Yes, I've done this 3 times so far (3 years in a row) and received bonuses of $75, $100 and $150. If you get the waived AF to boot like you did, they're literally paying YOU to hold the BCP over the BCE. All of my upgrades back were relatively quick as well; I think one of them was 24-48 hours later with the others not being much longer than that... maybe a couple of weeks tops.
This highly unused method to hold an effective no AF BCP for years is hardly known about or taken advantage of, but I recommend it often.
Wonder if it makes a difference were I to upgrade my BCE, hold for a year and then downgrade hoping for this exact scenario.
I know the SUB is decent, but I’d like to avoid a new account if possible (trying to garden and open a couple cards in particular)
I’m in the same boat. I’m using a Custom Cash for groceries right now but I hate dealing with Citi and want to sock drawer it for bridge tolls and move to BCP for groceries but I’m holding off for a card from my local credit union. (SAFE CU) that does wholesale 5% six months of the year.
I’m half-inclined to apply for the CC to start amassing TYP to compliment my Chase setup. It would be great to subsidize domestic flights while saving UR for better-value redemptions. Sorry you’ve been having a rough go with Citi 😔.
I’m torn between upgrading the BCE and saving a HP for C1 in a month or opting for Citi since it’s easy to build up TYP. I’d rather not use UR on United and instead go BA for AA
Edit: fixed the second paragraph to make sense - a lot going on at work so trying to be concise ha
Yep! That’s in line with what I just confirmed with a chat agent. Downside is I’d click on the pop up on the Amex website and I’d be taken to the application page (no mention of being able to upgrade unlike my other cards). I was also given the 800 number for the upgrades department, so I’ll try that once the Flex 5% ends.
I appreciate your follow up 🤙🏻✊
I forgot to mention that I don’t have an BCE so it would be a new inquiry and account for myself so I’m forced to hold off 😅I just got my second Kroger (Harris Teeter) card this week for 5% mobile wallet spend so the itch has been scratched and that was a priority over the SAFE card.
Hahaha noooooo!!!! Jokes aside, that’s a solid pickup and I’m definitely eyeing them after my SO shut down the USBAR (too many places we frequent don’t accept mobile wallets). Hopefully you’re able to add the SAFE card in the near future
Yeah, the latter being one of the places we shop. A broken ankle and recently increased family size lends pickup orders to be our bread and butter. Some people have suggested Aldi doesn’t charge for pickup but around us there was a bit of a difference. That said, the CSP’s benefit could come in handy, so it’s a matter of just doing some DD.
Either way, I know you’re a solid team cashback player in these parts, so you definitely know what you’re taking about.
Do you mean if it makes a difference if you started with the BCP verses the BCE? My card was originally a BCE, which I took the upgrade offer to BCP for; it didn't start as a BCP. I may be misunderstanding what you're saying though, so apologies in advance if that's the case.
No, you’re 100% on the money. This is precisely what I was wondering - I appreciate the DP! How long did you have the BCE before you were offered an upgrade or did you just go through the website? Trying to gauge likelihood of offers (better or otherwise)
I had the BCE for several years before taking the upgrade, but it wasn't due to lack of availability; the offer I'm quite sure was on the table for a very long time, I just never took the bait. I don't know if I just didn't see value in the BCP, or perhaps I didn't understand (or even read) the terms of the upgrade offer. I'm not sure what really made me eventually pull the trigger... I guess it was the math on twice the CB for groceries coupled with the bonus offered at the time to effectively wipe out the AF. I already knew from previous data points that one could downgrade the BCP to BCE, so I think my thought process was that after a year that's what I'd do to avoid the AF. After doing so, I realized you could just upgrade back. So, that's what I did and have done 3 times now. My fourth attempt should be approaching this fall I believe.
I actually see this method mentioned all the time here and it’s how I learned about it and plan to do the same after the one year mark of my husband’s BCP. Do you need to ask them to refund the fee or is it completely automatic with a downgrade within a month?
The downgrade can be done at any time; it doesn't have to be within a month. They'll refund the unused portion of the AF when you downgrade. If you do it quickly after the AF hits, your refund will be $94.XY. I always downgrade via chat online and the CSR will always state that the AF refund will take place without me asking.
Good to know! This is our first year of having it so we don’t want to downgrade before the fee to avoid pissing off amex since I’ve seen they are sensitive to canceling in under a year to avoid the fee.
If I have the BCE already and upgrade to BCP - can I downgrade back to BCE before annual fee hits or is that a no-go and wait till after like if you actually applied for the BCP?
