Jan 3, 2014, 1:50 pm
Last edit by: pedxing
What it is
Retention offers, generally speaking, are offers made by a card issuer when they believe you might close your card account.
The Process
In order to start the process, call the number on the back of the card and explain that you wish to cancel your card (because _________. If you provide a specific reason, AF, want to concentrate on cards with more miles, etc. they can focus on offers that meet your goals in calling).
Being vague and saying things like "I'm not sure I want this card," or "are there any offers for me to keep this card?" don't meet their threshold to make an offer until you use the "c" word in a declarative fashion. Just because you say you want to cancel does not mean that you have to.
You will generally be sent to a Retention Specialist who has a list of offers (or none) for each card based on your history with Citi, use of the card, etc. Offers may include statement credits, points, or a combination of both and are frequently linked to required spending or purchases on the card.
You can contact Citibank's Retention Department directly at 800-444-2568 and avoid the front line customer service reps. Directly calling retention appears to no longer work. Please report if you are able to get through.
Tips
Be aware that Retention Specialist are compensated based on the number/percent of card holders they can retain and to some extent based on the offers they use. These are people with jobs who can be helpful but have little discretion in what is available although some discretion in which offers they tell you about.
Unless the Retention Specialist is being a complete &#*@%, you should probably accept an offer and then close via SM so that you don't ding the rep for something over which they have little control. You can ask the same rep about multiple cards of different varieties, even AA and HHonors, although personal and business cards are handled by different groups.
Some reps will tell you all available offers, others with offer you the one that seems to best fit what you requested, others will offer the least lucrative first and then wait. So, vven if you like a specific offer, it is probably worth saying, "I like that but are there any other offers?" to see if there is something better or something that can be added. They will not waive the AF but will often give you a statement credit that covers or partially covers the fee.
For additional tips on interacting with retention representatives, see this blog post by someone who claims to have worked for Citi's retention department.
For older reports see Citi retention offer reports [2009-2013].
Current Offers (Update with your offer under the respective card with date of offer [mm/dd/yyyy], how long you had the card, and yearly spend)
ThankYou Prestige
Four offers reported in March 2015:
ThankYou Premier
Called Sep 7 complaining about benefit cut
Card #1 (15 years, $2K spent) - no offers, she saw offer taken in February
Card #2 (2 years, $0 spent) 5000 TYPs for $1K spend in 3 month
or $125 for $4.5 spend in 3 month
11/20/13: $125 credit for annual fee. Extra 500 points each month I spend $500 for 16 months. 2 year old card. Spend $5000 per year.
1/4/14: $125 credit for annual fee. Extra 500 points each month I spend $500 for 16 months. 3 year old card, spend ~40k per year. I explicitly asked for $125 for annual fee and they gave me this offer.
May 2014: $125 credit if spend $4.5k/3mo or $75 credit if spend $1k/3mo. CSR hinted that addtl points offer might be avail, but I was disinclined to accept. Closed the account; was also unsuccessful in getting a CL transfer to another account.
7/22/14: $125 credit for annual fee. Extra 1k points each month I spend $1000+ for the next 3 months. Spend for past 12 months has been around $10k. 1 year old card.
8/27/14: $125 credit for annual fee if $1k/mo spend for 3 months. Extra 1k points each month of $1000+ spend for the next 3 months. Little/no spend for past 12 months other than the ~$4k I had to spend 11 months ago to get AF refunded last year. 2 year old card.
3/31/15: No offer, card held since 2008.
4/24/15 Offered $95 credit if $1000 purchases for next 3 months or $50 credit for 5 purchases of $10 or more over 3 months.
7/30/15 Offered either (a) $95 credit if $3k purchases over 3 months; (b) $95 credit PLUS 1000 TY pts if $1000 purchases each month for next 3 months; or (c) $50 credit for 5 purchases of $10 or more over 3 months.
10/10/15 A/c opened June 2015. Offered 5k points for $1k in purchases.
11/17/15 Minimal spend was offered $95 credit for 1k spend
per month for 3 months plus a 1k TYP's bonus for the 3 months or $50 credit for 5 purchases of $10 or > in 3 months.
9/16 Got a statement credit for the $95 annual fee plus 5000 points if I spend another $2000, plus 500 points for $500 spend per month for the next 16 months.
ThankYou Preferred
March 10, 2015: 5K TYP for threatening to close. No spend required. Posted next day. No product change offers were available (i.e. Double Cash card)
5/28/15: 4x bonus points at supermarkets, drugstores, gas, commuter expenses, and parking for 3 months up to 35K bonus points or
2x bonus points on all purchases for 6 months up to 35K bonus points
AA Platinum
8/22/13: $95 credit + 500 miles each month with $500+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 12/2012, min spend)
9/16/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 6 months (Opened 2 Years, no spend in last 11 months)
9/16/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened 2 Years, ~$2000 spend in last year)
10/15/13: $95 statement credit and 1000 miles bonus for 1K spending for the next 16 months - (Open 2/13, 25K spend so far)
10/17/13: $95 statement credit and 500 miles bonus for $500 spend for the next 16 months - (Open 9/12, no usage after meeting bonus spend except for recent purchase for the 2K bonus from AA mall)
10/20/13: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months - (Open 2/13, $3,000 spend so far)
10/23/13 $95 statement credit and 750 miles bonus for $750 spend for next 15 cycles. (Open 3/2013, $3,000 spend so far)
11/23/13 $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 11/'12 and $55K spend)
12/10/13 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 11/12 and only $5K CVS + $100 AA spend for bonus)
2/19/14: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 1/13, min spend only)
4/2014 $95 credit + 1k miles for $1k spend for 16 cycles (was also offered 3k miles for $500 spend within 3mo when asking for other options). I spend around ~12k in past year, card open a little under 2 yrs.
5/2014 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus/month for $1,000 spend/month for the next 16 months (opened 4/11, ~$1k in AA purchases, a few more thousand in specific targeted bonus categories over the last year)
5/2014: $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus/month for $1,000 spend/month for the next 16 months (Open 3 years, <$5k spend)
06/01/2014: $95 credit AND for 1000 bonus miles/month for $1000 spend for next 16 months.
06/01/2014: $45 credit + $50 credit for $1000/per month spend for three months OR Spend $500 / month for 3 months and receive 3000 bonus AA miles.
06/16/2014: $95 credit AND for 1000 bonus miles/month for $1000 spend for next 16 months. AF on current statement.
06/16/2014: 3000 bonus miles for $500 spend in next 3 months. AF due in August.
06/24/2014: $95 credit AND for 1000 bonus miles/month for $1000 spend for next 16 months. AF due this month but hasn't hit yet. Annual spend $5000.
06/25/2014: $95 credit AND 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles. 30k in MS last year. Called 800 444 2568
7/15/14 $95 credit after 5 purchases in 3 months. <5k spend annually
7/24/14 $95 credit and 1000 bonus if 1000 spent per month, x 16 months. 4k spend. AF hit yesterday
7/29/14: No retention offer
7/30: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months
7/31: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months
8/3: $50 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus (total) for $1000 spend in the next 3 months
8/4: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months ($4k spending in last 12 months)
8/4: $45 statement credit upfront + $50 statement credit for 1k spending/month for 3 months (no bonus miles) --OR-- 3k miles with 500 spend in the next 3 months (no statement credit at all) ($4k spending in last 12 months)
8/5/14: $95 credit and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles. 8k in MS last year. Called 800 444 2568. Easy.
