Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus

[sobezen]

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.

Interesting.  Would transferring the UR points to the Ink also work?  Considering closing the CSR and keeping the Ink.  Already have the basic Freedom and Sapphire cards.  Feedback?

[TomTX]

Chase just put out an internal notice that going forward people will be limited to ONE Sapphire card of any type. Example, if you have a CSR, you will not be allowed to add a CSP. In addition, you can only get one signup bonus for any Sapphire product within 24 months.

If you currently have two Sapphires and only want one now, you may want to consider just a product change to the plain no-annual-fee unadvertised Sapphire card. This would make it easier to change back to a CSR or CSP at a future date.

If you don't need to keep two Sapphire cards, you could change to the plain Sapphire, then call back and change to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited (for some reason a direct PC from a CSR or CSP to a Freedom isn't allowed, but it is from plain Sapphire.)

Let me repeat one thing: Double dipping a CSR and CSP for the signup bonuses won't work anymore. You have to wait 24 months.

[Duke03]

Chase just put out an internal notice that going forward people will be limited to ONE Sapphire card of any type. Example, if you have a CSR, you will not be allowed to add a CSP. In addition, you can only get one signup bonus for any Sapphire product within 24 months.

If you currently have two Sapphires and only want one now, you may want to consider just a product change to the plain no-annual-fee unadvertised Sapphire card. This would make it easier to change back to a CSR or CSP at a future date.

If you don't need to keep two Sapphire cards, you could change to the plain Sapphire, then call back and change to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited (for some reason a direct PC from a CSR or CSP to a Freedom isn't allowed, but it is from plain Sapphire.)

Let me repeat one thing: Double dipping a CSR and CSP for the signup bonuses won't work anymore. You have to wait 24 months.

I hope this isn't true.  As my wife still needs to get the Reserve card.  Just holding out for them to up the bonus a bit.....  I will say I just called to pay off my monthly balances on two cards and asked this question.  The woman put me on hold and came back with going forward you won't be able to have two CSP or two CSR cards but you can have one of each like I currently have.  With conflicting info no telling what is right or wrong or will happen.  I just can't see chase cutting off their nose to spite their face.  Most companies are all about the up sale.  So it would almost be suicide for them to keep a customer from up grading from a lower rung product to their top of the line product.  I understand sign on bonus cost them money but lets be real.  If a customer is looking for a sign on bonus and chase refuses to allow them to get it....... Guess what?  Chase just lost a customer.

[erutio]

Chase just put out an internal notice that going forward people will be limited to ONE Sapphire card of any type. Example, if you have a CSR, you will not be allowed to add a CSP. In addition, you can only get one signup bonus for any Sapphire product within 24 months.

If you currently have two Sapphires and only want one now, you may want to consider just a product change to the plain no-annual-fee unadvertised Sapphire card. This would make it easier to change back to a CSR or CSP at a future date.

If you don't need to keep two Sapphire cards, you could change to the plain Sapphire, then call back and change to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited (for some reason a direct PC from a CSR or CSP to a Freedom isn't allowed, but it is from plain Sapphire.)

Let me repeat one thing: Double dipping a CSR and CSP for the signup bonuses won't work anymore. You have to wait 24 months.

What is your source for this information?  This would be kind of a bummer if true. 

[Milkshake]

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/official-chase-updates-terms-indicate-sapphire-family-limitation/

[dragoncar]

Chase just put out an internal notice that going forward people will be limited to ONE Sapphire card of any type. Example, if you have a CSR, you will not be allowed to add a CSP. In addition, you can only get one signup bonus for any Sapphire product within 24 months.

If you currently have two Sapphires and only want one now, you may want to consider just a product change to the plain no-annual-fee unadvertised Sapphire card. This would make it easier to change back to a CSR or CSP at a future date.

If you don't need to keep two Sapphire cards, you could change to the plain Sapphire, then call back and change to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited (for some reason a direct PC from a CSR or CSP to a Freedom isn't allowed, but it is from plain Sapphire.)

Let me repeat one thing: Double dipping a CSR and CSP for the signup bonuses won't work anymore. You have to wait 24 months.

