Old Dec 29, 2014, 1:50 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: MDtR-Chicago
For discussion on upgrade offers to the Aviator Silver card, see: Any success upgrading Barclays AA Aviator Red MC to AA Aviator Silver World Elite MC?

For other discussion on the Aviator cards, see: New AAdvantage Aviator Silver and Red Cards from BarclayCard (US targeted)

Current retention offers

Under the card's header, specify the date called (MM/DD/YYYY), the offer, how long you had the card, yearly spend, and any other pertinent info.

Arrival Plus
03/09 Retentions only offered downgrade. Escalated to manager and AF waived immediately. ~$220K spend in first year
03/03 Same as other offer listed today. Would be allowed to downgrade, no mention of bonus points, no AF waiver. Probably a few thousand in spend over the 1 year. Cancelled the card.
03/03 No AF waiver, just option to downgrade. Spent $32k on the card in the first year
02/18 Asked for annual fee waiver. Said had already been waived for first year, unable to waive it again
01/15 Refused to waive AF, offered to downgrade instead. Will call again.
01/15 Specialist (call elevated) offered to downgrade. No AF waiver. 1 yr, not much spend. Canceled.
01/26 offered downgrade with 1000 points on first spend, also offered ability to use points to pay part/all of AF
02/11 - Downgrade was not available for my account. Closed it instead.
02/15 Retention CSR was polite, but no offer other than downgrade + 1000 points for first spend. Declined her offer and will likely retain card with af.
03/15 - 2 separate data points. One was offered annual fee waiver, and one was not. Not sure what difference between the accounts was.
06/2015 - AF not waived; downgrade w/ 1000 points after first spend offered. Card age = 1 year, about 10k spend. Decided to downgrade to no AF card. Was assured no credit pull for downgrade.
10/15 Offer only to downgrade to no annual fee Arrival or Rewards card - no ability to waive fee again for second time on Plus card or convert to another card other than the aforementioned - have 60 days from when fee posts to cancel and receive a refund it seems
10/15 Offer to downgrade to no AF Arrivals card + 1000 points w/ first use of new card. No hard pull to downgrade.
01/02/2017 - No waiver offered, only downgrade, card open since 2013, minimal recent spend
02/23/2017 - No offers. Open 2 years. Spend $7600 last year.
02/15/2018 - minimal spend. had card 1 year. no offers. closed
05/15/2018 - minimal spend . Offer to switch to no fee card to retain credit limit.1,000 points for first use and $50 statement credit if $1,000 is charged to the card for 3 consecutive months. Accepted.
10/4/2018 - $2k spend in prior two months. Had card 2yrs. Offer to switch to no fee card to retain credit limit.1,000 points for first use. Accepted.
4/23/19 - minimal spend. No offer to downgrade or points offered. Closed.
12/10/19 - $8k spend in 12 months. Had card 1 yr. No offer to downgrade or points offered. No action yet from my side.
07/2020 - $50k spend in 2019. Called twice, no offers. Called third time to cancel.
08/2020 - $9k spend in 14 months. No offers on first call. Drained points and called back a week later, still no offers, closed account.

Arrival (non-plus)


