Credit Card Retention Bonuses

[EliB96]

Finding Amex retention to be pretty stingy as of late.

Yes, agree they have been more stingy lately, although some people still getting decent offers. Can try several times, starting about a month before renewal, up to and even after renewal, if you don't get a decent offer.  Sometimes the offers can change/improve.

[EliJelly]

Yes, agree they have been more stingy lately, although some people still getting decent offers. Can try several times, starting about a month before renewal, up to and even after renewal, if you don't get a decent offer.  Sometimes the offers can change/improve.

Better odds at calls or chat?

[EliB96]

Better odds at calls or chat?

Prob better odds by calling. But can always try chat first, and call later.

[Gabrielaustin1060]

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bus - 30k points for 5k spend in 3 months

[Shmiel s]

Prob better odds by calling. But can always try chat first, and call later.

I don't think it has to do with odds at all. just keep asking.

[Shmiel s]

Yes, agree they have been more stingy lately, although some people still getting decent offers. Can try several times, starting about a month before renewal, up to and even after renewal, if you don't get a decent offer.  Sometimes the offers can change/improve.

on point. Just keep checking. Could be it just comes later so you if you cancel the card within 12 months it can be clawed back.

[EliB96]

Also, if you are worried about holding the card after renewal date in hopes of retention, you have 30 days to cancel for refund. If you are past 30 days, you can downgrade the card, which will trigger a prorated refund for the original card, and a prorated charge for the new card. Once that posts, you can then cancel the new card for a full refund (because you will now be within 30 days on the new card).

[Shmiel s]

If you are past 30 days, you can downgrade the card, which will trigger a prorated refund for the original card, and a prorated charge for the new card. Once that posts, you can then cancel the new card for a full refund (because you will now be within 30 days on the new card).

Really? Have you tried that?

[VacationLover]

Spend amounts on those?

1-5k monthly.

[EliB96]

Really? Have you tried that?

Yes, several times.

[yelped]

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bus - 30k points for 5k spend in 3 months

Didn't get one on this card for years.

[Danlover111]

Ritz cc $150
UA club card $200

[tzifanya54]

Yes, several times.

I think its a quick way to get Amex to notice you.

[EliB96]

I think its a quick way to get Amex to notice you.

I've seen no DP's of this being an issue. Each part of the flow is a separate transaction - first the downgrade, later the cancellation. I can't see any way they would pick up on it automatically, unless someone was already looking into the account closely. That said, I wouldn't make it super obvious, and when I said I have done it several times, that was over a couple of years and a couple of players. But there are no guarantees in life.
Ironically, on that note, I did just see a DP yesterday of someone who called Amex for a retention offer, and the rep grilled him, and looked through his history of account openings, closings and his history of calling in for retentions. So far no fallout, and it could have been just one grumpy rep on a bad day, but sometimes things that are safe for years, suddenly get eyes on accounts. And obviously the amount of churning a person has done would play a role here - can't imagine this would be an issue for someone who's only had a few Amex cards and a couple of retention offers.

[tzifanya54]

I've seen no DP's of this being an issue. Each part of the flow is a separate transaction - first the downgrade, later the cancellation. I can't see any way they would pick up on it automatically, unless someone was already looking into the account closely. That said, I wouldn't make it super obvious, and when I said I have done it several times, that was over a couple of years and a couple of players. But there are no guarantees in life.
Ironically, on that note, I did just see a DP yesterday of someone who called Amex for a retention offer, and the rep grilled him, and looked through his history of account openings, closings and his history of calling in for retentions. So far no fallout, and it could have been just one grumpy rep on a bad day, but sometimes things that are safe for years, suddenly get eyes on accounts. And obviously the amount of churning a person has done would play a role here - can't imagine this would be an issue for someone who's only had a few Amex cards and a couple of retention offers.

Its the closing within a year of product change that I would avoid. I agree that the prior card part is not really relevant.

[EliB96]

Its the closing within a year of product change that I would avoid. I agree that the prior card part is not really relevant.

No terms against closing within a year after downgrade, and no DP's of it ever being an issue. Generally it's only an issue to close within a year when you they give you some kind of benefit - SUB for opening the card, retention offer for keeping the card. Even if you open a new card without a SUB (there are some situations where this makes sense to do), you can close within the year with no adverse action.

[tzifanya54]

No terms against closing within a year after downgrade, and no DP's of it ever being an issue. Generally it's only an issue to close within a year when you they give you some kind of benefit - SUB for opening the card, retention offer for keeping the card. Even if you open a new card without a SUB (there are some situations where this makes sense to do), you can close within the year with no adverse action.

Agree to disagree. No DP does not make it a safe habit. Good luck either way.

[Shmelly]

Blue Cash Preferred: $50 statement credit after $500 spend in 3 months.
Took the offer as I wasn't planning on cancelling anyway - I earned over $500 in 6% groceries cashback last 12 months (I know its supposed to cap at $360, no idea how I got more).

[EliJelly]

Amex have gotten really stingy. Amex Business Plat. After multiple tries their best offer was 20k after spending $10k.
Can I add the same employee for another additional user card to grab a good offer with that?

[tzifanya54]

Amex have gotten really stingy. Amex Business Plat. After multiple tries their best offer was 20k after spending $10k.
Can I add the same employee for another additional user card to grab a good offer with that?

yes