May 22, 2013, 8:47 pm
Last edit by: aeneas3
- Retention offers, generally speaking, are offers made by a card issuer when they believe you might close your card account.
Often this means you have to actually say specifically you "want to cancel the card because..." before they can offer you something. Being vague 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.
- Offers may include cash, points, or a combination of both and are frequently linked to required spending on the card.
- You can contact Citibank's Retention Department directly at 800-444-2568, and avoid the front line customer service reps.
- For additional tips on interacting with retention representatives, see this blog post by someone who claims to have worked for Citi's retention department.
Current offers (update with your current offer under the respective card, date of offer, how long you had the card and yearly spend)
Thank you preferred
Thank you 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.
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)
01/06/14 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 01/13 just made the purchases to meet the min spend)
AA gold
8/22/13: $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 2/2013, min spend)
AA Amex
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)
01/07/14 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 01/13 just made the purchases to meet the min spend)
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)
1/3/14 $50 credit and 750 miles with $750 purchase each month for 16 months (opened 1/13 with 40k spend)
3/22/14 $100 credit and 5,000 miles with $1,500 in purchases each month for 3 months. Opened the card 2/1/14
AA business
1/3/2013: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles
7/24/14 - 1 day after AF hit - $95 credit + 1000 miles if $1000 spent per statement for 16 months - 4k spend
Hilton reserve
9/16/13: 750 HHonors Points each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months
Hilton signature
Often this means you have to actually say specifically you "want to cancel the card because..." before they can offer you something. Being vague 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.
- Offers may include cash, points, or a combination of both and are frequently linked to required spending on the card.
- You can contact Citibank's Retention Department directly at 800-444-2568, and avoid the front line customer service reps.
- For additional tips on interacting with retention representatives, see this blog post by someone who claims to have worked for Citi's retention department.
Current offers (update with your current offer under the respective card, date of offer, how long you had the card and yearly spend)
Thank you preferred
Thank you 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.
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)
01/06/14 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 01/13 just made the purchases to meet the min spend)
AA gold
8/22/13: $50 credit + 750 miles each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months - (Opened 2/2013, min spend)
AA Amex
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)
01/07/14 $95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months (opened 01/13 just made the purchases to meet the min spend)
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)
1/3/14 $50 credit and 750 miles with $750 purchase each month for 16 months (opened 1/13 with 40k spend)
3/22/14 $100 credit and 5,000 miles with $1,500 in purchases each month for 3 months. Opened the card 2/1/14
AA business
1/3/2013: Spend $5000 in 6 months, earn 10,000 miles
7/24/14 - 1 day after AF hit - $95 credit + 1000 miles if $1000 spent per statement for 16 months - 4k spend
Hilton reserve
9/16/13: 750 HHonors Points each month with $750+ in purchases for 16 months
Hilton signature
Citi retention offer reports [2009-2013]
Dec 9, 2012, 10:20 am
#1591
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 255
I read that I can churn a citibank's credit card every 18 months. If I applied for a card 18 months ago, but just closed it a couple months ago, can I churn it? Any rule how long I would have to wait after I close a citi card? If so I would not try to get a retention bonus. thanks.
Dec 9, 2012, 10:42 am
#1592
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,457
I read that I can churn a citibank's credit card every 18 months. If I applied for a card 18 months ago, but just closed it a couple months ago, can I churn it? Any rule how long I would have to wait after I close a citi card? If so I would not try to get a retention bonus. thanks.
Dec 9, 2012, 7:53 pm
#1593
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
Here are my data points:
1) Called to cancel my AA Citi Amex. Had already received a previous retention offer about 5 months ago for bonus miles, maxed that out. Called back, no additional offers.. cancelled.
2) Called to cancel my AA Executive MC. Offers were:
a) 3000 miles for $500 spend
b) additional mile per dollar (3mile/AA dollar; 2 everything else) for 6 months/5k max. Took this one.
1) Called to cancel my AA Citi Amex. Had already received a previous retention offer about 5 months ago for bonus miles, maxed that out. Called back, no additional offers.. cancelled.
2) Called to cancel my AA Executive MC. Offers were:
a) 3000 miles for $500 spend
b) additional mile per dollar (3mile/AA dollar; 2 everything else) for 6 months/5k max. Took this one.
Dec 10, 2012, 10:20 pm
#1594
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cypress Hills Research Center
Posts: 5,295
Not exactly a retention offer but I wasn't feeling the love so I called Citi and asked if they could throw me some points. First rep said there was nothing being offered for me. I asked to speak to "someone who could maybe help me out" and the rep transferred me to a supervisor who said she'd give me 5,000 miles because I was a long time CitiGold customer. Never went through "retention", just lucked out in getting a supervisor who was happy to make me happy. I guess it never hurts to ask.
Dec 11, 2012, 7:49 am
#1595
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
Although not all, many many people have reported the same experience (good retention offer for AA Visa, bad retention offer for AA Amex). I saw so many of these eaeler this year that many many months ago I "proactively" cancelled my Amex (even long berfore it would have came up for renewal)and only kept my Visa, which btw will only come up for renewal in the next month. (You only need of the cards for all the new benefits, so why keep both if you can't a good retention offer on the second one?)
Also the stated interest rate for my card is somewhat attractive, based on current interest rates, which will be of benefit in the (hopefully) unlikely event that I ever have to carry a balance.
Dec 12, 2012, 12:45 pm
#1596
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Identical offers for both MC and Visa
Both were applied in 2nd week of March this year so annual fee not due till next March. The initial bonuses and conditions to earn were different.
Called direct to retention number 1-800-444-2568 for the MC. After 20 second hold talked to a nice lady who made the offers on the MC in the sequence of Best to Worst:
1) $85 statement credit, $750 spend each month to earn 750 bonus miles for 16 billing cycle.