Aviator Red/US Airways
12/14 AF waived, Spend less than $500 annually, opened 2013.(J_b)
01/15 AF waived, opened 2013.
1/7/15 AF waived, opened Dec. 2013. Spent less than $500
01/15 AF waived, 5K miles for $3K spend 90 days; 2 yr. old card; $25k spend in 2014
3/1/15 AF waived for second year in a row. $25k spend last year. Nothing in 6+mo
March 16, 2015: All 6 of our family's accounts had AF either waived or credited back. B/w 2K and 3K spend last year on each account.
3/19/2015: Got $89 fee credited. (got annual 10k miles + last US Air companion certificate in mail too!)
4/4/2015: $89 fee credited by having manager call me back. This is 2nd anniv (will be getting 10k miles for anniv as well on next statement).
May 2015 AF waived $25K last year maybe $5-6K to date this year
06/05/2015: AF waived, ~$20k spend
06/24/2015: Has card since 2013, barely any spend the last year. First call, no retention offers. Second call, a few days later, to actually cancel the card, transferred to a specialist, AF waived. Keeping it for another year.
6/30/2015: First line rep saw right away that they could waive fee, just needed to connect with someone else to make it official. ~6K spend
7/11/2015: same as above (6/30), $89 fee waived in 2-3 business days. ~10K spend.
8/28/2015: Annual fee waived, also rep found a 2x gas, grocery, utility offer for 90 days up to 8000 miles. ~1k spend this year on card
9/21/2015: Annual fee waived. 2x gas, grocery OR utility offer for 90 days. Spend $1000 in category and get 5000 mile bonus. Max bonus 8000 miles. ~6k spend this year on card
10/1/15: AF posted yesterday, got it waived today. System was being updated so I'll call back tmrw to see if there are any additional offers available.
11/4/15: AF posted 10/30, fee waived no questions asked. Got an offer for 5,000 bonus miles after next purchase, no min spend requirement. $14k in spending in the past 12 months. Got card in Oct. 2014.
11/6/15: AF posted recently, got it waived and got an offer for 5,000 bonus points after $1,000 in new purchases within 90 days. Total spend about $1k in past year.
11/2015: Annual fee waived. No other offers other than an upgrade to Aviator Silver.
12/09/2015: AF posted 11/30, fee waived after asking for "offers to offset AF". Also offered extra 1mile/$1 on gas & groceries, up to $8k.
12/21/15 af posts at end of December had to escalate to 2nd level af waived offered 5k points for 1 k spend member sine 09
12/31/15 AF Waived. No other offers.
1/2/16 AF Waived, 500 bonus miles, 5k bonus miles with $1k spend within 90 days. Have had card for 1 year, with about $7k in spend during 2015.
1/4/16: AF waived. No other offers, even after asking about promos. Have had card for 1 year, 9k spend.
1/5/16: AF waived immediately, also offered 2x points on supermarkets, movies, and utilities until Mar 1st. Had card for one year, one purchase initially, and about $1200 spend in past 2 months.
1/5/16: AF waived, offered 5000 miles for $1000 spend in 90 days or 2 miles/dollar on gas and other categories up to 9K miles. Also given 500 miles as courtesy deposit. Less than $2k spend, but $6k in balance transfer offers on my account in 2015.
1/6/16: AF waived. Two offers - 5K for $1K spend in 90 days or 2 miles/dollar. No more than 2K of overall spending in a year.
1/8/2016: AF waived. Offered 5000 miles for 1 purchase (as long as it was over $1.00) in 90 days. ~$20K spend.
1/9/2016: AF waived. No offers. ~$16K Spend.
1/11/2016: AF waived. Didn't hold out for more offers. No spending.
1/14/2016: AF waived. No offers. ~$8K Spend.
1/17/2016: AF waived. No offers. $15K spend
1/25/2016: AF waived. Did not hold out for more offers. $15K spend.
1/25/2016: AF waived, 500 miles for one purchase. $10k spend.
1/28/2016: AF waived. No offers. $12k spend last year.
1/31/2016: AF waived. No offers. ~$10k spend last year.
1/31/2016: AF waived. 1mi bonus for gas, grocery & utility purchases for the next 90 days up to 8k mi. $0 spend, sock drawered.
2/1/16: AF Waived, plus 5K bonus post $1K spend in 90. Had mentioned it's all about bonus points. Accepted.
2/1/16: AF waived. Double miles for gas, grocery, & utilities for the next 90 days. Spent <$500 in 2015. Mentioned that I had a Citi card with identical benefits.
2/1/16: AF waived. 5k bonus miles for $1k spend in 90 days. Spent ~$1500 in 2015, most for a mileage bonus. Mentioned that I had a Citi card with identical benefits.
2/3/16: AF waived. 5k bonus miles for $1k spend in 90 days. 2x for supermarket, movie, and utility spend up to $2,500 for next 90 days. Increased CL by $2,500 without a hard pull.
2/7/15: AF waived. 10k bonus miles for $3k spend in 90 days. ~$80k spend.
3/4/16: AF waived. <$1k spend last year.
3/6/16: AF waived. Offered 2x on gas/groceries/utilities
3/24/16: AF waived. Spent <$1k last year. Offered 5k bonus for $1k spend, and 3x miles for spend on Uber.
3/28/16: AF waived. No offers. $2.5k spend last year.
3/30/16: AF waived. Spent $3K last year. Offered 5k bonus miles for $1k spend in 90 days, and 3x miles for spend on Uber until July 2016.
4/1/2016 : AF hit yesterday, called today and AF got waived. $6 spent last year. Offered 500 points for using the card in next 4 days.
4/6/2016: AF waived, 5k miles for $1k in spend over 90 days, bonus miles on Uber, restaurants, home improvement, and gas.
4/11/2016: AF waived, 5k miles for $1k in spend over 90 days.
4/15/2016: AF waived, offered choice of 5k miles for $1k in spend over 90 days, or extra mile per $ for gas/restaurants/etc over 90 days (max 8K). uber option also offered.
4/19/2016: AF waived + 5k miles for dealing with incompetent customer service.
5/5/2016: AF waived, offered 5000 miles for $1000 spend in 90 days or 2 miles/dollar on gas and other categories. Took the $1000 spend offer. No spending last year.
5/14/2016: AF waived, plus 5000 miles after next purchase (no $ limit). Zero spend last year.
5/24/2016: AF waived, did not inquire about offers. Not a 10K annual miles legacy card, so why I am keeping it? Little to no spend since switch to Aviator.
