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

[M@rcoPolo]

I just asked directly if there was any retention bonus being offered, I didn't mention cancelling the card at all.

... and how many points were you give + for which card?

 

[exceladdict]

Canceled Mrs Excel's card via live chat. They tried to funnel to retention team (QF Prem Amex). Had already had points this annual fee period so declined and insisted on cancelling online. They obliged.

So basically an FYI that the online chat can't offer retention bonuses.

 

[stoozer]

Can you discuss with retention team through online chat or did they ask you to call?

 

[exceladdict]

Can you discuss with retention team through online chat or did they ask you to call?

Tried really hard to funnel to a call. Didn't ask to be transferred to retention online but did request cancellation online, citing the fact you used to be able to do it by their secure email. So I'm guessing if they did have retention on livechat they would have sent me there.

 

[blingy90]

Hi all. Just was wondering for some thoughts...like everyone here I make an annual "cancel" call for points. And also like most people, I have my explorer now linked to my edge. Which is a perfect setup.

The annual fees are approaching, do you think it's a risk ringing up to try and "cancel" and the CSR potentially realising the cards are linked when they shouldn't?

Or safe enough to proceed as normal?

 

[MikeeB]

My Explorer and edge are both linked to my ascent premium under my charge card. All retention bonuses came through into my ascent premium account no worries. No questions asked.

 

[blingy90]

My Explorer and edge are both linked to my ascent premium under my charge card. All retention bonuses came through into my ascent premium account no worries. No questions asked.

Brilliant. Thanks for feedback

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Called up recently, mentioned I was considering cancelling my old Qantas Discovery card given there are other cards in the market that earn more points. Card was opened ~5 years ago and is now lucky to see $3,000 in spend each year - mostly Shop Small and Local Champion transactions where it doesn't make sense to use my higher-earning cards.

Turned into a discussion about RBA changes and how I was probably mistaken re: the better earn rate on other cards, even compared to the free Discovery. Quoted Westpac Altitude Black AMEX's new earn rate of 1.25QFF/$1 (25% more ppd than Discovery), annual fee discount in the first year and bonus points for signing up.

30 seconds later, operator came back with an offer of 15,000 QFF points on the agreement that I would keep the Discovery card open for at least another year (called it a "goodwill bonus"), which I was more than happy to accept given that there's no annual fee.

Very happy with the outcome, although I was genuinely considering cancelling the card to free up some credit limit and to reduce my AMEX product count - and if no bonus points were forthcoming I probably would have just axed it.

 

[cynix]

My Explorer and edge are both linked to my ascent premium under my charge card. All retention bonuses came through into my ascent premium account no worries. No questions asked.

Do you also have the Platinum Reserve card?

 

[woodyren]

My wife's Velocity Platinum card is up for it's annual fee in November. My 18 month bonus point exclusion period runs out in January. I would like to use her referral link when I apply for my new card (if the bonus offer is still available) but the annual fee is not really worth paying just for the bonus points.

When should she call up to see if she will be offered any retention points? Is this before the AF or after when asking for a pro rata return on the AF?

 

[MikeeB]

Do you also have the Platinum Reserve card?

Hi cynix, I already have an edge and explorer therefore cannot hold the reserve. My partner has an edge though so I will probably cancel my Edge over the coming months and apply for the reserve.

 

[Pleb Status]

Inspired by this thread, and as the $950 annual fee for my Platinum Charge is due next week, I called Amex last week to see what they could do to retain my business.

Initially, I was told that nothing could be done (no points etc) for the Charge (~$20k pa spend). I said fine, but closing the Charge would also result in closing my companion Reserve (with its massive $3k limit and a spend of <$1k pa). I also noted that I had an Edge, but I did not threaten its closure as the annual fee for this card is not due until next year.

Noting that the Reserve would be closed appeared to get their attention and 23k MR was offered for it to stay open. With a bit of hesitation, another 23k MR was offered for the Edge as well.

So I ended up with 46k MR to retain all three cards, but received nothing directly to retain the Charge itself.....

 

[cynix]

Hi cynix, I already have an edge and explorer therefore cannot hold the reserve. My partner has an edge though so I will probably cancel my Edge over the coming months and apply for the reserve.

Probably a good idea to get the Reserve, since you get an extra $400 travel credit for free with it.

It's a shame we can't hold 3 credit cards. I'd love to get an Edge, an Explorer and a Reserve, since they all have different points earning structures.

 

[MikeeB]

Probably a good idea to get the Reserve, since you get an extra $400 travel credit for free with it.

It's a shame we can't hold 3 credit cards. I'd love to get an Edge, an Explorer and a Reserve, since they all have different points earning structures.

Amen to that!

 

[Plutonus]

I have held three personal credit cards with Amex at the same time, so it is possible. Amex seem to modify the rules to suit their mood at the time.

 

[cynix]

I have held three personal credit cards with Amex at the same time, so it is possible. Amex seem to modify the rules to suit their mood at the time.

Was this a long time ago?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have held three personal credit cards with Amex at the same time, so it is possible. Amex seem to modify the rules to suit their mood at the time.

I have had 3 where one was complimentary. ie 2 paid. They still allow this.

For over 5 years now when I tried for a third paid card they have each time stated that I would have to cancel one of my cards to get the new one.

 

[albyd]

I currently have three:
Edge, Explorer and Reserve. I had to cancel Edge when applied for Explorer. I later managed to revive Edge and asked if could keep reserve with $2k min limit and they appear to have allowed it. I think it depends on who you get but if you do an application, 2 card limit likely to be enforced.

 

[foggy]

I currently have three:
Edge, Explorer and Reserve. I had to cancel Edge when applied for Explorer. I later managed to revive Edge and asked if could keep reserve with $2k min limit and they appear to have allowed it. I think it depends on who you get but if you do an application, 2 card limit likely to be enforced.

wait, so what is the strategy you took? cancelled edge, applied explorer.. approved and sent card.. how did you revive the edge?

I tried to get the reserve, but they wanted me to cancel 2 of the 3 cards (since i hold DJ/explorer/edge). I am quite bummed I am missing out on 400 travel credit, i don't mind losing the DJs amex but I'd still need to remove another..

 

[Plutonus]

Was this a long time ago?

Nope. I wanted the Velocity 110k sign on bonus (and got it)