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

[airstriker]

Another data point:

Had Amex for 5 years - last 1 year had platinum charge.
Called to cancel and the cancellation was actioned straight away. They did ask about cheaper card but said I wasn't interested. After the cancellation, asked if there were any offers to reinstate the card and they said no. One possible interesting thing he said was that they can't offer anything if the reason for the cancellation is the high annual fee (which I said).

I don't know if that was a definitive reason for no retention offer but perhaps ppl trying after my post could not mention the high annual fee and just go with point devaluation and other factors to see if the result is different.

 

[sudoer]

One possible interesting thing he said was that they can't offer anything if the reason for the cancellation is the high annual fee (which I said).

I usually find a devaluation to complain about, rather than the price. The recent SQ points transfer will be an easy one to raise come next renewal (especially given I transferred 500k MR into KF just before the deval)

 

[knagelli]

just go with point devaluation and other factors to see if the result is different.

I can confirm that talking about recent changes to Charge card benefits and the points deval did results in retention points in my case. When I doubt always HUACA.

YMMV

 

[albyd]

Also, you only need to do the close/reinstate "dance" with credit cards not the charge cards as they aren't included in the rules around credit.

 

[lovestotravel]

Also, you only need to do the close/reinstate "dance" with credit cards not the charge cards as they aren't included in the rules around credit.

Yes this is a key point to remember

 

[knagelli]

I was given discretionary points both on Charge as well as my Reserve card last month when I was chatting about the reduced benefits on my charge card , with specific mention of the KF points devaluation.

 

[DC3]

I was given discretionary points both on Charge as well as my Reserve card last month when I was chatting about the reduced benefits on my charge card , with specific mention of the KF points devaluation.

Computer said ‘Yes’. Good to know.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

I’m NZ based with a Platinum Edge card. Annual fee due mid December. Called to seek a retention bonus highlighting the devaluation of some benefits as one of the reasons I may not continue with the card. I spend about $7k a month.

Operator said Amex does not give retention bonuses any more - even after I confirmed I was NZ based and not in Australia.

HUACA do you think?

 

[DC3]

HUACA do you think?

HUACA until you get a computer that does not say ‘No’

 

[Poojou]

HUACA until you get a computer that does not say ‘No’

As DC3 said, HUACA. Perhaps out of hours? HUACAOOH?

 

[turnipapple]

Data point -

AMEX Qantas Business Rewards Card (charge card)

Held card since January 2023 and spent $17k. 30k Qantas points or gold charge card offered.

I plan to cancel this card soon to start the 12 month clock so called to ask if there are any retention offers. Operator asked me if I am looking to cancel and why. I said I am looking at other cards on the market that have better offers and the annual fee on this card is high. Checked the system and it showed 30k points as a retention offer which he was surprised about since my annual fee is so far out (Feb 2024). Accepted points and credited same day.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

The annual fee for my card is due 4 weeks after my card renewal date.
Am I able (and is it wise) to try for a retention bonus after my renewal date, but before my fee date?
Also, is this something I can do over chat, or is it a call situation?

 

[benjy]

The annual fee for my card is due 4 weeks after my card renewal date.
Am I able (and is it wise) to try for a retention bonus after my renewal date, but before my fee date?
Also, is this something I can do over chat, or is it a call situation?

Before your renewal date.
By phone call and assuming credit card, the retention offer will only be offered after you've closed the card

 

[FlyIsUndone]

Before your renewal date.
By phone call and assuming credit card, the retention offer will only be offered after you've closed the card

It's an explorer card - so I suspect I have to commit to closing the card, right?
For rather complicated reasons, I can't call AMEX before the card technically renews, but I can call before they charge me the fee. Do you think this is a washout, or worth a shot?

Post automatically merged: Dec 11, 2023

Thanks motlking - due to your post, gave them a call just now.