06/05/2016: called regular CSR and told her that I can't afford the Fee and wanted to close the card, she said Ok, she can close it. I said too soon, I have citi aa and they can waive my fee, then she transferred me to specialist. got AF waive and 5000 miles after $1k spending.
06/10/2016: AF credit and 5000 miles after $1k spending in 90 days
7/9/2016: AF waived, 5k for $1k/90days. Offered CLI with no HP but I declined
7/12/2016: AF waived, 5k for $1k/90days, CLI with no HP
7/23/2016: AF waived, 5k for $1k/90days. Offered CLI with no HP but I declined
7/31/2016: AF waiver, 5k for $1k/90 days. Offered CLI with no HP - declined. Limited spend (<$2k) in previous year
8/21/2016: AF waiver, 5k for $1k/90 days. 0% on new purchases for 9 months. 0 spend in last 12 months
8/30/2016: AF waiver, kicking myself for not asking for the 5k bonus, will call back. ETA - I called back, got the 5k bonus, a CLI with no HP, and 500 extra miles for having to call back (unsolicited).
11/04/2016: 5k for $1k/90 days. AF not waived. $1500 spend in past year. Had to ask several times for this offer.
11/10/2016: AF waiver, 5k for $1k/90 days. 0% on new purchases for 9 months (declined that part). $0 spend in last 12 months
11/15/2016; AF not waived, 5k for 1k 90 days + 500 extra miles for being a good customer, credit line increased by 4.5k with no credit pull. I accepted. <1k spend per year.
12/1/2016 AF waived, no bonus but I just got 10,000 Barclay red card holder anniversary miles (no min spend needed)
12/4/2016 AF waived, also received offer for 5K bonus miles with $1k spend in 90 days. About $2000 spend on the card, but also received AF waiver last year.
12/30/2016 AF not waived. Will call back in a few days.
1/2/2017 Had to speak to 3 people AF waived 5k bonous 1k spend runs concurrent w/$500 mo/15k offer i think this is the 3rd year in a row they waived it aprox5-6k spend year
1/3/2017 First CSR transferred to Account Specialist. Offered AF waiver right away. No other offers, didn't ask for the 5k offer, already have 15k and 25%. 2nd waiver, no spend last year except to meet the spend reqs.
1/3/2017 Transferred to Account Specialist Jesse. No AF waiver (probably because I got it twice before!). Accepted the 5k miles on $1,000 spend offer.
1/7/2017 First CSR (overseas) not helpful. Asked to be transferred to retentions (was US based). AF waived. Only bonus received past year was a 25% bonus for a few months. $9.5K spend last year. AF waived last year.
1/8/2017 Spent literally $0 on the card for a year. Transferred to account specialist. Offered downgrade to no annual fee version. Then offered annual fee refund + 5000 miles for spending $1000 in 3 months. Accepted.
1/10/2017 Wife said rude front-line agent immediately canceled her card before she could HUCA or ask for a retention agent. $5k spend.
1/10/2017 AF waived ($35k in spend) but no other offers.
1/19/2017 AF waived on two cards. No other offers. Not sure on annual spend, maybe $5-10k on each. Card holder since ~2011ish
1/28/2017 AF not waived (virtually no spend last year). Offer to downgrade or 5000 AA miles for $1000 spend in next 90 days. Closed account
2/2/2017 AF waived for 3rd year running on account still grandfathered into 10K miles annually. $4000 annual spend. Also got spend $1000 in 3 mos. get 5K miles offer.
2/8/2017 AF waived for 2nd year running on account still grandfathered into 10K miles annually. 5k mi bonus on 1k spend. I prob wont get the 10k this year as I called before the AF hit my account
2/21/2017 AF waived for 3rd year running on account still grandfathered into 10K miles annually. $3000 annual spend.
2/22/2017 No offer, refused to transfer retention. Foreign call center. Agent just reads the card benefits and made non-specific promise that there will be "more bonus offers" later. Had this card for ~3 years, have always paid the AF before. Annual spend maybe $2K. Will HUCA another day...
2/26/2017 Second call (previous call is described immediately above this line). This time they did transfer me to an Account Specialist. Offered 5K bonus miles for spending $1 in 90 days. Asked if they could credit for AF, too. She said no, that was the only offer available. Good enough, I accepted.
2/26/2017 No offer initially. Asked to cancel and transferred to retention who immediately waived it. Minimal spend on the card <$1K
3/13/2017 AF waived. Told the agent that as I had not used the card for a whole year that I was not inclined to pay AF. She asked me if I would like her to waive the fee. I said Yes. Good result.
3/2017 - wouldn't waive the fee (saw that I had it waived last year). Offered 5000 miles for $1000 spend in 90 days.
3/27/2017 - No offer initially. Asked to cancel and transferred to retention who immediately waived it. Minimal spend on the card <$2K
3/26/2017 - Called up and asked for retention offers. Nothing offered. Asked for 5K miles for $1k spend... got refused. Cancelled card.
3/29/2017- Called and transferred to retention. Specialist offered to waive the $89 fee right away and offered to put the $1k spend in 90 days promo on. Kept card open. About $3k in annual spend.
4/29/2017 - Called and transferred to retention. Specialist offered to waive the $89 fee right away and offered to put the $1k spend in 90 days promo on. Kept card open. Very minimal spend (enough for last year's bonus ).
5/15/17 - ~$500 annual Spend. Called to cancel/Downgrade. AF waived and 5k miles for $1k/90 days. Took the offer
5/22/17 - ~Think I spent $30 on the card on a ticket last year. Called to cancel/Downgrade. AF waived and 5k miles for $1k/90 days or 2x miles on gas/grocery/dining. Took the 5K offer.
6/27/17 - USAirways card w/ 10k yearly bonus, fee posted 27 days ago. Recent spend around $1500. No fee waiver available. 5000 miles for $1000 spend within 90 days. Also offered CLI.
06/09/17 - USAirways card w/ 10k yearly bonus, annual spend maybe $1000, no fee waiver, no offer, HUCA a month later