8/6/14: $95 credit and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles. $1.53cents in spend last year.
8/16/14: $95 stmt credit and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles (accepted offer) - my card
8/16/14: no stmt credit, 3000 bonus miles for $500 spend in 3 months (did not accept offer, will try again in a month) - husband's card
8/28/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any month in next 16 when I spend $1K+. Open 1y, sporadic spend after minimum
9/1/14: $50 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus (total) for $1000 spend in the next 3 months (opened Aug '13. min spend + ~$200 since)
9/8/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any month in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 1 year. Very little spend after minimum. Accepted.
9/8/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any month in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 13 months. Very little spend after minimum. Accepted. Agent noted that the 16 billing cycles began after 2 business days, not at the beginning of the next cycle.
9/10/14: $95 statement credit, exactly same as 9/8/14 poster for bonus miles
10/4/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any statement cycle in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 2 years. Very little spend in the past year. Accepted.
10/7/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any statement cycle in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 1 year. Very little spend in the past year. Accepted.
10/13/14 3k miles for $500 spending in the next 90 days. Asked 31st day after AF posted.
10/22/14: $50 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus (total) for $1000 spend in the next 3 months, offered. HU, will CA and see if I get a better offer.
11/1/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any statement cycle in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open since 2010. Spend >$30K per year.
11/5/14: No retention offered. AF for 3rd year just hit. $33K spend. Converted to Citi Double Cash. Last year accepted the $95 rebate and $1K spend/16 months.
11/23/14: Card 1: no offer, cancelled. Card 2: $95 after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Minimal spend. Last year for $95 statement credit no strings + the 1K x 16 cycles offer.
12/10/14: Offer was $50 statement credit, 1000 extra miles for $1000 spend for just 3 months. I declined. CSR did note (correctly) that I had other Citi cards.
12/26/14: $95 stmt credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles.
1/23/15: $95 statement credit if make 5 purchases (must be over $20 for each purchases) within 30 days (I think) OR $95 after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Minimum spend.
2/9/15: $95 after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. AF posted 4 months ago and never got around to calling. Still got the offer.
3/2/15: $95 statement credit for $95 spend in two billing cycles + 16-month addt'l 1,000 miles per $1,000 spend monthly bonus.
3/12/15: $95 statement credit for $95 spend in two billing cycles + 16-month addt'l 1,000 miles per $1,000 spend monthly bonus.
4/6/15: $95 statement credit for 5 times $20+ spend in three months AND 1,000 bonus miles for $1,000 spend for each month through Oct 2015(?). AF due in May, cardholder since 2011, spent a few hundred dollars last year for 2 AC passes.
4/6/15: $95 statement credit for 5 times $20+ spend in three months. AF due in August, cardholder since 2013, spent $1500 last year for 5K bonus miles.
4/10/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Account opened in March 2014; spent about $6k since opening.
05/28/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
6/1/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles but nothing else for spending bonus (even after asking)
6/10/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
7/5/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. This acct had a 16 cycle retention offer already on it. The new offer does not stack on the old offer.
7/19/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
8/05/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 1 billing cycle
8/10/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
9/5/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles - Agent mentioned that the offer does stack with my previous offer!! Yay.
9/5/15: DH's offer - 5 spends of $20 or more over 3 months - $95 Stmt Credit or $500 spend over 3 months - 3000 miles. Took $95 Stmt credit. Tried to get him the same offer as me. He never gets a good offer. His original card was targeted MC with 60k miles, mine was standard Visa app with 50k miles.
9/6/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 1 billing cycle. Took the offer. Did not bother ask if additional offer exist on my account.
9/8/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles (1k/month from previous bonus offer, member for 2 years now. Don't want to close or 18 month clock resets.)
9/8/15: Same exact offer as above person. Also have had card for 2 years.
9/10/15: Any one of the following three: $95 statement credit after spending $95; 7,500 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within three billing cycles; Two AAdmiral's Club passes after spending some small ammount (forgot the exact terms)
9/13/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. This appears to be the standard offer. Took it.
9/14/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
9/15/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 in 1 month. 1k extra miles for $1k spending/month for the next 16 months.
9/18/15: Any one of the following three: $95 statement credit after spending $95; 7,500 bonus miles after spending $1,000 within three billing cycles; Two AAdmiral's Club passes after spending some small ammount (forgot the exact terms). ~24k spend. First anniversary.
9/21/15: No offer at all. Refused to connect to retention dept even after verbal request. Closed it.
9/26/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
10/8/15: Called, offered 3K points after $500 in spending. AF is not due until November was told this offer was to keep from closing the card today. Will call back when the AF posts.
10/13/15: same offer as 9/26/15 above (almost no spend this year on this card, but lots on other Citi cards, 3rd or 4th year in a row getting at least the $95 statement credit)
10/20/15: terrible offer of $95 credit for spending 1k within 3mo, going to wait til AF posts to see if there are better offers, otherwise cancel
11/10/15: no offer, cancelled card. Minimal spend, and had the AF waived ~3 times in the past.
11/15/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Took it.
11/16/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. (First rep almost immediately knew why I was calling and was happy to transfer to the specialist.)
12/2/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles.
12/2/15: no offer at all after a couple calls (received the normal $95 credit after x spend last year, but nothing this year - just an offer to downgrade or convert to another card with no annual fee)
12/15/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles OR 7,500 bonus miles with $1k in spend. Said 1k bonus for $1k spend over 16 months was not an active offer. Took $95 statement credit.
12/23/15:+ $95 stmt credit with $95 within the next 2 billing cycles and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles (accepted offer)
1/8/16: $95 statement credit after spending $1000 within 3 months.
2/6/16: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Took it.
AA Gold
8/22/13: $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 2/2013, min spend)
06/16/2014: $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 4/2013, AF paid last month)
1/12/15: $95 credit after spending $3,000 within the next 3 business cycles. Formerly spent ~$30K/yr on the card x10 yrs but after spending shifts have only spent approx $5-10K in last 2 yrs
3/2/15: $85 statement credit for $85 spend in two billing cycles + 16-month addt'l 1,000 miles per $1,000 spend monthly bonus.
3/17/15: $95 statement credit for $95 spend (accepted)
8/3/15: $50 statement credit for 5 $10+ purchases in the next 3 months
8/10/15: 3000 miles for spending $500 over next 3 mos (accepted, but I get the fee waived on this already for grandfathered card)
9/5/15 Tried twice, no offer, no transfer to retention ($0 spend, AF waived last year). Converted to Bronze card.
10/01/2015 Tried twice, and Twitter. No AF waver, saying the Gold Card had extra benefits. No offers. Suggested I convert to another card.
1/14/2016 No offer. Had accepted a 3000 mile for $500 spend offer several months ago. Instead, converted to no ann fee Double Cash card to retain age of account.
AA Amex
2/19/14: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 1/13, min spend only). Accepted.
