Over time, your credit card spending goals will probably change, and you may want to Apply for a new credit card To get new benefits and rewards. However, before applying for a new card, Consider an upgrade or Degraded An existing account (also known as a product change) along with the current publisher. There is no harsh credit check when using an upgrade or downgrade. You can keep the same account information and maintain your credit history. The only change is the type of card you have.
H2: Chase Credit Card: Basic Upgrades and Downgrades
If you want to upgrade or downgrade your Chase credit card, Chase offers a variety of options with over 30 credit cards. Co-branded credit cards It is advertised on that website. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for new cards. To see if you can upgrade or downgrade your card to see if you want the option you want, Please contact Chase to get started.
Normally, if you want to make changes to a product, you will need to switch to a card in the same category or credit card family. For example, you cannot change from a personal card category to a business card category. This also applies to Chase co-branded credit cards. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*. Therefore, you can switch this card with another Chase Marriott card, but not with another co-branded card.
Do I need to upgrade my Chase Credit Card?
Whether you upgrade or downgrade your credit card depends on your financial goals and how much it helps you find your current card. However, Chase offers some particularly compelling credit card options that are popular options for upgrades. ChaseSapphirePrefered and Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Upgrade to a Chase Sapphire-Popular Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Priority Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve It is two of Chase’s premium credit cards and is best known for its generous travel rewards. If your spending goal is focused on travel, upgrading or switching to one of these cards is a great idea.
You can also upgrade to one of these premium cards if you want to better utilize the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Both priority and reserves may redeem points earned in booster straights via the Chase Travel Portal, and even redeem points transferred to travel partners to increase your point value.
Benefits of the upgrade
Below are some of the reasons why you might choose to upgrade:
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Better rewards. Chase Sapphire Preferred Offer: 5x points on Chase Ultimate Rewards, Lyft Rides (until September 30, 2027), 3x points in dining, Select Streaming Services, and Online The Grocery purchases (except Walmart, Target, Whololesale Clubs), 2x points on all other purchases. Alternatively, Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 10x points for hotel stays, Chase Ultimate Rewards, 10x points for Chase Dining Purchases through the Ultimate Rewards, 10x points for Lyft Purchases (until September 30, 2027), 5x points for Ultimate Rewards, and 3x points for General Travel and Restaurant Purchases.
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Travel Benefits. Both of these cards come with premium travel perks. When sapphires are prioritized, you will receive perks such as travel cancellation and suspension insurance, baggage delay insurance, travel delay refunds, 1 point transfer to track your travel partner with 1:1 points, and foreign transaction fees. Sapphire Reserve offers perks such as up to $300 per year credits for qualifying travel purchases, wider travel insurance, preferred pass selection membership (with access to over 1,300 airport lounges), 1:1 point transfer, global entry, TSA Precheck, or Nexus application fee credits of up to $100.
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Travel redemption rewards will boost your support. Sapphire Preferred offers a 25% point increase in travel redemption via Chase Ultimate Rewards, while Sapphire Reserve offers a 50% point increase in travel redemption with the ultimate reward.
Another reason to upgrade is if you’re interested in a different chase card, but you’ve already opened 5 or more new credit card accounts in the last 24 months. In that case, it would fall under Chase’s “5/24 Rule.” This is an unofficial rule that does not approve card applicants who have opened more than five cards from the issuer in the last 24 months.
Disadvantages Upgrade
No one should feel the need to upgrade their Chase Cards. Here are some reasons why you might pass the opportunity.
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Annual fee. Sapphire Preferred has an annual fee of $95, while Sapphire Reserve has a much higher annual fee of $550. The Chase Card you upgrade may not include an annual fee.
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It focused on travel. Sapphire preferences and sapphire aliserve offer higher reward rates in many common everyday categories, but these reward cards are perfect for frequent travelers as rewards and perks are more focused. Also, redeeming cashback or gift card points doesn’t give you much value for travel (especially through Chase’s portal).
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There are no welcome bonuses. As an existing cardholder, you miss the big welcome bonus offered to new cardholders. For example, Sapphire Preferred is currently offering new cardholders the opportunity to earn 100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of opening an account. Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
How to upgrade your chase card
Upgrading your current Chase card is as easy as making a Chase call. Upgrades are generally considered to be product changes and should not require strict enquiries or new applications. However, the conditions for the card you are upgrading must be met. For example, to upgrade to a sapphire reservoir, Excellent credit score.
Upgrading may allow you to retain the same account information and credit limits. if you want to Request an increase in credit limitvarious steps are required. Also, although you do not qualify for a sign-up bonus, you may be able to negotiate a target offer when requesting an upgrade.
Do I need to downgrade my Chase Card?
Just as there is a reason to upgrade your Chase Card, downgrading a higher tier card to a lower card might be a wise move.
Reduced to Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited
You always want to make sure the cards you have meet your needs, and downgrades may help with that. Two options you want to consider whether priority or spare does not contain that mark Chase Freedom Flex*or Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Benefits of downgrade
Downgrade cards can release some of the burdens you may experience with a more Premier Chase card.
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There is no annual fee. Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited are available without an annual fee. If you currently have an annual fee chase card, we recommend considering downgrading your card if you are not making up for the annual fees for rewards and perks.
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Daily reward revenue. Chase Freed Flex offers 5% cashback for each quarter (up to $1,500 purchases), 5% cashback for Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Vurchases, 5% cashback for Lyft Rides (until September 30, 2027) (5% cashback for dining and drugstore purchases and all other purchases. Alternatively, Chase Freedom Unlimited offers: 5% cashback on Lyft purchases (until September 30, 2027), 5% on trips purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on meals and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
The downside of downgrade
As you can imagine, downgrading to a “less premium” card gives up some valuable splendor.
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There is little reward. In exchange for not paying the annual fee, there will be fewer remunerations and more limits. For example, Freedom Flex offers 5% cashback in the spinning category quarterly, but it is limited to $1,500 per quarter. Additionally, quarterly categories require advance activation, which can be more inconvenient for some cardholders.
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Foreign transaction fees. Both Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited charge a 3% foreign transaction fee. If you are planning on traveling abroad, it is better to use a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.
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There is no welcome. Again, I am not eligible for Welcome Offer for Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited because I have not submitted any new applications.
How to Downgrade a Chase Card
The card downgrade process begins in the same way as an upgrade. simply Please call the issuer using the number on the back of your credit card to get started. The downgrade does not include an increase in annual fees, so there is no need to deal with waiting periods. Additionally, if you complete your product changes within 30 days of paying the annual fee on your old card, the fee may be refunded.
When downgrading your card, you are not eligible for a welcome offer. However, you can try to negotiate a target offer with the issuer. Also, before performing a downgrade, check what happens with the rewards you earn.
How to get the most out of an upgrade or downgrade
Even if you are planning on upgrading or downgrading your Chase Credit Card, make sure you have changed your card to the right one for your spending habits and reward goals. There are a few other things to do to make the most of your product changes.
Conclusion
If your current Chase Card no longer meets your needs, upgrading or downgrading your card can be a valuable option. Do some research to see which one Chase Credit Card Make sure it is best for you and your spending habits and meets all the requirements of Chase. Then call the publisher to request a product change or switch.
*Information on ChaseFreedomFlex® and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Collected independently by Bankrate.com. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.