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]
Mar 26, 2015, 8:13 am
#826
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA LTP, UA, DL, HH, Marriott/SPG
Posts: 585
Citi AA executive
AF hits on 3/4 statement, called 3/12 and converted to citi double cash.
As of today 3/22, the online still shows $450 AF fee. Called citi and was told that need to wait 51 days then citi will automatically credit me back the annual fee.
Q:
1)Is this the normal process for people who converting out of citi AA executive?
2)After 51 days, it will be more than 37 days after AF, will I get full refund? (citi CSR said yet).
Thanks!
AF hits on 3/4 statement, called 3/12 and converted to citi double cash.
As of today 3/22, the online still shows $450 AF fee. Called citi and was told that need to wait 51 days then citi will automatically credit me back the annual fee.
Q:
1)Is this the normal process for people who converting out of citi AA executive?
2)After 51 days, it will be more than 37 days after AF, will I get full refund? (citi CSR said yet).
Thanks!
Mar 26, 2015, 11:15 pm
#827
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Jose Cuervo Gold, Bud Light Platinum, Schwab 401K, VW Bug 2MM
Posts: 1,100
If you're so desperate for more HH points, why did you sign up for an offer to get 12k points for a whopping $12k spend, when you could have simply gotten another 50k points for just $1k spend by getting another one of these cards? 
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...a-now-50k.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...a-now-50k.html
Mar 28, 2015, 9:00 am
#828
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 336
end of the road with my card
Hi all!
Wanted to report my latest call to the retention department. I have had a Citi/AAdvantage Visa for 3 years (and have almost every other type of Citi/AAdvantage card, as well). I called and gave the usual spiel to the customer service representative but she refused to connect me with the retention department. She claimed there was nothing retention would be able to do with this card and the only option would be to downgrade to a no-fee Citi Bronze with 1 mile per $2 spent. We really did have a bad connection and there were communication issues so I decided to end the call and try again another time. I called back a few days later and explained to the rep that I’d had a bad connection previously and should have been transferred to retention. She immediately put me through. For the first time in 7 years, I was not offered a retention bonus, other than the aforementioned downgrade to Bronze! Looking ahead to the future, I decided to cancel this card. As always, whenever you cancel, be sure to transfer whatever you can of your credit line to another card; they are usually able to do all but $2,000 of your existing line.
Wanted to report my latest call to the retention department. I have had a Citi/AAdvantage Visa for 3 years (and have almost every other type of Citi/AAdvantage card, as well). I called and gave the usual spiel to the customer service representative but she refused to connect me with the retention department. She claimed there was nothing retention would be able to do with this card and the only option would be to downgrade to a no-fee Citi Bronze with 1 mile per $2 spent. We really did have a bad connection and there were communication issues so I decided to end the call and try again another time. I called back a few days later and explained to the rep that I’d had a bad connection previously and should have been transferred to retention. She immediately put me through. For the first time in 7 years, I was not offered a retention bonus, other than the aforementioned downgrade to Bronze! Looking ahead to the future, I decided to cancel this card. As always, whenever you cancel, be sure to transfer whatever you can of your credit line to another card; they are usually able to do all but $2,000 of your existing line.
Mar 29, 2015, 4:45 pm
#829
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 23
My retention offer for Citi Executive. Spent $1,000~$2,000 per month. 1,000 miles/month bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months. No other offers were available. Downgraded to Citi Double Cash instead.
Mar 29, 2015, 7:55 pm
#830
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 177
AA Executive, opened during the 100K frenzy last year....haven't used the card in a few months and opened the statement, WHOOPS, $450 AF.
I was 40days out from the AF posting date but pleaded with the rep that I had not used the card at all for the past few months - no charges, no club access, nothing. He called a manager and was able to bend the 37 day rule. Whew.
I was offered the: 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months though.
I was 40days out from the AF posting date but pleaded with the rep that I had not used the card at all for the past few months - no charges, no club access, nothing. He called a manager and was able to bend the 37 day rule. Whew.
I was offered the: 5K bonus + $100 statement credit for 1.5K spend for the next 3 months though.
Mar 30, 2015, 9:50 am
#831
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 515
Called and mentioned how expensive the card was and how much that statement credit helped last year. Got offered $250 statement credit when spending $3k a month for 3 months. Took it.
Mar 30, 2015, 6:15 pm
#833
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 308
A few days ago I called to find out what offers there were regarding my Citi Exec Card. The annual fee had posted on the latest statement. The CSR asked if I wanted the account closed. I specifically told the retention specialist the card was not to be closed. She told me there were no offers for me since I only had the car for one year. I decided to HUCA in a few days.
To my surprise the card was declined today when I tried to use it. I went online and saw my account was closed. I called Citi and was told that the card was closed at my request. I informed the CSR that was incorrect and related the above story. A supervisor was called to the phone. He told me I had to provide "application" info but no credit report would be pulled. I reluctantly agreed. A couple of hours later I called again and was told that the account was still closed. I was told I could repeat the personal and financial information, have a credit pull and would find out later tonight if the account was reinstated. Additionally, I would get 5,000 AA miles for all of my trouble.
Please be cautious when calling Citi regarding this type of matter.