I was pretty straight up with my first agent Ed - just told him I was disappointed in yet ANOTHER devaluation (2019 was the great de-valuepocalypse prior)

I then told him I wanted to cancel - he transfered me to Vanessa - who then was like, I'd like to give you 100k post devaluation. TBH given I was fishing, I was like that's fine. I actually forgot about your 'cancel the reserve card too' because in my mind, once you nuke the charge, it nukes the reserve card (evidently not)

That's 'only' 30k Krisfyler miles, but it's 1/3 a business class ticket to EU for 10m on the phone, so I'm cool with that! (Also amusingly, if you look at my account, I think I've racked up about 500k of 'one time only loyalty bonuses' in the past 5 years)

Another data point for this thread!

EDIT: Additional data point - my renewal date is October 13 - and the devaluation is like a week and a bit before it...

Great outline @Poojou
Just quickly, what exactly is a 'one time only loyalty bonus'?

 

[Poojou]

It's an explorer card - so I suspect I have to commit to closing the card, right?
For rather complicated reasons, I can't call AMEX before the card technically renews, but I can call before they charge me the fee. Do you think this is a washout, or worth a shot?

Post automatically merged: Dec 11, 2023

Great outline @Poojou
Just quickly, what exactly is a 'one time only loyalty bonus'?

From what I understand a 'one time loyalty bonus' is just how they code the points you get when they offer you a retention bonus - much like it could be 'bonus' points or 'base' points.

It's funny because it's obviously intended to only happen once (or was) but it's evidently happened multiple times for those on this forum for sure

 

[bwup2]

- af posted on new statement today, called to direct to cancellation team
- said please cancel the charge and the reserve
- got told the annual spend is "high" (? idk this one, 153 this year, avg 130 for last 3 yrs, member for 4 yrs)
- ask for the reason, said devaluation to KrisFlyer, no more $75 mr potter, dining credit next yr, no more newspaper sub, etc...
- offered low 100-ish
- asked for more since I want to cancel the grand-fathered companion card (that comes with free $400 travel credit, with no af)
- cancel the reserve card, no offer pop up before leave the dialog, reinstate right away
- take the low 100-ish and I'm done for this year

Good luck everyone, overall I'm okay with it.

 

[Poojou]

- af posted on new statement today, called to direct to cancellation team
- said please cancel the charge and the reserve
- got told the annual spend is "high" (? idk this one, 153 this year, avg 130 for last 3 yrs, member for 4 yrs)
- ask for the reason, said devaluation to KrisFlyer, no more $75 mr potter, dining credit next yr, no more newspaper sub, etc...
- offered low 100-ish
- asked for more since I want to cancel the grand-fathered companion card (that comes with free $400 travel credit, with no af)
- cancel the reserve card, no offer pop up before leave the dialog, reinstate right away
- take the low 100-ish and I'm done for this year

Good luck everyone, overall I'm okay with it.

I think as we continue to update this thread - the points Amex are giving out - we're not entitled to them at all. They're still just a simple good will gesture on behalf of the company.

Just remember that when you call them (not saying you were in the wrong @bwup2

Data points continue!!

 

[fantastikforce]

- af posted on new statement today, called to direct to cancellation team
- asked for more since I want to cancel the grand-fathered companion card (that comes with free $400 travel credit, with no af)
- cancel the reserve card, no offer pop up before leave the dialog, reinstate right away
- take the low 100-ish and I'm done for this year

Good luck everyone, overall I'm okay with it.

When you tried to cancel the grandfathered Platinum Reserve card, did you manage to keep the $400 travel credit after re-instating the card or did you end up losing it?

 

[bwup2]

When you tried to cancel the grandfathered Platinum Reserve card, did you manage to keep the $400 travel credit after re-instating the card or did you end up losing it?

it will still be there based on the following conversation with another rep asking for the of my next $400

 

[TheCrocodile]

- ask for the reason, said devaluation to KrisFlyer, no more $75 mr potter, dining credit next yr, no more newspaper sub, etc...
-

I can still see the $400 global dinning program and sub to The Australian on Amex's web site?

• Benefit resets annually on 1 January until 31 December 2024. The redemption periods are:
  • 05 July – 31 December 2022
  • 1 January – 31 December 2023
  • 1 January – 31 December 2024