Does Amex negotiate annual fees?
Oct 15, 2008, 4:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: AA, AS, BA, DL Plat, Chase UR, Diners, UA, F9, WN, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Amex MR.
Posts: 436
Which makes sense. for low spenders, Amex makes their money on the annual fee, which is why they have not lowered it or gotten rid of it, even in the face of stiff CC competition. (Besides which, take the # of amex subscribers and muitiply with a weighted average annual fee for the various cards. That's a pretty big number)
Granted, it is very hard for a company like AMEX to measure & model the business value of influencers like my friend. Marketing technology hasn't evolved that far yet.
Oct 15, 2008, 8:21 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: UA GS, *G, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond, Platinum on Blockbuster, GameStop, several library cards
Posts: 703
By that measure they might end up comping everybody, since evrybody can be influencers. Sure, even assuming that you will spend $30M with Amex (something that statistcally is extremely unlikely), chances of Amex knowing that are virtually nil. Based on available information, they did the right thing.
Oct 15, 2008, 10:18 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: St. Lucie West,FL/Las Vegas,NV
Posts: 277
I have seen them waive the $7,500 for first year U.S Centurion. I do not know if "they" had to keep paying the $2,500 yearly. I have not asked so I do not know if they would ever waive the $395 fee I pay for my card. It seems it would be on a case by case basis. 
Oct 16, 2008, 1:35 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Amex should consider waiving fees (under $500 say) for long-standing members--40 or 50 years (continuous) membership might be the criterion.
Oct 16, 2008, 2:26 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
Which makes sense. for low spenders, Amex makes their money on the annual fee, which is why they have not lowered it or gotten rid of it, even in the face of stiff CC competition. (Besides which, take the # of amex subscribers and muitiply with a weighted average annual fee for the various cards. That's a pretty big number)
I stopped spending completely on each card in anticipation of the annual fee hitting.)
Oct 16, 2008, 7:28 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: UA GS, *G, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond, Platinum on Blockbuster, GameStop, several library cards
Posts: 703
If that's so, why then my case that I documented in post #11 above (with Amex not charging me annual fees the second year, and in one case reinstating a card I cancelled to avoid the annual fee and reinstating it without charging an annual fee). Are they just waiting for me to use the card again and then hit me with the fee? (There is no lower spend than no spend, is there? I stopped spending completely on each card in anticipation of the annual fee hitting.)
I stopped spending completely on each card in anticipation of the annual fee hitting.)What is clear is that Amex is willing to contmeplate comping some or all of the fees, and that this is dependent on spend level. (I'm sure they'll take other things into account too, and waive the fee for Jerry Seinfeld even if he ddin't spend that much - which I'm sure he does.)
Nov 18, 2008, 5:16 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 35
Not sure why, but AE just credited my Corporate Green card $50 for Membership reward annual fee. I just joined MR in July and had a fee for $75. Not complaining, but can't figure out why.
Nov 23, 2008, 8:02 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
in my opinion, even tho it may be a rule that they dont comp fees, EVERY rule has exceptions. perhaps they arent clearly stated exceptions but im sure amex like any other company bends its own rules for select people.
Dec 3, 2008, 1:53 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 93
Like others have said, If you threaten to cancel they may waive the fees, or give you bonus points.