Downgrade query on BA Amex

[iEimis]

Coming up to my BAPP renewal and was going to cancel it before the 2nd October as I think Barclaycard offers more flexibility at this moment in time especially with the Pro Rata refund changes coming into play in the next few weeks (and I already have 2x 2-4-1 vouchers that I am yet to use). Called Amex this evening to explore my options and was told there is no option to switch to the classic card, however, the lady suggested to process an application online and if approved the BAPP can then be closed. To be honest, this sort of process is not something I’ve ever seen or come across as being mentioned here. Is this a sign of things changing and is it even possible to hold both the ‘classic’ and BAPP card at the same time (even if for a short period)?

[marshy11]

OH downgraded a month ago. Very straight forward. BAPP to blue, voucher still in tact. No application.

[davefl]

marshy11 wrote:

OH downgraded a month ago. Very straight forward. BAPP to blue, voucher still in tact. No application.

How, call or live chat?

Are you basically saying the OP should call again because they got the wrong info 1st time?

[marshy11]

davefl wrote:

marshy11 wrote:

OH downgraded a month ago. Very straight forward. BAPP to blue, voucher still in tact. No application.

How, call or live chat?

Are you basically saying the OP should call again because they got the wrong info 1st time?

It was done via telephone call.

I am not suggesting anything, merely giving our experience.

[iEimis]

Thank you for the insight. I might wait a little bit longer (closer to Oct 2nd) and try to call again. Don’t really want to reapply/cancel and then lose both of my BAPP vouchers.

[brian]

I just downgraded today over the phone and it was an incredibly simple process. Was briefly asked why, was offered a poor retention offer which I declined and on agreeing to the terms my card was instantly downgraded. Can already see the new blue card in my app.

[Mark Peterborough]

brian wrote:

I just downgraded today over the phone and it was an incredibly simple process. Was briefly asked why, was offered a poor retention offer which I declined and on agreeing to the terms my card was instantly downgraded. Can already see the new blue card in my app.

Exactly the same for me today, it was very simple and very efficient. My offer was 5000 avois for spending £1000, which I declimed.

[zapato1060]

iEimis wrote:

Thank you for the insight. I might wait a little bit longer (closer to Oct 2nd) and try to call again. Don’t really want to reapply/cancel and then lose both of my BAPP vouchers.

Just HACA. You wont lose the 241s unless you outright cancel and refuse the BA blue card as per the new T&Cs.

[iEimis]

Called again earlier. No issues downgrading this time, was also offered 10000 Avios for £3000 spend in 3 months which I politely declined although I could have hit that spend but wanted to avoid another interaction in all fairness. That first experience which made me create this thread was a bizarre one though! Perhaps aim to call during the day to get connected to the UK based reps which is what happened today.

[Mark Peterborough]

Since downgrading smoothly a couple of days ago, the tracker on my app is showing something odd.
I previously spent just over 10k and had my 241 voucher deposited into my BA account. My spend tracker now shows that I have £1995 to spend to get my voucher.

I am now a bit concerned that my original voucher will be recalled and I wll end up with the less valuable basic upgrade voucher when I spend another £2k. Should I worry, or is this normal?

[NorthernLass]

Up or downgrading always did odd things to the tracker, I think you’ll be fine.

[Mark Peterborough]

NorthernLass wrote:

Up or downgrading always did odd things to the tracker, I think you’ll be fine.

Thank you, that’s good to know.

[alma]

Maybe silly question, but does downgrading BAPP keep the underlying account the same i.e. do you transactions/balance/offers persist or get reset? thanks!

[kelliea1]

If you upgraded a Blue Amex to BAPP card then reached your target, earned your voucher and paid the £250 could you then cancel and keep the upgraded 241? Would you get get a pro-rate refund? TIA

[JDB]

kelliea1 wrote:

If you upgraded a Blue Amex to BAPP card then reached your target, earned your voucher and paid the £250 could you then cancel and keep the upgraded 241? Would you get get a pro-rate refund? TIA

This question has been asked endlessly! If you downgrade rather than cancel you are keeping to the terms of the BAPP companion voucher. If you cancel, you are potentially in breach of the terms and there have been reports of the voucher being removed. It’s a risk you need to assess for yourself; nobody can give you definitive answer either way and that’s the price of seeking to evade the fee that most people pay.