06/25/2017: USAirways card w/ 10k yearly bonus, annual spend negligible, no fee waiver, offer to downgrade to no-fee AAdvantage or to Arrival (with 2500pt bonus for spending $1K in 3 months or something) on first call; all offers disappeared upon HUCA a few weeks later; closed card. Too bad -- would've liked Arrival w/o a hard pull.
07/10/17 - US Airways card 2/ 10k yearly bonus, second call (first call on 6/9) - transferred to account specialist, fee waiver & 5k miles for $1k/90days - 4th year running fee waiver :-)
08/02/17 US Airways card 10k yearly bonus - told there were two offers, downgrade to no fee AA or Arrival - after second offer I said close it and then magically third offer to waive fee appeared.
08/12/17 Called twice, both times no offer to transfer to retention specialist and no offer. Closed the account. Minimal spend in the past year, had waived fee 2-3 times prior to that. Shame!
08/14/17 US Airways card, fee waiver, 5k miles for $1k/90days
8/30/17: Offered fee waiver, no additional bonus offers. In October was offered 30k bonus after spending $2,500 each month for 6 months. It was difficult, but managed to hit it with organic spend.
11/11/17: Fee waived, 5k miles for $1k spend in 90 days. $1,500 spend in prior year.
12/01/17: Previous US card w/Annual 10k bonus. Notice received, but AF not yet posted. AF waived. Nothing else offered.
12/1/17: AF waived. 5k bonus miles for $1k spend in 90 days. Accepted.
01/3/18: AF waived. 5k bonus miles for $1k spend in 90 days. Accepted. Opened January 2017, $2,900 spend 2017.
02/13/2018: Called 80+ days after fee posted. Grandfathered USAirways card 5+ years. No fee waiver available but 5k miles for $1k spend in 90 days, plus BT and 0% APR offers. Accepted.
03/01/18: No offers at all. Didn't push it. Minimal spend.
03/03/18: annual fee posted....call the number on the back and the CSR said I can process your cancellation request now....I said I wil rethink about it.....is there a way to connect to the retention department?
03/09/18: AF waived. (Spent >$3k in first year; Called after AF posted, transferred to retention; AA Platinum may have helped to waive AF)
04/23/18: transferred to a retention specialist. No AF waiver. Offered bonus opportunity for bonus miles on gas and groceries. Said I'd call back. Only about $400/year spend.
05/17/18: retention specialist saw low spend and only offered waiver if I spent a few $1000 over next 3 months. I did a PC to an AA no-fee card.
06/08/18: Grandfathered USAirways card. No offers at all. No downgrade whatsoever.
06/15/18: 5 yr-old card, a few K spend; first time unable to get any offer (tried twice). Could have downgraded. Canceled (was a legacy USAirways card, but without the 10K annual miles).
07/04/18: AAviator Red, second year. Little beyond the spend required to earn sign up bonus. After about 10 minutes, I got offered 5k AA miles for $1K spend over 90 days. Accepted.
07/05/18: Old USAirways card with 10k annual bonus, no spend for about 6 months, only offer was $1000 spend each month for 3 months, get $100. Accepted it.
08/13/18 Old USAirways Card with 10k annual bonus, very minimal annual spend, only offer was $1000 monthly spend for 3months, get$100 statement credit, HUCA - (have had fee waived at least past 4years.).
10/28/18 Old USAirways Card with 10k annual bonus (two cards), no spend but do utilize 1% balance transfer offers (nearly free money!). Offered to waive AF on both cards after just asking. Done this every year without any issue.since 2013.
10/30/18 Aviator Red, third year. Only a couple of charges made in-flight this year. No offer.
12/30/18 Aviator Red (converted from Old USAirways Card) with 10k annual bonus. Very little spend this year. AF hits in about a month. I groused about loss of EQD benefit. No offer initially. Then was offered $100 statement credit for spending $1K per month for 3 months. Pushed gently for further offers, got none. Declined offer for now. Will wait and try again in a couple weeks when AF gets closer.
1/1/19 Aviator Red ~10K spend. Past 3 years, AF waived, no issue. This year, $100 statement credit for $1K spend in each of next 3 months. Accepted.
2/1/19 Avitaor Red (converted from USAirways Card no annual bonus): little spend, but lots of balance transfers. Offered AF waiver OR 5k RDM for $1k/90days. Took AF waiver.
4/3/19 Aviator Red, 4 year card holder with minimal spend this past year. AF waived last year. Balance transfer offer but downgrade "offer" not available.
4/5/19 Aviator Red called again after no offers 3 weeks ago. No offers again. Moved Credit Line to Arrival and canceled.
5/1/19 Aviator Red. Open 2 years, less than $1k/year spend. No offers available, no downgrade options. Closed card.
5/7/19 Aviator Red. Legacy US Airways Card. Have had for 5+ years. Always minimal spend ($100/year) and was able to get an offer to waive AF in the past. No offers now. Closed card.
6/10/19 Aviator Red. Open just 1 year, only one purchase, fairly large balance transfer. Offered a downgrade to no fee version or waiver of annual fee. After accepting fee waiver, offered additionally $100 statement credit for 1k per month spending for 3 months.
10/30/19 Aviator red. Opened for one year, $99 annual fee hit this month. No retention offers, no annual fees waived, no option to downgrade the card to a non-annual fee CC. Closed the account.
12/6/19 Aviator Red Legacy USAirways: No offer, not willing to transfer the call, no spending bonuses. Have had annual fee waivers periodically in the past. No spend in months.
2/25/2020 Aviator Red legacy US Airways card: Offered to downgrade to no AF card and also offered 2500 miles with no spend requirement. Accepted.
06/16/2020 Aviator Red legacy US Airways card, minimal spend: No offers at all.
10/10/2020 Aviator Red American Airlines, $99 fee not waived but card was downgraded to no-cost card. Accepted downgrade.
8/11/2021 Aviator Red. Open 4 years. Received retention offer of $99 statement credit to offset annual fee with no spending. Accepted offer.

