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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 9, 2012, 3:54 pm
  #106  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Originally Posted by booyaa
If you did not downgrade, then I don't think you answered the question...
Yes, that is why I said: "I did not downgrade."

My original intention was the same as the OP from my reading of their post (switch to the Gold card, and get any available sign on bonus), and I initially thought about whether I could achieve this through downgrading too.

However, I found this alternative approach which essentially achieved the intended result. I received the 25,000 bonus. When I cancel my plat card, I will have 'downgraded to gold'...

If the OP does not like my advice, they can simply ignore my suggestion.

As could have you....
LarkSFO is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 4:29 pm
  #107  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 724
I'll add my retention bonus done today. I used my personal Amex plat just to get the bonus...i spent about only $5000 on the card the whole year (but i did a lot of spending on my SPG card). They offered me $100 to keep the card. I said i thanked him but told him i still wanted to cancel, he then said "Wait, i have a second offer...how about 15,000 points". I said sure that will do it. Perhaps i should have waited to see what was behind door number 3? I figure 15,000 points plus next year's airline bonus will pretty much make the $450 a wash.
longleaf is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 5:47 pm
  #108  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Originally Posted by LarkSFO
Yes, that is why I said: "I did not downgrade."

My original intention was the same as the OP from my reading of their post (switch to the Gold card, and get any available sign on bonus), and I initially thought about whether I could achieve this through downgrading too.

However, I found this alternative approach which essentially achieved the intended result. I received the 25,000 bonus. When I cancel my plat card, I will have 'downgraded to gold'...

If the OP does not like my advice, they can simply ignore my suggestion.

As could have you....
Just wanted to clarify, since you answered
I just did this. The answer is yes.
right away. Since you further explained right after that you did not downgrade, you could have just left out the yes answer from the beginning to minimize conflict in response. No big deal, just trying to prevent others from going huh?

Last edited by booyaa; Feb 9, 2012 at 5:52 pm
booyaa is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 5:50 pm
  #109  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Originally Posted by longleaf
I'll add my retention bonus done today. I used my personal Amex plat just to get the bonus...i spent about only $5000 on the card the whole year (but i did a lot of spending on my SPG card). They offered me $100 to keep the card. I said i thanked him but told him i still wanted to cancel, he then said "Wait, i have a second offer...how about 15,000 points". I said sure that will do it. Perhaps i should have waited to see what was behind door number 3? I figure 15,000 points plus next year's airline bonus will pretty much make the $450 a wash.
Hmm according to a previous poster from the last page, he was offered $100 OR 15k points at the same time, so I'm not sure they see it as a better offer for you. It seems that they are either offering $400 or 50k points, $100 or 15k points, or $50 or 6k points.
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Old Feb 9, 2012, 6:23 pm
  #110  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Originally Posted by booyaa
Just wanted to clarify, since you answered right away. Since you further explained right after that you did not downgrade, you could have just left out the yes answer from the beginning to minimize conflict in response. No big deal, just trying to prevent others from going huh?
Fair enough.... I agree my original post wasn't perfectly clear.

By the way, although I mentioned Lucky in my post, any current Gold Member can refer somebody. The new member receives the 25,000 points, and the referring member receives the 10,000... Seems like a good deal to me.

Now, back on topic - If AMEX offers me a retention bonus when I call to cancel my plat card, I will post it here!

And, back off topic: What is the difference between Membership Rewards points if you are a Plat or a Gold cardholder? I understand there is some advantage to using your points in some cases as a Plat vs. a Gold. Is there an existing thread that reviews this difference? Thanks for any info.
LarkSFO is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 7:41 pm
  #111  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Originally Posted by LarkSFO
Fair enough.... I agree my original post wasn't perfectly clear.

By the way, although I mentioned Lucky in my post, any current Gold Member can refer somebody. The new member receives the 25,000 points, and the referring member receives the 10,000... Seems like a good deal to me.

Now, back on topic - If AMEX offers me a retention bonus when I call to cancel my plat card, I will post it here!

And, back off topic: What is the difference between Membership Rewards points if you are a Plat or a Gold cardholder? I understand there is some advantage to using your points in some cases as a Plat vs. a Gold. Is there an existing thread that reviews this difference? Thanks for any info.
Check out this post by The Points Guy. Plat cardholders are automatically enrolled in the Membership Rewards FIRST program.


On topic: Would like to see more data points on retention offers for the Premier Rewards Gold card?
booyaa is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 7:52 pm
  #112  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
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?
Amex is good with this.. If you apply for a new card, at least in Canada, they don't do a credit check, just going with your history with the Amex cards that you hold. Once you get approved, just cancel your higher end Amex.