But the wording seems to include regular no-fee Sapphire cards too.  I probably have like 3 sapphire family cards....  maybe at this point I should just start canceling them instead of product changing since I've got so many darn chase cards.

[Duke03]

Man this sucks.  I should have signed my wife up for the CSR card a few weeks ago but I was holding out thinking they'd up the bonus.  Oh well at least they upped the southwest card which will give her a companion pass.  Then I'll sign up for the Ink business card for the 80,000 points and then I'll be done with Chase.  It was fun while it lasted. I still think in the long run this will cost chase business.

[dragoncar]

Yep I'm also looking at the ink next and then... who knows?  Not sure if it will really hurt business, as they are basically the only card issuer I have.  Nobody else really has much to offer ... discover is ok but they basically only have one product. 

[Duke03]

Well my wife was approved for the SW Premier card which will give her a companion pass.  Wish they would have offered these higher bonuses in the beginning of the year but oh well.  We should be able to use it twice this year and have all of next year to take advantage of it.  My wife was shaking her head earlier because this is the third card chase has approved for her in the last 4 months even though she is a stay at home mom.  I know they go off house hold income but still......Thanks for the free vacations Chase.

[EconDiva]

Question about the Chase UR portal:

How long does it take for miles to transfer over?  I want to transfer miles over today to my United account. 

[geekette]

The transfer of UR points to United (and Hyatt) have always been instant for me.  You may have to log out and back in to your United account.

[Debts_of_Despair]

Wow, glad I got a CSP a couple weeks ago.  I'd guess the change in policy is due to the wave of other CSR card holders doing the same thing in anticipation of closing that card.

[Catbert]

Man this sucks.  I should have signed my wife up for the CSR card a few weeks ago but I was holding out thinking they'd up the bonus.  Oh well at least they upped the southwest card which will give her a companion pass.  Then I'll sign up for the Ink business card for the 80,000 points and then I'll be done with Chase.  It was fun while it lasted. I still think in the long run this will cost chase business.

Yes, it'll cost them business but the business they don't want.  The kind of people like me that get a cc maybe with a waived annual fee, meet the minimum spend, collect the bonus, use the benefits as much as possible and then cancel when the annual fee for the second year is due.

The business they want is someone who gets a card, collects the bonus and continues to use the card daily for several years while paying annual fee.  Then 2+ years later maybe gets another card.  That's where the money is.

[JoJo]

Yes, it'll cost them business but the business they don't want.  The kind of people like me that get a cc maybe with a waived annual fee, meet the minimum spend, collect the bonus, use the benefits as much as possible and then cancel when the annual fee for the second year is due.

The business they want is someone who gets a card, collects the bonus and continues to use the card daily for several years while paying annual fee.  Then 2+ years later maybe gets another card.  That's where the money is.

Yep.  Agreed.  I knew sooner or later the companies need to tight up on this gravy train.  More and more people are hearing about and utilizing churning. 

[TomTX]

Yep I'm also looking at the ink next and then... who knows?  Not sure if it will really hurt business, as they are basically the only card issuer I have.  Nobody else really has much to offer ... discover is ok but they basically only have one product.

There are a fair number of cards out there with a signup bonus around $500.

One of the most appealing at the moment is the Merrill+, already slated for dooo000m by mid-September (well, no new ones after that, they are keeping the program.)  $500 on a $3k spend, or up to twice that on air travel.

[dragoncar]

Yep I'm also looking at the ink next and then... who knows?  Not sure if it will really hurt business, as they are basically the only card issuer I have.  Nobody else really has much to offer ... discover is ok but they basically only have one product.

There are a fair number of cards out there with a signup bonus around $500.

One of the most appealing at the moment is the Merrill+, already slated for dooo000m by mid-September (well, no new ones after that, they are keeping the program.)  $500 on a $3k spend, or up to twice that on air travel.

That's good to know, which site do you use to check the best bonuses?  It seems the one I use pushes mostly chase and some other cards with puddly bonuses, maybe because chase gives higher referrals

[Can't Wait]

Chase just put out an internal notice that going forward people will be limited to ONE Sapphire card of any type. Example, if you have a CSR, you will not be allowed to add a CSP. In addition, you can only get one signup bonus for any Sapphire product within 24 months.

