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

[Daver6]

Update on my previous call where I was offered the 400 credit or 10k points.

I was going to take the 400 credit but have now been told that credit only applies to new card applicants and I only have the 10k offer shown on the system.

very disappointed and will try calling again at a different time next week.

I’m wondering if the computer considers how many points you currently have. I have over 1m and it’s calculation might include this. Monthly spend around 5k but higher when we can actually travel.

I'd call back. Tell them to go listen to the call and honour the offer.

 

[aleaf]

Getting back into the swing of things re credit card apps after losing focus for a while. Closing down some existing cards so I can apply for others - have my eye on current NAB offer.

Planned to close my Amex Disc but using some of the tips from this thread, was offered Amex Ultimate. Gives 60k pts, $450 travel credit, some lounge vouchers and $200 credit after spend.

Soooo, this looks good, right? The 60k points is certainly lower than some existing offers but no credit pull. As long as I cancel before next yrs fee of $450, I'm ahead. Just want to make sure I'm not missing any key pieces. Am I foolish to give up a $0 annual fee card?

btw, also thinking to lower limit so other cc applications don't get rejected by too much available credit. Is that an issue with Australian cc applications? I'm from US and that can be an issue there, more about available credit than number of cards.

 

[blacksultan]

Getting back into the swing of things re credit card apps after losing focus for a while. Closing down some existing cards so I can apply for others - have my eye on current NAB offer.

Planned to close my Amex Disc but using some of the tips from this thread, was offered Amex Ultimate. Gives 60k pts, $450 travel credit, some lounge vouchers and $200 credit after spend.

Soooo, this looks good, right? The 60k points is certainly lower than some existing offers but no credit pull. As long as I cancel before next yrs fee of $450, I'm ahead. Just want to make sure I'm not missing any key pieces. Am I foolish to give up a $0 annual fee card?

btw, also thinking to lower limit so other cc applications don't get rejected by too much available credit. Is that an issue with Australian cc applications? I'm from US and that can be an issue there, more about available credit than number of cards.

Yes . It’s best to have lower credit limits on oz , although I hear the converse is true in the US ?

 

[DC3]

… btw, also thinking to lower limit so other cc applications don't get rejected by too much available credit. Is that an issue with Australian cc applications? I'm from US and that can be an issue there, more about available credit than number of cards.

Yes, while US likes higher credit limit and low credit utilisation (maybe under 10%), in Oz, keeping the credit limit down is best. That’s my understanding.

 

[Jimmy Chen]

called today threatening to cancel, but got absolutely nothing. but after reading some of the comments, seems like i have to commit to the cancel before they offer anything? i have a plat charge, full year coming in two days, average spend 5k a month

anyone have any tips?

 

[aleaf]

I learned the hard way that in Australia, when I say "I want to cancel my card" they are obliged to cancel. So next time I worded it with a little more ambiguity, "I am considering cancelling".

Is that not the case?

 

[benjy]

"I'm considering cancelling and would like to know if there's any offers available on my account to keep my card open?

Computer says yes, here's the offer: You say - "Great! I'll keep the card open!"
OR
Computer says no: You say - "Oh well, that's a shame, I'll close my account now"

*proceeds with cancelling"

Operator... oh hang on computer yes, here's an offer: You say - "Great, I'll keep the card open"
OR
Computer still says no: You say - "You know what, I changed my mind, I realise I still need the card, could you reopen?"

 

[aleaf]

What would you do if the computer offered you a to switch from the free Discovery to the $450 Ultimate (only $250 first yr due to $200 credit after spend)?

Try again later?

(I need to pace myself now with these credit card apps. Can't meet the min spends. Clearly, I don't spend enough. )

 

[Jimmy Chen]

"I'm considering cancelling and would like to know if there's any offers available on my account to keep my card open?

