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Old May 31, 2013, 3:32 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: mia
For discussion of retention bonuses on Starwood Amex cards, see Annual fee retention bonus for Starwood Amex card.

Retention's department:
(800) 452-3945

Everyday Preferred
10/13/15
2.5K points not to cancel, and 5k points for 1K spend within three months, Total 7.5K points, or in the alternate, a $75 statement credit or gift card.
1/15/16 - 16k spend - first renewal - offered $50, no MR offer - accepted
3/14/16 - 98k spend - first renewal - offered $100 or 15k MR - took the 15k.
11/18/16 -50k spend - first renewal - offered $100 or 15k MR - took the 15k.

Platinum OPEN/Business
6/11/15 - 8.5k spend - 2nd renewal - offered $100 or 10k MR - deferred on offer (see post #314)
8/18/2015 - 90k spend - 2nd renewal - first two times I called, no offer. Final time I asked explicitly to cancel, was offered $350 statement credit.
12/18/2015 - 10k spend, first renewal. Offered 10k MR, cancelled.
1/6/2016 - 10K spend, about 8 weeks after account opening - offered $50 credit or 7.5K MRs, took MRs.
4/29/2016 - 15k spend, 3 months after opening. No offer other than downgrade to BGR.
6/16/2016 - 15k spend to get signup bonus (in Jan 2016). Minimal spend after. Took a lot of nudging - including explicit request to cancel card -- but was offered 10k MR to keep open. No spend requirement.
9/29/2016 - offered $100, didn't catch whether there was a spend requirement, i canceled as I have a personal Platinum card and the go-go passes weren't worth having two.

Business Gold Rewards
10/10/15 - Offered 10K MR. declined and closed
12/26/15 - Offered 10K MR or $100 Credit, counter offered $150 or 15K MR. They offered me 15K MR..accepted.
1/26/16 - Offered 15k MR, counter offered $150 and 15k MR, offered either but not both. Accepted 15k MR. $20k annual spend. Opened account 1/2015.
2/2/16 Offered 15k MR. Accepted 15k MR. $40k annual spend. Opened account 3/2015.
2/4/16 Offered 15K MR. Accepted 15K. About a $15K annual spend.
3/5/16 Offered 15K MR or $100 credit. Took the 15K MR. Minimal spend.
5/23/16 Offered $50, then $100, then 15k MR. Accepted 15k MR. Also let me change the 3x category in the middle of the year.
6/9/16 7500 MR offer, even pushed for 10k or 15k. Minimal spend. AF just posted. Left as-is, going to wait till closer to 60 day mark.
6/11/16 7500 MR offer, about 30k spend. AF due in two weeks. Took it.
6/20/16 No offer. ~$10k spend. Wanted to close the card anyway so did it.
9/30/16 Offered $50 statement credit. (<$5K spend) That was all. Didn't take it and cancelled card
10/04/16 Offered $50 statement credit or 7,500 points or pay the annual fee of $175 with 17,000 points instead of 25000 points. (<$9K spend) Didn't take it any of them and cancelled card

Personal Platinum
1/11/16 - 5K points immediately, 15K points for 3K spend within three months. $22K spend in 2015.
1/17/16 - 5K points immediately, 10K points for 2K spend within two months. $560 spend in 2015.
1/26/16 - $200 "loyalty credit" without requirements. $18k spend in 2015 (~50k total Amex spend in 2015). Cardholder for 3 years.
1/27/16 - 5K points immediately + 10K points for 2K spend within 60 days, or $100 credit. Took the points.
1/29/16 - 5K points immediately + 10K points for 2K spend within 60 days, or $100 credit. Took the points. Cardholder 3 years; $17k spend last year.
2/3/16 - 5K points now and 10K points after $2K spend in 60 days. Rep had to "dig deep" into my account to find this "unique and very special" offer (Yeah, right). Accepted.
3/31/16 - Only offer was $100 statement credit. $15k spend last year.
04/19/16 - $200 statement credit for being loyal to amex (cardholder for 2 years $65k spend).
4/29/16 Initial offer $200. HUCA 5k MR immediately, 15k MR after 3k spend in 60 days.
8/12/16 - 40K MR immediately. Card holder for 7 year, $55K spend in 2015 (Post #1015)
8/19/16 - 5K points immediately, 15K points for 3K spend within three months or 200$ statement credit. Card holder only for 1 year but amex customer for 8 years
8/19/16 - called before AF hit, offered $200 credit, accepted, not a ton of spend after hitting minimum spend for signup bonus, Amex customer since 2013 with 3 other cards but generally don't spend that much on Amex (maybe $10k/year)
8/25/16 - $200 Statement credit or 20k points for 3k spend within 3 months. Amex for 6 years, plat for 1 year. 40k spend across all amex.
9/9/16 - $200 Statement credit, $20k spent on this last year
9/9/16 - $200 Statement credit. ~$14K spend this year.
9/10/16 - 25k MR (no spend req). $11k in spend last yr. Tough sell from AX.
9/12/16 - 15k points after $2k spend in 3 months. ~$7k in spend
9/21/16 - 25k points or $200, no spend req. ~5k spend
9/29/16 - 25k points, no spend req. ~$20k in spend during past year
10/6/16 - 40k points, no spend req. ~$35k in spend during past year
10/7/16 - 25k points, no spend req. ~$22k T12 spend
10/8/16 - 25k points or $200, no spend req. ~$10k spend during past year
10/17/16 - 25k points or $200, no spend req. ~$5k spend during past year. took the points.
10/29/16 - 25k points or $200, no spend req. ~$11k spend during past year. took the points.
11/14/16 - 25k points or $200, no spend req. ~$15k spend during past year. took the points.
11/19/16 40k points or $400, no spend req. ~$45k spend during past year.

