The Chase Ultimate Rewards Program has finally done it. Program devaluation after devaluation, Chase has sat idle. But after some of their programs latest moves, I don’t believe the Chase UR cards and the UR Program no longer travel credit cards people need to use
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21 comments
My wife will be back under 5/24 later this year… I think we will hold out for the cards for player 2, but in the COVID crisis, travel has lost too much that Amex (with all those stay at home credits) and Bank of America cash back are now king IMHO. On spend, we are primarily storing up our amex points which we can convert to cash as needed using the Schwabb platinum, Hilton cards for getting to the free night certificates, resort credit usable on any food orders, and the 12x points in this stay at home situation… Hilton will be where we will be able to get enough points for a big vacation once this COVID crisis dies down I think, and they have been proactive in making sure we retain the benefits on their cards… and with so much other spending these days being online, Bank of America Cash Rewards cards for 5.25% cash back… Honestly the only other cards we use are the Target red card and the amazon prime visa for 5% cash back on those stores… Its just a rough time for travel… Really Priority Pass value has basically disappeared this year, plus car rental benefits are pointless now so its hard to see value in Chase now…
Citi=No travel protection.
Citi=no large domestic airline.
Citi=no hotel partner.
Citi=annual fees equal to chase.
I'm not saying chase couldn't do better, but you didn't say what they're doing wrong as compared to the other programs.
You use the fact that their transfer partners are part of other programs as a reason for the UR plan to be weak. If that's the case, then isn't that true for the reverse? Are you upset with the other CC programs for using partners that also partner with Chase? I happen to love the fact that I can rely on multiple CC companies to allow me to earn bonus points for the same hotel/airline.
I appreciate the open and honest talking points. What do you think about the Citi AA card? I know that with the air travel options in limbo, do you think that all the perks taken back by Citi is ok?
Chase will only really be motivated to change if it affects their bottom line, positive or negative, so we’ll see, unless people start up some online petition, lol. With more knowledge and awareness about the credit card travel game from videos like yours that might be the key long term for a better relationship with chase and it’s customers.
Earlier this year, I booked a (non refundable) two night hotel stay to NY. (Fairfield/Mariott) While I realize I booked a non refundable two night hotel stay, given the circumstances I feel I should get those points back. But for the fact of what’s happened in the world; I would’ve went on the trip. I can’t even talk to Expedia about it.
I use Chase Cards for Cashback now (Domestic Spend of course). I personally like Amex better than Chase and USAA (No Foreign Transaction or Annual Fee) also has double points on dining along with Chip & Pin for my backup dining card to the Amex Gold card. I will still use Chase Freedom for 5% back, but for Cashback. Chase Sapphire Preferred just isn't that great anymore and I will be downgrading it when the annual fee hits.
I appreciate the perspective but I disagree. The travel portal is very useful and much better than AMEX. Hyatt, plus the travel portal make them the best option for me.
Emmm , chase is still great for me
Everyone is going to dynamic pricing to lower the value of the points, but blaming it on Chase does not make sense. Chase can not tell another company what to do. If you don't like dynamic pricing, then complaint to the other companies. I don't like dynamic pricing either.
You mentioned Aer Lingus AerClub, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Executive Club, Emirates Skywards, Iberia Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
, Hyatt, IHG (Holiday Inn, Intercontinental etc), Marriot.
Chase value is that you get a lot of choices to fly and to stay at.
Yes, there companies may have their own programs with their own credit cards and might be part of other programs, but with Chase, you don't need 15 different cards with 15 different programs. You just use one card and decide which airline or hotel you want to use. That is the biggest benefit.
Your other option is to use separate cards with separate companies and keep track of each account (which won't change anything because they still use dynamic pricing).
Your argument to find the cheapest rate by using 3rd party websites or airBNB websites is good, but why bother even using credit cards with rewards, just switch to a card to give you cash back.
I agree- you don't need this card. Based on what you said, no card will benefit you, not even Hyatt.
I suggest finding a card with highest percentage of cash back because that is what you want.
I agree Chase has gotten too strict with rules, and getting out of hand. I guess the half a billion they paid out in last few years is not sitting pretty, however, this is what made them vaulted over Amex a few yrs ago, and they have forgotten. If Hyatt ever leaves, so will I, given new rules on Biz credit cards.
Citi stinks… No built in insurance… Redemption stinks…
THAT is the value of Chase over Citi. And UR are still better than Thank You Rewards when i attempted to redeem for the same property…
AMEX is still overrated… The whole $200 on miscellaneous charges only is annoying… However, their lounge access is amazing…
That is where Chase is lacking… as well as airport lounges…
So, while i agree the CSR is no longer a top tier… It’s definitely a better value in some cases… especially if ur talking protections for ur purchases…
But if one is just a point grabber… one should just grab a card with a big bonus each year from a different bank.
All this rant about chase sapphire, yet you still didn't tell us whats the best cards out their better then chase…?? And don't say Amex because you can't use it everywhere
Time to max out ur credits before they cut ur limits before they lower ur credit score. Amex just did it to one of my limit
I felt like my amx points where harder to get value out of before the crash tho.
As I see it, The Hyatt partnership alone continues to make Chase the best program on the market for domestic travelers. AMEX has nothing like Hyatt for domestic travelers, neither does anyone. Sure AMEX has some great luxury perks but that comes with the luxury sized annual fee. But for regular domestic travelers like me and most people, no one has anything like the value of the Hyatt transfer. If Chase loses Hyatt, or Hyatt goes dynamic, then Chase will lose virtually all value to me and I’ll stick with my Wells Fargo trifecta and blue cash 3% on grocery card, and cash out my Chase Freedom points….
Chase worked very hard to grab a big chunk of the business. It cost them a lot and they are now working to be more profitable. Their program has its fair share of complications and hoops to go through so they are counting on this to keep customers from doing the math. Add this to the lack of a clearly better choice, and it's a good strategy. UR still beats MR.
I value UR points for Hyatt, Southwest, and 1.5 cash back. I like Southwest and I've booked some great deals. It suits my travel preferences.
I waiting for the Chase Air Canada card to see if I'll stay with Chase, looking at Citibank preferred card as it earns 3 points for shopping, gas, air travel & hotels. Both American Express Gold & the Chase trifecta are useless to me as I'm abroad most of time.
Chase: another victim of covid
lol nobody sane is willingly to pay Amex's trifecta +1k in annual fees.
with chase's trifecta you're only paying $550 or $95 annually, depending on which Sapphire card you get.
if you're not near the 6 figure range and dont spend $10k in travel trips a year, the amex is not worth it. a
anyone telling you otherwise is out of touch with reality.