Aviator Silver
6/30/2015: AF waived at time of upgrading from Aviator Red, where I was a few months in to the AF waiver on that one.
2/10/2016: when annual fee posted on the card, initially offered nothing but after a few minutes of discussion and mentioning that I've spent 40k+ on the card per year, they offered 10,000 bonus miles (immediate without spend). Took the offer and paid the AF of $195
1/10/2017: Was not transferred to a specialist and would not, and no offer. Spent over $40k (by funding Citi bank). Pretty surprised.
3/8/2017: No offer just asked if I wanted to switch to fee free card. Declined and closed. 4k spend in 1yr
1/8/2018: No offer, will HUCA. $50k + spend.
2/8/2018: No offer. They offered to move the CL to my other Aviator card. Accepted and closed the account.
7/5/2018: Old USAirways that I upgraded to Silver when it first started. No offers. No ability to downgrade to any other Aviator. $77k spend in the last 12 months. Offered to move credit to Rewards or Arrival, both free. Declined both offers and will call again before the 60 days are up.
1/15/2019 no offer, would not transfer to retention as "because she is a manager, see sees all offers"
1/18/2020 no offer, $50k per year spend, cancelled card and felt great.
2/11/2020 no offer, previously waived every year, minimal spend. Cancelled card and processed immediately.
8/10/2020 annual fee waived AND 5k bonus miles with $1k of spend. Accepted both. About 4k in spend over last year.
10/6/2020 no offer, downgraded card to no AF, $25-50K annual spend since 2017 and no previous attempts to get the fee waived
Aviator Business
9/3/2019: Annual fee waived as a one-time courtesy. Minimal spend. First anniversary.
9/5/2019: Annual fee waived as a one-time courtesy. Minimal spend. First anniversary.
9/6/2019: Annual fee waived as a one-time courtesy. Minimal spend. First anniversary.
9/14/2019: Annual fee waived as a one-time courtesy. Rep was very explicit that it would not be waived next year. $4k spend. First anniversary.
01/12/2021: Annual fee not waived. First anniversary with minimal spend. Rep said there might be a possibility of a credit with $4500 per month spend. Called back and second rep said same thing. Closed account.
9/14/2021: Annual fee NOT waived. Card has been open at least 3 years and paid annual fee last year. Called after fee had posted to statement. No spend this year. Closed account.
9/15/2023: Annual fee not waived. Card open at least 5 years and paid annual fee last year. Called after fee posted. No spend. Closed account.