2) 3000 bonus miles for $500 spend in 3 months. No statement credit.
3) 5000 bonus miles for $1000 spend in 3 months. No statement credit.
Took 1). Then asked her to look at the Visa. She needed a moment to wrap up the MC before was ready for the Visa card number.
Then she said the Visa had identical offers, except that it is $1000 spend for 1000 bonus miles.
Took 1) again.
Both offers will be effective 48 hours from today.
What is odd is the statement credit is $85 but I believe the annual fee is $95 for these 2 cards. Does not matter much though.
Called direct to retention number 1-800-444-2568 for the MC. After 20 second hold talked to a nice lady who made the offers on the MC in the sequence of Best to Worst:
1) $85 statement credit, $750 spend each month to earn 750 bonus miles for 16 billing cycle.
2) 3000 bonus miles for $500 spend in 3 months. No statement credit.
3) 5000 bonus miles for $1000 spend in 3 months. No statement credit.
Took 1). Then asked her to look at the Visa. She needed a moment to wrap up the MC before was ready for the Visa card number.
Then she said the Visa had identical offers, except that it is $1000 spend for 1000 bonus miles.
Took 1) again.
Both offers will be effective 48 hours from today.
What is odd is the statement credit is $85 but I believe the annual fee is $95 for these 2 cards. Does not matter much though.
Last edited by Happy; Jan 15, 2013 at 9:20 pm
Dec 12, 2012, 9:55 pm
#1597
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 173
I just received the 10,000 point bonus on $5,000 spend for my AA Biz Visa. There was no annual fee waiver the first time I called so I called today since my bonus points already posted. They weren't offering an annual fee waiver but she did give me 1000 miles for keeping the card open today. Not a big deal but I will take it and call again later.
Dec 13, 2012, 9:11 am
#1598
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: UA AA DL SW Marriott
Posts: 251
called on AA AmEx and AA Visa, small retentions were offered, e.g.,
AA AmEx $25 statement credit if spend $500. No AF credit.
Met the $500 spending two months ago. However, the AF billed for AmEx was $0, the Visa was not. So closed Visa and kept AmEx.
AA AmEx $25 statement credit if spend $500. No AF credit.
Met the $500 spending two months ago. However, the AF billed for AmEx was $0, the Visa was not. So closed Visa and kept AmEx.
Dec 14, 2012, 8:57 am
#1599
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 99
My American Airlines - Citi VISA card was hit with $50 annual fee. I just called them asked to cancel my card, then transferred to retention dept I guess. I was offered $50 statement credit if I make 5 purchases (no minimum) in the next three months. Not sure this is greatest offer, but I took the offer.
Edit: my bad, just realized this is chase cards thread.
Edit: my bad, just realized this is chase cards thread.
Last edited by idlebrain; Dec 14, 2012 at 9:33 am
Dec 14, 2012, 11:33 am
#1600
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: US
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13
Just called the retention line directly for my AAdvantage MC and was offered nothing! I've actually used the card quite a good amount, too. Pissed me off, with the representative pointing out that I'd had multiple canceled cards in the past and giving me the lecture about all the advantages of the card on AA. I may actually cancel the card, I'm so mad. 
Dec 14, 2012, 1:48 pm
#1601
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA, UAL
Posts: 545
Just called the retention line directly for my AAdvantage MC and was offered nothing! I've actually used the card quite a good amount, too. Pissed me off, with the representative pointing out that I'd had multiple canceled cards in the past and giving me the lecture about all the advantages of the card on AA. I may actually cancel the card, I'm so mad.
Dec 17, 2012, 9:15 am
#1602
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR Ionosphere Club, LAX Clipper Club, Still Traveling Global, yearly BIS miles
Programs: EAL Silver Wings, I-Club, Flying Colonels DL, WorldPass PLat from the olde Meatball and PE SMARTbank
Posts: 1,988
often u are offered nothing, its very common.
i have a TYN Preffered and i was offered
1) 2K pts no purchase with 600 additional each month with additional 600 each mo in spending
2) 10K pts for 3K spending in 6 months
i took 2) but now i think i should have taken 1) and been done with it.
can u change your mind on an offer?
i have a TYN Preffered and i was offered
1) 2K pts no purchase with 600 additional each month with additional 600 each mo in spending
2) 10K pts for 3K spending in 6 months
i took 2) but now i think i should have taken 1) and been done with it.
can u change your mind on an offer?
Dec 17, 2012, 11:56 am
#1603
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum, AA, SW, Delta
Posts: 885
if one citi card classifies a merchant as a supermarket, will it be universal classiciation by the other citi cards too? I buy coffee at my coffee shop and it is misc grocery stores but my citi chairmen card gives me 3 thank you points, but i called retention and they gave me 5 thank you points for supermarket purchases so i was wondering if it would still be classified as supermarket
Dec 17, 2012, 3:14 pm
#1604
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, SPG gold, PC Plat, CC gold
Posts: 196
Just called 1-800-444-2568 for retention offers on AA Visa.
Was offered $85 statement credit + 1000 miles when spending more than $1000 in a billing cycle, for 16 billing cycles.
This is the only available offer for me. I took it. Now I need to call for AA Amex.
Was offered $85 statement credit + 1000 miles when spending more than $1000 in a billing cycle, for 16 billing cycles.
This is the only available offer for me. I took it. Now I need to call for AA Amex.
Dec 17, 2012, 3:25 pm
#1605
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, SPG gold, PC Plat, CC gold
Posts: 196
Customer service agent in retention dept. gave me only one offer of 3000 bonus miles for $500 spend within 3 months. I took the offer.