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

[_TheTraveller_]

Annual fee just hit and called to see what they were offering. I actually did have two awful experiences with them. One was them taking 3 months to changing my personal plat charge to the professional plat charge (was promised callbacks on 4 occasions and only the last one called when it was done and they kept saying it couldn't be done) and the other one was when their account systems went down while I was trying to book a DSC flight.

A measly 20K offering. I'm guessing HUACA won't change anything? Is it worth taking the points since I read upthread that they'll only give you a retention bonus every 2 years?

 

[DC3]

A measly 20K offering. I'm guessing HUACA won't change anything? Is it worth taking the points since I read upthread that they'll only give you a retention bonus every 2 years?

No-one here would really know how Amex offers work, rather just reporting experiences or theories. No harm in continuing to phone to see what the computer says each time.

 

[Poojou]

Annual fee just hit and called to see what they were offering. I actually did have two awful experiences with them. One was them taking 3 months to changing my personal plat charge to the professional plat charge (was promised callbacks on 4 occasions and only the last one called when it was done and they kept saying it couldn't be done) and the other one was when their account systems went down while I was trying to book a DSC flight.

A measly 20K offering. I'm guessing HUACA won't change anything? Is it worth taking the points since I read upthread that they'll only give you a retention bonus every 2 years?

100% huaca - don't worry about that 2 years thing, I've had them definitely more often than every 2 years also - let us know how you go!

 

[frequentflyer91]

Anyone tried to cancel their explorer card to receive bonus points? to be honest I am keen to try although unsure if I want to risk it with quite a few points in my account. Would hate to have them cancel the card and I lose them all!

 

[JFi]

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!

Hi @Poojou I understand you're overseas at the moment. Just wondering what method and what number did you use to call? I tried the 1800 number using Skype but it seems AE is blocking calls to the 1800 number from Skype for whatever reason. Have tried other 1800 numbers like Latitude and Optus and no have issues. Otherwise looks like I'll have to use the +612 paid number...

 

[Poojou]

Hi @Poojou I understand you're overseas at the moment. Just wondering what method and what number did you use to call? I tried the 1800 number using Skype but it seems AE is blocking calls to the 1800 number from Skype for whatever reason. Have tried other 1800 numbers like Latitude and Optus and no have issues. Otherwise looks like I'll have to use the +612 paid number...

Yo dude,
Yep - I just call the +612 number on the card. Use skype to call it - it'll be cheap

 

[muppet]

hi all - what is the approach to cancelling and timing to avoid the annual fee? The last annual fee was charged in mid July 2021, however a new $450 travel credit has already appeared - ethics aside, is using the credit and cancelling the card before the annual fee is charge possible?

 

[NoName]

Yes

 

[Daver6]

Just did the dance for my QF Ultimate Card. Offered 40k QFF points.

Did the same on the Platinum Reserve credit card but no points on offer. Obviously kept both cards.

 

[ms1]

Just did the dance for my QF Ultimate Card. Offered 40k QFF points.

Did the same on the Platinum Reserve credit card but no points on offer. Obviously kept both cards.

Is the reserve card the complimentary card with your platinum card?

 

[Daver6]

Is the reserve card the complimentary card with your platinum card?

Yes

 

[ms1]

Yes

Has anyone ever received a retention bonus on the free reserve card?

 

[DC3]

Has anyone ever received a retention bonus on the free reserve card?

Yes. Several years ago, and I still held the Platinum at that time

 

[albyd]

I was the same. Got it some years ago. Didn’t even ask for it. The operator offered it out of the blue and who was I but not to accept it?

 

[Cadboy]

Just did the dance for my QF Ultimate Card. Offered 40k QFF points.

Did the same on the Platinum Reserve credit card but no points on offer. Obviously kept both cards.

have the "rules" changed re retention bonuses? did you have to do the whole fully cancel before offer is made then re instate song and dance?

 

[Daver6]

have the "rules" changed re retention bonuses? did you have to do the whole fully cancel before offer is made then re instate song and dance?

Correct. I cancel, get the offer, re-instate.

 

[exceladdict]

Just did the dance for my QF Ultimate Card. Offered 40k QFF points.

Did the same on the Platinum Reserve credit card but no points on offer. Obviously kept both cards.

Had you put much spend through the ultimate?

 

[Daver6]

Had you put much spend through the ultimate?

I probably average $3k - $7k per month. This is the first decent retention offer I've had on this card in years. Previously offers have been in the 5k to 10k points range. Spending on this card is relatively stable.

Edit: Just realised the extra 40k points will be a nice little helper towards maintaining PC+ too.

 

[woodyren]

Correct. I cancel, get the offer, re-instate.

I am nearing retirement and have greatly reduced my earning capacity so I am unlikely to ever get approval for a higher end card again.

I would like to do the annual dance with my Amex Qantas Ultimate but also will wish to retain the card no matter what.

If I cancel and don't hear from the retention department is there still an option to re-instate my card without a credit check?

 

[exceladdict]

I probably average $3k - $7k per month. This is the first decent retention offer I've had on this card in years. Previously offers have been in the 5k to 10k points range. Spending on this card is relatively stable.

Edit: Just realised the extra 40k points will be a nice little helper towards maintaining PC+ too.

Thanks for sharing. Our spend is far less, will be very interesting to see if there's an offer. Anything less than 40k, it's probably worth cancelling and starting the 18 month wait