UPDATE 3/27/2014 at 10PM PST: Chase has started converting IHG Visa Credit Cards into IHG MasterCard Credit Cards (see pics below).
Friday Rundown: Free Lounge Access for Chase Ink Bold/Plus, New IHG MasterCard, 2 New AMEX Offers, Bluebird Reloads at Walmart, and More
TGI Friday! Here are some random travel-related news from today…
I just created a tutorial about how to sign up for a free Lounge Club membership if you have a Chase Ink Bold/Plus Credit Card. You can read it here.
I got this letter from Chase alerting me that my Chase IHG Rewards Club Visa will soon be replaced by a Chase IHG Rewards Club World MasterCard. Technically, if you cancel the Visa card, you can sign up and receive the sign up bonus on the MasterCard. It appears that you have to close your Visa before April 1, otherwise you will automatically be issued the MasterCard and miss out on getting another sign up bonus.
Here is the corresponding FlyerTalk thread (link).
Back of the page with a few FAQs.
UPDATE 3/27/2014 at 10PM PST:
Chase has already started converting IHG Visa Credit Cards into IHG MasterCard credit cards. Check your Chase account to see if you account was updated.
This is a nice offer if you have any upcoming stays at a Hampton Hotel (Hilton chain).
i have no idea what Elie Tahari is, or sells, but maybe it can be useful to some of you.
Want to learn how ShopKick works? You need to understand iBeacon and how BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) transmission work. This short 4 page PDF should answer some of your questions – Beacon Technolgy – Improving The Customer Service Experience.pdf
Lastly, an interesting article in the LA Times titled Appeals court upholds Fed’s 21-cent cap on retailer ‘swipe fees’ talks about how merchants will have to pay up to 21 cents per debit card swipe. The article references Target and Walmart and I wonder if this ruling will effect Bluebird reloads at Walmart. Depending on how much it currently costs Walmart to accept debit cards (meaning Visa and MasterCard gift cards), this ruling may/may not effect how much you can load onto your Bluebird card per day. Just a guess, but it could turn out to be something important.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Have a great weekend everyone!
P.S. You can watch all the NCAA march Madness games live on the NCAA website.
I got this in the mail today but hadn’t realized cancelling the current card qualifies me for the 80K bonus again. Good job! Will you be utilizing that loophole?
There is no guarantee that the sign up bonus will be 80,000 again. It is possible, but they might have a new sign up bonus. I got my IHG card in November, so if I cancel it now, it will look suspicious to Chase. I will keep my card and forgo the additional sign up bonus. What about you, what are you going to do with your IHG card?
I got it in September so prob cancel six months is reasonable. Then reapply next AOR or possibly skip one and then apply
That’s a good idea. You could probably convert your current IHG card to a Chase Freedom if you don’t already have one.
Grant, I got my card (VISA) in beginning of March. I still do not see any notice on my account regarding conversion. I already got the bonus. Just need your opinion…it has been only two months but do you think I should go ahead and cancel the current card (will I lose my bonus….already posted?) and then wait for 6 months and then apply for MasterCard. Thoughts?
Hmm, so you originally applied for the IHG Visa in early March and already got the 80,000 bonus points?
I think cancelling a card that is only 2 months old would be a very bad idea. I would just apply for the IHG MasterCard and see what happens.
It is very rare that Chase will take back the sign up bonus that has already posted, but it is possible if you close a credit card after 2 months.
I would definitely add the IHG MasterCard to your next app-o-rama, whenever that is, if Chase hasn’t converted your card by then. Can your spouse/parent/sibling apply for the IHG MasterCard soon?
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Thanks for responding. Based on what I read on FT, if I apply for a MasterCard while I have VISA, I will definitely not get the Bonus. Spouse will apply only after 6 months or so as a separate a/c.
I haven’t been follow the IHG credit card discussions on FT, but if they say you can’t get a MC card while having a Visa card, I would follow their advice.