If you currently have two Sapphires and only want one now, you may want to consider just a product change to the plain no-annual-fee unadvertised Sapphire card. This would make it easier to change back to a CSR or CSP at a future date.

If you don't need to keep two Sapphire cards, you could change to the plain Sapphire, then call back and change to a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited (for some reason a direct PC from a CSR or CSP to a Freedom isn't allowed, but it is from plain Sapphire.)

Let me repeat one thing: Double dipping a CSR and CSP for the signup bonuses won't work anymore. You have to wait 24 months.

Geez.. Just two weeks ago I was able to sign up for the CSP while I still had the CSR. Also, I was able to downgrade my CSR directly to a Freedom card without any issue. I signed up for the CSP while I still had the CSR, then moved all my UR points from the CSR to the CSP, then downgraded the CSR to a Freedom card.

[Catbert]

Yep I'm also looking at the ink next and then... who knows?  Not sure if it will really hurt business, as they are basically the only card issuer I have.  Nobody else really has much to offer ... discover is ok but they basically only have one product.

There are a fair number of cards out there with a signup bonus around $500.

One of the most appealing at the moment is the Merrill+, already slated for dooo000m by mid-September (well, no new ones after that, they are keeping the program.)  $500 on a $3k spend, or up to twice that on air travel.

That's good to know, which site do you use to check the best bonuses?  It seems the one I use pushes mostly chase and some other cards with puddly bonuses, maybe because chase gives higher referrals

Doctor of Credit is a great resource.  He accepts no affiliate links from cc companies so his advice is unbiased (at least by money).  The first link below is what he considers the best sign up bonuses currently available (usually undated monthly) and has lots of suggestions from banks other than Chase/Citi/Amex.  The second link is a list of all currently available cc bonuses from all banks as well as that bonuses may have been available in the recent past (helps to determine how good current offer is).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-current-credit-card-sign-bonuses/

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/spreadsheet-current-recent-credit-card-signup-bonuses-major-issuers/

[Scandium]

Yep I'm also looking at the ink next and then... who knows?  Not sure if it will really hurt business, as they are basically the only card issuer I have.  Nobody else really has much to offer ... discover is ok but they basically only have one product.

There are a fair number of cards out there with a signup bonus around $500.

One of the most appealing at the moment is the Merrill+, already slated for dooo000m by mid-September (well, no new ones after that, they are keeping the program.)  $500 on a $3k spend, or up to twice that on air travel.

That's good to know, which site do you use to check the best bonuses?  It seems the one I use pushes mostly chase and some other cards with puddly bonuses, maybe because chase gives higher referrals

Chase does seem to be the most aggressive with referrals. Pretty much every "listicle" of best CCs include several Chase ones. If they don't want churners maybe don't advertise with bonus-collection sites..?

[Debts_of_Despair]

Chase should have known that every churner in the world was going to sign up for this card, considering it was pretty much the best sign up offer of all time.  It also doesn't help them that a very high percentage of the users of this card are "deadbeats", i.e., those that don't pay interest or late fees.

[threefive]

Chase should have known that every churner in the world was going to sign up for this card, considering it was pretty much the best sign up offer of all time.  It also doesn't help them that a very high percentage of the users of this card are "deadbeats", i.e., those that don't pay interest or late fees.

Don't worry about Chase. They definitely still make money even if no one ever pays a penny in interest. First, there is that $450 annual fee. It drops to $150, but you have to spend $300 in travel. To make the card worthwhile long-term, you really need to travel quite a bit. Those people traveling a lot are spending using the card for big dollars, which results in big transaction fees paid by the merchant. Plus, I guarantee they get a piece on the back-end through the portal. All of which means they can basically give you points equivalent to merchant fees and still make money. That 100,000 point bonus was probably pretty stupid, though, hence why it lasted a very short time.

[Catbert]

Yep I'm also looking at the ink next and then... who knows?  Not sure if it will really hurt business, as they are basically the only card issuer I have.  Nobody else really has much to offer ... discover is ok but they basically only have one product.

