Topic Wiki

I'm trying to summarize success stories mentioned in this thread.
From @TC610
It never hurts to ask - retention is a big YMMV.  If you don't like the offer given to you when you call for retention, ask for a better one.  Scan through the thread (use the search bar - reading through 130+ pages of posts can be time consuming) to see what others have been offered. Please post what you've got if its better then whats in the WIKI

Citi:
AA
Retention: $95 Statement credit after 5 transactions (no minimum...) in the next 3 months
09/17/2014 $95 refunded no need to make any transactions + 1000 Bonus Points per month for 16 months if made purchases of $1000+
05/12/16 AA Executive: $50 credit every month spend $1500 or 15K Miles for $5K in 5 Months
08/14/17 AA Exec $250 credit for spending $3,000/m * 3m OR 15K Miles for $5K in 3m.

Chase: - Call 800-945-2006.
  • IB/IP
     Retention: 10k UR after 5k spend
  •  IC
     Retention: $50 SC
  • UA (Club)
     Retention: $150 account credit
     Retention: 10k Miles for spending $2000 in 3 months.
  • UA (Presidential)
     Retention: $100 account credit
  • BA
     Retention: 9k Avios for spending $1500 in 3 months
  • Freedom (5x catagories)
     Retention: 2,500 UR

Barclay's:
M&M
Retention: Waived by SMing

Arrival
Retention: 5K miles, for keeping the card open randomly.
AF waived, HUCA

US air:
AF waived

American Express

Seems to be clearly spend related while also no rhyme or reason to who gets offers

 • Business gold:5k-15k/$100 statement credit no spend required.
 • Delta Gold Skymiles - 12.5k Delta miles for paying the annual fee (no extra spending required) or $100 Credit on the account
 • SPG personal: 7k for 1k spend in 3 months.
 • SPG business: 10k no spend.
 • Personal Platinum - 20,000 MR for $3,000 spend in 3 months. (Actually gave me 5,000MR immediately, then 15,000 when I spend the $3k)/up to 50k/$150 SC for 1k spend.
 • Personal Platinum (another data point [zow]) - 30,000 MR for $4,000 spend in 3 months.
 • Business Platinum: 10k no spend/20k for 10k spend/30k no spend +50k for 40k spend

Retention contact numbers:
Citi: 800-444-2568
Chase: 800-945-2006
Amex: 800-452-3945
Barclays: 18664084064 (credit dept)
US Bank:

Click on link to get backdoor numbers for most banks:
http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Backdoor-Numbers/td-p/408066
« Last edited by zow on May 19, 2019, 06:47:52 PM »

Author Topic: Credit Card Retention Bonuses  (Read 1851823 times)

Offline Super Speed

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1560 on: July 26, 2013, 01:02:38 AM »
How long after opening a card would you suggest asking for a retention bonus?

Offline emak

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1561 on: July 27, 2013, 05:55:58 PM »
Btw: just called for my united explorer. After like 5 HUCAs a rep connected me with a specialist who offered me $100 statement credit. I asked if I cud hav that in miles and she agreed to give me 10000 miles instead!! ;D 8)

Offline Yordai Dooma

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1562 on: July 28, 2013, 12:02:08 AM »
How long after opening a card would you suggest asking for a retention bonus?
Same day

Offline sky121

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1563 on: July 28, 2013, 12:25:53 AM »
Btw: just called for my united explorer. After like 5 HUCAs a rep connected me with a specialist who offered me $100 statement credit. I asked if I cud hav that in miles and she agreed to give me 10000 miles instead!! ;D 8)


Nice
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Offline daganster

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1564 on: July 28, 2013, 12:39:31 AM »
Called to complain about interest fees I was charged on my Citi business card and threatened to close my card. The rep reversed all the fees and interest and offered me 10k AA miles after spending $5k.

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1565 on: July 28, 2013, 09:35:25 PM »
Citi AA card: 95 dollar statement credit + 500 bonus miles for the next 16 billing cycles when spending 500 dollars.

