Credit Card Programs - Who will renew their Chairman AMEX?

In the next few months Chairman AMEX members will be up for renewal. Many will be asked to pay a $500 fee. Who will renew? Who will not? What are the reasons?

Personally, I will renew if I do not have to pay the $500 fee (which I did not have to pay last year).

I personally find the concierge to be very beneficial (despite a bad starting point with them).

I do not find the other benefits to be useful:

a. Priority Pass - I have Fidelity AMEX Platinum and Citi AMEX Platinum which together cover me for airline club access.

b. HHonors Gold - I am a HH Diamond member

c. Other Benefits - I have never used them

If I get the card for free this year, then I will keep it. Otherwise, the concierge service is not worth $500 when I already have AMEX Platinum's concierge service.

I will definitely be cancelling at the time of the renewal. The conceirge does provide excellent service but the service provided by Citi has become nothing less than horrible. I am very disapppointed with their rude and unhelpful attitude.

In my honest opinion all the hype over this card was completely unfounded.

I will definitely be cancelling at the time of the renewal. The conceirge does provide excellent service but the service provided by Citi has become nothing less than horrible. I am very disapppointed with their rude and unhelpful attitude.

In my honest opinion all the hype over this card was completely unfounded.

Bas, can you elaborate on the service issues with Citi?

I will definitely be cancelling at the time of the renewal. The conceirge does provide excellent service but the service provided by Citi has become nothing less than horrible. I am very disapppointed with their rude and unhelpful attitude.

In my honest opinion all the hype over this card was completely unfounded.

I have noticed this bad service with the PLAT AMEX from CITI as well. Very slose to cancelling this card. But my Chairman MC still has GREAT service !!!

I'll probably keep it because I prefer the PriorityPass to Amex's program and it's nice to have HH Gold on standby (don't stay in Hiltons enough to earn it alone). Plus, Amex's continued raising of fees is slightly annoying - they raised the fee on my Small Business Platinum twice in the last year, causing me to cancel.

I have noticed this bad service with the PLAT AMEX from CITI as well. Very slose to cancelling this card. But my Chairman MC still has GREAT service !!!

What kind of bad service Anaggie? And Happy New Year!

I'm definitely peeved that you can earn more TYP on the Platinum Amex than on this card. I think the most expensive card should be the top point earner. I have only used this card for:
1. Concierge
2. Foreign Purchases
3. Priority Pass
4. Renting a car internationally (Better than std amex for coverage (covers italy)

The volume I put on the card has gone way down since it's become an Amex and since the TYP reduction in value. I put almost everything on SPG where I find customer service to be superior and consumer protections to be superior.

If they throw a bunch of TYPs at me, I'll consider keeping the card.

If I get the card for free this year, then I will keep it. Otherwise....

I was fortunate enough not to be invited to apply for this card. ;) For sake of discussion, let's say that Citi tells you the annual fee is not negotiable. What would they need to offer that might induce you to keep it and pay $500?

I have noticed this bad service with the PLAT AMEX from CITI as well. Very slose to cancelling this card. But my Chairman MC still has GREAT service !!!

How did you maintain both cards?

There's no obstacle to applying for another Citi card while retaining the Chairman Mastercard. It sounds as if you may be confusing "Citi Platinum Amex" with "Citi Chairmain Amex".

Platinum...
https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/cardDetail.do?screenID=927

Chairman...
https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/cardDetail.do?screenID=945

My Chairman AMEX does not expire till 09 and service has been nothing but spectacular and concierge has been spectacular also.

I was fortunate enough not to be invited to apply for this card. ;) For sake of discussion, let's say that Citi tells you the annual fee is not negotiable. What would they need to offer that might induce you to keep it and pay $500?

Good question. A card with an annual fee really needs to provide some additional value. I would guess that most Citi AMEX cardholders already have an AMEX Gold, Platinum, or Centurion. Therefore the question is...

What would I pay $500 a year for above and beyond AMEX Platinum? I will not pay for...

a. Priority Pass is not worth $500 per year to me if I already have AMEX Platinum and Citi AMEX Platinum.
b. HH Gold is not worth that much IMHO. If you stay at Hiltons alot, you already have Gold status. If you do not stay at Hiltons often, IMHO HH Gold does not provide much benefit. The real benefits to HH Gold is no blackout date on reward redemption and extra HH point accrual. Upgrades are very rare with HH Gold. If you do not stay often at Hilton, how can you really benefit from the extra points, etc.

