? I have over 40k points still that I don't want to lose. Do I just lose them since the freedom card doesn't operate on the same points system?

I should add that I do not currently have any other Chase cards besides the CSR.

Do I have to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then transfer the points from my CSR card to it, and then downgrade the CSR card? In that order? I don't mind a $95 annual fee, but $450 is a bit much. I'd like to keep my 40k points as i'm not ready to make any travel plans just yet and signing up for the CSP would net me another 50k points with their sign up bonus.

1. If you want to downgrade, just call Chase and tell them what card you want to make it. You don't have to apply for a new card.
2. Applying for the CSP so you have that AND a Freedom is a possibility too.
3. I'm pretty sure you'll still have access to the UR portal even with a Freedom card, but call Customer Service to double check.

I had the same internal conversation recently and decided to keep the CSR, but downgrade my wife's CSP to a Freedom.  I'll do just enough traveling next year to consume the $300 credit, and I might buy a couple tickets which will shave off quite a bit from the remaining $150.

[JoJo]

So I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the CSR and I don't want to get hit with the $450 annual fee again. Obviously, I know I can call and switch the card to one with no annual fee - what happens to my CSR points if I were to switch to the freedom card? I have over 40k points still that I don't want to lose. Do I just lose them since the freedom card doesn't operate on the same points system?

I should add that I do not currently have any other Chase cards besides the CSR.

Do I have to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then transfer the points from my CSR card to it, and then downgrade the CSR card? In that order? I don't mind a $95 annual fee, but $450 is a bit much. I'd like to keep my 40k points as i'm not ready to make any travel plans just yet and signing up for the CSP would net me another 50k points with their sign up bonus.

I believe you can also move them over to Southwest and United or one of the hotel chains that participates

[TomTX]

So I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the CSR and I don't want to get hit with the $450 annual fee again. Obviously, I know I can call and switch the card to one with no annual fee - what happens to my CSR points if I were to switch to the freedom card? I have over 40k points still that I don't want to lose. Do I just lose them since the freedom card doesn't operate on the same points system?

I should add that I do not currently have any other Chase cards besides the CSR.

Do I have to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then transfer the points from my CSR card to it, and then downgrade the CSR card? In that order? I don't mind a $95 annual fee, but $450 is a bit much. I'd like to keep my 40k points as i'm not ready to make any travel plans just yet and signing up for the CSP would net me another 50k points with their sign up bonus.

Well, if you can use the travel credit - the AF is effectively reduced from $450 to $150.

Still, if you are below 5/24 and don't want to cash out the CSR, I would:

1) Apply for a CSP (if you can spend $4k in 3 months for 50,000 points.) No fee for the first year. Link is in my signature.

2) Once CSP is activated, transfer all UR points to the CSP.

3) Downgrade (or cancel) the CSR.

While the travel spend bonus on points isn't as good as the CSR, the CSP still gives you 1.2x for your UR points when spent on travel

If you can't (or don't want to) get the CSP

[Can't Wait]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to do what a couple people have suggested and apply for the CSP to get the sign up bonus, then transfer my UR points from the CSR to the CSP, and then downgrade the CSR to the freedom.

[Catbert]

So I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the CSR and I don't want to get hit with the $450 annual fee again. Obviously, I know I can call and switch the card to one with no annual fee - what happens to my CSR points if I were to switch to the freedom card? I have over 40k points still that I don't want to lose. Do I just lose them since the freedom card doesn't operate on the same points system?

I should add that I do not currently have any other Chase cards besides the CSR.

Do I have to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then transfer the points from my CSR card to it, and then downgrade the CSR card? In that order? I don't mind a $95 annual fee, but $450 is a bit much. I'd like to keep my 40k points as i'm not ready to make any travel plans just yet and signing up for the CSP would net me another 50k points with their sign up bonus.

Chase Freedom is on the same points system as the CSR (Ultimate Rewards). You will still have all the same points, they just won't be worth 1.5x for travel anymore.

And you won't be able to transfer them to an airline/hotel/spouse.  But the points don't disappear.  If you have a spouse with a CSR or CSP transfer the points to them before downgrading.

[JoJo]

Chase Pay and Walmart.com are doing a deal to get 10x points in August, up to $250 with this card.  On another forum, someone said they bought gift cards.  So I believe that's 15 cents of travel for every $1 spent, or $37.50 total.

[Can't Wait]

Does anyone know off hand whether the CSP has a fee for adding an authorized user? I can't seem to find the answer online.

[Milkshake]

CSP is free to add an AU (you actually get 5k bonus points).

CSR is $75 per AU.

[exige]

CSP is free to add an AU (you actually get 5k bonus points).

CSR is $75 per AU.

careful adding an AU make sure they are either over 5/24 or do not care about that status with chase. :)