There are a fair number of cards out there with a signup bonus around $500.

One of the most appealing at the moment is the Merrill+, already slated for dooo000m by mid-September (well, no new ones after that, they are keeping the program.)  $500 on a $3k spend, or up to twice that on air travel.

Thanks for this.  Signed up for one today, because why not?  Now I'm curious what the next-best one is...

Check out these.  Doctor of Credit doesn't accept credit card affiliate links so is unbiased.  Lots of good ideas beyond Chase:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-current-credit-card-sign-bonuses/

[TomTX]

Yep I'm also looking at the ink next and then... who knows?  Not sure if it will really hurt business, as they are basically the only card issuer I have.  Nobody else really has much to offer ... discover is ok but they basically only have one product.

There are a fair number of cards out there with a signup bonus around $500.

One of the most appealing at the moment is the Merrill+, already slated for dooo000m by mid-September (well, no new ones after that, they are keeping the program.)  $500 on a $3k spend, or up to twice that on air travel.

Thanks for this.  Signed up for one today, because why not?  Now I'm curious what the next-best one is...

If you are below 5/24, go for Chase. Probably one of the Inks (business card) or CSP (linked below)

Edit: Actually, since this is the CSR thread - that's another one with a $500 bonus, plus $300 annual travel credit and $100 Global Entry reimbursement. Unfortunately unlike the CSP - the annual fee is not waived the first year. And it's $450. If the additional benefits are useful to you (like 1.5x reward bonus on travel through the Chase portal, Priority Pass for airport lounges, etc) - here's a referral link:

https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19/Z2QMGF0JB5

[JoJo]

I'm keeping the card.  I wrote about my experience with it on my blog...

https://thehotflashpacker.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/

[TomTX]

I'm keeping the card.  I wrote about my experience with it on my blog...

https://thehotflashpacker.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/

Thanks for the link!

FYI, new CSR cardholders do not have the travel credit reset per calendar year. It's tied to the renewal cycle instead.

[JoJo]

I'm keeping the card.  I wrote about my experience with it on my blog...

https://thehotflashpacker.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/

Thanks for the link!

FYI, new CSR cardholders do not have the travel credit reset per calendar year. It's tied to the renewal cycle instead.

I did not know this.  Time to edit my blog post.   Thanks!

[dragoncar]

I'm keeping the card.  I wrote about my experience with it on my blog...

https://thehotflashpacker.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/

Thanks for the link!

FYI, new CSR cardholders do not have the travel credit reset per calendar year. It's tied to the renewal cycle instead.

I did not know this.  Time to edit my blog post.   Thanks!

Does this affect the preexisting cardholders in any way?  For example, are we still on the calendar system or did they just move up the reset date to our card anniversary (which would give us an earlier opportunity to use it but could throw off our plans if we were planning based on the calendar year)

[dragoncar]

Do you have to reactivate the priority pass every year?  I'm canceling but my wife will keep hers for the 1.5x point bonus on travel.  I wonder at what point my priority pass will stop working (or if it's immediate)

I'll have to run the numbers again, maybe it's not really worth it

[secondcor521]

Do you have to reactivate the priority pass every year?  I'm canceling but my wife will keep hers for the 1.5x point bonus on travel.  I wonder at what point my priority pass will stop working (or if it's immediate)

I'll have to run the numbers again, maybe it's not really worth it

Yes.  The PP I got with my CSR in December 2016 expires at the end of 2017.  I suspect they will only renew it for you for another year after you pay your annual fee.

[seattlecyclone]

I suspect the Priority Pass lasts a year from when you requested the benefit. I signed up for the credit card in November but didn't activate the Priority Pass benefit right away and my Priority Pass card says it expires at the end of January.

[geekette]

We cancelled the card when the fee hit, but a new Priority Pass showed up a week later. We never used the first, so I hadn't thought to see if they have invalidated the second.

[TomTX]

I'm keeping the card.  I wrote about my experience with it on my blog...

https://thehotflashpacker.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/

Thanks for the link!

FYI, new CSR cardholders do not have the travel credit reset per calendar year. It's tied to the renewal cycle instead.