12/10/13: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 11/2012, approx. $1,000 per month spent over 12 months)
11/21/13: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 11/2012, only minimum spend)
8/22/13: $95 credit + 1k miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 8/2012, only minimum spend)
8/22/13: $95 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 12/2012, min spend)
9/16/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened 2 Years, ~$800 spend in last year)
10/12/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened <2 Year, $1200 / mo spend in last year). Can double dip with previous retention offer of 1000 bonus AA miles with $1000 monthly spend for 16 months
12/17/13: $95 credit + 1k miles each month with $1k+ in purchases for 16 months (opened 11/12, ~$8k spend on opening, minimal recent usage)
1/12/14: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened for 5+ years, $5,000 total spend in last year).
1/10/14: $95 credit after $3000 spend in the next 3 months (Opened 2008, $500 total spend in last year)
1/27/14: $95 credit + 1k miles each month with $1k+ in purchases for 16 months
7/15/14 $95 credit after 5 purchases in 3 months. <4K spend annually
7/23/14: $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months opened 3+ years ago <4k annual spend
8/17/14: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Open for 2 years, $2,500 total spend in last year).
9/16/14: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Same as above, 2 years with minimal spend, 750 miles for $750 in purchases still active from previous retention offer). Alternate mileage offer was 3000 miles with $500 in spend.
10/22/14: $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Opened two years ago, < $1000 spend per year (mostly Costco). Accepted.
11/22/14: $95 after $3000 in purchases in next 3 months. Also 750 extra miles each month spending $750 for the next 16 months. Minimal spending last year. Previously took $95 no-strings last year.
1/5/15: $95 credit after $3000 spend in the next 3 months, no bonus offered for additional spend. Accepted $95 credit and 1000/$1k bonus last year, minimal spending beyond amount needed to earn bonus.
2/28/15: $95 credit after 5x $20 purchases within 3 months. This is my 2nd anniversary.
3/20/15: No offer. Have been a card member since 2011. Every year have been offered a $95 statement credit. Converted to a no-fee AA Bronze. No spend on the card whatsoever.
3/28/15: $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Opened three years ago, very little spend each year. Have received a statement credit each year. Accepted.
8/24/15: Same as 3/28. Less than $1k in spend last year, mostly Amex
8/28/15: Same as 8/24, minimal yearly spending
Offers and Serve.
12/4/2015: No offer, been card member since 2012 with every previous year offering a AF statement credit. Converted to a no-fee AA Bronze. No spend on the card.
AA Executive
10/6/13 $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 10/2011, $60k spend)
10/6/13 2500 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 3 months - (Opened 10/2011, $60k spend)
4/4/2014 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months. (card open for less than 2 months applied for the 100K Offer)
27/4/2014 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months. (card open for less than 2 months applied for the 100K Offer)
9/27/2014 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months - (Opened in 2011, >$40K annual spend)
1/25/2015 - Accepted 1k miles for $1k spend each month in Dec 2014. No new offer for retention. (Opened 2/14, ~$20k spend)
2/10/15 - 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months. AF due in 1 month.
2/10/15 - 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months, or 2 AC passes for 1k spend/month for the next 3 months. AF due in 2 months.
2/13/15- AF already hit. Same as above. Nothing resembling $450 value. Given hard sell to keep.
2/17/15 - 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months. AF due in 1 week.
2/18/15 - No AF waiver, offered 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months which I didn't accept
6-Mar-2015 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months - (Opened in 2014)
3/8/15 - Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months OR 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months.
3/8/15 - AF due in APR. Nothing offered. Was told AF is irreversible 37 days after it hits. Same this again this AM.
3/10/15 - AF due. Nothing offered, only a reminder that miles expire in 18 months if not used.
3/11/15 - Couple months before AF. 1k bonus for $1k/billing cycle for 16mo. Also some APR offers that I didn't even listen to.
3/11/15 - AF posted 3/6/15. Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months OR 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months. (Opened in 2014, approx. 2800 per month)
3/13/15 No retention offer whatsoever. Retention specialist had my card closed within 30 seconds. Just did min spend for points. I have applied and cancelled multiple cards, so perhaps they aren't interested in my business.
March 11, 2015: Converted card to Double Cash.
3/16/15 - Opened card 2/2014 and only met minimum spend. Was offered $450 statement credit for $5k/month for 3 months. Downgraded to Citi Dividend instead.
3/19/2015 - Opened card 2/2014 and only met min spend. Was offered 1000 miles bonus for $1000 spend; no statement credit offers available. Downgraded to Citi Double Cash.
4/10/2015 - Opened card 05/2014. Spent about $20k on card. Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months or 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months. Took the statement credit for now.
4/13/15 - Offered 1k bonus for 1k spend each month for 16 months. Only $10k spend last year.
4/24/15 - Opened a year ago. AF hit, offered for each of the next 7 billing cycles, get $50 if spending is over $1500
5/9/15 - Ramped up spending to $3.5k last cycle from a very low starting point. Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months or 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months. Took the statement credit but may cancel before af hits.
6/8/15 - $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Accepted.
6/10/15 - 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Accepted.
6/?/15 - Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1500 in spend for each of the next three months. Accepted. Later offered for each of the next 7 billing cycles, $50 for spend of $1500 per cycle. First offer requires meeting spend for all 3 months, while each statement period is independent in the second offer. Accepted. Offers are stacked.
6/15/15 - Spent total of just over $7k. Had the card two billing cycles. Offered $450 credit for 3 months of $5k spend. Took it.
6/18/15 - $50 credit for $1500 spend for next 7 months OR $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1500 in spend for next 3 months. Had card for 2 months with about $6k spend. Closed it.
7/1/15 - Had the card for 2 months and called in to cancel for AF refund. Got the same offer as the person on 6/18/15. Took it.
7/8/15 - Had the card for 2 months and called in to cancel for AF refund. Got the same offer as the person on 6/18/15. Took it.
7/25/15 - AF just hit. Never use the card and was offered 1000 bonus miles for 16 consecutive cycles for spends > $1000 / mo. Declined offer, retained card, and have 30+ days till af become permanent.
8/10/15 - 3 offers: 1) $250 statement credit with 5K/month spend for 3 months, OR 2) $100 credit with $1500/month for 3 months, OR 3) 15k bonus miles with 5K spend in next 3 months (no statement credit). Took #3.
8/14/15 - 1 offer: 1k miles for $1k spending per month for the next 16 months. Spent $10K last year. Downgraded to AA Bronze.
9/2/15 - 1 offer: 1k miles for $1k spending per month for the next 16 months. $40k annual spend. Closed the card.
10/31/15 - 2 offers: 1) $250 statement credit with 3K/month spend for 3 months, OR 2) $100 credit with $1500/month for 3 months. Took #1.
AA Business
1/3/2013: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles
1/27/2013: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles
06/01/2014: 1000 Miles no spend requirement OR 10,000 for $5000 spend in six months OR Spend $1000 in each of the next three months, get two Admirals Club passes.
06/16/2014: 10,000 miles for $5000 spend in six months. AF due in October.
07/07/2014: 10,000 miles for $5000 spend in 6 months. Annual fee posted last week.
09/02/2014: $5k in 6 m, 10k miles. AF in Jan. Note that rep only gave offer after he cancelled card and was directed to cancel master acct.
