Does Amex negotiate annual fees?
Dec 12, 2008, 4:03 pm
#31
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Cambridge, Mass. USA
Programs: Former business traveler now working from home
Posts: 217
Must be spending a lot more than me! As one data point, I put about $46K on a Rewards Plus Gold Card this past year, almost 90% of which was plane tickets and hotel stays.
Called today to see if they would comp next year's $200 fee. The phone rep, who was quite friendly, told me that the most she could offer was a $55 credit or 5500 MR points.
I intended to ditch the "charge card" entirely since I have a Blue card to keep the account alive, but according to the rep the Blue card would not offer me the option cash in my MR points for frequent flyer miles.
So I downgraded to a green Amex card at $95 a year.
But is there a lower-fee option to keep my MR points with the option to cash them in for miles?
Called today to see if they would comp next year's $200 fee. The phone rep, who was quite friendly, told me that the most she could offer was a $55 credit or 5500 MR points.
I intended to ditch the "charge card" entirely since I have a Blue card to keep the account alive, but according to the rep the Blue card would not offer me the option cash in my MR points for frequent flyer miles.
So I downgraded to a green Amex card at $95 a year.
But is there a lower-fee option to keep my MR points with the option to cash them in for miles?
Dec 12, 2008, 4:45 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
Feb 12, 2010, 10:35 pm
#33
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sunny Florida
Programs: Hyatt Courtesy Card, CO Gold, Hertz President's Circle, Amex Centurion and its perks...
Posts: 369
Platinum Card Annual Fee
Mine recently billed and I was debating whether to continue with the card. Do you have any recent experience requesting a fee waiver/reduction? Any suggested methods to approach this?
Feb 13, 2010, 2:14 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,197
Again, I didn't ask, but she didn't offer, so I don't know how accomodating they are about this.
Feb 13, 2010, 4:11 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: Hertz PC, Avis PC, Global Entry
Posts: 346
I called in mid-January 2009 to downgrade to the Gold Rewards Plus card after my annual fee billed at the end of December 2008, and while I didn't ask, at no point did they offer to comp or reduce my fee. The CSR happily processed my downgrade (I don't even recall an attempt to make me reconsider), and refunded me $412.50 and charged me $137.50 (prorated amounts for the membership fees).
Again, I didn't ask, but she didn't offer, so I don't know how accomodating they are about this.
Again, I didn't ask, but she didn't offer, so I don't know how accomodating they are about this.
Feb 13, 2010, 4:58 am
#36
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Your profile shows that you are a Centurion cardholder, do you have both Centurion and Platinum?
You may also wish to review this 2008 thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...nual-fees.html
You may also wish to review this 2008 thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...nual-fees.html
Feb 13, 2010, 9:59 am
#37
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MAD
Programs: DL, UA, AA, BA, Marriott
Posts: 599
I asked if it was possible to get any sort of discount on the annual fee as I'd been a loyal customer/member for a long while blah blah blah
Answer was a quick, simple, without 2 seconds of though "No we currently don't offer blah blah blah."
Good luck.
Answer was a quick, simple, without 2 seconds of though "No we currently don't offer blah blah blah."
Good luck.
Feb 17, 2010, 12:42 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 31
I called to cancel a few weeks back, as I found that I was not really using the platinum benefits.
I was placed on hold, then sent to a dedicated platinum card agent, who offered me a credit of $300 if I would retain my card through the end of the plan year. I had not asked for any credit or discount whatsover, I just called to downgrade to the gold card.
The agent advised me that it was the maximum Amex would offer me.
I took it, and will decide upon renewal whether to downgrade. The credit showed up on my account within 24 hours.
I was placed on hold, then sent to a dedicated platinum card agent, who offered me a credit of $300 if I would retain my card through the end of the plan year. I had not asked for any credit or discount whatsover, I just called to downgrade to the gold card.
The agent advised me that it was the maximum Amex would offer me.
I took it, and will decide upon renewal whether to downgrade. The credit showed up on my account within 24 hours.
Feb 17, 2010, 2:22 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA MileagePlus cattle, DL SkyPesos peon, HHonors Blue
Posts: 431
Another possibility could be to see if they will waive for Costco members. I know that the only card they officially comp the fee on is the dual-branded "Costco AMEX TrueEarnings" but there may some room there.
Feb 17, 2010, 2:39 pm
#41
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 61
Noticed my Platinum annual fee hit my statement. Called with no intention of asking for a fee reduction. Specifically asked to downgrade my card to a Premier Rewards Gold for $175 + 1 free card for my spouse whom I am already paying for her existing Gold card.
With the reward points enhanced for the Premier card, I should be good for now. Thanks all for your contributions to this thread.
Regards
With the reward points enhanced for the Premier card, I should be good for now. Thanks all for your contributions to this thread.
Regards
Feb 18, 2010, 2:38 am
#42
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
And, last time I called about the SPG personal fee they offered nothing, year before, offer was 400 Starpoints.
Feb 18, 2010, 7:26 am
#43
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 558
I called in mid-January 2009 to downgrade to the Gold Rewards Plus card after my annual fee billed at the end of December 2008, and while I didn't ask, at no point did they offer to comp or reduce my fee. The CSR happily processed my downgrade (I don't even recall an attempt to make me reconsider), and refunded me $412.50 and charged me $137.50 (prorated amounts for the membership fees).
Again, I didn't ask, but she didn't offer, so I don't know how accomodating they are about this.
Again, I didn't ask, but she didn't offer, so I don't know how accomodating they are about this.
At least I got the 50K upgrade bonus when I went platinum last year
Feb 27, 2010, 5:58 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Posts: 372
call and ask nicely for Double MR pts for 3 Months - UK members
called Amex few days ago, asked nicely is my plat qualified for reduced anual fee, i am very happy with the card, not intended to cancel the card, etc, was told the anual fee is not negotiable, but was offered double points for 3 months, so now i am earning 2.5 pts/£ with the points accelerator for the next 3 months,even better than a fee waiver in my case, if ur annual fee is due soon, give amex a call, and ask nicely, 3 months double pts i worth a few mins phone call! ^
ps. was not expecting anything before calling.
ps. was not expecting anything before calling.