Platinum Mercedes Benz
9/30/15 - 5K points immediately, in addition to 15K points for 3K spend within three months. 20K points Total to retain card.

Platinum Ameriprise
7/21/16 Offered $200 or 20k MR. Accepted $200 statement credit to offset the $450 AF for all 4 cards in the account. 35K spent

SPG Personal
12/4/15 - $25 loyalty statement credit
2/3/16 - $25 loyalty statement credit but did allude to a potential bonus when the SPG card goes away; referenced the $200-300 bonus offered to Costco Amex holders being asked to convert to Sams Club Amex products
3/1/16 - $25 loyalty statement credit
6/14/2016 - $25 plus 3,000 SPG points - Had to ask Supv for the addl. 3,000 pts.
7/6/2016 - $25 or 1500 points after $1000 spend. Canceled card. $25k spend last year.
7/15/2016 - $25 loyalty statement credit. HUCA, HUCA, declined, cancelled card. $10K spend last year, less recently.
8/10/2016 - Paltry $25 or 500 points + additional 1000 points after $1000 spend (total of 1500) in 3 months. I have another ~60 days for af to lock in, so will call again in ~30 days. $35k spend last year, but less than $1000 / month this year.
8/16/16 - Offered $50 or 7,000 SPG points, $48K spend, took the points.
8/24/16 - Offered $50 or 7,000 SPG points, $13K spend YTD, took the points.
8/25/16 - $25 loyalty statement credit, $5K YTD spend. HUACA resulted in the same offer (even with a symethic agent that noted my 15 years of membership).
9/13/16 $95 credit with +- $40K spend. Fast & easy
9/17/16 $25 or 1500 SPG points after $1K spend. Cancelled the card
9/17/16 Called after renewal fee posted. Offered 5,000 SPG points - $40K spent on this card.
9/18/16 $50 or 7k. ~$80k spend.
10/1/16 $25 offer ~$15k spend. Cancelled card.
10/7/16 $50 or 7k. ~$76k T12 spend.
10/27/16 ($7K spend in last 12 months, first renewal) $25 statement credit OR 500 Starpoints + 1,000 Starpoints for $1,000 spend in next 3 months
11/11/16 ($4k spend this year) We respect your decision. Goodbye.
12/16/16 Member since 1995, spent $25k in 12 months, was offered 7k points. Love SPG points so didn't enquire about any of the other credits.

SPG OPEN/Business
8/3/15 - called with intent to cancel, $18k spend last year, offered $100 one-time statement credit - accepted.
8/12/15 - called with intent to cancel, $15k spend last year, offered only $50 one-time statement credit - accepted
12/14/15 - called with intent to cancel, $15k spend last year, AF hit 90 days ago with $0 spend since then. Offered $100 one-time statement credit.
1/14/16 - called with intent to cancel or product change to no fee Simply Cash card, $10-12k spend last year, $65 AF hit 30 days ago with $0 spend since then. Offered $100 one-time credit to keep card.
8/29/16 - called to cancel & they didn't offer any retention bonus so we canceled it. Only had min. spend last year.
10/1/16 - retention offered 5K SPG pts.
10/19/16 - offered $25 credit. Spend last year ~$15k.