Jetblue Plus
10/4/18: Annual Fee Waived plus 5k Points for $1K Spend in 90 Days. Have had card two years. Annual Spend about $5k. Rep who answered the phone was able to look this up. Asked several questions about how often I fly jetblue and when I plan on using points.
2/15/2019: Annual fee waived plus 5k points for $1K spend in 90 days; first renewal on card (obtained in December 2017); spending about $6,500 total but representative stated that she could see I spent over $4k in the last year. Also offered the option to downgrade to a no annual fee card.
2/07/2022: AF waived plus 5k points for $1k spend in 90 days. Accepted. Asked several questions about how often I fly B6 and how I plan to use points.

Lufthansa
11/23 AF cut in half. Earn 5k mi after $1K spend in 90 days. Minimal use.
8/14 AF waived, open 1 month w/ 10K spend
6/15 No offer, closed card after transferring credit limit. $20k spent in 1 year.
6/16 AF waived, +1x points gas, groceries, drugs up to 8,000 points over 3 months. During spend verified Krogers counted as groceries
7/24/2018: 5000 miles for spending $1000 in 3 months
11/2018 Had card one year, minimal spend, only offer was to downgrade

Frontier
4/15 No offer, closed card after transferring credit limit. <$100 spent on card.

Hawaiian Airlines
08/19 biz CC, 2nd AF, only $5K office spend (GCs), AF waived.
02/19 Fee waived another year. Unable to accept any other 'offers' for the next 90 days.
02/18 Fee waived one year. Also offered, downgrade to a HA card with $50 fee/less benefits, no fee rewards card, no fee cash back card
01/15 Offered to waive half the fee. Downgraded to Barclaycard Rewards no fee card (also had option to downgrade to the Arrival no fee card)
04/15 Annual fee waived, had to ask for Retention Dept. Annual spend ~12k (Serve CC loads)
03/16 Annual fee waiver granted via SM, separate call to customer service to process fee waiver
04/16 No waiver or credit. Instead, offered 5000 miles with $1000 spend in 90 days
06/14 offered 5,000 points (worth $50 statement credit) for spending $1,000 over 3 months. This is already a no-fee card.

NFL
06/14 offered 5,000 points (worth $50 statement credit) for spending $1,000 over 3 months. This is already a no-fee card.

Wyndham Rewards VS
06/14 Called in to ask about any offers; given 5,000 WR points for spending $1,000 in 3 months. Followed up with question about annual fee; was able to get fee waived.
02/17 Similar to above (5000 pts with $1000 spending in 3 months), but only half annual fee refunded ($34.50). I thought it was still worth it, so I took the offer.
6/19/17 - 5000 bonus pts with $1000 spending in 3 months and half the annual fee refunded ($34.50).
8/4/17 No offer (other than downgrade to no AF version). Very little spend on card. Closed the account.
2/15/2018 - Very little spend. 50% off annual fee. Decline and closed
8/1/2018 - No spend. 50% off annual fee. Declined and closed.
9/24/2018 - 5000 bonus pts with $1000 spending in 3 months and half the annual fee refunded ($34.50)

JetBlue Business
5/13/2018: Had card for 1 year, met $1K minimum spend, not much else after that. No retention offer. Closed account.
4/24/2020: First card anniversary, nothing beyond initial spend and paying annual fee at opening. Offered half fee waiver as one time courtesy ($49.50).
5/29/2021: Second card anniversary, little if any spend this year and had 1/2 fee waiver last year; no offers this year. Closed.
4/27/2022: Third card anniversary, no spend this year, no offer, closed it.
6/1/2022: First card anniversary, minimal spend after initial bonus; no offers, closed it
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Barclays retention offers (all cards)

Old Feb 16, 2017, 8:10 pm
  #1681  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IND
Posts: 68
Same here, called and got no offer, only option to downgrade. Hung up. This was the first agent and not the retention agent.
ashishsg is offline  
Old Feb 17, 2017, 2:12 pm
  #1682  
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 10
AA Aviator.
Call three time. The first two time, the agent said no offer and no downgrade option, the only way is closed account.
The last time, I told the first agent that I want to lower the APR, since the regular agent doesn't have access to do that, so she has to transfer to retention(account) specialist. Then the specialist offer to waive the annual fee and decrease the APR, even though I don't get the $1000/90d -> 5000 miles offer.