10/02/2014: Annual fee just hit. Fist offer spend 3000 for 3 months and get the fee credited back, then 1000 Miles no spend requirement OR 10,000 for $5000 spend in six months. Closed the account.
12/16/2014: Offered the same as above entry (from 10/02). Declined and closed account.
2/9/15 AF posted two weeks ago, 17k in spend, 1st year cardholder, offered 95 after 3k, or 75 back after 100 spend. Closed account.
4/3/15 5k in spend last year, 2 year cardholder, offered $75 after $100 spend in 1 month. Accepted.
9/18/2015: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles. ~30k spend. First anniversary.
10/2/15 - Spend $3k, get AF credited back. After saying no, second offer was spend $1k/mo get 1k bonus miles for 18mo. Cancelled card. Min spend only on card a year ago. AF posted last week.
11/5/15. 5th year cardholder. Have asked each year execept one. Was offered 3 choices. Spend $100/1month, get $75 stmt credit. $1K/mo get 1k bonus (which I currently have). Spend $5000 in 6mos, earn 10,000 miles. Took third option.
12/31/15. 5k in spend, 1st year cardholder5th year cardholder. Spend $50/1 month, get $50 stmt credit. Spend $5000 in 6mos, earn 10,000 miles. Cancelled card.
Hilton Reserve
9/16/13: 750 HHonors Points each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months
1/20/15: 5k bonus points after $1000+ spending in 3 months
1/30/15 Offered 5k HH pts for $1k spend in 3mo - passed. Then offered 750 HH pts/mo with $750 spend for the next 16mo. Kept pressing for annual fee waiver, they would not budge. Cancelled.
3/15/15: 5k points after $1K in 3m. Declined and closed
04/2015: 1k points after spending $1k for the next 16 months.
Hilton Signature - No fee
1/2/14: 5k HHonors Points for spending $1k in 3 months
6/10/14: 750 HHonors points each month w/$750+ in purchases, for 16 months OR 5k HHonors points for spending $1k in 3 months.
9/1/14: 750 HHonors points each month w/$750+ in purchases (opened Aug '13)
1/25/15: 750 HHonors w/$750 in purchases. Declined. No other offers given (opened 2/2012, no recent spending)
4/6/15: 5000 Bonus HHonors points for $2000 spend in 3 months -OR- 750 Bonus HHonors points in each of the next 16 billinbg cycles in which I spend $750+ -OR- 1000 Bonus HHonors points in each of the next 15 billinbg cycles in which I spend $1000+ -OR- 1000 Bonus HHonors points in each of the next three billing cycles in which there are 5 purchases of $5+. Card is 9 months old, min spend.
Retention offers, generally speaking, are offers made by a card issuer when they believe you might close your card account.
The Process
In order to start the process, call the number on the back of the card and explain that you wish to cancel your card (because _________. If you provide a specific reason, AF, want to concentrate on cards with more miles, etc. they can focus on offers that meet your goals in calling).
Being vague and saying things like "I'm not sure I want this card," or "are there any offers for me to keep this card?" don't meet their threshold to make an offer until you use the "c" word in a declarative fashion. Just because you say you want to cancel does not mean that you have to.
You will generally be sent to a Retention Specialist who has a list of offers (or none) for each card based on your history with Citi, use of the card, etc. Offers may include statement credits, points, or a combination of both and are frequently linked to required spending or purchases on the card.
Tips
Be aware that Retention Specialist are compensated based on the number/percent of card holders they can retain and to some extent based on the offers they use. These are people with jobs who can be helpful but have little discretion in what is available although some discretion in which offers they tell you about.
Unless the Retention Specialist is being a complete &#*@%, you should probably accept an offer and then close via SM so that you don't ding the rep for something over which they have little control. You can ask the same rep about multiple cards of different varieties, even AA and HHonors, although personal and business cards are handled by different groups.
Some reps will tell you all available offers, others with offer you the one that seems to best fit what you requested, others will offer the least lucrative first and then wait. So, vven if you like a specific offer, it is probably worth saying, "I like that but are there any other offers?" to see if there is something better or something that can be added. They will not waive the AF but will often give you a statement credit that covers or partially covers the fee.
For additional tips on interacting with retention representatives, see this blog post by someone who claims to have worked for Citi's retention department.
For older reports see Citi retention offer reports [2009-2013].
Current Offers (Update with your offer under the respective card with date of offer [mm/dd/yyyy], how long you had the card, and yearly spend)
ThankYou Prestige
Four offers reported in March 2015:
- $200 credit for spending $4000 per month for 3 months
- $175 credit for spending $4000 per month for 3 months
- 15,000 ThankYou points for spending $6000 over 6 months
- 4 additional ThankYou points for travel (hotel, air, car rental, travel agency) up to a max of 35,000 over the next 6 months
- 4 additional ThankYou points/$ for gas, grocery store, and drug store purchases up to a max of 50,000 over the next 6 months
- 10/23/15 $200 credit for spending $4000 per month for 3 months.
- 11/24/15 4 additional ThankYou points/$ for gas, grocery store, and drug store purchases up to a max of 50,000 over the next 6 months
ThankYou Premier
Called Sep 7 complaining about benefit cut
Card #1 (15 years, $2K spent) - no offers, she saw offer taken in February
Card #2 (2 years, $0 spent) 5000 TYPs for $1K spend in 3 month
or $125 for $4.5 spend in 3 month
11/20/13: $125 credit for annual fee. Extra 500 points each month I spend $500 for 16 months. 2 year old card. Spend $5000 per year.
1/4/14: $125 credit for annual fee. Extra 500 points each month I spend $500 for 16 months. 3 year old card, spend ~40k per year. I explicitly asked for $125 for annual fee and they gave me this offer.
May 2014: $125 credit if spend $4.5k/3mo or $75 credit if spend $1k/3mo. CSR hinted that addtl points offer might be avail, but I was disinclined to accept. Closed the account; was also unsuccessful in getting a CL transfer to another account.
7/22/14: $125 credit for annual fee. Extra 1k points each month I spend $1000+ for the next 3 months. Spend for past 12 months has been around $10k. 1 year old card.
8/27/14: $125 credit for annual fee if $1k/mo spend for 3 months. Extra 1k points each month of $1000+ spend for the next 3 months. Little/no spend for past 12 months other than the ~$4k I had to spend 11 months ago to get AF refunded last year. 2 year old card.
3/31/15: No offer, card held since 2008.
4/24/15 Offered $95 credit if $1000 purchases for next 3 months or $50 credit for 5 purchases of $10 or more over 3 months.
7/30/15 Offered either (a) $95 credit if $3k purchases over 3 months; (b) $95 credit PLUS 1000 TY pts if $1000 purchases each month for next 3 months; or (c) $50 credit for 5 purchases of $10 or more over 3 months.
10/10/15 A/c opened June 2015. Offered 5k points for $1k in purchases.
11/17/15 Minimal spend was offered $95 credit for 1k spend
per month for 3 months plus a 1k TYP's bonus for the 3 months or $50 credit for 5 purchases of $10 or > in 3 months.
9/16 Got a statement credit for the $95 annual fee plus 5000 points if I spend another $2000, plus 500 points for $500 spend per month for the next 16 months.