DL Skymiles Platinum OPEN/Business
5/28/15 - called with intent to cancel, card opened 9 months, initial min spend (1.3k) only - offered simply cash open, declined, closed.
03/10/15- the date is date of miles post, do not remember original request date, no offers until reaching the retention department, 15k miles offered with 50k spend
11/4/15 - called to see what retention offer would be $60K spend offered nothing. sm
12/10/15 - Called again to actually cancel, got 25K skymiles. Kept card open. sm
04/26/16 - Called again, 3k bonus as good will to keep open. Will HUCA for 3rd time.
10/23/16 - called to cancel told me they have nothing to offer as I took advantage of the 25K miles last year. Said also they will remove the companion travel cert in my account if I cancel. I have until mid Nov and will call again

Premier Rewards Gold
6/12/15 - 1st renewal. Called 5 days after fee posted stating not happy about losing 15k bonus. Offered 10k MR now and 10k after $3k spend in 60 days. Accepted. $40k spent last year.
11/2/15 - Offered 20K MR. $130K spend in previous year.
1/14/16 - Offered $50 statement credit + $50 credit if meet $500 spend in 60 days. ~$8k spend previous year.
1/21/16 - Offered 5k MR + 15k MR with $3k spend in 60 days or $75 credit + $75 credit if $1k spend in 60 days. ~$25k in spend last year
2/11/16 - Offered 2.5k MR + 5k MR with $1k spend in 60 days or $50 credit + $50 credit if $500 spend in 60 days. ~$25k in spend last year
2/23/16 - Offered 5k MR + 15k MR with $3k spend in 60 days . ~$33k in spend in my first year
4/12/16 - Offered $50 statement credit + $50 credit if meet $500 spend in 60 days. ~$10k spend previous year.
4/22/16 - 1st offer - $50 statement + $50 credit after $500 spend in 60 days. 2nd offer - 2.5k MR + 5k MR with $1k spend in 60 days (took 2nd offer) ~10k spend previous year.
6/9/16 No offers. Minimal spend. AF just posted. Left as-is, going to wait till closer to 60 day mark.
6/26/16 - Offered $175 or 25k MR. $135k spend.
6/20/2016 Phoned and requested transfer to retention dept. After a brief explanation of benefits, I was offered $50 statement credit and $50 additional statement credit after $500 spend in 60 days. Took the offer.
7/25/2015 1st anniversary, 25k spend. Offered upgrade to platinum with 10k + 50k MR. Lengthy talk with Retention who finally offered only 7.5k MR for $1k spend in 92 days. Very disappointed. Declined. HUCA. 2nd call on the 60th day: offered and took the 50+50 offer.
8/19/2016: Presented with 2 offers: (1) $50 statement credit now and $50 statement credit after spending $500 within 60 days (2) 2,500 MR points now, and 5,000 MR points after spending $1,000 within 90 days.
11/2/2016: $100 credit no spend needed

DL Skymiles Gold
6/2015 - Have had card since 1991 and have never asked for a retention offer. $30k spend annually except for the last year with $1k spend. Flat out denied hard for any retention. Paid AF b/c my oldest card.
1/2016 - Have had card for ten years+, usually around $10,000/year spend. Never asked for retention bonus before. Given two choices: 1) 1000 miles immediately and 2000 more miles for $1000 spend in 60 days or 2) $75 statement credit. Took the $75.
5/2016 - Had card for 3 years, never asked for a retention. Spend is probably only around $2K/year. Was not offered any miles or credit.
6/15/2016 - 15k offer. Have had card since 1995. <1k spend last year. Took 15k

DL Skymiles Gold Business
9/24 - under $1k spend in last 12 months, no offer. They said they don't have a retention department.
4/18/2016 - Had card for 1 year with 2K spend. Asked for the nature of my small business, what expenses and travel requirements I have for my business. Given two choices: 1) 7,500 miles immediately to offset $95 AF or 2) switch to a generic no fee Amex. Took the 7,500 miles.


Hilton HHonors Surpass
1/2016 - spend > $40k, 2nd year had card, offered $50 statement credit or 5000 points
4/2016 - Offered $75 statement credit or 10k points. Took the credit.
6/2016 - Offered 500 HH points now and another 1K after spending 1K or $25. Took the $25.
9/2016 - spend > $40k, 2nd year had card, offered $50 statement credit or 5000 points. Took the credit.
11/2016 - Spend $5k on this card, $55k in last year across all Amex accounts. 1st anniversary, offered $25 statement credit or 1,000 points. Cancelled.
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American Express retention offers [2008 - 2016]

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Old Feb 7, 2012, 12:37 pm
  #91  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Spam; SPG Gold; other randoms
Posts: 198
Originally Posted by booyaa
Less than 5k spend on Plat card this past year (used mostly for benefits). Was offered $50 or 6000 MR points as retention bonus. Told him I would call back after I decide what to do. He also said I have 30 days from the day annual fee shows up (usually first statement closing date of the membership year) on my account to cancel and get $450 credited.
Another data point: I called the other day to discuss cancellation (up for renewal next week). Told them I already owned another Amex card. They offered me a $100 credit or 15K points (I think they said 15, not 50). I have pretty low spend on this card (less than $5k), although high spend on my other Amex.