Computer says yes, here's the offer: You say - "Great! I'll keep the card open!"
OR
Computer says no: You say - "Oh well, that's a shame, I'll close my account now"

*proceeds with cancelling"

Operator... oh hang on computer yes, here's an offer: You say - "Great, I'll keep the card open"
OR
Computer still says no: You say - "You know what, I changed my mind, I realise I still need the card, could you reopen?"

that's great advice, thanks! so basically i ask to go to the cancellation department, will HUACA work? since it seems as if it's the computer that decides my fate

 

[benjy]

Don't even ask to go to cancellations., the consultant will transfer you if they can't handle it themselves. 99% of the time it's computer that decides fate, so HUACA will likely not work. If you receive a offer after computer says no twice, it's likely due to consultant error

 

[tlam]

I learned the hard way that in Australia, when I say "I want to cancel my card" they are obliged to cancel. So next time I worded it with a little more ambiguity, "I am considering cancelling".

Is that not the case?

I called and frankly told them that “I was offered 100k points to keep the card open, could you please check if you can do the same offer to offset the annual fee?”

 

[Jimmy Chen]

@benjy thanks for the advice legend

called em up today and got the 150k points

 

[DC3]

I learned the hard way that in Australia, when I say "I want to cancel my card" they are obliged to cancel. So next time I worded it with a little more ambiguity, "I am considering cancelling".

Is that not the case?

Sort of. For credit cards, yes, but for charge cards, no. You don’t need to do the cancellation dance for charge cards. Just ask for any offer.

 

[QF029]

Has anyone had success more than once with threating to cancel? I got 150k recently over the AFR and my annual fee is almost due.

 

[DC3]

"I'm considering cancelling and would like to know if there's any offers available on my account to keep my card open?

Computer says yes, here's the offer: You say - "Great! I'll keep the card open!"
OR
Computer says no: You say - "Oh well, that's a shame, I'll close my account now"

*proceeds with cancelling"

Operator... oh hang on computer yes, here's an offer: You say - "Great, I'll keep the card open"
OR
Computer still says no: You say - "You know what, I changed my mind, I realise I still need the card, could you reopen?"

Yes, the Manila magic box that spits out offers is a very mysterious creation.

 

[jonboixxx]

Has anyone had success more than once with threating to cancel? I got 150k recently over the AFR and my annual fee is almost due.

I think I mentioned upthread I have received 200k last 2 years on Reserve card; it must have been a campaign to retain that card. I really don’t know. In the first year, I gave up my personal plat charge because they only offered 50k ( from memory) for that but allowed me to keep Reserve for 200k. I guess they know what they’re doing

 

[Jimmy Chen]

I think I mentioned upthread I have received 200k last 2 years on Reserve card; it must have been a campaign to retain that card. I really don’t know. In the first year, I gave up my personal plat charge because they only offered 50k ( from memory) for that but allowed me to keep Reserve for 200k. I guess they know what they’re doing

is this something you do on a yearly basis?

 

[jonboixxx]

is this something you do on a yearly basis?

I have no idea why it happened. 1st year, I was planning to give up plat charge as I had acquired 2 corporate plats. I told them my plans and they said they could give me 50k points (I think, I can't really remember) to keep the charge. I said I would cancel as I think the cost at the time was around $1450 for the personal charge+ free Reserve card. They said I could keep the Reserve for $395. I said why would I do that as earn is less at 2:1? They said we'll give you 200k points to keep it. I said ok, cancel charge and keep Reserve.
2nd year, I spent bugger all, maybe a thousand dollars (as only 2:1) and my limit on that card is $2000, I kid you not. Again I rang to "discuss" cancellation and they said would you consider keeping it. I said, I think you gave me 200k last year, how much are we talking? They said they could do that again; DEAL!
There are a few deals in a lifetime that people brag to mates about. I have quite a few, and this is one of those. I'll find out next year whether their appetite for Reserve retention is as fierce.

 

[yzstyle]

Called to enquiry about Edge card as annual fee just hit account, offered 50k to retain for another year, offshore call centre, have a Plat Charge card as well.

 

[TravellingSquid]

Got offered 120k to keep my platinum charge card open. Seems low considering they gave me 200k for the explorer last year. But I'm still happy and accepted.