Newbie Question on Moving a Credit Card line

[Shif]

Hi all:)

Apologies in advance if this is a topic covered already somewhere- I've just started exploring the forum and haven't yet found the answer to my specific situation.

I have a Chase United Explorer Card (well, it started out as a Chase Continental OnePass). It is my oldest line credit card so I understand that it's not a good idea to close it. But the yearly fee for this card currently outweighs its benefits for me as I use (at most) one service per year. I recently (read: around 3 months ago) opened a BarclayCard and that has replaced the Chase for now due to the cashback bonus offered at the time. 

So two questions:

1. How can I downgrade to a non-fee card without losing my credit history?
2. Can I get any benefits (miles, cash points etc) for the new 'fee-less' card that I open? Should I apply for another Chase card separately and then ask that the old credit line be moved over?
3. If no changes can be made without sacrificing my credit history, how bad is it really to wipe it out? What are the practical ramifactions of completely closing that card?

Thank for your patience, Obiwans of the credit sphere...

[jordan21]

One question at a time is a better idea. I'll ans #1 sure you can call and say u dont wana pay the annual fee so ask them to downgrade

[Marco Polo]

In regards to #3, age of your credit cards are a big factor. Better to try and downgrade to a no aF or get the fee waived.

[SearchGuy]

Hi all:)

Apologies in advance if this is a topic covered already somewhere- I've just started exploring the forum and haven't yet found the answer to my specific situation.

I have a Chase United Explorer Card (well, it started out as a Chase Continental OnePass). It is my oldest line credit card so I understand that it's not a good idea to close it. But the yearly fee for this card currently outweighs its benefits for me as I use (at most) one service per year. I recently (read: around 3 months ago) opened a BarclayCard and that has replaced the Chase for now due to the cashback bonus offered at the time. 

So two questions:

1. How can I downgrade to a non-fee card without losing my credit history?
2. Can I get any benefits (miles, cash points etc) for the new 'fee-less' card that I open? Should I apply for another Chase card separately and then ask that the old credit line be moved over?
3. If no changes can be made without sacrificing my credit history, how bad is it really to wipe it out? What are the practical ramifactions of completely closing that card?

Thank for your patience, Obiwans of the credit sphere...

Is there a different between an own credit history and an AU credit history?
If not you can add yourself as an Authorized User (AU) on someone else's account and like this you will maintain your credit history

[ckmk47]

Is there a different between an own credit history and an AU credit history?
If not you can add yourself as an Authorized User (AU) on someone else's account and like this you will maintain your credit history

IDK
If he closes this account the AGE of his credit history changes.  And that's a big deal.  Best is to keep this account continuous, even if it's changed to a no annual fee card.

[Let3]

In regards to #3, age of your credit cards are a big factor. Better to try and downgrade to a no aF or get the fee waived.

When you downgrade- is there another pull on credit report?

[Ez]

When you downgrade- is there another pull on credit report?

Not in my experience (with quite a few banks).

[Let3]

Can you get bonus miles when downgrading?
Or if you apply for a new one and transfer credit from old one- is it the same thing? Does it keep your credit history from old card?

[lfas25]

Can you get bonus miles when downgrading?
Or if you apply for a new one and transfer credit from old one- is it the same thing? Does it keep your credit history from old card?

No and no.

You won't get any bonuses by downgrading and if you apply for a new card and do a cl transfer you will only have the history of the card that you keep.
(though I'm pretty sure even the closed acct will be on your history for 10 years, so depending on how old the account is it might not be that bad in the short run)