I'm debating whether I should take the card again for $350 or just cancel it and encourage my spouse to apply. I've already used my $200 airline credit for 2012 (as well as Global Entry). Any advice?
uhclem is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2012, 1:30 pm
  #92  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Originally Posted by uhclem
Another data point: I called the other day to discuss cancellation (up for renewal next week). Told them I already owned another Amex card. They offered me a $100 credit or 15K points (I think they said 15, not 50). I have pretty low spend on this card (less than $5k), although high spend on my other Amex.

I'm debating whether I should take the card again for $350 or just cancel it and encourage my spouse to apply. I've already used my $200 airline credit for 2012 (as well as Global Entry). Any advice?
Hmm, you must most likely have a lot higher spend than me on other Amex(s) then. I called back again and was offered the same, $50 or 6000 points. I took 6000 points and they posted almost immediately.

If you take the points, they should be worth at least $150, more if you transfer to airlines when they have transfer bonuses.
booyaa is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2012, 5:52 pm
  #93  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 316
I got MR Biz Gold card in June 11, and got 75k bonus points after $750 spend. I never used it after that. I wanted to cancel it so I can apply for more AmEx Biz cards. When I called to cancel, the rep offered me 7000 points just to keep it open. I asked if she could give me 10000 points, and she immediately agreed. So I took the offer. I wonder if I should have asked for more.

I am planning to call again for cancellation when the fees will be due in 5 months.
koolr is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2012, 7:06 pm
  #94  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Spam; SPG Gold; other randoms
Posts: 198
Originally Posted by booyaa
Hmm, you must most likely have a lot higher spend than me on other Amex(s) then. I called back again and was offered the same, $50 or 6000 points. I took 6000 points and they posted almost immediately.

If you take the points, they should be worth at least $150, more if you transfer to airlines when they have transfer bonuses.
I don't think I spent much more than 5k in the past year. I took advantage of the airline fees in 2011 and 2012, used Global Entry, lounges, and even the FHR. All in all, it has been a very good card for a single $450 fee. The question though, is whether or not it is worth another $450 (or $350) for another year. If I cancel the card and my spouse applies, we would have many of the same benefits but my spouse would be able to get airline fees paid for 2012 and 2013. Plus Global Entry fee. Not sure if there are any special MR deals for new accounts right now though...
uhclem is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2012, 8:35 pm
  #95  
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Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Shut down my personal Gold Card for Amex.. no effort to retain my business..
Ancien Maestro is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2012, 8:45 pm
  #96  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 208
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
Shut down my personal Gold Card for Amex.. no effort to retain my business..
Were you hoping that they would offer on your own and they did not, or you actually asked them for a retention offer and they denied you?

BTW, my Platinum card year is ending in a few weeks, I am very excited to try to pull this. Thanks guys!
Simpleton is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2012, 8:47 pm
  #97  
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Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Originally Posted by Simpleton
Were you hoping that they would offer on your own and they did not, or you actually asked them for a retention offer and they denied you?

BTW, my Platinum card year is ending in a few weeks, I am very excited to try to pull this. Thanks guys!
Well.. I did apply for Amex Gold for Business.. and they said to expect a call in a few days..

But ya know what? online, my card does not show cancelled.. so I'm wondering if the agent chickened out and didn't cancel the personal Gold Amex..

I don't really care if I keep the card or not.. just reapply later when I need it and bonus points, no annual fee..
Ancien Maestro is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2012, 2:02 pm
  #98  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 422
Anyone get turned down for retention bonuses for having received one on another card earlier?

I got a retention bonus on my Delta Amex (Plat) in Dec. 2011 at the annual fee anniversary. This week I tried to see retention bonus offers for my regular Amex Plat (on the eve of annual fee anniversary) and the account specialist told me they see no offers available, noting the Delta Amex retention bonus.

Possible confounding factor: the annual fee has not yet posted on my Amex Plat (it should within the week), and I intend to call back after it posts to see if that may change anything.
andysiz is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2012, 3:00 pm
  #99  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 278
Originally Posted by andysiz
Anyone get turned down for retention bonuses for having received one on another card earlier?

