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]
Jun 24, 2015, 11:59 pm
#1006
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 212
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 502
And restart your 18-month clock?
The ideal time to cancel is right after you apply for the next one! That way the time since the last open and the time since the last close is about the same.
Any other time you cancel, you're adding time to the 18 month wait since the last open. So why cancel any other time?
Thus, assuming this was on your anniversary (and thus around 12 months), I'd say wait another 6 months, apply for another one, then close this one.
If you close right now, you'll have to wait another 18 months, and thus 18+12=30 months since you last opened one.
Btw, when I just canceled a Citi AA Visa card with a $95 fee part-way though its year, I was given a $30ish credit automatically (the AF pro-rated). So by waiting another 6 months, you may still get about half of the AF back, while being able to apply for another 50k card 12 months earlier than if you close this one now.
The ideal time to cancel is right after you apply for the next one! That way the time since the last open and the time since the last close is about the same.
Any other time you cancel, you're adding time to the 18 month wait since the last open. So why cancel any other time?
Thus, assuming this was on your anniversary (and thus around 12 months), I'd say wait another 6 months, apply for another one, then close this one.
If you close right now, you'll have to wait another 18 months, and thus 18+12=30 months since you last opened one.
Btw, when I just canceled a Citi AA Visa card with a $95 fee part-way though its year, I was given a $30ish credit automatically (the AF pro-rated). So by waiting another 6 months, you may still get about half of the AF back, while being able to apply for another 50k card 12 months earlier than if you close this one now.
Jun 25, 2015, 7:36 am
#1007
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
People's experiences reported on the HHonors thread have shown that portion of the reduced credit line returns to the "available pool" very quickly, versus the credit line of a canceled card returns to the pool much slower.
The timeline illustrated by sdsearch is a clever one due to the 18 months time frame only refers to "opened or closed" - it does not refer to card opened before the 18 months and still open after the 18 months. Hence the "wasted time" is reduced to the minimal going by sdsearch's approach. More over, there are reported successes on people getting new cards with bonuses while an over 18 months old existing card remains open.
May be you can do some trimming of the existing credit lines gradually, using the SM function - tell them you know by reducing the CL you know you cannot ask for credit line increase in the next 6 months (only applied to this particular card). It has worked for many people. So you can trim the line on the existing AA card, down to 2K level for example. Do similar thing to other inactive cards that you may not need the big CL. That would free up enough line to facilitate next approval. Just a suggestion to consider.
Last edited by Happy; Jun 25, 2015 at 7:55 am
Jun 25, 2015, 8:36 am
#1008
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,055
If you have too much credit with them they generally ask you to move some around from old card to new one. My wife has 10 cards and $102K of CL with Citi right now after another $12,500 CL added in late May.
Jun 25, 2015, 11:06 am
#1009
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 31
AA Platinum card with very minimal spending. Have this card for 2 years. Called 6/25/2015
Offered $95 credit if spend at least $1000 within the next 3 months. I declined this offer and asked if they have anything else. Then they offered $95 credit for making 5 purchases of at least $20 within the next three months.
Offered $95 credit if spend at least $1000 within the next 3 months. I declined this offer and asked if they have anything else. Then they offered $95 credit for making 5 purchases of at least $20 within the next three months.
Jun 25, 2015, 3:30 pm
#1010
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,454
AA Platinum card. Last year I got the $95 fee credit and 1K bonus miles per month with $1K spend per month for 16 months. Got the same this year. I still had 4 months left on the first offer and sure enough they stacked, as my last statement had 2K bonus miles! ^
Jun 25, 2015, 4:34 pm
#1011
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 101
AA Platinum MC opened last year, AF up this month. Called and was offered $95 statement credit after spending $95 within 1 month.
Jun 27, 2015, 3:34 pm
#1012
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
Reduce credit limit TOTAL to have 7-10% Credit Usage Limit.
If you only spend $1000/mo avg then don't exceed $10,000/mo. That is if you want good credit score.
You can adjust this proportionally to achieve the right credit limit.
Banks sometimes worry if you have excessive open credit with credit limit usage at 1%...so spend or reduce credit.
Jun 27, 2015, 8:08 pm
#1013
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Best Western Diamond
Posts: 364
Not exactly a retention offer, but asked citi to waive my prestige annual fee for the first year when I was approved, and they said yes. lol.
April 14th, 2015. Was charged it this month but they credited it back to me =]
April 14th, 2015. Was charged it this month but they credited it back to me =]
Jun 27, 2015, 10:03 pm
#1014
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
You got your Prestige fee waived? amazing
Jun 29, 2015, 4:47 pm
#1015
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: HNL,HI,USA
Posts: 256
AA Exec, card received in May, statement with fee closes early July. Offered $50 credit for $1500 spend for next 7 months OR $100 statement credit and 5K miles for $1500 in spend for next 3 months OR 15K miles for $1500 in spend for next 3 months.
Jun 29, 2015, 5:09 pm
#1016
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 14
AA Platinum
Received $95 statement credit for $95 spend in next 2 billing cycles/1000 miles for $1000 spend for the next 16 billing cycles. Nice, polite agent referenced that this is the same offer I received last year.
Jun 30, 2015, 3:43 pm
#1017
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
I called to close a 7-month-old Plat MC and they offered me 3 months of zero interest. When I declined that they offered nothing else, so I closed the card.
Jul 1, 2015, 9:35 pm
#1018
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
AA Executive. Had for two billing cycles. Spent about $7k my first billing cycle. Second billing the $450 fee came due. Called and said the fee was the only reason I wished to cancel. Was offered $450 credit if I spend $5k for the next three billing cycles. Took it.
Funny thing, I was so sure I would cancel this that I signed up using link #7 on 6/1. Just received that card two days ago. Met $5k spend on that one today. Looks like I'll cancel the 2nd card instead
Funny thing, I was so sure I would cancel this that I signed up using link #7 on 6/1. Just received that card two days ago. Met $5k spend on that one today. Looks like I'll cancel the 2nd card instead
Jul 1, 2015, 9:36 pm
#1019
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 48
Citi Premier: Had card since 2011, very little spend (<$1000/year). Was offered $95 SC + 500 TYP after spending $500/month for 3 months. Accepted!
Jul 2, 2015, 1:44 pm
#1020
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
You seem to have gotten a fair bit better treatment than me, and I'm paying Citi a lot through a broad range of products....