I did not know this.  Time to edit my blog post.   Thanks!

Does this affect the preexisting cardholders in any way?  For example, are we still on the calendar system or did they just move up the reset date to our card anniversary (which would give us an earlier opportunity to use it but could throw off our plans if we were planning based on the calendar year)

AFAIK, existing cardholders before the change stay with the calendar year credit refresh.

[TomTX]

The CSR travel credit is very broad. Not just airline incidentals or tickets, it includes hotels, Uber, tolls, etc.

[JoJo]

The CSR travel credit is very broad. Not just airline incidentals or tickets, it includes hotels, Uber, tolls, etc.

add Restaurants, credits to bus and subway passes, parking lots.

Funny enough, entrances to tourist attractions and some tours are not considered "travel". 

[geekette]

We took a tourist train through a redwood forest in CA and used the last of our credit.

[katsiki]

I didn't see this mentioned but may have missed it...  Does anyone know the timeframe of when you have to downgrade to get the annual fee removed?

[dragoncar]

I didn't see this mentioned but may have missed it...  Does anyone know the timeframe of when you have to downgrade to get the annual fee removed?

I think they recently reduced the amount of time.  Used to be something like 6 months (!!!), which even for me seemed crazy.  I read it's now 1-2 months, but I don't have a link.  Either way it's better to send them an online message asking, so you have a record of their response.

[exige]

I downgraded recently and had my annual fee returned (pro-rated).  I got about 1/5 of it back.

how long after did you downgrade? I read within 30 days you get it all back

[dragoncar]

It was about 4/5 of a year ago.

Bender WTF, are you speaking timelord?  You mean you downgraded 10 months ago, 2 months after getting the card?

[TomTX]

Darn. Was hoping for Time Lord.

[frugalnacho]

I called to downgrade my account before the first anniversary and got a prorated refund of the $450.  It actually seems slightly more generous, as they prorated it back to the end of last month by my calculations, so I didn't get charged for October membership even though I had it more than half the month.   I went with the Chase Freedom card.  I didn't like that I'm missing the new sign up bonus for the freedom, but I didn't want to close the CSR account, I just wanted an account with no annual fee.  I also applied for the Chase Freedom about 9-10 months ago but was denied, so I don't know if I'm eligible to open new chase accounts or not.  I'm not planning to open any new chase accounts right now.

My wife however is probably eligible for another Chase account and is going to need to cancel/downgrade her CSR asap.   I'd rather her sign up for the chase freedom and get the sign up bonus (plus we will actually use the chase freedom for the rotating 5% categories) and transfer her account to something else, like the freedom unlimited.  The freedom unlimited seems useless though with only 1.5% cash back.  Every purchase either falls into a high reward category for some other card, or worst case I have the citi 2% cash back card, so we will never use the 1.5% cash back unlimited card.

Should she transfer her CSR into an unlimited and then complete a new application for the freedom card? Or should she apply for the freedom card first, then call to transfer her CSR to the unlimited?  Or is there an even better option that I'm not thinking of right now?

EDIT: I was under the impression the sign up bonus was greater for the freedom vs the unlimited, but it looks like they are both $150 when you spend $500, so I guess it doesn't matter which one she gets the bonus on.

[TomTX]

You can downgrade the CSR to the (no fee, unadvertised) Sapphire card as another option. This may be a good choice to stash miscellaneous UR points.

So, the tiers of Sapphire cards are

Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire

[JLee]

Mine came in today - they sent it via UPS Next Day Air.  I'm disappointed that I missed out on the 100k points promo, but 50k is still decent.

[t5inside]

I downgraded to Chase Freedom after the renewal fee hit. They credited the $450 refund twice.. I wonder how long until they notice?  It's been over a week now.

edit: I guess they saw this post :(

[Catbert]

I called to downgrade my account before the first anniversary and got a prorated refund of the $450.  It actually seems slightly more generous, as they prorated it back to the end of last month by my calculations, so I didn't get charged for October membership even though I had it more than half the month.   I went with the Chase Freedom card.  I didn't like that I'm missing the new sign up bonus for the freedom, but I didn't want to close the CSR account, I just wanted an account with no annual fee.  I also applied for the Chase Freedom about 9-10 months ago but was denied, so I don't know if I'm eligible to open new chase accounts or not.  I'm not planning to open any new chase accounts right now.