I got a retention bonus on my Delta Amex (Plat) in Dec. 2011 at the annual fee anniversary. This week I tried to see retention bonus offers for my regular Amex Plat (on the eve of annual fee anniversary) and the account specialist told me they see no offers available, noting the Delta Amex retention bonus.

Possible confounding factor: the annual fee has not yet posted on my Amex Plat (it should within the week), and I intend to call back after it posts to see if that may change anything.
I called in twice today and both times got shot down for any type of offer which was very surprising to me. They were unwilling to offer anything even after asking them multiple times. I asked for a retention bonus on my Delta skymiles AMEX about 3-4 months ago which was just 4k miles. If I had known this might have affected me negatively for my platinum retention, I would not have asked for one. I had about 8k in spend last year. Is there a special # for the retention department?
duke2013 is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2012, 11:33 pm
  #100  
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Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Originally Posted by andysiz
Anyone get turned down for retention bonuses for having received one on another card earlier?

I got a retention bonus on my Delta Amex (Plat) in Dec. 2011 at the annual fee anniversary. This week I tried to see retention bonus offers for my regular Amex Plat (on the eve of annual fee anniversary) and the account specialist told me they see no offers available, noting the Delta Amex retention bonus.

Possible confounding factor: the annual fee has not yet posted on my Amex Plat (it should within the week), and I intend to call back after it posts to see if that may change anything.
I'm sure that they look at the repetoire of cards you've got.. but I wouldn't be afraid of cancelling the card and reapplying for another one later.. You get the bonuses, and waived fees etc. Handing off to spouse is a good strategy..
Ancien Maestro is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 8:21 am
  #101  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 305
Would it be good strategy to play off my Gold Biz vs. My Chase Ink, or would this just make them mad? As in, "I'm thinking of canceling my AMEX because I also have the Ink and don't need two Biz cards, and the Ink's annual fee is a lot less?". Any thoughts?
kevinjrwagner is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 10:56 am
  #102  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 422
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
I'm sure that they look at the repetoire of cards you've got.. but I wouldn't be afraid of cancelling the card and reapplying for another one later.. You get the bonuses, and waived fees etc. Handing off to spouse is a good strategy..
Thanks for the tip!
andysiz is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 1:15 pm
  #103  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 278
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
I'm sure that they look at the repetoire of cards you've got.. but I wouldn't be afraid of cancelling the card and reapplying for another one later.. You get the bonuses, and waived fees etc. Handing off to spouse is a good strategy..
If I downgrade my platinum to gold or some other card, will I still qualify for the sign up bonus for the downgraded card? Or will this only work if I cancel my platinum and re-sign up for a different card?
duke2013 is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 2:41 pm
  #104  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Originally Posted by duke2013
If I downgrade my platinum to gold or some other card, will I still qualify for the sign up bonus for the downgraded card? Or will this only work if I cancel my platinum and re-sign up for a different card?
I just did this. The answer is yes. (actually, I did not downgrade. I applied for a Gold card independent of my plat card.)

In my case, I asked Lucky (one mile at a time blog) to refer me to Gold. He did, I received the e-mail from AMEX and applied for PRG Gold card.

After $2K spend withing 3(?) months, I will receive a 25,000 point bonus. And Lucky (or whoever refers you) will earn 10,000 points from AMEX too for the referral.


I just received my bill with the annual renewal for the Plat card, and plan to call and cancel it before my payment is due. I have received a lot of benefit from this card in the first year, but as I look across all the many cards I have, I really do need to reduce. So, the one with the $450 annual fee probably will have to go... (Especially since I just got my Ritz Visa with a $395 annual fee!)
LarkSFO is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 2:55 pm
  #105  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Originally Posted by LarkSFO
I just did this. The answer is yes. (actually, I did not downgrade. I applied for a Gold card independent of my plat card.)

In my case, I asked Lucky (one mile at a time blog) to refer me to Gold. He did, I received the e-mail from AMEX and applied for PRG Gold card.

After $2K spend withing 3(?) months, I will receive a 25,000 point bonus. And Lucky (or whoever refers you) will earn 10,000 points from AMEX too for the referral.


I just received my bill with the annual renewal for the Plat card, and plan to call and cancel it before my payment is due. I have received a lot of benefit from this card in the first year, but as I look across all the many cards I have, I really do need to reduce. So, the one with the $450 annual fee probably will have to go... (Especially since I just got my Ritz Visa with a $395 annual fee!)
If you did not downgrade, then I don't think you answered the question...
booyaa is offline  


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