ThankYou Preferred
March 10, 2015: 5K TYP for threatening to close. No spend required. Posted next day. No product change offers were available (i.e. Double Cash card)
5/28/15: 4x bonus points at supermarkets, drugstores, gas, commuter expenses, and parking for 3 months up to 35K bonus points or
2x bonus points on all purchases for 6 months up to 35K bonus points
AA Platinum
8/22/13: $95 credit + 500 miles each month with $500+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 12/2012, min spend)
9/16/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 6 months (Opened 2 Years, no spend in last 11 months)
9/16/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened 2 Years, ~$2000 spend in last year)
10/15/13: $95 statement credit and 1000 miles bonus for 1K spending for the next 16 months - (Open 2/13, 25K spend so far)
10/17/13: $95 statement credit and 500 miles bonus for $500 spend for the next 16 months - (Open 9/12, no usage after meeting bonus spend except for recent purchase for the 2K bonus from AA mall)
10/20/13: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months - (Open 2/13, $3,000 spend so far)
10/23/13 $95 statement credit and 750 miles bonus for $750 spend for next 15 cycles. (Open 3/2013, $3,000 spend so far)
11/23/13 $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 11/'12 and $55K spend)
12/10/13 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 11/12 and only $5K CVS + $100 AA spend for bonus)
2/19/14: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 1/13, min spend only)
4/2014 $95 credit + 1k miles for $1k spend for 16 cycles (was also offered 3k miles for $500 spend within 3mo when asking for other options). I spend around ~12k in past year, card open a little under 2 yrs.
5/2014 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus/month for $1,000 spend/month for the next 16 months (opened 4/11, ~$1k in AA purchases, a few more thousand in specific targeted bonus categories over the last year)
5/2014: $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus/month for $1,000 spend/month for the next 16 months (Open 3 years, <$5k spend)
06/01/2014: $95 credit AND for 1000 bonus miles/month for $1000 spend for next 16 months.
06/01/2014: $45 credit + $50 credit for $1000/per month spend for three months OR Spend $500 / month for 3 months and receive 3000 bonus AA miles.
06/16/2014: $95 credit AND for 1000 bonus miles/month for $1000 spend for next 16 months. AF on current statement.
06/16/2014: 3000 bonus miles for $500 spend in next 3 months. AF due in August.
06/24/2014: $95 credit AND for 1000 bonus miles/month for $1000 spend for next 16 months. AF due this month but hasn't hit yet. Annual spend $5000.
06/25/2014: $95 credit AND 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles. 30k in MS last year. Called 800 444 2568
7/15/14 $95 credit after 5 purchases in 3 months. <5k spend annually
7/24/14 $95 credit and 1000 bonus if 1000 spent per month, x 16 months. 4k spend. AF hit yesterday
7/29/14: No retention offer
7/30: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months
7/31: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months
8/3: $50 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus (total) for $1000 spend in the next 3 months
8/4: $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months ($4k spending in last 12 months)
8/4: $45 statement credit upfront + $50 statement credit for 1k spending/month for 3 months (no bonus miles) --OR-- 3k miles with 500 spend in the next 3 months (no statement credit at all) ($4k spending in last 12 months)
8/5/14: $95 credit and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles. 8k in MS last year. Called 800 444 2568. Easy.
8/6/14: $95 credit and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles. $1.53cents in spend last year.
8/16/14: $95 stmt credit and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles (accepted offer) - my card
8/16/14: no stmt credit, 3000 bonus miles for $500 spend in 3 months (did not accept offer, will try again in a month) - husband's card
8/28/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any month in next 16 when I spend $1K+. Open 1y, sporadic spend after minimum
9/1/14: $50 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus (total) for $1000 spend in the next 3 months (opened Aug '13. min spend + ~$200 since)
9/8/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any month in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 1 year. Very little spend after minimum. Accepted.
9/8/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any month in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 13 months. Very little spend after minimum. Accepted. Agent noted that the 16 billing cycles began after 2 business days, not at the beginning of the next cycle.
9/10/14: $95 statement credit, exactly same as 9/8/14 poster for bonus miles
10/4/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any statement cycle in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 2 years. Very little spend in the past year. Accepted.
10/7/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any statement cycle in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open 1 year. Very little spend in the past year. Accepted.
10/13/14 3k miles for $500 spending in the next 90 days. Asked 31st day after AF posted.
10/22/14: $50 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus (total) for $1000 spend in the next 3 months, offered. HU, will CA and see if I get a better offer.
11/1/14: $95 statement credit and 1k bonus any statement cycle in next 16 when I spend $1k+. Open since 2010. Spend >$30K per year.
11/5/14: No retention offered. AF for 3rd year just hit. $33K spend. Converted to Citi Double Cash. Last year accepted the $95 rebate and $1K spend/16 months.
11/23/14: Card 1: no offer, cancelled. Card 2: $95 after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Minimal spend. Last year for $95 statement credit no strings + the 1K x 16 cycles offer.
12/10/14: Offer was $50 statement credit, 1000 extra miles for $1000 spend for just 3 months. I declined. CSR did note (correctly) that I had other Citi cards.
12/26/14: $95 stmt credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles.
1/23/15: $95 statement credit if make 5 purchases (must be over $20 for each purchases) within 30 days (I think) OR $95 after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Minimum spend.
2/9/15: $95 after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. AF posted 4 months ago and never got around to calling. Still got the offer.
3/2/15: $95 statement credit for $95 spend in two billing cycles + 16-month addt'l 1,000 miles per $1,000 spend monthly bonus.
3/12/15: $95 statement credit for $95 spend in two billing cycles + 16-month addt'l 1,000 miles per $1,000 spend monthly bonus.
4/6/15: $95 statement credit for 5 times $20+ spend in three months AND 1,000 bonus miles for $1,000 spend for each month through Oct 2015(?). AF due in May, cardholder since 2011, spent a few hundred dollars last year for 2 AC passes.
4/6/15: $95 statement credit for 5 times $20+ spend in three months. AF due in August, cardholder since 2013, spent $1500 last year for 5K bonus miles.
4/10/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Account opened in March 2014; spent about $6k since opening.
05/28/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
6/1/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles but nothing else for spending bonus (even after asking)
6/10/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
7/5/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. This acct had a 16 cycle retention offer already on it. The new offer does not stack on the old offer.
7/19/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
8/05/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 1 billing cycle
8/10/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
9/5/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles - Agent mentioned that the offer does stack with my previous offer!! Yay.
9/5/15: DH's offer - 5 spends of $20 or more over 3 months - $95 Stmt Credit or $500 spend over 3 months - 3000 miles. Took $95 Stmt credit. Tried to get him the same offer as me. He never gets a good offer. His original card was targeted MC with 60k miles, mine was standard Visa app with 50k miles.
9/6/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 1 billing cycle. Took the offer. Did not bother ask if additional offer exist on my account.
9/8/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles (1k/month from previous bonus offer, member for 2 years now. Don't want to close or 18 month clock resets.)
9/8/15: Same exact offer as above person. Also have had card for 2 years.
9/10/15: Any one of the following three: $95 statement credit after spending $95; 7,500 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within three billing cycles; Two AAdmiral's Club passes after spending some small ammount (forgot the exact terms)
9/13/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. This appears to be the standard offer. Took it.
