Retention Bonuses
- Thread starter VaTraveler
- Start date
Just offered:
- Citi Business AAdvantage MasterCard (opened 8/14): $95 annual fee waived after $3,500 in spending in three months
- Chase Ink Bold (opened 6/14): 10,000 points after $5,000 in spending in three months
milesman99
Level 2 Member
Hi,
I was able to get $75 off from my AF on my amex SPG card by calling them. Hope this helps
I was able to get $75 off from my AF on my amex SPG card by calling them. Hope this helps
somdave2005
Level 2 Member
What do you guys actually say to the phone reps when you ask for retention bonuses? Do you just say you want to cancel and see if they offer anything?
milesman99
Level 2 Member
All you have to do is call them and tell them you want to cancel the account due to AF, but tell them that you really don't want to close the account and also tell them how much you like the benefits of the account and also try to show them you spent a lot on the card(only if you spent alot)
somdave2005
Level 2 Member
What if you don't have an annual fee lol. Heard of retention bonus for Citi Premier, but I'm grandfathered for no annual fee.
milesman99
Level 2 Member
There are cases where you can get a retention bonus if you try to cancel your card that don't have any AF. see this link http://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/2015/08/27/my-wife-scored-another-70000-points-i-got-a-rock-2/
Citi AA World Elite MC got offered Spend $95, get $95 credit (amount of AF) or spend 1K in 3 months, get 7.5K AA miles. Took second option, which may not be the best of the two now that I think about it
Last year I got spend 1K get bonus 1K miles for 16 months. This just seemed so much easier, oh well.
Last year I got spend 1K get bonus 1K miles for 16 months. This just seemed so much easier, oh well.somdave2005
Level 2 Member
I'm going to have to make some phone calls! Some of these retention bonuses are as big as credit card signup bonuses!
MrDioji
Level 2 Member
Citi Platinum Aadvantage opened 8 months ago. Called to cancel since I have an Aviator and want to reset the 18-month-since-open/closed clock.
Got an offer for 3,000 bonus points for $500 spend. Accepted and will try to cancel again when bonus posts.
I asked about retention offers at ~6 months and they had nothing.
Got an offer for 3,000 bonus points for $500 spend. Accepted and will try to cancel again when bonus posts.
I asked about retention offers at ~6 months and they had nothing.
somdave2005
Level 2 Member
Got a 15k retention bonus on Citi forward for $4.5 K spending in 6 months.
Also got 7.5k bonus for $1k spending in 3 months on Citi AA platinum select
Also got 7.5k bonus for $1k spending in 3 months on Citi AA platinum select
spencetheintense
Level 2 Member
Called today:
Chase SW Plus: 2 months from fee (offered 3,000 SW points without commitment and should post before annual fee)
Chase SW Premier: 5 months from fee (offered 3,000 SW points without commitment and will post before annual fee)
Chase Ink+: Agent couldn't offer anything, so I asked politely if I could speak with retention. She said she would get her supervisor on the line. He said he couldn't do anything for me, so maybe I'll call back again. I put a lot of 5% spend on this one. A bit surprised they didn't budge.
Barclay Aviator Red: Systems was being strange and they said they couldn't offer anything. December is when fee kicks in. Will call again and cancel if needed.
Chase SW Plus: 2 months from fee (offered 3,000 SW points without commitment and should post before annual fee)
Chase SW Premier: 5 months from fee (offered 3,000 SW points without commitment and will post before annual fee)
Chase Ink+: Agent couldn't offer anything, so I asked politely if I could speak with retention. She said she would get her supervisor on the line. He said he couldn't do anything for me, so maybe I'll call back again. I put a lot of 5% spend on this one. A bit surprised they didn't budge.
Barclay Aviator Red: Systems was being strange and they said they couldn't offer anything. December is when fee kicks in. Will call again and cancel if needed.
Which one did you select, if any?
I cancelled. They wouldn't let me convert bc they said the terms were changing on the card. I got 2 Amex Plats and 2 Citi Prestiges two weeks ago. Didn't need another $450 AF.