You won’t get a pro-rata refund if you cancel after 1 October.

[Aston100]

Those who downgraded to the free card – did you definitely get a pro rata refund for the BAPP?
I want to cancel the BAPP but would lose my Avios balance as the usual date for xfer to BAEC is well after the early October cut-off on the pro rata refunds. And there’s also the mixed views about potential to lose the companion voucher if cancelling outright.

Thinking of just downgrading in order to preserve the voucher and the current balance. Have no intention of using the free card. But this does rely on guarantee of a pro rata refund on the BAPP.

Thanks.

[marshy11]

Aston100 wrote:

Those who downgraded to the free card – did you definitely get a pro rata refund for the BAPP?
I want to cancel the BAPP but would lose my Avios balance as the usual date for xfer to BAEC is well after the early October cut-off on the pro rata refunds. And there’s also the mixed views about potential to lose the companion voucher if cancelling outright.

Thinking of just downgrading in order to preserve the voucher and the current balance. Have no intention of using the free card. But this does rely on guarantee of a pro rata refund on the BAPP.

Thanks.

We downgraded, got the voucher transferred (the blue card was almost instant in the app and we were told that even if we spent on the BAPP it would be shown on the blue). Current balance, dates et al stayed the same. Also got the pro rata refund within a day.

[NorthernLass]

It’s if you upgrade that the dates change, card year stays the same but payment date changes to the date you upgrade to BAPP.

[Aston100]

marshy11 wrote:

Aston100 wrote:

Those who downgraded to the free card – did you definitely get a pro rata refund for the BAPP?
I want to cancel the BAPP but would lose my Avios balance as the usual date for xfer to BAEC is well after the early October cut-off on the pro rata refunds. And there’s also the mixed views about potential to lose the companion voucher if cancelling outright.

Thinking of just downgrading in order to preserve the voucher and the current balance. Have no intention of using the free card. But this does rely on guarantee of a pro rata refund on the BAPP.

Thanks.

We downgraded, got the voucher transferred (the blue card was almost instant in the app and we were told that even if we spent on the BAPP it would be shown on the blue). Current balance, dates et al stayed the same. Also got the pro rata refund within a day.

Fantastic.
Thanks for the confirmation.

[Mark Peterborough]

Aston, I also confirm that I got the partual refund of the membership within a day onto my account. It would appear that it was calculates pro rata on a daily basis of what was left, which was a present surprise as I imagined I would just get multiples of whole months worth.

[RM84]

Can I just check whether any offers saved to the BAPP will disappear when you downgrade? It’s so long since I did this, I can’t remember! The Marriott offer I’ve got saved to my BAPP is worth more than the pro-rata refund I’d be entitled to, so I’m just weighing up whether I need to keep the card.

[Aston100]

RM84 wrote:

Can I just check whether any offers saved to the BAPP will disappear when you downgrade?

I downgraded yesterday.
On the Amex site, the picture of my BAPP has turned into the free version of the BA card.
My 20’ish offers are still visible, as are the ones I saved.
I have no idea if this will change in the coming days when the physical card arrives in the post.

[Aston100]

Mark Peterborough wrote:

Aston, I also confirm that I got the partual refund of the membership within a day onto my account. It would appear that it was calculates pro rata on a daily basis of what was left, which was a present surprise as I imagined I would just get multiples of whole months worth.

Thanks, had this confirmed again yesterday prior to accepting the downgrade.

[RM84]

Aston100 wrote:

RM84 wrote:

Can I just check whether any offers saved to the BAPP will disappear when you downgrade?

I downgraded yesterday.
On the Amex site, the picture of my BAPP has turned into the free version of the BA card.
My 20’ish offers are still visible, as are the ones I saved.
I have no idea if this will change in the coming days when the physical card arrives in the post.

Thanks. I will probably risk cancelling it.

[NorthernLass]

Do you have any 241 vouchers in your BAEC account?