To my surprise the card was declined today when I tried to use it. I went online and saw my account was closed. I called Citi and was told that the card was closed at my request. I informed the CSR that was incorrect and related the above story. A supervisor was called to the phone. He told me I had to provide "application" info but no credit report would be pulled. I reluctantly agreed. A couple of hours later I called again and was told that the account was still closed. I was told I could repeat the personal and financial information, have a credit pull and would find out later tonight if the account was reinstated. Additionally, I would get 5,000 AA miles for all of my trouble.
Please be cautious when calling Citi regarding this type of matter.
Last edited by tondoleo; Mar 30, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Mar 31, 2015, 6:02 am
#834
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: CO-plat, SPG-plat
Posts: 1,655
You certainly received a better offer than I. Although I mentioned the high annual fee as reason for closing account, Citi offered me the standard 1000 bonus AA miles per month for $1000 per month spending. If I had been thinking clearly, I would have downgraded to the Double Cash back card as one of the previous posters did. Stupidly, I closed the account.
Mar 31, 2015, 2:16 pm
#835
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: Grounded
Posts: 669
Called about thank you premier card, next to no spending during the year. It's an older one with a $75 AF instead of $125. Front line agent tried to downgrade me to the free preferred, but I resisted. Asked for additional alternatives from a specialist and got nada.
Going to try again once more. Otherwise might actually just take the downgrade and/or cancel for real. The challenge is I have a citi forward card that actually does earn TYP at a nice rate, so hard to say what to do about that. I also have a lot of banked flight points left over on this card…
Going to try again once more. Otherwise might actually just take the downgrade and/or cancel for real. The challenge is I have a citi forward card that actually does earn TYP at a nice rate, so hard to say what to do about that. I also have a lot of banked flight points left over on this card…
Mar 31, 2015, 3:48 pm
#836
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
Called about my Thank You Premier card which I've had for a while (maybe opened in 2006?). It still has the $75 annual fee. I almost never use the card having switched to the Chase Sapphire as my main card.
Got three options:
1) one-time $125 statement credit and 1K points if I spend $1,000 in each of the next three months
2) one-time $75 statement credit if I make five purchases in the next 3 months (no dollar minimum on those purchases)
3) one-time $125 statement credit after $3,000 in purchases in the next 3 months
Was tempted to just take the easy road go for number two, but figured I could MS $1K pretty easy on the card for the next three months and earn a little bit in the process, so I took option 1.
Got three options:
1) one-time $125 statement credit and 1K points if I spend $1,000 in each of the next three months
2) one-time $75 statement credit if I make five purchases in the next 3 months (no dollar minimum on those purchases)
3) one-time $125 statement credit after $3,000 in purchases in the next 3 months
Was tempted to just take the easy road go for number two, but figured I could MS $1K pretty easy on the card for the next three months and earn a little bit in the process, so I took option 1.
Last edited by danpeake; Apr 11, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Mar 31, 2015, 4:14 pm
#837
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 225
Called about my AA exec card and offered 3 options
1. 2 admiral passes
2. 15k miles
3. 5k miles + $100 credit
Told the rep I would call back. I am not sure if I would get better offer. I spend 3-5k/month
1. 2 admiral passes
2. 15k miles
3. 5k miles + $100 credit
Told the rep I would call back. I am not sure if I would get better offer. I spend 3-5k/month
Mar 31, 2015, 5:30 pm
#838
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
I spoke with retention today, mentioned being very unhappy that Premier cardholders are getting a much more expanded travel category. I was offered:
Oh yeah, I specifically mentioned bonus points so she didn't even offer any statement credit options. I went with the first choice since coupled with flight points = 3 points per dollar for everything. She also credited 5,000 bonus points for the inconvenience regarding Premier getting more points
EDIT: corrected the final offer, I initially posted a max of 20,000 points but it is actually 50,000 after someone else posted they received the same offer.
- One additional ThankYou point per dollar for six months, maximum 50,000 bonus points.
- 15,000 ThankYou points for spending $6,000 or more over six months.
- Four extra points per dollar for travel (hotel, air, car rental, travel agency) for six months, maximum 35,000 bonus points.
- Four extra points per dollar for gas, drugstores, grocery and convenience stores for six months, maximum 50,000 bonus points.
Oh yeah, I specifically mentioned bonus points so she didn't even offer any statement credit options. I went with the first choice since coupled with flight points = 3 points per dollar for everything. She also credited 5,000 bonus points for the inconvenience regarding Premier getting more points
EDIT: corrected the final offer, I initially posted a max of 20,000 points but it is actually 50,000 after someone else posted they received the same offer.
Last edited by Nick92; Apr 11, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Apr 2, 2015, 11:35 am
#839
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 57
AA Executive
Called just now a little under a month from when the annual fee posted. Only offers were 15K miles for $5K spend in 3 months or 1K miles for $1K spend each of the next 16 months like others here. I managed to not use the Admirals Club once despite flying AA and other airlines several times over the last year so converted it to the Double Cash.
Agent said that the fee would be refunded in 1 to 2 statements or she could open a case to make it faster so I told her sure, why not open a case?
Agent said that the fee would be refunded in 1 to 2 statements or she could open a case to make it faster so I told her sure, why not open a case?
Apr 2, 2015, 12:17 pm
#840
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 825
Call about 2 citi aa executive cards.
Both cards were offered the same retention offers:
5k miles and $100 statement credit for $1500 spend per month for the next 3 months.
15k miles for $5k spend in the next 3 months.
Both cards were offered the same retention offers:
5k miles and $100 statement credit for $1500 spend per month for the next 3 months.
15k miles for $5k spend in the next 3 months.