Called regarding Chase Sapphire Preferred. Was confirming how long I have after fee hits to cancel. Mentioned with the 7% dividend and First Friday gone didn't think card made as much sense and asked if any ways to offset the fee. Rep said no and she can't see the retention offers until someone calls and is discussing the possibility of canceling. I said OK, I was going to cancel by secure message after this month's points post, can she access any cancellation offers? At that point she could and offered me 6000 points for $4000 spend over the next three months. I took the offer and will probably keep the card ....
Annie H.
Egalatarian
I just had the most bizarre conversation ever w/Barclays . Called to ask for retention on SOs BA+. Told them he's hard of hearing, could he give permission for me to talk for him. NO, he had to get on the line and do business with them. I protested, CSR checked w/supervisor and finally agreed we could "conference" or speaker phone but "he has to make the request himself using his own words, you can relay things to him but..."
OK, so we went through that farce. He asked to be transferred to retention, she said she couldn't do it until he told his story and then only if her computer let her. SO was great, said spends lots on card-- he does--considering cancelling or downgrading. She said, "do you want to cancel?" I interrupted and asked if that was the only choice, what about a downgrade and she said, "this account cannot be downgraded, my computer won't let me. Do you want to cancel?" (she also said she'd never heard of AF being waived, definite newbie BUT they are at the mercy of their computers). He asked again about retention dept. and she said, 'I have to start processing your cancellation and at that point I will see if the computer gives me an option to transfer you."
When I called a couple months ago I was transferred to retention she asked, "you want to close your card today? Let me see if there is anything I can do." She then said, "I can waive the $89 fee." I asked if there was anything else she could do and she said, "no, there's nothing else on your card and I'm actually surprised you got the $89 offer, I'm not seeing these right now."
Anyone else ever heard of not being able to DG A+? Is it worth it to HUCA? Do you think it possible he was treted differently (not transf to retention) because I was 'coaching" him?
OK, so we went through that farce. He asked to be transferred to retention, she said she couldn't do it until he told his story and then only if her computer let her. SO was great, said spends lots on card-- he does--considering cancelling or downgrading. She said, "do you want to cancel?" I interrupted and asked if that was the only choice, what about a downgrade and she said, "this account cannot be downgraded, my computer won't let me. Do you want to cancel?" (she also said she'd never heard of AF being waived, definite newbie BUT they are at the mercy of their computers). He asked again about retention dept. and she said, 'I have to start processing your cancellation and at that point I will see if the computer gives me an option to transfer you."
When I called a couple months ago I was transferred to retention she asked, "you want to close your card today? Let me see if there is anything I can do." She then said, "I can waive the $89 fee." I asked if there was anything else she could do and she said, "no, there's nothing else on your card and I'm actually surprised you got the $89 offer, I'm not seeing these right now."
Anyone else ever heard of not being able to DG A+? Is it worth it to HUCA? Do you think it possible he was treted differently (not transf to retention) because I was 'coaching" him?
Matt S NYC
Level 2 Member
Barclays is a strange company to start with. That said, I do think that you coaching him impacted the call, although it sounds like you had a major PITA CSR. I would HUCA, but if possible, have your SO initiate the conversation with Barclays rather than you on his behalf.
Abbazappaplant
Paranoid MS'er :)
chase ink plus: 10k points with 5k spend in 3 months... they are tightening up on these cards. I took it.
Annie H.
Egalatarian
When I applied for too many cards a year ago I knew all the rules but now... yikes! We've been remodeling and everything is topsy turvy including records and paperwork.
Citi Exec-- Three months ago I got a $50 month credit for spending $1500 per month for up to 7 months. I was planning on keeping the card but with US Buxx closing it's not worth it to me and the card was marginal at best for me.
How does pro-ration of the AF work? CSR checked with supervisor and they were unable to tell me (a great CSR BTW) as "the computer calculates it." I'd assume it would be monthly and not daily but... She also couldn't tell me the anniversary date for my AF but did tell me my 37 days weren't up but I'm pretty sure I'm close.
What's at stake here of the AF vs getting credit for $1600 miles and $50 credit on last statement and same thing for next statement. Does that make sense?
Citi Exec-- Three months ago I got a $50 month credit for spending $1500 per month for up to 7 months. I was planning on keeping the card but with US Buxx closing it's not worth it to me and the card was marginal at best for me.
How does pro-ration of the AF work? CSR checked with supervisor and they were unable to tell me (a great CSR BTW) as "the computer calculates it." I'd assume it would be monthly and not daily but... She also couldn't tell me the anniversary date for my AF but did tell me my 37 days weren't up but I'm pretty sure I'm close.