Note, today is a a few months after the annual fee kicked it.

Offline Super Speed

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1566 on: July 28, 2013, 10:12:09 PM »
Opened my United card relatively recent, got 4K retention bonus!

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1567 on: July 28, 2013, 10:18:27 PM »
Opened my United card relatively recent, got 4K retention bonus!

Can you explain. What kind of retention bonus can you on a card that's "relatively recent"?

Offline Super Speed

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1568 on: July 28, 2013, 11:21:45 PM »
Can you explain. What kind of retention bonus can you on a card that's "relatively recent"?
I opened it in May. Said I don't know if its giving me what I want out if a CC. The guys like I don't think there's much we can do, we want back and forth a bit and then he agreed to give me 4K points!

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1569 on: August 02, 2013, 01:12:28 PM »
My wife has a few cards (BA and UA) up for renewal. As she hates calling in, and I don't enjoy pretending to be her, would sm be a good choice or better to call?

Offline sky121

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1570 on: August 02, 2013, 01:14:20 PM »
I don't think many people have tried SM for retention bonuses. It can't hurt to try. Otherwise yes I'd imagine calling is better.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1571 on: August 02, 2013, 01:15:59 PM »
My wife has a few cards (BA and UA) up for renewal. As she hates calling in, and I don't enjoy pretending to be her, would sm be a good choice or better to call?

I have my wife call in and then ask if they would be willing to talk to me.

Offline aryeh1

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1572 on: August 02, 2013, 01:33:09 PM »
My wife has a few cards (BA and UA) up for renewal. As she hates calling in, and I don't enjoy pretending to be her, would sm be a good choice or better to call?
Let us know what happens with BA

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1573 on: August 02, 2013, 01:38:25 PM »
I don't think many people have tried SM for retention bonuses. It can't hurt to try. Otherwise yes I'd imagine calling is better.
Ok will try
Let us know what happens with BA
Yes not so confident it will work. I need to keep the card as my bonus was 50k year 1 and 50k year 2. I didn't get the additional 50k yet, just the annual fee.

Offline elibeli2

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1574 on: August 04, 2013, 08:30:14 AM »
I have the annual fee for the Hyatt credit card coming up, I called a few times and they do not seem to bi giving any retention bonus here, anyone have any experience with that?

Offline LA2NYC

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1575 on: August 04, 2013, 09:36:05 AM »
I have the annual fee for the Hyatt credit card coming up, I called a few times and they do not seem to bi giving any retention bonus here, anyone have any experience with that?

I also got this card about a year ago and had to pay the annual fee, which is now free for the first year.  Any way we can fight this for fee-free 2nd yr?

Offline bem684

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1576 on: August 04, 2013, 10:21:07 AM »
I also got this card about a year ago and had to pay the annual fee, which is now free for the first year.  Any way we can fight this for fee-free 2nd yr?

Close the card and sign up again for a new bonus?

Offline elibeli2

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1577 on: August 04, 2013, 11:08:49 AM »
Close the card and sign up again for a new bonus?
The point is I want to keep the card open. I even don't mind paying the $75 because you get a free night. However, in addition to the free night I would like to get some compensation as well.

Offline LA2NYC

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1578 on: August 04, 2013, 11:11:07 AM »
The point is I want to keep the card open. I even don't mind paying the $75 because you get a free night. However, in addition to the free night I would like to get some compensation as well.

This.

Offline LA2NYC

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #1579 on: August 04, 2013, 05:12:13 PM »
Called for PRG - was told that "no retention offer was coming up on their system." Rep said I can call back again at some point (week or two) to see if anything is offered then.  Said in his experience, the offers are random.  Spent 5K on the card this year.

1) Any chance I'll get an offer if I call in a week or so?
2) Don't have any other cards with MR - will I lose points if I downgrade to Zync?

Thanks!