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 1852080 times)

Offline Novo

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2460 on: September 02, 2014, 06:23:46 PM »
How does this help? I would have thought it's better to be able to say I don't really need most of the benefits.

Did you mean specifically National as opposed to Avis or hertz?
I am approaching 60 days since the AF posted on my Amex Plat.

I have charged the 3k spend and an additional $5500.  I have done PGGM and GE.
1)I was replying to the first part of your post, you should take advantage of the other benefits before canceling. Even if you enroll you can still say when canceling that you don't need the benefits.
2) I just picked National -I'm on Hertz DNR list :(- you should also enroll for Hertz and Avis status, SPG Gold.
I try my best :-\
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Offline Boruch999

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2461 on: September 02, 2014, 06:30:04 PM »
1)I was replying to the first part of your post, you should take advantage of the other benefits before canceling. Even if you enroll you can still say when canceling that you don't need the benefits.
2) I just picked National -I'm on Hertz DNR list :(- you should also enroll for Hertz and Avis status, SPG Gold.

Thanks!

Offline Boruch999

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2462 on: September 04, 2014, 06:34:33 PM »
I just fished for a retention offer via chat for my Amex Plat. A very nice rep told me I have a few days left to cancel and get the AF back, but no, I cannot downgrade the card, and he did not offer any retention bonus. Do I have to ask for it outright? Is it better by phone?

Offline Novo

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2463 on: September 05, 2014, 02:55:14 PM »
I just fished for a retention offer via chat for my Amex Plat. A very nice rep told me I have a few days left to cancel and get the AF back, but no, I cannot downgrade the card, and he did not offer any retention bonus. Do I have to ask for it outright? Is it better by phone?
Try by phone, ask for the retention department.
I try my best :-\
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If you wanna go far, go together

Offline dpk4588

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2464 on: September 08, 2014, 10:52:05 PM »
I called amex to try and get retention bonuses on my SPG & PRG.  On the SPG they offered me 1k and another 500 if i spent $1k in 60 days. Not worth it. PRG they said they cant offer me anything. Both reps said its a system generated offer based on my history with Amex and my spending habits. The PRG rep said they make the offers every 13 months so I might wait another month to see if I can get something but if the initial offer was nothing I can't imagine it jumping to something substantial. :(
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Offline Boruch999

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2465 on: September 09, 2014, 05:17:55 PM »
After a few unsuccessful attempts for a retention bonus for my new Amex Plat ( the best I was "offered" was a downgrade to Gold or Green,) I canceled my Plat on day 59.

I did get:

40k MR
$200 PGGM
$35 GE

Thank you Platinum Guy and Amex!

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2466 on: September 09, 2014, 06:47:19 PM »
I called amex to try and get retention bonuses on my SPG & PRG.  On the SPG they offered me 1k and another 500 if i spent $1k in 60 days. Not worth it. PRG they said they cant offer me anything. Both reps said its a system generated offer based on my history with Amex and my spending habits. The PRG rep said they make the offers every 13 months so I might wait another month to see if I can get something but if the initial offer was nothing I can't imagine it jumping to something substantial. :(
I got the same offer for the SPG. I then messaged them online and they added an additional 3,000 points. So I got 4,000 total and the possibility for another 500.
Will take it.

Offline dpk4588

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2467 on: September 09, 2014, 06:51:57 PM »
I got the same offer for the SPG. I then messaged them online and they added an additional 3,000 points. So I got 4,000 total and the possibility for another 500.
Will take it.
Messaged how? I try chatting and they told me I had to call CS. The button below the chat?
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Offline shmebeble

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2468 on: September 09, 2014, 08:26:09 PM »
Messaged how? I try chatting and they told me I had to call CS. The button below the chat?
I chatted and the woman was helpful. She said she could close the card. I asked for 5k and she counter offered with 3k. Was a good deal.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2469 on: September 09, 2014, 08:38:12 PM »
I chatted and the woman was helpful. She said she could close the card. I asked for 5k and she counter offered with 3k. Was a good deal.
Good to know, I should try that.

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2470 on: September 09, 2014, 09:46:13 PM »
Good to know, I should try that.
I once complained about a legit issue and they gave me 3k as well. It may be their default amount they can give.

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2471 on: September 09, 2014, 10:30:08 PM »
Just got a $175 annual fee on my Amex buissness gold tried to to waive over the phone no success any ideas or I need to close it ?

Offline dpk4588

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2472 on: September 09, 2014, 10:49:09 PM »
I chatted and the woman was helpful. She said she could close the card. I asked for 5k and she counter offered with 3k. Was a good deal.
I tried chatting, not only did she not offer me anything she said they don't even have the ability to give away extra starpoints. She even checked with her manager. I shall HUCA (hang up, chat again) and hope for a different result.
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Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2473 on: September 09, 2014, 11:42:18 PM »
I chatted and the woman was helpful. She said she could close the card. I asked for 5k and she counter offered with 3k. Was a good deal.

Thanks for the idea...... Just got 3k SPG each, for me and my wife via chat. :)

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2474 on: September 10, 2014, 04:58:36 AM »
Can someone remind me how to find AMEX chat?

Offline clear thinker

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2475 on: September 10, 2014, 08:11:30 AM »
Can someone remind me how to find AMEX chat?
"Contact us" you'll find the option there.

Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2476 on: September 10, 2014, 08:20:28 AM »
Can someone remind me how to find AMEX chat?

Or if you go to the payments page and wait a couple of seconds, a little "chat" window will appear on the page..... This always works because Amex wants your money

Offline dpk4588

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2477 on: September 10, 2014, 08:37:11 AM »
Can someone remind me how to find AMEX chat?
They've changed the site a little, now its a question mark in the top right corner next to log out and go to the online option.
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Offline shmebeble

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2478 on: September 10, 2014, 10:09:19 AM »
"Contact us" you'll find the option there.
+1 It appears on the left side of the page and then you click on the online option and a chat option will be there. If the button is gray, just wait a moment or two, and it will change so you can click it.

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Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #2479 on: September 10, 2014, 10:10:32 AM »
Thanks for the idea...... Just got 3k SPG each, for me and my wife via chat. :)
yay! My question is if I can still cancel the card. Here comes the moral thread. Will they offer me another 3k if I ask again?