This is the first I've heard of it but it looks like the Chase Freedom card is the next rewards card on the chopping block. Rewards are going from 3% down to 1% and they are changing their bonus rewards program to something like what Discover does (quarterly bonus categories).
2. Freedom Chase Exclusives, for Chase Checking Account holders Get 3% in top 5 of 15 categories (top 3 categories without checking account), max $600 charges/mo eligible for 3%, all charges earn at least 1% Must make at least 1 transaction (deposit/withdrawal/check) in checking account in four months App with $50 bonus: https://app.firstusa.com/ICAppServlet/?PID=RTFD4&SPID=C5H7&CAT=0&CELL=6J43
Visa Signature Freedom This Visa Signature app advertises the original Freedom program (3% in top 3 categories), but there are no recent reports of anyone successfully using it (as of 4/1/09) App with $50 bonus: https://applynow.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?SPID=C2DN
Mailer Status Add your card status below. Feel Free to add more parameters as necessary. Also, I haven't looked up how to do table formatting.
open question - does having a chase/wamu account have any bearing?
I haven't gotten anything...yet. But I've found in the past that they usually send a letter in the mail within six months to a year of downgrading/getting rid of a card informing you of the 'exciting new changes' to your card/account.
TenYearsGone: It looks like Chase is right in the middle of the switchover and that's why both offers are available at the same time. I wouldn't be surprised if the old Chase Freedom application disappears soon though!
mag72 said:TenYearsGone: It looks like Chase is right in the middle of the switchover and that's why both offers are available at the same time. I wouldn't be surprised if the old Chase Freedom application disappears soon though! definitely
and I was about to switch to Chase Freedom Plus, so far the chase website doesn't show its rewards as 'butchered' yet
Message edited by: TenYearsGone on 2008-11-08 22:50:08 CST
Damn shame. Is it that they are not making enough on the higher APRs they charge for Freedom? Then again, since I pay it off in full, it has never been an issue for me. Prob. the same for most FWers. But, I mean, come on.
I don't know if it's been mentioned, but a few weeks ago I got a letter in the mail about my Freedom Business card, basically outlining some of its benefits. I believe the letter said something about getting a $1000 check after you've accrued $900 in rewards, which is signifantly worse than the $250 check for $200 that they currently offer. I don't think I've seen anything backing that up on their rewards redemption site for now, but maybe they're getting rid of the $250 for $200 bonus too.
Hmmm, well I was planning to switch back to AMEX anyways. It just takes too long to accumulate $200 Cash Back. I am close to reaping the $50 reward though so the timing of the downgrade would be perfect.
Is there a Chase card type worth switching to once this change is made to the Freedom card? I'm about to get my first $250 CashBack check and then plan to stop using the card.
qcumber: glad it's working out great for you! haha
lurker: I was wondering the same thing. The only card I can find that kind of resembles the Freedom card is the Chase Business Rebates card (listed at the bottom here) with 3% Cash Back on gas, office supplies, remodeling stores, hardware stores, and restaurants. 1% on everything else.
Wouldn't be surprised if they soon did away with that card as well though...
10000 bonus miles can transfer to points or cash Chase Freedom PlusSM Credit Card Features: Earn 3 miles per dollar in the 6 bonus categories you spend the most each month Earn 1 mile on all other purchases Annual Program Fee is Waived for first year -- that's a $30 value! No Rewards Expiration and Unlimited Earning
This looks to be a better card for you heavy hitters
Yah, it would be if I didn't have to pay the $30 annual fee. Some may not mind but I avoid those cards like the plague (except when I get a free first year AND a nice bonus for signing up...like a free plane ticket or something...and even then I cancel before the initial year is up to avoid the annual fee).
Message edited by: mag72 on 2008-11-09 08:44:11 CST
10000 bonus miles can transfer to points or cash Chase Freedom PlusSM Credit Card Features: Earn 3 miles per dollar in the 6 bonus categories you spend the most each month Earn 1 mile on all other purchases Annual Program Fee is Waived for first year -- that's a $30 value! No Rewards Expiration and Unlimited Earning
This looks to be a better card for you heavy hitters
I read the fineprint but it's a bit ambiguous:
Purchases not eligible to receive the 2 bonus miles include, but are not limited to, purchases made at superstores, warehouse clubs, and discount stores. Online and catalog purchases are not eligible to receive the bonus miles unless the merchants have correctly identified and billed the transactions. We do not determine whether merchants correctly identify and bill transactions as being made in each particular category. However, we do reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify for the 2 bonus miles.
How will you know exactly if you will earn 3 points or 1 point? I spend a lot of money on buying supplies/inventory for my business and this can easily exceed $20,000/mo. Some suppliers are manufacturers of material and I can't seem to place them in any specific category. Is Home Depot and Lowes considered to be "superstores"? What's considered a "discount" store?
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