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

[TravellingSquid]

what was your points balance & monthly spend before the bonus 120k if you don't mind be asking?

2M points balance. Monthly spend $20k+

Friend had 500k points balance. Monthly spend $5-10k

 

[Oubline]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but if you cancel the card and reinstate during the same call, do you have to then wait for a new card to be sent out? Or can they reinstate it with the same cards and card numbers? I feel I’m not likely to get lucky with a retention offer and am trying to weigh up what the potential downside is on terms of hassle to give it a shot. Thank you!

 

[maccaisking]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but if you cancel the card and reinstate during the same call, do you have to then wait for a new card to be sent out? Or can they reinstate it with the same cards and card numbers? I feel I’m not likely to get lucky with a retention offer and am trying to weigh up what the potential downside is on terms of hassle to give it a shot. Thank you!

If I can tack onto this question, are points retained if cancel/reinstate on same call? I would rather leave them in place than transfer out, but of course don't want to lose them either. (Plat Charge)

 

[DC3]

… When I did the dance with my explorer card, they said had to reinstate on the same call or otherwise I couldn’t get it back without re-applying …

They made that up. There’s a 30-day window to re-instate. Manila?

 

[TravellingSquid]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but if you cancel the card and reinstate during the same call, do you have to then wait for a new card to be sent out? Or can they reinstate it with the same cards and card numbers? I feel I’m not likely to get lucky with a retention offer and am trying to weigh up what the potential downside is on terms of hassle to give it a shot. Thank you!

Re-instating is the same card number and same account. Don't panic it's all fine and can be done within 30 days if you accidentally hang up as well

I actually went through and cancelled my Explorer card and it's still showing up on the online account after 2 weeks. I think it will disappear in another 2 when it gets officially closed.

If I can tack onto this question, are points retained if cancel/reinstate on same call? I would rather leave them in place than transfer out, but of course don't want to lose them either. (Plat Charge)

Yes points are retained

 

[Oubline]

Re-instating is the same card number and same account. Don't panic it's all fine and can be done within 30 days if you accidentally hang up as well

I actually went through and cancelled my Explorer card and it's still showing up on the online account after 2 weeks. I think it will disappear in another 2 when it gets officially closed.



Yes points are retained

Thanks for the quick and knowledgeable response!

 

[jonboixxx]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but if you cancel the card and reinstate during the same call, do you have to then wait for a new card to be sent out? Or can they reinstate it with the same cards and card numbers? I feel I’m not likely to get lucky with a retention offer and am trying to weigh up what the potential downside is on terms of hassle to give it a shot. Thank you!

My strategy has always been to just ring up for a "chat" about the account. Talk about the account, benefits, future benefits of the card, other cards, pondering whether to retain the card etc. Some consultants get ahead of themselves; "would you consider staying for....".
I never threaten to cancel; it's always a negotiation around value and what could be possible. If you're concerned of any aspect, just ask them, they're normally pretty good and they'll tell you. You don't have to commit in one phone call. I've HUACA on occasions and achieved a better subsequent response.

 

[DC3]

The Manila Magic Box (computer) is a very strange device when chasing points to keep the card.

 

[albyd]

They made that up. There’s a 30-day window to re-instate. Manila?

Thanks for the heads up. Is this the same with other banks? Everyone nowadays says ‘have to re-apply’ if you cancel. Are they just being ‘compliant’ in saying it?

 

[deuteros]

I've tried the lightly, softly approach talking to the customer reps on numerous occassions but they've never once offered me a retention bonus. Last time being after AFR benefit was removed. I even raised it as a complaint and there was no interest in even listening to me and why I'm unhappy. I'm really surprised so many of you get retention bonus at that point. What is your secret?

My next step is to to talk to the cancellation team, explain why I'm unhappy and then cancel and hope they offer a retention bonus.

Do you guys recommend I empty my MR points before I do this or leave all my MR points alone?

Thanks

 

[DC3]

I've tried the lightly, softly approach talking to the customer reps on numerous occassions but they've never once offered me a retention bonus. Last time being after AFR benefit was removed. I even raised it as a complaint and there was no interest in even listening to me and why I'm unhappy. I'm really surprised so many of you get retention bonus at that point. What is your secret? ….

The computer cannot be sweet-talked.

I’ve found Manila to be rather robotic, as if reading from scripts.

I would just persist with checking for offers, as these can change.

 

[Daver6]

I've tried the lightly, softly approach talking to the customer reps on numerous occassions but they've never once offered me a retention bonus. Last time being after AFR benefit was removed. I even raised it as a complaint and there was no interest in even listening to me and why I'm unhappy. I'm really surprised so many of you get retention bonus at that point. What is your secret?

My next step is to to talk to the cancellation team, explain why I'm unhappy and then cancel and hope they offer a retention bonus.

Do you guys recommend I empty my MR points before I do this or leave all my MR points alone?

Thanks

Just ask directly. Something along the lines of you don't see the value in the card, can they offer some points to sweeten the deal type of approach.

 

[Bell21]

Data point - that's two years in a row I got 'nada' for doing the cancellation dance --- I haven't actually 'cancelled' the card and asked for it to be re-instated, but said we would cancel the card as it's lost too much value (AFR, no travel etc), but the agent said to the effect of 'computer says no' - tried just before and just after annual fee posted, but no luck - I guess, for whatever reason, we don't get flagged as 'needing a retention bonus'.

 

[RAM]

Data point - that's two years in a row I got 'nada' for doing the cancellation dance --- I haven't actually 'cancelled' the card and asked for it to be re-instated, but said we would cancel the card as it's lost too much value (AFR, no travel etc), but the agent said to the effect of 'computer says no' - tried just before and just after annual fee posted, but no luck - I guess, for whatever reason, we don't get flagged as 'needing a retention bonus'.

Thanks for the reminder - not that we can fly anywhere but annual fee due next month on two accounts - so time to book the flight credits.

 

[sjf]

Data point - that's two years in a row I got 'nada' for doing the cancellation dance --- I haven't actually 'cancelled' the card and asked for it to be re-instated, but said we would cancel the card as it's lost too much value (AFR, no travel etc), but the agent said to the effect of 'computer says no' - tried just before and just after annual fee posted, but no luck - I guess, for whatever reason, we don't get flagged as 'needing a retention bonus'.

Do you have a decent points balance? I feel that works against you (as well as having recurring DD transactions) makes it easier for them to call our bluff as there is pain to move.

 

[Bell21]

Do you have a decent points balance? I feel that works against you (as well as having recurring DD transactions) makes it easier for them to call our bluff as there is pain to move.

Yes to decent points balance and yes to many DD transactions, so I think you're right re pain to exit from their perspective

 

[Mr H]

Yes to decent points balance and yes to many DD transactions, so I think you're right re pain to exit from their perspective

I suspect that, for credit cards at least, the real clincher is whether you have been paying interest. If you pay lots of interest, they want to retain you. If you settle your bill in full, you're no great loss to them.

 

[Happy Dude]

I suspect that, for credit cards at least, the real clincher is whether you have been paying interest. If you pay lots of interest, they want to retain you. If you settle your bill in full, you're no great loss to them.

The same rules apply to approvals. If they aren't going to make money off you, the chance of rejection increases.

 

[sudoer]

Has anyone been offered a retention or reinstatement offer for any of the David Jones Amexs? I would assume the answer is no, but it can't hurt to ask.

 

[NoName]

I asked when I went to cancel my DJ Platinum a few months ago and it was a no.