Why You Might Downgrade

If you’re a fan of maximizing your points and earning incredible travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is probably one of your go-tos. It’s a favorite among travelers for its generous welcome bonus and valuable perks.

But here’s the catch: Chase’s 48-month rule means you can only earn the Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus once every four years — and that clock starts when you earned your last bonus, not when you opened the card.

So what if it’s been over 48 months and you want to earn that big bonus again? The key is to downgrade your existing Chase Sapphire Preferred to a no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex® card.

This move keeps your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points alive and frees you up to apply for a brand-new Sapphire Preferred when an elevated offer comes around.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s exactly how I downgraded my Chase Sapphire Preferred and kept all my points intact:

1. Call Chase Customer Service

Call the number on the back of your Sapphire Preferred card and let the representative know you want to downgrade your card. They’ll confirm your options and guide you through the quick process — it usually takes just a few minutes.

2. Choose Between Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex

You’ll have two downgrade options:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Earn 1.5% cash back (or 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points) on every purchase — simple and consistent.
• Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn 5% back in rotating quarterly categories (like groceries, gas, or Amazon) plus 3% on dining and drugstores.

Both cards come with $0 annual fees and keep your points active.

3. Keep Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Your points won’t disappear when you downgrade — they’ll stay linked to your account as long as you hold any Ultimate Rewards-earning card. You can even move them later to a new Sapphire Preferred or Reserve to unlock transfer partners and travel redemptions.

4. Downgrade, Don’t Cancel

This is key! Downgrading means you’re keeping the same account open (just switching products). That helps protect your credit score and credit history, unlike closing the account altogether.

What Happens After You Downgrade

Once your Sapphire Preferred is successfully downgraded, you no longer hold that product — which means you become eligible to apply for it again once:

• It’s been 48+ months since your last welcome bonus, and
• You don’t currently hold any Sapphire card.

When you see a great elevated offer, you can reapply and earn that welcome bonus again.

Pro Tip: Wait close to 2 weeks after your downgrade before applying for a new card to make sure Chase’s systems update your account status.

What Happens to Your Points

When you downgrade, your Chase Ultimate Rewards points remain safe and active.
You can:

• Keep earning with your new Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex card, or
• Move them to your new Sapphire Preferred later to transfer to travel partners for maximum value.

If you share points with a family member in your household, you can also transfer points between accounts — another easy way to keep your rewards flexible.

FAQ for Families and Points Users

Will I lose my Chase Ultimate Rewards points when I downgrade?
No! Your points stay active as long as you have any Ultimate Rewards-earning card (Freedom, Sapphire, or Ink).

Can I downgrade before the 48-month mark?
Yes, but you won’t be eligible for a new Sapphire Preferred bonus until 48 months have passed since your last bonus.

Will downgrading hurt my credit score?
It shouldn’t. You’re keeping your same account open, which helps preserve your credit history and average account age.

Is this worth it for families?
Absolutely. This is one of the easiest long-term Chase points strategies for families who want to keep earning big bonuses every few years without paying unnecessary annual fees in between.

Final Thoughts

Downgrading your Chase Sapphire Preferred to a Chase Freedom Unlimited (or Freedom Flex) is one of the smartest long-term strategies for maximizing Chase points. You’ll keep your rewards safe, avoid the annual fee, and set yourself up to earn that valuable welcome bonus again when the timing is right.

If you want help deciding when to downgrade or when to jump on the next elevated offer, I’d love to walk you through it.

Related Reading:

• Complete Guide to Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Maximize Your Travel Rewards
• Book Delta Flights With Points

P.S. If you choose to apply for a new Chase Sapphire Preferred card using my affiliate link, thank you! Your support helps me continue creating free resources and guides that make points travel easy and family-friendly.