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 1820784 times)

Offline txtmax4

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 6954
  • Total likes: 12
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #180 on: May 24, 2011, 10:43:21 PM »
Any suggestions?
Play dumb about the $100 for starters.
If You See Something, Say Something!!

Offline WhiteWolf

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 367
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #181 on: June 07, 2011, 01:41:52 AM »
I called up Amex 3 times about the $175.00 yearly fee for the gold card. On the third try i was offered a $50.00 credit or 2000 points. I did not want to push my luck a fourth time so i took the $50.00 credit .  Which is more valuable the 2000 points or $50.00 credit ?

Offline AsherO

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 30K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 30535
  • Total likes: 7832
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #182 on: June 07, 2011, 01:47:27 AM »
I called up Amex 3 times about the $175.00 yearly fee for the gold card. On the third try i was offered a $50.00 credit or 2000 points. I did not want to push my luck a fourth time so i took the $50.00 credit .  Which is more valuable the 2000 points or $50.00 credit ?

$50 to most people. 2,000 points isn't much to do anything with on its own, and if it's 2k or $50 that's $0.025 per point, which is a bit high IMHO.
100% of Likes will be donated to support our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67601
  • Total likes: 16913
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #183 on: June 07, 2011, 01:50:47 AM »
$50 to most people. 2,000 points isn't much to do anything with on its own, and if it's 2k or $50 that's $0.025 per point, which is a bit high IMHO.
+1
Especially considering that AMEX will be happy to sell you points at 2.5cpp should you ever feel like buying directly from them.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline ecomajor

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 91
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #184 on: June 07, 2011, 01:26:30 PM »
I called to cancel my citibank visa business and they offered me 2500 points, just for not cancelling on the spot, for my personal they offered me 750 bonus miles per month for like 12 months or so if I spend 750 in each one of those months.

Offline bem684

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 670
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #185 on: June 15, 2011, 03:23:51 PM »
for my personal they offered me 750 bonus miles per month for like 12 months or so if I spend 750 in each one of those months.

That sounds like a great deal to me.  You're essentially getting 2 points per dollar spent, no matter what you're buying - as long as you limit your spending to exactly $750 a month on that card.

Offline elikay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5401
  • Total likes: 38
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #186 on: June 15, 2011, 03:34:45 PM »
they used to offer double w/o that cap.

Offline jong

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 166
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #187 on: June 15, 2011, 04:38:29 PM »
Called Amex to work something out with my annual fee of 95bux for Delta Gold... 10 mins later + some backtalking..... card closed

Offline Avid Reader

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 4002
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: Starwood Gold, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Five Star Gold, Marriott Silver, National Executive
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #188 on: June 15, 2011, 06:01:53 PM »
Citi is still giving me an $85 credit when the annual fee hits. All I have to do is make 5 (one cent) purchases. I currently have 6-7 active AA cards, and all but 2 are since 2009, but never paid an annual fee on any of them.

Offline Devorah

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 1227
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #189 on: June 18, 2011, 08:46:05 PM »
Citi is still giving me an $85 credit when the annual fee hits. All I have to do is make 5 (one cent) purchases. I currently have 6-7 active AA cards, and all but 2 are since 2009, but never paid an annual fee on any of them.
same here.

Offline Rivky

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 674
  • Total likes: 12
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #190 on: June 20, 2011, 03:01:29 PM »
I emailed both citi AA and amex SPG about their annual fee that I just got charged and here were the responses.

AA

In order to keep your account open, it is necessary to pay the annual membership fee. We work hard to keep annual membership fees low, while providing our customers with convenience, safety and purchasing flexibility.

We have added 5000 bonus miles to your account as a courtesy. The bonus miles will appear on a subsequent statement.

Thank you for using our website.


SPG

I absolutely got your concern but this membership fee is something that supports the features and benefits that are attached to this Card and that is why, I am so sorry to say that we can not waive this fee.

But, please do not worry. I will try my best and see how I can help you with this matter.

And, you will be happy to know that I have managed to give you a good will credit for $65.00 that you will see online within next 24 to 48 hours. You will see the credit on your next statement as well.

I hope I was able to resolve your concern and you are happy with my extensive efforts to help you with this matter.

If there is anything else that I can help you with, please let me know. It is always my pleasure to help you.

Thank you for being with us since 2005 and I wish you a nice day!

Sincerely, Suryatapa Nath Email Servicing Team American Express Interactive Services


How awesome is that?

Offline ChAiM'l

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1823
  • Total likes: 51
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #191 on: June 20, 2011, 03:52:55 PM »
Citi is still giving me an $85 credit when the annual fee hits. All I have to do is make 5 (one cent) purchases. I currently have 6-7 active AA cards, and all but 2 are since 2009, but never paid an annual fee on any of them.

They offered me the credit without the purchases.

Offline txtmax4

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 6954
  • Total likes: 12
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #192 on: June 20, 2011, 04:52:26 PM »
Citi is still giving me an $85 credit when the annual fee hits. All I have to do is make 5 (one cent) purchases.
Is that on one card or all of them?
If You See Something, Say Something!!

Offline Avid Reader

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 4002
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: Starwood Gold, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Five Star Gold, Marriott Silver, National Executive
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #193 on: July 01, 2011, 07:38:44 AM »
Is that on one card or all of them?

Every card I have so far that hits the annual fee.

Offline Saver2000

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 7660
  • Total likes: 47
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #194 on: July 24, 2011, 09:43:37 AM »
I got the ba card about a month ago. I just got hit with the annual fee, so I called up and got escelated to a "senior csr" . I explained that this is my first chase cc and I'm a bit turned off cuz they are charging me a fee after having the card for only a month, so he went ahead and waived the $95 fee!

Offline Avid Reader

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 4002
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: Starwood Gold, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Five Star Gold, Marriott Silver, National Executive
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #195 on: July 24, 2011, 09:45:57 AM »
I got the ba card about a month ago. I just got hit with the annual fee, so I called up and got escelated to a "senior csr" . I explained that this is my first chase cc and I'm a bit turned off cuz they are charging me a fee after having the card for only a month, so he went ahead and waived the $95 fee!

Nice! I wouldn't have expected that from Chase.

Offline smurf

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4525
  • Total likes: 276
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 8
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #196 on: July 24, 2011, 11:14:42 AM »
@saver
Very nice

Offline Yisrael

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 30
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #197 on: July 27, 2011, 01:04:11 PM »
Hi Dan,

My free year is up on my SPG so I tried calling to see if they could give me another free year or some points but they said no way no how on the phone.  I sent a secure message to membership points and they said no as well.  Then I sent another secure message and they said they would credit me $20.00 but that was the best they could do.  I sent another message to social media and they said no.  Then I figured I would reply to the same woman who had given me the extra 50,000 points for my platinum and she recommended I downgrade. 

I'd like to keep the card as I bought my laptop on it and want the extra year warranty.  Any suggestions on how to get the other $45.00 back or points at least? Should I send another message or try calling again?

Thanks,
Dan

Offline Cholentfresser

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 1920
  • Total likes: 50
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #198 on: July 27, 2011, 01:09:14 PM »
In order to understand recursion, you first need to understand recursion.

Offline gozalim

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 4255
  • Total likes: 812
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card Retention Bonuses
« Reply #199 on: July 27, 2011, 01:44:02 PM »
I'd like to keep the card as I bought my laptop on it and want the extra year warranty.  Any suggestions on how to get the other $45.00 back or points at least? Should I send another message or try calling again?
if you downgrade to a fee-free credit card, the card number remains the same. wouldn't the warranty also carry over?