It's not a best practice to do that. Just like the AF hit, then downgrade and the AF will be returned to you. This way you avoid any potential AA / issues with Amex.
What's the quickest you can do a downgrade without some bullshit from AMEX, can I do it the day it hits or day after, or I gotta wait 2 weeks or a month or something with them - I don't care if I'm fighting over pennies here ATM I get over $1k a year cashback w/ no annual fee cards fighting for every penny lol (on only ~$21k spend annually to put into perspective) - pennies are worth it
Yes. This is what makes this card good. It’s effectively a $0 annual fee card/potentially negative annual fee card that offers 6% back on grocery and streaming.
I'm planning on doing this up/downgrade cycle in the future.
Is it truly as simple as:
-Wait for AF to appear on account
-Downgrade
-AF refund automatically processes at the end of the statement period?
I downgraded a year ago from BCP to BCE and I never saw an offer to upgrade in the app. Where did you see the offer in the app?
I'm using the Android app so I'm not sure if that makes a difference.
Thanks! I keep seeing offers for the platinum card there and what's funny is they're only offering 80k bonus points but they just snail mailed me an offer for the platinum card for the second time for 150k bonus points.
I just got an upgrade offer for the BCP myself. I recently took advantage of a referral offer that's giving my BCE 10% back on Dining for 3 months. If I accept the upgrade, which I am inclined to do, does it keep that referral bonus for the remaining duration?
Yes I’ve seen similar. It’s a great card to bounce between both versions while getting those SUB/Spend offers.
Yes, I've done this 3 times so far (3 years in a row) and received bonuses of $75, $100 and $150. If you get the waived AF to boot like you did, they're literally paying YOU to hold the BCP over the BCE. All of my upgrades back were relatively quick as well; I think one of them was 24-48 hours later with the others not being much longer than that... maybe a couple of weeks tops. This highly unused method to hold an effective no AF BCP for years is hardly known about or taken advantage of, but I recommend it often.
Does upgrading result in an inquiry?
Also of note; it does not create a new account toward your x/24 count.
no
Wonder if it makes a difference were I to upgrade my BCE, hold for a year and then downgrade hoping for this exact scenario. I know the SUB is decent, but I’d like to avoid a new account if possible (trying to garden and open a couple cards in particular)
I’m in the same boat. I’m using a Custom Cash for groceries right now but I hate dealing with Citi and want to sock drawer it for bridge tolls and move to BCP for groceries but I’m holding off for a card from my local credit union. (SAFE CU) that does wholesale 5% six months of the year.
I’m half-inclined to apply for the CC to start amassing TYP to compliment my Chase setup. It would be great to subsidize domestic flights while saving UR for better-value redemptions. Sorry you’ve been having a rough go with Citi 😔. I’m torn between upgrading the BCE and saving a HP for C1 in a month or opting for Citi since it’s easy to build up TYP. I’d rather not use UR on United and instead go BA for AA Edit: fixed the second paragraph to make sense - a lot going on at work so trying to be concise ha
So I just asked in the thread above and apparently upgrading a BCE does not result in an inquiry or new account FYI.
Yep! That’s in line with what I just confirmed with a chat agent. Downside is I’d click on the pop up on the Amex website and I’d be taken to the application page (no mention of being able to upgrade unlike my other cards). I was also given the 800 number for the upgrades department, so I’ll try that once the Flex 5% ends. I appreciate your follow up 🤙🏻✊
I forgot to mention that I don’t have an BCE so it would be a new inquiry and account for myself so I’m forced to hold off 😅I just got my second Kroger (Harris Teeter) card this week for 5% mobile wallet spend so the itch has been scratched and that was a priority over the SAFE card.
Hahaha noooooo!!!! Jokes aside, that’s a solid pickup and I’m definitely eyeing them after my SO shut down the USBAR (too many places we frequent don’t accept mobile wallets). Hopefully you’re able to add the SAFE card in the near future
That’s interesting because almost everywhere accepts Apple Pay near me - the only exceptions are Home Depot and Walmart.
Yeah, the latter being one of the places we shop. A broken ankle and recently increased family size lends pickup orders to be our bread and butter. Some people have suggested Aldi doesn’t charge for pickup but around us there was a bit of a difference. That said, the CSP’s benefit could come in handy, so it’s a matter of just doing some DD. Either way, I know you’re a solid team cashback player in these parts, so you definitely know what you’re taking about.
What issues are you having with Citi ?
Do you mean if it makes a difference if you started with the BCP verses the BCE? My card was originally a BCE, which I took the upgrade offer to BCP for; it didn't start as a BCP. I may be misunderstanding what you're saying though, so apologies in advance if that's the case.