I would pay for...

1. Status on an airline
2. Real discounts or extra TY points at restaurants, hotels, airlines, etc.
3. Credit reports and monitoring (which comes with Citi AMEX Platinum)
4. Decent primary rental car insurance
5. Greater point earning potential than other TY cards (even if it is only on the first $50-100k of spending)
6. Ability to transfer points to Hilton or AA
7. I wouldnt pay for this, but the card should look better than the other citi cards (namely the Citi Platinum AMEX).
8. Comprehensive travel planning (i.e. airline, rental car, airport limo, hotel, dinner, shows, events, etc.)

My Chairman AMEX does not expire till 09 ...


I don't believe the expiration date embossed on the card has any connection to the fee cycle.

I have received two offers to convert my Chairman MC to AMEX with (I think) 25,000 bonus TY points the first time and 30,000 the second. Didn't see the value then to give up the MC version and still don't. I get great CS, good concierge (also don't use it much for that), love that I can earn 3 TY points on many purchases (not available on AMEX), and do use the Priority Pass. I don't love paying the $450 (like that better than $500 for AMEX) but do think I receive enough value to continue. Looking at the posts above I think I made the right choice for me and will plan to keep my Chairman MC.

awake, I'm not sure where you've been staying that you rarely get HH Gold upgrades but I've always had very good luck, especially overseas, with at least Gold upgrades to Executive Floors, free lounge access and, to a lesser extent, some junior suite-type upgrades.

Agreed on the HH Gold upgrades. I have done very well as HH Gold, including many Priceline stays.

awake, I'm not sure where you've been staying that you rarely get HH Gold upgrades but I've always had very good luck, especially overseas, with at least Gold upgrades to Executive Floors, free lounge access and, to a lesser extent, some junior suite-type upgrades.

Good point overseas. No luck domestically.

I still can't believe that this card does not offer extra/bonus thank you points for everyday spend or other categories. That is a major drawback in my interest in this product. Chairman MasterCard all the way!

Current holders: Do you get special promo offers for extra points periodically with expiration dates?

Mine isn't up for renewal til the end of the year. I have enjoyed the Priorty Pass (I already reached my 3 free with CITI PL AMEX). The conceirge service is pretty good not as good as my AXIOM. I don't stay at Hiltons much I prefer Marriott and Rennissance Hotels. I may pay to keep it just for the priority pass which is better than the CITI PL AMEX. I wasn't happy with the limit they gave me $35k, I was hoping to cancel one of my cards now I am not sure which one.

If the TY points were better than it would be a no brainer!

I still can't believe that this card does not offer extra/bonus thank you points for everyday spend or other categories. That is a major drawback in my interest in this product. Chairman MasterCard all the way!

Current holders: Do you get special promo offers for extra points periodically with expiration dates?

The only bonus that I received was an initial bonus to convert the card from Chairman MC to Chairman AMEX.

You just hit on a hot topic here!

We have just passed our anniversary and had planned on canceling. Now we have hesitated.

First, we have not switched to the AmEX. My account shows they have just re-opted us with MC. That fee is $400 not the $500.

Next, we have a number of flights purchased with this card that would accrue TY flightpoints. Even after speaking to the rep., I'm still not 100% sure that we would not loose these points if the card (not our TYN account) was canceled.
For ex. our renewal was in Dec. but 5 of us flew Dec./Jan. to Europe and back which meant close to 60,000 flight points. That's worth more than their $400 fee.
We have 4 more itineraries (with multiple fliers) that are still outstanding. Should I wait until those flights are complete and have the fee prorated? What about future flight purchases?
I do have another card attached to my TYN account so I will not loose the points I have already earned. This card however does not award flightpoints for miles flown.

The Priority pass is nice but can be purchased separately for a $200 so that's not swaying my vote.

HH Gold has been good to me. Not clear if that program is continuing?

The companion ticket program is a complete joke and we have never been successful obtaining decent tickets for decent prices there. Would love some hints if you've had luck.

I'm also curious what you use the concierge for? They did actually nearly save our lives one time by getting someone to retrieve us from a deserted train station during a blizzard. That was 2 years ago and unfortunately, it's more like "what have you done for me lately." I can't figure out what to use them for else wise even though they are very nice when you call.

Right now I'm holding out for the rumored SB version PremierPass Elite MC that I could just transfer these accrue-able points over to. It should have many of the same features (except PP) for a much smaller fee.

I'll be watching this topic closely.

You just hit on a hot topic here!

