Update: Some readers had been asking what would happen with Fairmont status from this card. I asked Chase and received the following response:
- Cardmembers will continue to earn Premier Status through February 28, 2018 (unless they close their Fairmont account).
Chase has sent out a letter to Fairmont cardholders letting them know that on August 15th their card will be converted to a Chase Sapphire Preferred card on August 15th. Things to note:
- Card will be keeping the same account number and account pricing
- New card will come with a new expiration date and security code
- New card will arrive within six to eight weeks from August 15th
- You have until August 15th to redeem points through the current Fairmont program, after then they will be transferred to the Sapphire Preferred card (making them Chase Ultimate Rewards)
- Free night benefit is discussed in some detail (see image below)
- If you have spent $12,000 before August 14th they will deposit a free night into your account (either within six weeks of your account anniversary date or 8 to 10 weeks after August 15th – whatever comes first).
- If you don’t have the full 12 months to reach the $12,000 spending requirement they will give you the free night if you have spent more than $6,000 by August 14. Keep in mind if you recently applied then you have probably meet the minimum spend requirement of $3,000, so spend another $3,000 and get a free night.
What You Should Do
- Decide what to do with your points. Personally I think Chase Ultimate Rewards are more valuable than Fairmont points, so I would let my points automatically convert.
- Decide what to do with your card. This is going to vary from person to person. Some things to keep in mind:
- Chase Sapphite Preferred has $95 annual fee and earns 2x on travel/restaurants
- The 5/24 rule applies to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card (but obviously not to this product conversion)
- If it’s been more than 24 months since you’ve received a sign up bonus for a card then you’re eligible for the sign up bonus again
- Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you the ability to transfer points to Chase’s travel partners.
- You can product change this card to the following options:
- Chase Freedom (5x rotating categories & no annual fee)
- Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5x points on all purchases & no annual fee)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve ($450 annual fee, $300 travel credit based on card member year now & 3x points on travel/restaurants)
I think the best option for most people would be to get another Chase Freedom card (if you already hold one or more you can product change to this card but not apply for it again directly) as this gives you more spending capacity ($1,500 per quarter per card) on the 5x categories. If you don’t have a Chase Freedom and you’re under 5/24 it might make sense to apply for that card first and then product change this card so you can hold two Chase Freedom’s. Although there might be other higher value card you want to apply for that also fall under 5/24 status.
Basically for most people the best option is as follows:
- Let Fairmont points convert to Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Product change Chase Sapphire Preferred to Chase Freedom
Unfortunately the Fairmont card earns at the following rates:
- 5x on all Fairmont stays
- 2x on all airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, at car rental agencies, and on transit and commuting
- 1x on all other purchases
So not that useful for building up points before the conversion.
Hat tip to reader Mark A for the image and also Rapid Travel Chai
The certificates posted tonight, including one for me which I didn’t think I qualified for, because even though I met the spend on the 14th, the transaction posted on the 15th (1 day late). Regardless, today both my wife and I had an extra free night certificate posted in our accounts.
I called tonight and successfully booked a 6-night stay in Mayakoba Mexico for [close to] free. If I paid cash, this would have cost $3000 USD… I love this hobby 🙂 🙂 🙂
FYI, the suite upgrade is apparently only good for 5 nights. The good news is, you are able to use another one (in this case my wifes suite upgrade) for the 6th night. Also, this may be obvious to others, but the black out dates for certificates are for the nights listed vs. the entire day. What I mean by this, is if a hotel has a certificate blackout beginning on (for example) Jan 3rd, you can actually book a reservation THROUGH (checking out on) the 3rd (but not the 3rd to the 4th, because the night of the 3rd is when the blackout begins).
Chase is taking their sweet time, trying to make these certs as useless as possible. Nothing here yet. 10 weeks end 10/24. I’ll make sure to ping them on 10/25 if I don’t see the cert posted.
Ha! I literally logged into my fairmont account before DoC. I assume everyone is thinking the same thing. Waiting…
Still waiting here too. 2 player mode in our house and nothing in either of our Fairmont accts.
I messaged Chase about this a few weeks ago. At the time, they told me the certificate would post in my account by October 10. That date has come and gone and still no certificate. Looks like folks on another blog are reporting Chase now says by end of October… fingers crossed.
Anybody get their final Fairmont free night cert yet? I made spend ($6K) pretty late (August 14th) and I’m still waiting for it at this point.
nothing yet. asked them and got the standard 8-10 weeks, if you qualify after august 15th. my anniversary date was right before letter and annual fee came in same time as letter did the 6000 spend since my anniversary date was in late may and the letter was dated june. hopeully will come in but will have only few month to redeem if they expire feb 2018
anyone get the freedom unlimited,
what is the best bonus in the past for that cc?
is it worth giving up the bonus for a product change if we can even get it?
I called to see when would the free night cert show up? The CSR had no clue as to what I was talking about unfortunately.
Same here. Only option is to product change fairmont card to the no fee Sapphire card. Will or Chuck, do you have any suggestions on what to do….?
Getting same response on my end. May HUCA next week.
I got the same option – can only convert to the CS. However, she specifically mentioned it was because the card had been open less than one year. I’m wondering if I wait until the AF hits, can I make the switch to a Freedom card?
Anthony – I can confirm. The 1 year hit on my Fairmont (AF posted as well).
I called in and was able to PC to the Freedom.
Good luck to you!
My only option is to keep the CSP or to switch to a standard Sapphire.. No options for anything else..
Called first thing this morning regarding a product change for my new CSP/Former fairmont card.. was told my only option was to transfer to the no fee sapphire card.
FICO, sorry
They will not let you convert it to any other cards at this time except the CSP. Several of us already asked and were told no, despite having long positive histories with Chase and 760 FZiCO scores. Weird.
Fairmont converted to CSP. Just got off phone having the CSP converted to Freedom. Was given the choice of regular Sapphire, Frredom, and Freedom Unlimited.