In case you missed our earlier post, Chase is making some changes to the personal Chase United MileagePlus Explorer card. These changes go into effect on June 1st. One of the changes is the removal of 10,000 bonus miles if you spend $25,000 or more within a calendar year. I had assumed that this particular benefit would be phased out at the end of the year considering cardholders had already made spending decisions based on this benefit being offered.
Unfortunately this is incorrect and you need to have had $25,000+ or more post to your account between January 1st through May 31st, 2018 to receive the 10,000 bonus miles. If $10,000 – $24,999 in purchases posts to your account between January 1st through May 31st, 2018 then you’ll receive 4,000 miles. Personally I see this as a bait and switch as cardholders will have put spend on the card assuming they would be able to hit the $25,000 spend requirement and receive 10,000 miles. If you spend exactly $10,000 before May 1st then you get an extra 0.4 miles per $1 (same ratio as $25,000 spend for 10,000 miles).
When the Chase Fairmont card was discontinued cardholders were able to receive a free night certificate by spending $12,000, for those that didn’t have the full 12 months to reach the spend requirement they were only required to spend $6,000. The reason some cardholders decide to spend $25,000 on the Chase United card is because it waives the premier qualifying dollar requirement for elite status with United.
Card issuers should be allowed to change benefits at their own discretion. That being said I don’t believe it’s fair to change the reward for meeting a spending requirement mid year, as previously stated cardholders will have made purchasing decisions based on that benefit being in place. If this change will negatively affect you, I’d recommend making a formal complaint with Chase to voice your displeasure.