9/14/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
9/15/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 in 1 month. 1k extra miles for $1k spending/month for the next 16 months.
9/18/15: Any one of the following three: $95 statement credit after spending $95; 7,500 bonus miles after spending $1,000 within three billing cycles; Two AAdmiral's Club passes after spending some small ammount (forgot the exact terms). ~24k spend. First anniversary.
9/21/15: No offer at all. Refused to connect to retention dept even after verbal request. Closed it.
9/26/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles
10/8/15: Called, offered 3K points after $500 in spending. AF is not due until November was told this offer was to keep from closing the card today. Will call back when the AF posts.
10/13/15: same offer as 9/26/15 above (almost no spend this year on this card, but lots on other Citi cards, 3rd or 4th year in a row getting at least the $95 statement credit)
10/20/15: terrible offer of $95 credit for spending 1k within 3mo, going to wait til AF posts to see if there are better offers, otherwise cancel
11/10/15: no offer, cancelled card. Minimal spend, and had the AF waived ~3 times in the past.
11/15/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Took it.
11/16/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. (First rep almost immediately knew why I was calling and was happy to transfer to the specialist.)
12/2/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles.
12/2/15: no offer at all after a couple calls (received the normal $95 credit after x spend last year, but nothing this year - just an offer to downgrade or convert to another card with no annual fee)
12/15/15: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles OR 7,500 bonus miles with $1k in spend. Said 1k bonus for $1k spend over 16 months was not an active offer. Took $95 statement credit.
12/23/15:+ $95 stmt credit with $95 within the next 2 billing cycles and 1k bonus miles per statement with 1k spend in next 16 billing cycles (accepted offer)
1/8/16: $95 statement credit after spending $1000 within 3 months.
2/6/16: $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 2 billing cycles plus 1K extra miles per $1K for the next 16 cycles. Took it.
AA Gold
8/22/13: $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 2/2013, min spend)
06/16/2014: $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 4/2013, AF paid last month)
1/12/15: $95 credit after spending $3,000 within the next 3 business cycles. Formerly spent ~$30K/yr on the card x10 yrs but after spending shifts have only spent approx $5-10K in last 2 yrs
3/2/15: $85 statement credit for $85 spend in two billing cycles + 16-month addt'l 1,000 miles per $1,000 spend monthly bonus.
3/17/15: $95 statement credit for $95 spend (accepted)
8/3/15: $50 statement credit for 5 $10+ purchases in the next 3 months
8/10/15: 3000 miles for spending $500 over next 3 mos (accepted, but I get the fee waived on this already for grandfathered card)
9/5/15 Tried twice, no offer, no transfer to retention ($0 spend, AF waived last year). Converted to Bronze card.
10/01/2015 Tried twice, and Twitter. No AF waver, saying the Gold Card had extra benefits. No offers. Suggested I convert to another card.
1/14/2016 No offer. Had accepted a 3000 mile for $500 spend offer several months ago. Instead, converted to no ann fee Double Cash card to retain age of account.
AA Amex
2/19/14: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 1/13, min spend only). Accepted.
12/10/13: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 11/2012, approx. $1,000 per month spent over 12 months)
11/21/13: $95 credit + 1k bonus miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 11/2012, only minimum spend)
8/22/13: $95 credit + 1k miles each month with $1K+ in purchases for 16 months (Opened 8/2012, only minimum spend)
8/22/13: $95 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 12/2012, min spend)
9/16/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened 2 Years, ~$800 spend in last year)
10/12/13: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened <2 Year, $1200 / mo spend in last year). Can double dip with previous retention offer of 1000 bonus AA miles with $1000 monthly spend for 16 months
12/17/13: $95 credit + 1k miles each month with $1k+ in purchases for 16 months (opened 11/12, ~$8k spend on opening, minimal recent usage)
1/12/14: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Opened for 5+ years, $5,000 total spend in last year).
1/10/14: $95 credit after $3000 spend in the next 3 months (Opened 2008, $500 total spend in last year)
1/27/14: $95 credit + 1k miles each month with $1k+ in purchases for 16 months
7/15/14 $95 credit after 5 purchases in 3 months. <4K spend annually
7/23/14: $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months opened 3+ years ago <4k annual spend
8/17/14: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Open for 2 years, $2,500 total spend in last year).
9/16/14: $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (Same as above, 2 years with minimal spend, 750 miles for $750 in purchases still active from previous retention offer). Alternate mileage offer was 3000 miles with $500 in spend.
10/22/14: $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Opened two years ago, < $1000 spend per year (mostly Costco). Accepted.
11/22/14: $95 after $3000 in purchases in next 3 months. Also 750 extra miles each month spending $750 for the next 16 months. Minimal spending last year. Previously took $95 no-strings last year.
1/5/15: $95 credit after $3000 spend in the next 3 months, no bonus offered for additional spend. Accepted $95 credit and 1000/$1k bonus last year, minimal spending beyond amount needed to earn bonus.
2/28/15: $95 credit after 5x $20 purchases within 3 months. This is my 2nd anniversary.
3/20/15: No offer. Have been a card member since 2011. Every year have been offered a $95 statement credit. Converted to a no-fee AA Bronze. No spend on the card whatsoever.
3/28/15: $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Opened three years ago, very little spend each year. Have received a statement credit each year. Accepted.
8/24/15: Same as 3/28. Less than $1k in spend last year, mostly Amex
8/28/15: Same as 8/24, minimal yearly spending
Offers and Serve.
12/4/2015: No offer, been card member since 2012 with every previous year offering a AF statement credit. Converted to a no-fee AA Bronze. No spend on the card.
AA Executive
10/6/13 $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 10/2011, $60k spend)
10/6/13 2500 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 3 months - (Opened 10/2011, $60k spend)
4/4/2014 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months. (card open for less than 2 months applied for the 100K Offer)
27/4/2014 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months. (card open for less than 2 months applied for the 100K Offer)
9/27/2014 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months - (Opened in 2011, >$40K annual spend)
1/25/2015 - Accepted 1k miles for $1k spend each month in Dec 2014. No new offer for retention. (Opened 2/14, ~$20k spend)
2/10/15 - 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months. AF due in 1 month.
2/10/15 - 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months, or 2 AC passes for 1k spend/month for the next 3 months. AF due in 2 months.
2/13/15- AF already hit. Same as above. Nothing resembling $450 value. Given hard sell to keep.
2/17/15 - 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months. AF due in 1 week.
2/18/15 - No AF waiver, offered 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months which I didn't accept
6-Mar-2015 - 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months - (Opened in 2014)
3/8/15 - Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months OR 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months.
3/8/15 - AF due in APR. Nothing offered. Was told AF is irreversible 37 days after it hits. Same this again this AM.
3/10/15 - AF due. Nothing offered, only a reminder that miles expire in 18 months if not used.
3/11/15 - Couple months before AF. 1k bonus for $1k/billing cycle for 16mo. Also some APR offers that I didn't even listen to.
3/11/15 - AF posted 3/6/15. Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months OR 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months. (Opened in 2014, approx. 2800 per month)
3/13/15 No retention offer whatsoever. Retention specialist had my card closed within 30 seconds. Just did min spend for points. I have applied and cancelled multiple cards, so perhaps they aren't interested in my business.
