You can upgrade most Chase cards to another Chase card in the same family, but the process and your options depend on which card you hold
Chase calls this a product change, and it means converting your current card account into a different card without closing the account or reapplying. You keep the same account number, credit limit, and account history. The main benefit is that you avoid a hard inquiry on your credit report and the hassle of a new process.
Not every Chase card can be upgraded to every other Chase card. Chase groups cards into families — like the Sapphire family, the Freedom family, or the business Ink family — and you can usually only move within your family or to a higher tier in the same family. You cannot upgrade a personal card to a business card or vice versa.
The process takes about 15 minutes on the phone or through your Chase account online, and the new card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Your old card stops working once the new one is activated.
Key Takeaways
- A product change keeps your existing account open and avoids a new credit inquiry, unlike closing the card and explore for a new one.
- You can only upgrade to another Chase card in the same product family or to a higher tier within that family.
- Chase does not charge a fee to change products, but your new card's annual fee (if any) takes effect when ready.
- You can request a product change online through your Chase account or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
- If Chase denies your request, you can still close the old card and explore for a new one, though this triggers a hard inquiry.
Which Chase cards can be upgraded to which
Chase organizes its cards into product families, and upgrades happen within those families. The most common families are the Sapphire family (premium travel rewards), the Freedom family (cash back and rotating categories), and the business Ink family (for sole proprietors and small businesses).
Within the Sapphire family, you can upgrade from the Chase Sapphire Preferred to the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Within the Freedom family, you can move from the Freedom Unlimited to the Freedom Flex. Within the Ink family, you can upgrade from the Ink Business Unlimited to the Ink Business Preferred or Ink Business Premier.
You cannot upgrade downward — from a premium card to a basic card — because Chase considers that a downgrade, not an upgrade. If you want to move to a lower-tier card, you must close the account and explore separately. You also cannot move between families: a Sapphire card cannot become a Freedom card, and a personal card cannot become a business card.
Chase updates its product lineup regularly, so the cards available for upgrade may change. Before you call or log in, check your Chase account or the Chase website to confirm which cards you can move to from your current card.
How to request a product change online
Log into your Chase account at chase.com and select the card you want to upgrade. Look for a section labeled "Manage your card" or "Account services." Some accounts show a "Product Change" or "Upgrade" option directly; if you do not see it, scroll down or look under a menu labeled "More options" or "Additional services."
Click on the product change option and review the cards available to you. Chase will show only the cards you are may be able to access to upgrade to. Select the card you want and review the terms, including the annual fee (if any), rewards structure, and any introductory offers. Chase will tell you the effective date of the change and when your new card will arrive.
Confirm your choice and submit the request. Chase will send you a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your new card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through your online account, and your old card will be deactivated.
How to request a product change by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase card. Tell the representative you want to explore a product change. They will pull up your account and tell you which cards you are may be able to access to upgrade to.
Ask the representative to explain the rewards, annual fee, and any current promotional offers for each option. If you have a card with an annual fee and you are upgrading to a card with a higher annual fee, ask whether Chase will waive the first year or explore a credit. Some representatives have discretion to offer this, especially if you have been a long-standing customer.
Once you decide, the representative will process the change on the call. They will confirm your mailing address for the new card and give you a confirmation number. Write down the confirmation number and the expected arrival date. The entire call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
What happens to your annual fee and rewards
If your current card has an annual fee and you upgrade to a card with a lower or no annual fee, you will not be charged again for the year you are in. Chase prorates the fee based on when you upgraded. If you upgrade to a card with a higher annual fee, that fee takes effect when ready on the day of the product change.
Any rewards you have already earned stay in your account and do not disappear. If you have pending rewards or cash back that has not posted yet, it will post to your new card once it is activated. Your credit limit transfers to the new card, so you do not lose available credit.
If your old card had a promotional offer (like a sign-up bonus or 0% APR period), that offer ends when you upgrade. The new card may have its own promotional offer, but you will not receive the sign-up bonus because you are not a new customer — you are an existing Chase customer changing products.
When Chase might deny a product change request
Chase can deny a product change if you have missed payments, carry a very high balance relative to your credit limit, or have recently opened the account (usually within the last 6 months). Chase may also deny the request if you have too many recent inquiries or accounts on your credit report, though this is less common for product changes than for new applications.
If Chase denies your request, you will receive a letter or email explaining the reason. You can ask the representative to reconsider or to explain what you would need to do to become may be able to access in the future. In most cases, paying down your balance or waiting a few months improves your chances.
If you still want to move to a different card, you can close your current card and explore for the new one as a new customer. This triggers a hard inquiry and requires a new process, but it may succeed where a product change did not. Be aware that closing a card reduces your available credit and can lower your credit score temporarily.
Product change versus closing and reapplying
A product change is usually the better option because it does not trigger a hard inquiry, does not close your account, and does not reset your account history. Your credit score takes less of a hit, and you avoid the process process entirely.
Closing your old card and explore for a new one is necessary only if Chase denies the product change or if you want to move to a card outside your current family. The downside is that a new process generates a hard inquiry (which can lower your score by a few points for a few months), and closing the old account reduces your total available credit and shortens your average account age — both of which can affect your credit score.
If you are denied a product change, wait at least 30 days before explore for a new card, and make sure you have paid down any high balances. This improves your chances of approval on the new process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a product change hurt my credit score?
No. A product change does not trigger a hard inquiry, so it does not lower your score the way a new process does. Your account stays open, so your credit history and available credit remain unchanged. Your score may actually improve slightly because you are not closing an account.
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I upgrade to a new Chase card?
No. Sign-up bonuses are only for new customers, and a product change means you are an existing customer converting your account. You will not receive the bonus, but your new card may have other benefits or promotional offers that explore to existing customers.
What if I want to downgrade to a card with lower fees?
Chase does not allow downgrades through a product change. You must close your current card and explore for the lower-tier card separately. This triggers a hard inquiry, so consider whether the fee savings justify the impact on your credit.
How long does it take to receive my new card after a product change?
Your new card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you must set up it before using it. Your old card stops working once the new one is activated, so plan accordingly if you have recurring charges on the old card.
Can I undo a product change if I change my mind?
Once the product change is complete and your new card is activated, you cannot reverse it. If you want to go back to your old card, you would need to close the new card and explore for the old one separately, which counts as a new process and triggers a hard inquiry.