So you can say "lower the APR" to transfer to the retention department, it will work if the agent doesn't want to transfer for waive the annual fee.
bbblucky is offline  
Old Feb 17, 2017, 6:12 pm
  #1683  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AA, SWA, CO, UA, PC Plat, HH Gold, SPG
Posts: 799
Originally Posted by silvershrimp
I opened my Aviator Red in 2015. I called today and stated that I find I'm not using it enough to justify the annual fee and would like to either cancel or downgrade. I was offered the option to convert to a no annual fee card or have the fee waived. I chose the latter.

They also gave the option of getting an additional mile per dollar spent on gas, grocery, and I think another category I can't remember or 5,000 miles for spending $1,000 in 3 months. I chose the 5,000 mile option.
Both my spouse and I accepted this offer back in September - had to meet the spend by 5 Dec - we each met it in October. The confirmation letter said miles will post 4-6 weeks after the promotion date (5 Dec) - so far no miles and no response to inquiries.
bj2757 is offline  
Old Feb 17, 2017, 8:03 pm
  #1684  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Brown medallion
Posts: 184
Aviator Red/US Airways

AF waived, 5k for $1k/90days. Offered CLI with no HP - declined. 0% on new purchases made from 2/18/17 to 9/1/2017. Limited spend (<$2k) in previous year.
vholic is offline  
Old Feb 18, 2017, 6:02 pm
  #1685  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 166
AA Aviator Red MC.

Had this card since 2015. AF posted 2 weeks ago 1/30. Called and asked to waived AF. Rep said no but transferred to specialist. Told specialist that in 2017 I'm looking to consolidate my CC portfolio and since this offers the same benefits as Citibank AA card that I'm looking to pay this off and close it if the AF is not waived. Annual fee of $89 immediately waived. Says there's no other offers on my account when I asked.

Note - I do not have the Citibank AA card yet. Just threw it in as negotiating leverage.
Beetlesauce is offline  
Old Feb 21, 2017, 12:57 pm
  #1686  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1
AA Aviator Red MC converted from US Airways card, initially obtained 2015

Last year AF was waived, so I kept the card

I called for AF waiver this year but wasn't available, so I was offered downgrade to:
1. No AF regular Aviator card
2. No AF Barclay Rewards card with offer of 10k points for $1k spend in first 90 days. Details of card:
Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard®'s Rewards
2X points on gas, utility and eligible grocery store purchases
1X points on all other purchases
This card is no longer open for new applications, but it sounds like it's available for PC.

I chose #2 to keep my credit line and AAoA.
zook83 is offline  
Old Feb 21, 2017, 4:14 pm
  #1687  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AA, SWA, CO, UA, PC Plat, HH Gold, SPG
Posts: 799
Originally Posted by zook83
AA Aviator Red MC converted from US Airways card, initially obtained 2015

Last year AF was waived, so I kept the card

I called for AF waiver this year but wasn't available, so I was offered downgrade to:
1. No AF regular Aviator card
2. No AF Barclay Rewards card with offer of 10k points for $1k spend in first 90 days. Details of card:
Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard®'s Rewards
2X points on gas, utility and eligible grocery store purchases
1X points on all other purchases
This card is no longer open for new applications, but it sounds like it's available for PC.