My wife however is probably eligible for another Chase account and is going to need to cancel/downgrade her CSR asap.   I'd rather her sign up for the chase freedom and get the sign up bonus (plus we will actually use the chase freedom for the rotating 5% categories) and transfer her account to something else, like the freedom unlimited.  The freedom unlimited seems useless though with only 1.5% cash back.  Every purchase either falls into a high reward category for some other card, or worst case I have the citi 2% cash back card, so we will never use the 1.5% cash back unlimited card.

Should she transfer her CSR into an unlimited and then complete a new application for the freedom card? Or should she apply for the freedom card first, then call to transfer her CSR to the unlimited?  Or is there an even better option that I'm not thinking of right now?

EDIT: I was under the impression the sign up bonus was greater for the freedom vs the unlimited, but it looks like they are both $150 when you spend $500, so I guess it doesn't matter which one she gets the bonus on.

I would product change to a no-fee card and forgo getting a relatively small $150 bonus by getting the card directly.  That's because I wouldn't want to use up one of my 5/24 slots on a $150 bonus card.

[TomTX]

I would product change to a no-fee card and forgo getting a relatively small $150 bonus by getting the card directly.  That's because I wouldn't want to use up one of my 5/24 slots on a $150 bonus card.

That would make sense if you want the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited and would get benefit out of their reward structure.

Otherwise, parking it as a Sapphire is no-fee, and leaves the option open to get a F or FU bonus at a later date if it becomes attractive.

[dragoncar]

I would product change to a no-fee card and forgo getting a relatively small $150 bonus by getting the card directly.  That's because I wouldn't want to use up one of my 5/24 slots on a $150 bonus card.

That would make sense if you want the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited and would get benefit out of their reward structure.

Otherwise, parking it as a Sapphire is no-fee, and leaves the option open to get a F or FU bonus at a later date if it becomes attractive.

I've got like 5 accounts already open with Chase, so I was planning to just cancel.  My CSR application had to be reviewed before approval.  Anyone have more accounts or evidence that doesn't affect anything?

[TomTX]

I would product change to a no-fee card and forgo getting a relatively small $150 bonus by getting the card directly.  That's because I wouldn't want to use up one of my 5/24 slots on a $150 bonus card.

That would make sense if you want the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited and would get benefit out of their reward structure.

Otherwise, parking it as a Sapphire is no-fee, and leaves the option open to get a F or FU bonus at a later date if it becomes attractive.

I've got like 5 accounts already open with Chase, so I was planning to just cancel.  My CSR application had to be reviewed before approval.  Anyone have more accounts or evidence that doesn't affect anything?

If it matters, you could transfer the credit limit to another card before you cancel. You can also ask if they have any retention offers for you.

[dragoncar]

I would product change to a no-fee card and forgo getting a relatively small $150 bonus by getting the card directly.  That's because I wouldn't want to use up one of my 5/24 slots on a $150 bonus card.

That would make sense if you want the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited and would get benefit out of their reward structure.

Otherwise, parking it as a Sapphire is no-fee, and leaves the option open to get a F or FU bonus at a later date if it becomes attractive.

I've got like 5 accounts already open with Chase, so I was planning to just cancel.  My CSR application had to be reviewed before approval.  Anyone have more accounts or evidence that doesn't affect anything?

If it matters, you could transfer the credit limit to another card before you cancel. You can also ask if they have any retention offers for you.

I considered asking them to waive the fee, but I heard that's basically a no go.  I really don't care about the credit limit, and suspect it's better to approval of another card if my total liability is lower vs. higher.

[Debts_of_Despair]

I called to downgrade my account before the first anniversary and got a prorated refund of the $450.  It actually seems slightly more generous, as they prorated it back to the end of last month by my calculations, so I didn't get charged for October membership even though I had it more than half the month.

I cancelled today with one month remaining before first anniversary.  The rep didn't say anything about a refund.  Did you have to ask for that?