{"id":149291,"date":"2025-02-10T21:00:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T21:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/10\/when-can-you-downgrade-your-credit-card-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-02-10T21:00:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T21:00:44","slug":"when-can-you-downgrade-your-credit-card-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/10\/when-can-you-downgrade-your-credit-card-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"When can you downgrade your credit card? – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

If the annual fee just came due for one of your travel rewards cards<\/a>, you may find it difficult to justify the expense if you’re not getting enough value in return. If you can’t maximize the card’s benefits, earning rates or redemption opportunities, there may be an option besides paying the annual fee<\/a>, canceling your card<\/a> or calling to see if you can snag a reconsideration offer<\/a>. That option is to downgrade your card<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As a result of policies included in the Credit CARD Act of 2009<\/a>, you’ll generally need to wait until you’ve had your card for a year before you can downgrade it. However, some issuers have different policies, and there are also some other aspects to consider. Here’s when you can downgrade your credit card account for most major card issuers \u2014 and when it might be a good option.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What does it mean to downgrade a card?<\/h2>\n

Downgrading your card means switching to another credit card offered by the same issuer with a lower fee (or none at all) and (most likely) fewer benefits. Since you aren’t opening a new account, there shouldn’t be a new inquiry on your credit report<\/a>, and your online login information should stay the same. You’ll receive a new credit card number<\/a> and a new physical card in the mail, but your account history<\/a>, credit limit<\/a> and other factors that affect your credit score<\/a> shouldn’t change.<\/p>\n

\n