March 11, 2015: Converted card to Double Cash.
3/16/15 - Opened card 2/2014 and only met minimum spend. Was offered $450 statement credit for $5k/month for 3 months. Downgraded to Citi Dividend instead.
3/19/2015 - Opened card 2/2014 and only met min spend. Was offered 1000 miles bonus for $1000 spend; no statement credit offers available. Downgraded to Citi Double Cash.
4/10/2015 - Opened card 05/2014. Spent about $20k on card. Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months or 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months. Took the statement credit for now.
4/13/15 - Offered 1k bonus for 1k spend each month for 16 months. Only $10k spend last year.
4/24/15 - Opened a year ago. AF hit, offered for each of the next 7 billing cycles, get $50 if spending is over $1500
5/9/15 - Ramped up spending to $3.5k last cycle from a very low starting point. Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1.5K in spend for each of the next three months or 15K miles for $5K in spend within the next three months. Took the statement credit but may cancel before af hits.
6/8/15 - $95 credit and 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Accepted.
6/10/15 - 1000 extra bonus miles for $1000 spend each month for next 16 months. Accepted.
6/?/15 - Offered $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1500 in spend for each of the next three months. Accepted. Later offered for each of the next 7 billing cycles, $50 for spend of $1500 per cycle. First offer requires meeting spend for all 3 months, while each statement period is independent in the second offer. Accepted. Offers are stacked.
6/15/15 - Spent total of just over $7k. Had the card two billing cycles. Offered $450 credit for 3 months of $5k spend. Took it.
6/18/15 - $50 credit for $1500 spend for next 7 months OR $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1500 in spend for next 3 months. Had card for 2 months with about $6k spend. Closed it.
7/1/15 - Had the card for 2 months and called in to cancel for AF refund. Got the same offer as the person on 6/18/15. Took it.
7/8/15 - Had the card for 2 months and called in to cancel for AF refund. Got the same offer as the person on 6/18/15. Took it.
7/25/15 - AF just hit. Never use the card and was offered 1000 bonus miles for 16 consecutive cycles for spends > $1000 / mo. Declined offer, retained card, and have 30+ days till af become permanent.
8/10/15 - 3 offers: 1) $250 statement credit with 5K/month spend for 3 months, OR 2) $100 credit with $1500/month for 3 months, OR 3) 15k bonus miles with 5K spend in next 3 months (no statement credit). Took #3.
8/14/15 - 1 offer: 1k miles for $1k spending per month for the next 16 months. Spent $10K last year. Downgraded to AA Bronze.
9/2/15 - 1 offer: 1k miles for $1k spending per month for the next 16 months. $40k annual spend. Closed the card.
10/31/15 - 2 offers: 1) $250 statement credit with 3K/month spend for 3 months, OR 2) $100 credit with $1500/month for 3 months. Took #1.
AA Business
1/3/2013: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles
1/27/2013: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles
06/01/2014: 1000 Miles no spend requirement OR 10,000 for $5000 spend in six months OR Spend $1000 in each of the next three months, get two Admirals Club passes.
06/16/2014: 10,000 miles for $5000 spend in six months. AF due in October.
07/07/2014: 10,000 miles for $5000 spend in 6 months. Annual fee posted last week.
09/02/2014: $5k in 6 m, 10k miles. AF in Jan. Note that rep only gave offer after he cancelled card and was directed to cancel master acct.
10/02/2014: Annual fee just hit. Fist offer spend 3000 for 3 months and get the fee credited back, then 1000 Miles no spend requirement OR 10,000 for $5000 spend in six months. Closed the account.
12/16/2014: Offered the same as above entry (from 10/02). Declined and closed account.
2/9/15 AF posted two weeks ago, 17k in spend, 1st year cardholder, offered 95 after 3k, or 75 back after 100 spend. Closed account.
4/3/15 5k in spend last year, 2 year cardholder, offered $75 after $100 spend in 1 month. Accepted.
9/18/2015: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles. ~30k spend. First anniversary.
10/2/15 - Spend $3k, get AF credited back. After saying no, second offer was spend $1k/mo get 1k bonus miles for 18mo. Cancelled card. Min spend only on card a year ago. AF posted last week.
11/5/15. 5th year cardholder. Have asked each year execept one. Was offered 3 choices. Spend $100/1month, get $75 stmt credit. $1K/mo get 1k bonus (which I currently have). Spend $5000 in 6mos, earn 10,000 miles. Took third option.
12/31/15. 5k in spend, 1st year cardholder5th year cardholder. Spend $50/1 month, get $50 stmt credit. Spend $5000 in 6mos, earn 10,000 miles. Cancelled card.
Hilton Reserve
9/16/13: 750 HHonors Points each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months
1/20/15: 5k bonus points after $1000+ spending in 3 months
1/30/15 Offered 5k HH pts for $1k spend in 3mo - passed. Then offered 750 HH pts/mo with $750 spend for the next 16mo. Kept pressing for annual fee waiver, they would not budge. Cancelled.
3/15/15: 5k points after $1K in 3m. Declined and closed
04/2015: 1k points after spending $1k for the next 16 months.
Hilton Signature - No fee
1/2/14: 5k HHonors Points for spending $1k in 3 months
6/10/14: 750 HHonors points each month w/$750+ in purchases, for 16 months OR 5k HHonors points for spending $1k in 3 months.
9/1/14: 750 HHonors points each month w/$750+ in purchases (opened Aug '13)
1/25/15: 750 HHonors w/$750 in purchases. Declined. No other offers given (opened 2/2012, no recent spending)
4/6/15: 5000 Bonus HHonors points for $2000 spend in 3 months -OR- 750 Bonus HHonors points in each of the next 16 billinbg cycles in which I spend $750+ -OR- 1000 Bonus HHonors points in each of the next 15 billinbg cycles in which I spend $1000+ -OR- 1000 Bonus HHonors points in each of the next three billing cycles in which there are 5 purchases of $5+. Card is 9 months old, min spend.
Citi retention offer reports (All cards) [2014 - 2015]
Jan 11, 2014, 7:59 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 730
I've got my annual fee coming up on the next statement I think, should you wait till it posts or call to cancel before if you're looking for a statement credit?
Jan 11, 2014, 8:34 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 92
Citi AA Visa #1 (~$3000-5000 spend in the last year, all on AA flights) annual fee $95
I got two offers:
1. Spend $500 in 3 months and get 3000 miles
2. Make 5 purchases in 3 months and get $95 statement credit
I asked if there were any offers with miles and statement credit and he said no, so it looks like I wasn't targeted for the $95 + 1000 miles offer
I took option 2.
Citi AA Visa #2 (met min spend req. only, opened 12/12) annual fee $95
This time I was offered the $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. Didn't ask about other offers because this is the one I wanted.
Citi AA Amex (met min spend req. only, opened 12/12) annual fee $85
Offered the $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. Didn't ask about other offers.
I got two offers:
1. Spend $500 in 3 months and get 3000 miles
2. Make 5 purchases in 3 months and get $95 statement credit
I asked if there were any offers with miles and statement credit and he said no, so it looks like I wasn't targeted for the $95 + 1000 miles offer
I took option 2.
Citi AA Visa #2 (met min spend req. only, opened 12/12) annual fee $95
This time I was offered the $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. Didn't ask about other offers because this is the one I wanted.