I chose #2 to keep my credit line and AAoA.
I don't know if everyone is having the same issues with getting the "bonus" for the spend after they waive the AF - both my wife and I accepted the offer in September, met the spend requirement on both by Nov (deadline for spend was 5 Dec) and no miles. The agreement they sent said 4-6 weeks after the promotion period (5 Dec). I called and got so mad at the gal I was talking with I had to just give up and hang up. I sent secure messages to Barclay's on both this past week and got idiotic responses (both said the miles should post with my Jan statement) - I reminded them this was already February. So both are open "cases" and we'll see what happens...
bj2757 is offline  
Old Feb 21, 2017, 5:18 pm
  #1688  
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,973
I took the offer (Aviator Red) for bonus miles for spending July-October. When nothing had posted by my December statement, I sent a secure message; the reply included "if the spend qualification was met, the bonus miles will be applied to your account within one to two billing cycles," and gave the AAdvantage number they had on record for me and asked me to say if it was wrong (surely I'd have been in touch earlier if none of my spending was posting to my account). I went into my Barclays card account, and 5000 miles were showing under "AAdvantage miles earned this period," apparently posted in response to my query.
rove312 is offline  
Old Feb 21, 2017, 5:57 pm
  #1689  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AA, SWA, CO, UA, PC Plat, HH Gold, SPG
Posts: 799
Originally Posted by rove312
I took the offer (Aviator Red) for bonus miles for spending July-October. When nothing had posted by my December statement, I sent a secure message; the reply included "if the spend qualification was met, the bonus miles will be applied to your account within one to two billing cycles," and gave the AAdvantage number they had on record for me and asked me to say if it was wrong (surely I'd have been in touch earlier if none of my spending was posting to my account). I went into my Barclays card account, and 5000 miles were showing under "AAdvantage miles earned this period," apparently posted in response to my query.
I had hoped that would happen in our cases - but after they agreed the requirements had been met, and that the time to post was way past - they didn't act on that call and now after 2 emails that agreed we should already have the miles (each account) - nothing. I'm sure they'll show up - someday :-)
bj2757 is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 8:26 am
  #1690  
Formerly known as FTRox87
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
Picked up another Barclays Lufty M&M card in Dec. usually Barclays is p good abt waiving AF. Called em a cpl days ago to see if they would do so on this new card as well (I believe any CC/bank that doesnt offer 1st yr AF waived is whack) -- anyways, retention offered me 2 choices. 1) keep the card as it is & she would refund 50% of the AF. 2) 'downgrade' to World instead of World Elite which is $0 so full AF refund. But earning is cut in half. I was ok w (2) since I don't MS M&M anyways.

She also offered 5k bonus miles after $1k spend in next 3mo (on either offer.) Standard bonus miles offer on Barclays cards. So took it instead of outright cancelling and churning again in 6-12mo etc.
FTR 787 is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 10:27 am
  #1691  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 45
Had downgraded to and sockdrawered my reg. Arrival a while ago, and then earlier this year I closed it while trying to consolidate/secure my accounts.

I realized that that was the only Chip+Pin card I had, now I don't have any.

My wife has the Barclaycard Rewards card (that's what she downgraded her Arrival+ to)... any chance that's Chip+Pin?
greasypig is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 10:49 am
  #1692  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,501
Originally Posted by greasypig
Had downgraded to and sockdrawered my reg. Arrival a while ago, and then earlier this year I closed it while trying to consolidate/secure my accounts.

I realized that that was the only Chip+Pin card I had, now I don't have any.

My wife has the Barclaycard Rewards card (that's what she downgraded her Arrival+ to)... any chance that's Chip+Pin?
All of Barclay's cards have PIN capability as far as I know. Of course, you'll still be asked for a signature the vast majority of the time.
tmiw is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 11:06 am
  #1693  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 45
Originally Posted by tmiw
All of Barclay's cards have PIN capability as far as I know. Of course, you'll still be asked for a signature the vast majority of the time.
Well, for practical purposes I would need it most in Europe at kiosks, etc. If the Rewards card works, that's fine for me.
greasypig is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2017, 2:14 pm
  #1694  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,895
Arrival+
Open 2 years, spent $7,600 last year, almost all international charges. No offers. (The representative explained that I can redeem points for $25 travel credits which isn't even true. The $100 blocks are something annoying about the card.)

Last edited by rrgg; Feb 23, 2017 at 2:22 pm
rrgg is offline  
Old Feb 24, 2017, 9:38 pm
  #1695  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CGK & PBI
Programs: Cruise addict and AirBNB Plat :)
Posts: 3,312
Called two months ago ref my Barclays Aviator AF, was transferred to Retention after I said I'd like to close the card. However, Retention said no offer in system to have AF waived. I told her to go ahead and close it and she proceed to read the disclosure statement, etc. In the end, I asked how long do I have to cancel and she said 60 days after the AF posted. I told her to hold off and will call later. She said good idea because by then, there may be an offer to waive AF in system.

Called last month to waive my SO's Aviator card. Was transferred to Retention and right away said there's an offer to waive the AF as well as the 5K bonus for $1K spent in 90 days offer.

Called this week again about my Aviator. Told CSR to cancel and right away she asked if it's because of the AF and I said yes. Then she started to read me the closing statement. I asked her how about the option to talk to the retention department and she said the system did not direct her to transfer the call to retention. I was a bit upset but was still friendly and chatty to her as she continues reading the statement. In the end, I asked her if there's anything that can be done instead and she said she'll try more thing and put me on hold. A good five minutes later, she returned with someone from Retention. Retention said she did see an option to waive the AF as well as 5K/$1K/90days offer. I accepted of course.

Spent about $1,000 last year for both of our cards. I do put a small charge of about $5 bucks every 2-3 months because I heard Barclays is notorious for closing inactive accounts.
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