Closing Amex Plat, tight timing, 11th hour credits for Global Entry/TSA Precheck?
I'm about to close my Amex Platinum personal card - I am not getting much out of the benefits and I can no longer justify that high annual fee. As luck would have it, my membership in Global Entry/TSA Precheck recently expired, so I'm trying to get that renewed (and then get credited for the $100 fee) just as I'm heading for the Amex exit. The timing is beyond "tight" (yes, I should have done this weeks ago to avoid sweating it, but I didn't).
My statement is due today. That's the statement on which my annual fee appears. I already called them and fished for a retention bonus, was flatly denied (and the retention specialist even volunteered that there was no way I'd be getting one even if I called back and tried again later)
Yesterday, I went online to the US Global Entry website and put in my application for renewal. They did charge my card (using my soon-to-be-dead Amex Platinum). Today, I see that charge as pending. I think that the change should go through by EOD today, or Monday (next business day) at the latest.
I'm planning to call in this evening to try one more time for a retention, though I assume I won't get one. I'll then ask to close my account (to beat the annual fee). My next/last statement should close in another couple business days. There are a few minor charges on this statement, so I'm going to get at least one more anyway (maybe two).
Giving the timing of things, I expect that the $100 charge from TSA will appear on my next statement (which closes Monday), but the Amex credit for that may take some additional time. What happens then? The card was open when the charge hit, but will probably be closed when the credit comes. Does Amex then just cancel the credit? If not, what happens to the credit - does my (soon to be) closed account receive the credit, or does it effectively bounce off (and then vanish?)? Does it result in a closed account with a positive balance? I do have another Amex card, so if they need a place to apply the credit, that would be an acceptable option (or I'd gladly take a check).
Worst case, I'm out a hundred bucks. I'll live. (But I'd rather skate with the $100 credit, of course.)
I'm sure I'm not the first person who has tried to slip this in at the 11th hour. Thanks for any insights as to what's likely to happen.