You get all of the miles and bonus inclusions, as if you were a new customer..

In essence you're downgrading, but not in the traditional sense.
Ancien Maestro is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 8:04 pm
  #113  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: DL EZ TG AS
Posts: 131
Got bonus!!

After reading this thread, decided to give it a try...Just got off the phone with AMEX. Called MR and asked for the Retention Department. I was transferred to it and a very enthusiastic CSR^ answered the phone. After informing him that I have two AMEX cards, Gold and Skymiles, politely asked him if there's anything he can do to lessen the pain of the upcoming Membership fee.
After some song and dance, i.e. Mr Zeus we appreciate you been with us for so long and your responsible use of the cards but your MR points can more than pay for the fee. That's when I went in for the kill and said: Thanks for the compliments but I'm not looking for a monetary award. I'm looking for some points. He enthusiastically offered me 7500 points plus double points for every purchase for the next 90 days and point and a half after that for a year.
Accepted. Just a call got me 7500.

Thanks FTrs
Zeus

PS. Given the attitude of the CSR when AMEX contacts me for feedback I lay the cudos on thick.
Akazeus is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 8:36 pm
  #114  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Originally Posted by Akazeus
After reading this thread, decided to give it a try...Just got off the phone with AMEX. Called MR and asked for the Retention Department. I was transferred to it and a very enthusiastic CSR^ answered the phone. After informing him that I have two AMEX cards, Gold and Skymiles, politely asked him if there's anything he can do to lessen the pain of the upcoming Membership fee.
After some song and dance, i.e. Mr Zeus we appreciate you been with us for so long and your responsible use of the cards but your MR points can more than pay for the fee. That's when I went in for the kill and said: Thanks for the compliments but I'm not looking for a monetary award. I'm looking for some points. He enthusiastically offered me 7500 points plus double points for every purchase for the next 90 days and point and a half after that for a year.
Accepted. Just a call got me 7500.

Thanks FTrs
Zeus

PS. Given the attitude of the CSR when AMEX contacts me for feedback I lay the cudos on thick.
Nice.. was this the Amex Plat or the Gold?^
Ancien Maestro is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 8:39 pm
  #115  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: DL EZ TG AS
Posts: 131
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
Nice.. was this the Amex Plat or the Gold?^
Lowly gold with little over 11g's spent on 2011

Zeus
Akazeus is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 8:42 pm
  #116  
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Originally Posted by Akazeus
Lowly gold with little over 11g's spent on 2011

Zeus
That's awesome you've got double and 50% miles.. unheard of Canada.. in fact I don't think their systems could allow such an overide..
Ancien Maestro is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 8:52 pm
  #117  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: DL EZ TG AS
Posts: 131
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
That's awesome you've got double and 50% miles.. unheard of Canada.. in fact I don't think their systems could allow such an overide..
Not sure how their system works as this was my first contact with Retention Dept. The 7500 points should post within 2 weeks. Will start counting my chickens then!!!
Akazeus is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 9:59 pm
  #118  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Originally Posted by Akazeus
Not sure how their system works as this was my first contact with Retention Dept. The 7500 points should post within 2 weeks. Will start counting my chickens then!!!
Beautiful.. maybe the Retention Dept was promising something and not delivering.. this double and 50% more miles is a score.. but seems pretty customized.. definitely follow up the point count on MyPoints section of the Amercian Express website to be sure that they are posting the bonus points as they said they were.
Ancien Maestro is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2012, 11:00 pm
  #119  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: BCN-BUE-PSA-GRU
Programs: BA Gold - A3 Gold - FB Gold - IHG Plat - SPG Gold -Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,581
This is kind OT cause my AMEX PLAT is spanish. I called a few weeks ago to cancel because of 540 euro fee!!!! One day later they called me back and offered 54,000 MR points which I kindly accepted

Last edited by heramato; Feb 10, 2012 at 8:11 am
heramato is offline  
Old Feb 10, 2012, 6:19 am
  #120  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: DL EZ TG AS
Posts: 131
Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro
Beautiful.. maybe the Retention Dept was promising something and not delivering.. this double and 50% more miles is a score.. but seems pretty customized.. definitely follow up the point count on MyPoints section of the Amercian Express website to be sure that they are posting the bonus points as they said they were.
Ancien Maestro,
This is what I found today in my account:
02/09/2012 Earned MCS Chg Retention xxxx MR pts 7,500
That's not even 24 hrs since I called.
Now I'm happy
Akazeus is offline  


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