Citi AA Amex (met min spend req. only, opened 12/12) annual fee $85
Offered the $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. Didn't ask about other offers.
Jan 11, 2014, 8:36 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 92
For the three cards I just called about, the fee hadn't posted yet but was about to in the next week or two. So, you should be fine calling now.
Jan 11, 2014, 11:00 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
Remember that you do have a window of 30+ days to cancel an account and get the annual fee credited back to you even after the fee posts.
Jan 11, 2014, 12:44 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
My experience with Citi has been that if I call too far in advance (about a month or so) of the expiration date, sometimes the CSR is not very willing to make a retention offer. I've found it easier if I call shortly after the expiration date. But this is Citi, and YMMV.
Remember that you do have a window of 30+ days to cancel an account and get the annual fee credited back to you even after the fee posts.
Remember that you do have a window of 30+ days to cancel an account and get the annual fee credited back to you even after the fee posts.
Jan 12, 2014, 3:36 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 147
Today, AA Select AmEx:
$95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 02/13 made $3K spend, AmEx Small Business Saturday purchase, and $75 Amazon gift card last month)
$95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 02/13 made $3K spend, AmEx Small Business Saturday purchase, and $75 Amazon gift card last month)
Jan 12, 2014, 5:49 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA, UA, SQ, VA, QF, AF, BA
Posts: 2,865
Same here. Since I also have a AA Plt MC, I turned it down as I have enough cards to keep track of. The MC isn't due until July but I plan to keep that one open to get the 10% miles rebate.
Jan 15, 2014, 8:00 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
A couple months ago, there were reports that Citi was no longer offering fee waivers or credits to offset the annual fee. I am happy to report this is not the case currently, along with a couple of datapoints that may be helpful:
AA Gold Mastercard opened April 2013: Offered $50 statement credit which has already posted, and 750 bonus miles for spending $750 for the next 16 statement months. I will cancel this one by SM before the fee comes due and be ahead by $50.
AA Platinum Mastercard opened January 2013 and AA Select AMEX opened January 2013: Offered $95 statement credit to offset annual fee on each card, and 1000 bonus miles for spending $1000 for the next 16 statement months. I will cancel one of these by SM if the credit posts before the fee does and be ahead by another $95.
So if I wanted to, I could earn 2 miles per dollar on $2750 on these cards.
If you want to just take the credit and then close the card, it should work best to call in to close at 9-10 months and take the retention offer, and then close by SM after the credit posts.
AA Gold Mastercard opened April 2013: Offered $50 statement credit which has already posted, and 750 bonus miles for spending $750 for the next 16 statement months. I will cancel this one by SM before the fee comes due and be ahead by $50.
AA Platinum Mastercard opened January 2013 and AA Select AMEX opened January 2013: Offered $95 statement credit to offset annual fee on each card, and 1000 bonus miles for spending $1000 for the next 16 statement months. I will cancel one of these by SM if the credit posts before the fee does and be ahead by another $95.
So if I wanted to, I could earn 2 miles per dollar on $2750 on these cards.
If you want to just take the credit and then close the card, it should work best to call in to close at 9-10 months and take the retention offer, and then close by SM after the credit posts.
Jan 16, 2014, 12:00 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 19
In December 12 I opened 2 AA cards for the bonus (AA Visa Plat and AA Amex Select). I've not used them much beyond the bonus spend. Now that the fees are hitting a year later, I plan to close the Visa so I can hopefully churn 18 months from now. I'll keep the Amex since its nice to have one AA card, and I got a targeted offer with bonus categories for the first quarter.
Today I called about canceling the Visa and got the same $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. I accepted on the phone so I could think about it. I'll probably just go ahead and cancel it though.
Any reason I should not cancel the Visa now, or be able to get another one with a bonus 18+ months from now?
Today I called about canceling the Visa and got the same $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. I accepted on the phone so I could think about it. I'll probably just go ahead and cancel it though.
Any reason I should not cancel the Visa now, or be able to get another one with a bonus 18+ months from now?
Jan 16, 2014, 12:40 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
In December 12 I opened 2 AA cards for the bonus (AA Visa Plat and AA Amex Select). I've not used them much beyond the bonus spend. Now that the fees are hitting a year later, I plan to close the Visa so I can hopefully churn 18 months from now. I'll keep the Amex since its nice to have one AA card, and I got a targeted offer with bonus categories for the first quarter.
Today I called about canceling the Visa and got the same $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. I accepted on the phone so I could think about it. I'll probably just go ahead and cancel it though.
Any reason I should not cancel the Visa now, or be able to get another one with a bonus 18+ months from now?
Today I called about canceling the Visa and got the same $95 credit with the 1000 bonus miles when $1000 was spent for the next 16 billing cycles. I accepted on the phone so I could think about it. I'll probably just go ahead and cancel it though.
Any reason I should not cancel the Visa now, or be able to get another one with a bonus 18+ months from now?
Your ~18 (actually 12-26) month clock started the day you were approved, and closing the cards will make no difference. You could apply now or increase your chances by waiting another 6 months or so.
There is never a reason that you should close a Citi card, unless of course you want to just keep the $95. If so, spend $95, wait for the credit to post, and then log in to your online account and send a secure message saying 'Please close my AA card ending with 1234'. Also, they will almost certainly give you a $95 credit on the AMEX as well if you call in to cancel it.
Jan 16, 2014, 2:51 pm
#41
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,259
AA Amex 1/10/14: $95 credit after $3000 spend in the next 3 months (Opened 2008, $500 total spend in last year)
Since I did not see anyone else post this offer I called back on 1/15 to confirm I didn't mishear/misunderstand.
Definitely better than what the front line rep offered, which was to convert the amex to a bronze MC & no annual fee.
Since I did not see anyone else post this offer I called back on 1/15 to confirm I didn't mishear/misunderstand.
Definitely better than what the front line rep offered, which was to convert the amex to a bronze MC & no annual fee.
Jan 17, 2014, 6:54 am
#42
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Southwest Colorado
Programs: AA/United/HH/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson
Posts: 15
Success with my AA Platinum Visa!
Called the CSR on 1-17-14 and was offered a $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus for $1,000 qualified spend for the next 16 months (opened the card in March 2013 and had appx 4k spend since then)
Called the CSR on 1-17-14 and was offered a $95 statement credit and 1,000 miles bonus for $1,000 qualified spend for the next 16 months (opened the card in March 2013 and had appx 4k spend since then)
Jan 18, 2014, 5:34 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
Similar experience to what has been reported:
Citi AA Visa $95 stmt credit & 1000 bonus mi for $1000 spend each month for 16 billing cyles
Citi AA Exec MC $50 stmt credit & 750 mi for $750 spend each month for 16 billing cycles.
Citi AA Visa $95 stmt credit & 1000 bonus mi for $1000 spend each month for 16 billing cyles
Citi AA Exec MC $50 stmt credit & 750 mi for $750 spend each month for 16 billing cycles.
Jan 21, 2014, 11:22 am
#44
Used to be highman123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
Called in today for a Citi Premier TYP Card. Card was closed by auto prompt - did not even speak to a human - wow!
Jan 21, 2014, 12:28 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954