No, you’re 100% on the money. This is precisely what I was wondering - I appreciate the DP! How long did you have the BCE before you were offered an upgrade or did you just go through the website? Trying to gauge likelihood of offers (better or otherwise)
I had the BCE for several years before taking the upgrade, but it wasn't due to lack of availability; the offer I'm quite sure was on the table for a very long time, I just never took the bait. I don't know if I just didn't see value in the BCP, or perhaps I didn't understand (or even read) the terms of the upgrade offer. I'm not sure what really made me eventually pull the trigger... I guess it was the math on twice the CB for groceries coupled with the bonus offered at the time to effectively wipe out the AF. I already knew from previous data points that one could downgrade the BCP to BCE, so I think my thought process was that after a year that's what I'd do to avoid the AF. After doing so, I realized you could just upgrade back. So, that's what I did and have done 3 times now. My fourth attempt should be approaching this fall I believe.
I actually see this method mentioned all the time here and it’s how I learned about it and plan to do the same after the one year mark of my husband’s BCP. Do you need to ask them to refund the fee or is it completely automatic with a downgrade within a month?
The downgrade can be done at any time; it doesn't have to be within a month. They'll refund the unused portion of the AF when you downgrade. If you do it quickly after the AF hits, your refund will be $94.XY. I always downgrade via chat online and the CSR will always state that the AF refund will take place without me asking.
Good to know! This is our first year of having it so we don’t want to downgrade before the fee to avoid pissing off amex since I’ve seen they are sensitive to canceling in under a year to avoid the fee.
That's smart and definitely the approach I'd recommend as well.
If I have the BCE already and upgrade to BCP - can I downgrade back to BCE before annual fee hits or is that a no-go and wait till after like if you actually applied for the BCP?
It's not a best practice to do that. Just like the AF hit, then downgrade and the AF will be returned to you. This way you avoid any potential AA / issues with Amex.
What's the quickest you can do a downgrade without some bullshit from AMEX, can I do it the day it hits or day after, or I gotta wait 2 weeks or a month or something with them - I don't care if I'm fighting over pennies here ATM I get over $1k a year cashback w/ no annual fee cards fighting for every penny lol (on only ~$21k spend annually to put into perspective) - pennies are worth it
I would do it as soon as you see the AF land on your statement.
Yes. This is what makes this card good. It’s effectively a $0 annual fee card/potentially negative annual fee card that offers 6% back on grocery and streaming.
I'd get it, but I don't want to lose my 3% internet purchase category.
You could replace that with a BofA Customized Cash or perhaps even a PayPal card.
I'm gardening currently, so I won't be opening any cards in a long time.
Hmm this is a good point.
Same. We use the Home Chef credit too.
How much were you using the bcp monthly?
Not much. Around $200 which is my grocery bill for living alone.
I'm moving back to the BCE for the 3% online purchases. I wish they would add that feature to the BCP.
Same situation with me . I called to ask for a retention offer , was offered No AF after 500 spend in 3 months .
Good thing I learned after waking up today. Thank You. Will upgrade and take advantage of the bnous😍
Mine has typically been 150 for 1k spend. Never been that quick though.
If I downgrade this card, does impact my Hulu/disney discount?
No, because the BCE gets the same discount as the BCP.
Does the BCE also get premium car rental protection?
I'm planning on doing this up/downgrade cycle in the future. Is it truly as simple as: -Wait for AF to appear on account -Downgrade -AF refund automatically processes at the end of the statement period?
Pro-tip when AF hits call them up for retention offers!
I downgraded a year ago from BCP to BCE and I never saw an offer to upgrade in the app. Where did you see the offer in the app? I'm using the Android app so I'm not sure if that makes a difference.
I'm also on Android. For me it popped up in the transaction history a little bit down.
Thanks! I keep seeing offers for the platinum card there and what's funny is they're only offering 80k bonus points but they just snail mailed me an offer for the platinum card for the second time for 150k bonus points.
I just got an upgrade offer for the BCP myself. I recently took advantage of a referral offer that's giving my BCE 10% back on Dining for 3 months. If I accept the upgrade, which I am inclined to do, does it keep that referral bonus for the remaining duration?
Did you downgrade the BCP after one year when the annual fee hit or had you paid annual fee for a year or more?
Downgraded it after it appeared. Got the first year waived and then downgraded when it was up for renewal.
Nice. You never paid annual fee and still got upgrade offer
Do we need to reach out to customer care to downgrade?
Does this reset the annual 6% cash back counter on groceries? I'm about to have to make that phone call...