Originally Posted by
Dr Jabadski
Seems that retention offers have become more routine and more automated. Can these offers be discussed with a general (first human who answers) customer service representative or only with a retention (dept) specialist? If the latter, can one successfully initially ask for the retention dept or is it prudent to state a (hollow) desire to close the account and hope for transfer to the retention dept?
Are offers available at any time during an individual’s cardmember year or only at the time of AF posting? Regardless of interval between offer and AF payment, are these offers credited only after the AF is paid?
Are offers not negotiable beyond the 2 or 3 options AmEx might offer? (For example asking about 40,000 points when AmEx offers 30,000 points which has not been mentioned on this thread.)
Lots of posts stating “xxx offer to keep card open for another year”, what happens if one accepts and receives such an offer and then tries to close the account a month or 2 later? Clawback? Shutdown? Permanent pop-up hell?
Thank you.
1. (a) Usually only with a retention specialist. (b) Just call the retention number directly, the number is in the wiki.
2. (a) Can be available at any time of the year, though most people seem to call when the annual fee comes due. (b) No, mine have always been credited within a couple of days, regardless of whether the annual fee has been paid. I received a retention offer last year six months prior to my annual fee renewal and the points posted overnight.
3. One cannot negotiate an offer beyond what is available on your account. In some instances, you may have a choice of offers. Also, I've successfully received MR points in lieu of an equivalent dollar amount statement credit (by asking).
4. Clawback, definitely, and probable pop-ups for a very long time.