We have just passed our anniversary and had planned on canceling. Now we have hesitated.

First, we have not switched to the AmEX. My account shows they have just re-opted us with MC. That fee is $400 not the $500.

Next, we have a number of flights purchased with this card that would accrue TY flightpoints. Even after speaking to the rep., I'm still not 100% sure that we would not loose these points if the card (not our TYN account) was canceled.
For ex. our renewal was in Dec. but 5 of us flew Dec./Jan. to Europe and back which meant close to 60,000 flight points. That's worth more than their $400 fee.
We have 4 more itineraries (with multiple fliers) that are still outstanding. Should I wait until those flights are complete and have the fee prorated? What about future flight purchases?
I do have another card attached to my TYN account so I will not loose the points I have already earned. This card however does not award flightpoints for miles flown.

The Priority pass is nice but can be purchased separately for a $200 so that's not swaying my vote.

HH Gold has been good to me. Not clear if that program is continuing?

The companion ticket program is a complete joke and we have never been successful obtaining decent tickets for decent prices there. Would love some hints if you've had luck.

I'm also curious what you use the concierge for? They did actually nearly save our lives one time by getting someone to retrieve us from a deserted train station during a blizzard. That was 2 years ago and unfortunately, it's more like "what have you done for me lately." I can't figure out what to use them for else wise even though they are very nice when you call.

Right now I'm holding out for the rumored SB version PremierPass Elite MC that I could just transfer these accrue-able points over to. It should have many of the same features (except PP) for a much smaller fee.

I'll be watching this topic closely.

If you close the Chairman MC, the flight points will go away. Your best bet is to match them with Select spending and regular spending to get 2 or 4 points per $.

Remember that the Chairman MC also allows two guests for free with the cardholder. I am pretty sure that you cannot get that directly from Priority Pass for $200. Each guest is usually $27 with Priority Pass.

If I had to do it over again, I would probably keep the Chairman MC. I have 4 AMEXs now:

- AMEX DL Platinum
- Fidelity AMEX Platinum
- Citi AMEX Platinum
- Citi Chairman AMEX

I had to apply for a Citi Professional card, just to get a MasterCard that is worth carrying. (I closed my Diners Club and my Saks WEMC is not very useful to me.) That is way to many cards to carry.

The Chairman MC was also a bit sexier. The only features that are really worthwhile in comparison with the MC are:

a. the concierge
b. the fact that you can get additional Priority Pass cards for $100 per year with secondary Chairman AMEX cards

If you close the Chairman MC, the flight points will go away. Your best bet is to match them with Select spending and regular spending to get 2 or 4 points per $.


The Chairman rep. actually told me that when I purchased those tickets, I earned the miles but that they only post when the flight is taken. He was able to recite every itinerary I have going forward. His position is that I've earned those points and they are mine whether I still currently hold the card or not.

But...I'm suspicious.............. so I have not canceled it yet. I also think that if you just transfer to a new Citi/SB card the points will transfer. That's why I'm waiting for the SB PP Elite.

I would still love to hear responses as to whether anyone has had any luck with the companion ticket and what they use the concierge for. Thanks!

...told me that when I purchased those tickets,

There are two posting steps for flown miles to become redeemable Thank You points. On the statement after the cycle in which the first flight of an itinerary is scheduled the Flight points are posted to your Chairman account, but those are useless. Only when you match the Flight points with Purchase or Select Spend points will they post to your Thank You account. If you cancel the card you should forfeit any pending or actual Flight points that have not yet been matched by spending. However, if you "downgrade" your card to PremierPass Elite I believe the points will be preserved.

I plan on canceling my Chairman card when it renews in Sept. Only reason I accepted the card was because the annual fee was waived for the first year for me.

Personally almost find it insulting that Citi would not waive the fee on an ongoing basis for me considering they waive the fee on PPE and Citi Platinum Amex cards. So between both of those cards you end up with better rewards than Chairman card and both are free. I can get around the caps by getting multiply versions of each card as Citi will waive unlimited PPE and Citi Platinum Amex for me.

I plan on canceling my Chairman card when it renews in Sept. Only reason I accepted the card was because the annual fee was waived for the first year for me.

Personally almost find it insulting that Citi would not waive the fee on an ongoing basis for me considering they waive the fee on PPE and Citi Platinum Amex cards. So between both of those cards you end up with better rewards than Chairman card and both are free. I can get around the caps by getting multiply versions of each card as Citi will waive unlimited PPE and Citi Platinum Amex for me.

