Amex "I'm going to cancel my card" - bonus points given thread.

[sudoer]

Anyone getting any points offered in the last month or two when doing the cancellation dance for an Amex credit card? All the most recent reports are for the charge card.

My partner will be trying to dance her way into a favourable QF Ultimate renewal later this week. Otherwise she'll be closing it.

 

[Daver6]

My partner will be trying to dance her way into a favourable QF Ultimate renewal later this week. Otherwise she'll be closing it.

My annual fee just hit in the current statement. I'm not likely to close the card so wondering if I should bother. Would you mind posting the outcome of your partner's dance?

 

[sudoer]

I'm not likely to close the card so wondering if I should bother.

There's nothing to lose in trying except 10 minutes of your time.

Would you mind posting the outcome of your partner's dance?

Yep will do.

 

[DC3]

Guys so after calling them 4-5 times, today i managed to successfully get 100k points as retention for my platinum charge card.

May i know how many years u held this card annual spending?

 

[Daver6]

My partner will be trying to dance her way into a favourable QF Ultimate renewal later this week. Otherwise she'll be closing it.

How did your partner go?

 

[Oubline]

I was just offered 15,000 QFF to keep my Qantas Discovery (no fee) card. I barely use it and have held it for 11 years.

I had full intentions of closing it but rather than do online I thought a phone call could be worth a shot just in case a bonus was offered.

To be honest my plans are still to cancel once this 15k land in my Qantas account. I was surprised they would have a retention offer for a no fee card.

 

[DC3]

I was just offered 15,000 QFF to keep my Qantas Discovery (no fee) card … I was surprised they would have a retention offer for a no fee card.

I recall an AFFer trying to crack the code but that has gone a bit quiet. No-one here knows why computer says ‘No’ or ‘Yes’.

 

[sudoer]

How did your partner go?

I confused her & my statement date, she's got another week to go before her monthly points sweep and will then call.

 

[blacksultan]

Just a question : if one receives a retention bonus , are they obliged to keep card open or can they close or downgrade ?

 

[DC3]

Just a question : if one receives a retention bonus , are they obliged to keep card open or can they close or downgrade ?

Probably depends upon whether one accepts the retention (offer). If accepted, isn’t keeping the card for the next 12 months usually part of the agreement. If defaulting, I guess that Amex may choose to claw-back the bonus

 

[Oubline]

Just a question : if one receives a retention bonus , are they obliged to keep card open or can they close or downgrade ?

Nothing was mentioned to me about keeping the card for a particular period, when I was given a retention bonus last week.

 

[DC3]

Nothing was mentioned to me about keeping the card for a particular period, when I was given a retention bonus last week.

Which card, by the way?

 

[Oubline]

Which card, by the way?

15,000 QFF points on the Amex Discovery (last week), and 30,000 MR points on an Explorer (yesterday).

 

[Poojou]

Right so let me take you all through my terse exchange
- called number on back of card
- said I wasn't getting value
- 'Ace' listed me all the great things that i was getting with my platinum card
- I said thanks but I'd love to cancel I think
- He then put me through to another team who does cancellations
- she then talked about all the great benefits
- I was like yeah look I don't really get the same value that the Aus based cardholders get (I'm currently in SG)
- Note this was pretty tense/weird haha
- She then went, you know what, I'm prepared to offer you 70k points if you stay (this was after noting I had been a member for 6 years blah blah blah)
- Boom, 70k points

So yeah, it was weird, and like, with a big lump of points + a reserve card hanging off it, a bit like fraught with danger. But I believe that there's actually NO danger...

Hope that helps guys 'n' gals!

 

[DC3]

I said thanks but I'd love to cancel I think ...
… 70k points ..

Ah. Computer said “yes”.

 

[Poojou]

Ah. Computer said “yes”.

To get to this point, computer and I had to have a rather awkward conversation...

 

[PPS_SYD]

Platinum Charge card - called to cancel & was transferred to the retention team. Offered 50k points, accepted.

 

[DC3]

To get to this point, computer and I had to have a rather awkward conversation...

They like to tease in Manila

 

[momad]

My annual report for data point:

Have a plat charge and plat reserve (incl the travel credit).

Initially offered nothing except to switch to a lower annual fee card and told that no points can be offered on my charge card because I was offered some points last year (which was minuscule!).

I was honestly then considering cancelling and sign up in the future.

But suddenly got offered 70k if I kept my plat reserve. I was then told that because I was never offered points 'for my plat reserve', operator could offer me this. I then asked whether I would be offered something next year for my charge card then but operator is unsure and advise to try anyway. I was told I could cancel my charge and keep the credit card but was happy to now keep the charge since I have not been offered this much points for a while.

 

[Poojou]

Hahaha yeah they almost need you to almost go through with the cancellation I swear.

Great result, same basket as I am!