What's at stake here of the AF vs getting credit for $1600 miles and $50 credit on last statement and same thing for next statement. Does that make sense?
Annie H.
Egalatarian
Since I wasn't sure and no one answered I closed the Citi Exec today w/full refund of $450. Retention told me I could DG to a Citi Gold but then it wouldn't go tghrough. I paid this month's and next month's balnce b efore I closed the card. CSR wasn't sure-- I know, I know, CSRs don't know-- about miles and points. Yesterday CSR said they currently couldn't do much of anything until Nov 1 as they're switching from MC to VISA, today's retention CSR was more cryptic, "not sure why my computer won't let me do it." For some reason my AA Advantage account only shows summary current balance and no monthly activity.
I call US Bank to get fee waiver on Club Carlson or do to downgrade--1st anniversary AF just posted and I'd never gotten around to asking for refund for last year's fee for devaluation of card. They agreed immediately to credit $75 AF for this year-- only problem was I had to wait on hold for 20 minutes for supervisor. On to SOs Chase Ink+.
I call US Bank to get fee waiver on Club Carlson or do to downgrade--1st anniversary AF just posted and I'd never gotten around to asking for refund for last year's fee for devaluation of card. They agreed immediately to credit $75 AF for this year-- only problem was I had to wait on hold for 20 minutes for supervisor. On to SOs Chase Ink+.
Citi Exec is switching to Visa? Haven't heard that anywhere else. I thought they were going all Mastercard. They recently switched my Citi AA Advantage Platinum Visa to a MC.
Boy I just get no love from US Bank Club Carlson. When I called to complain, I got 2k instead of 7.5K points. When I called to have the annual fee waived, they refused. And I paid it anyway. Then when I called to ask why after paying my AF and being loyal, I was one of the people that did NOT get a free night cert good anywhere in the world. I was told a supervisor would call me back in 48 hours. It never happened. So I secure messaged them and they told me the CEO would look into it and get back with me and I still have heard nothing in over a week. My e-cert posted for one night anywhere in the U.S., but I earned that by spending 30K last year. You are lucky to get it waived. These things are so random.
Annie H.
Egalatarian
I swear that is what I heard, can't vow that's what she said
-- I know there are lots of changes happening in November, it's been mentioned several places.I think after our experience w/Arrival plus for SO--it was like 20 mins of torture and didn't get the fee waived, I lucked out w/US Bank. It is random. Maybe it was my language, when I'm ready to cancel I'm much more forceful than when I'm just trying to get an AF waived. I went all out asked to have last year's AF refunded because of the change in terms of contract and devaluation of the card. That's what got me transferred to "supervisor."
It's getting harder and harder to get transferred to "retention" even if you say the magic "cancellation" word...
Landscape is changing for sure. Hard to know what to expect anymore!
spencetheintense
Level 2 Member
Called to cancel one of my 3 BOA AS cards and was offered 2,500 AS miles to keep it open.
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Mountain Trader
Level 2 Member
The symbol for Alaska Air is AS.
Good bonus offer.
Good bonus offer.
Voyaging Doc
Level 2 Member
When did you get the 3 cards? Did you accept, and you're going to cancel anyways?
spencetheintense
Level 2 Member
I opened the three cards in an AOR in May. I accepted and will cancel later.
Hold both the Personal Delta AMEX Platinum Personal and Business Delta Reserve to achieve Medallion status through manufactured spending. The annual fee hit on both cards and I called and complained about the Delta award chart devaluation. Was offered 25,000 SkyMiles for each card. The first bonus posted to my Delta account within several days. Still waiting on the second 25K batch to hit.
nickelfish1
Level 2 Member
Has anyone had recent success with Club Carlson waiving the AF? I've been debating closing both mine and hubs card. We each got a free night cert and I think we should each get the 10k points once we pay the fee.
Oh nice. Need to call myself. Didn't get around to it today. Good to hear.
Flanmann
Level 2 Member
i referenced my uncertainty of the future value of starpoints after the marriott merger, and it seemed to be a helpful datapoint to give.
OK, so I just called and I was offered and accepted 7000 SPG points as a retention bonus. Score!