Happy New Year, Dolmar. I figured that this thread would get you to resurface in the forum!

[QUOTE=msk6261;9099696]You just hit on a hot topic here!

We have just passed our anniversary and had planned on canceling. Now we have hesitated.

First, we have not switched to the AmEX. My account shows they have just re-opted us with MC. That fee is $400 not the $500.

Next, we have a number of flights purchased with this card that would accrue TY flightpoints. Even after speaking to the rep., I'm still not 100% sure that we would not loose these points if the card (not our TYN account) was canceled.
For ex. our renewal was in Dec. but 5 of us flew Dec./Jan. to Europe and back which meant close to 60,000 flight points. That's worth more than their $400 fee.
We have 4 more itineraries (with multiple fliers) that are still outstanding. Should I wait until those flights are complete and have the fee prorated? What about future flight purchases?
I do have another card attached to my TYN account so I will not loose the points I have already earned. This card however does not award flightpoints for miles flown.

The Priority pass is nice but can be purchased separately for a $200 so that's not swaying my vote.


Priority pass is 399 for prestige does not include two complimentary guests like chairman so that's worth 500 right there.

I plan on canceling my Chairman card when it renews in Sept. Only reason I accepted the card was because the annual fee was waived for the first year for me.

Personally almost find it insulting that Citi would not waive the fee on an ongoing basis for me considering they waive the fee on PPE and Citi Platinum Amex cards. So between both of those cards you end up with better rewards than Chairman card and both are free. I can get around the caps by getting multiply versions of each card as Citi will waive unlimited PPE and Citi Platinum Amex for me.


How do you get Citi to waive unlimited PPE and Citi Plat Amex? Thanks

How do you get Citi to waive unlimited PPE and Citi Plat Amex? Thanks

Very Simple get a Citigold Bank Account require $100k in deposit waives unlimited PPE cards, AA Mastercard and Diners Club. Get a Citi PB Account waives unlimited Citi Plat Amex cards or any other Citi card with an annual fee except Citi Chairman card(only get 1st year free).

Citi Platinum Amex having a better reward program than Citi Chairman is really really really annoying to me.

The one thing I like is the no foreign transaction fee "feature", but that's set to expire at the end of the year. Once that's gone then I won't put any spending at all on this card (just like what happened when Merrill+ added the fee). I may simply cancel outright.

I'll have to sit down and do some math when it comes to lounge access. StarGold + the basic Priority Pass might be good enough for my travel pattern.

Citi Platinum Amex having a better reward program than Citi Chairman is really really really annoying to me.


If I were the Citi Chairman product manager I would argue that Chairman's program is better because there is no cap on annual earnings. Platinum is capped at 150,000 points which means it earns nothing after spending $50,000 (or less). I think Chairman is targetted at clients who would hit this cap very rapidly.

American Express also does this. For example, the Gold Rewards Plus version of Membership Rewards is richer than the Platinum version. I think this is an intentional strategy at both companies to mimimize the number of point gamers who hold their upper tier cards because they generate additional revenue by marketing to the cardholders. (I don't know why they do not establish and enforce meaningful household income minimums for such cards, which would seem to be the direct way to insure that the cardholder demographics are attractive to marketers.)

The straightforward solution is to use both cards. We have both Chairman (Mastercard) and Platinum and use them for different categories of spending. Not ideal, but manageable.

What kind of bad service Anaggie? And Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you !!!!

Bad service in the terms of their CS and CS manager trying to solve my problem. They show a total lack of understanding about the card and its features. I still do not have the ENTRE features from this card yet and I am still trying to resolve the 75k points they owe from spending the 47k last year after subtracting the bonus. I started this investigation in Jan and it is still going on and they do not have any reply for me. I will check again next week when I get back stateside.

I am happy with the MC version and will not cancel. Their concierge still works for me and so does their pt earning capability.

I recently used their concerige to buy a plane ticket in Brazil since the airline website would not let me purchase a ticket due to the fact that I did not have a Brazilian ID number for tax purposes. The concierge service alled their travel agent and got the ticket booked at the same price with no issues whatsoever.

So the concierge does work for me as a helpful assistant when needs arise.

...still do not have the ENTRE features from this card

Do you mean that the Entre website will not allow you to login when you enter the first six digits of your account number?

Do you mean that the Entre website will not allow you to login when you enter the first six digits of your account number?

oops...forgot about that...it does work. Thanks for the reminder !!!