I am a current US Bank Altitude Reserve card holder. Because of the recent negative changes, I am planning to either cancel or downgrade this card. However, I would like to take advantage of the next year's travel credit before I do that. My annual fee will hit on 03/20.
I have heard that I can still use up my $325 travel credit and not incur a clawback when I call to downgrade/cancel.
I don't have immediate travel plans, but do have some plans in Fall (Sept). Can I book a future trip with this travel credit now, and then cancel the card by 04/20 for the AF refund?
Hoping that cancelling the card doesn't invalidate any of the travel purchases? Any way to prevent these issues – maybe buy a non cancellable ticket?
USBAR travel credit – for future travel?
byu/Miserable-Mistake119 inCreditCards
Posted by Miserable-Mistake119
2 Comments
wait you can book that far ahead and still get credit? i thought us bank was pretty strict about timing with those things
been thinking about ditching my altitude reserve too since they nerfed it pretty hard. the thing is i’m not sure if booking september travel now would even trigger the credit properly – might depend on when the charge actually posts vs when you book it
from what i remember reading in forums, they usually don’t claw back credits if you’ve already used them before downgrading, but booking 6 months out seems risky. maybe try smaller purchases first like airline gift cards or something? those usually code as travel and you could use them later without worrying about timing
also double check the terms because some issuers changed their policies after people started gaming the system like this
My annual fee posted on 3/19.
I just used my travel credit on 3/20. I paid for a hotel stay and completed the hotel stay that night 3/20. The credit posted within 72 hours. I then called and product changed my usbar to the connect. I was assured that my annual fee would be refunded because I changed within 30 days of my annual fee renewal. I’m still waiting for the annual fee refund. I called today and was again reassured my annual fee refund would post within 30 days.
2 things with your plan:
If you book a future stay and pay now, I think you should get the credit. However, if you close your account before your stay, you may lose access to the travel rewards center. I’d call the hotel and confirm the reservation before cancelling the card.
Make sure you cancel your card within the 30 day window of the date your annual fee posted. Remember march has 31 days.