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]
Feb 5, 2013, 8:36 pm
#1666
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,427
Took a $75 statement credit for spending $1000 in 90 days (off the $125 annual fee) on my TY Premier visa. Was also offered $125 credit like previous poster for spending $4500, but that seemed like too much opportunity cost for so much spend (I only buy airline tickets with this card).
Feb 8, 2013, 2:23 pm
#1667
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 98
Called today to cancel my Thank You Premier. I was offered a waived fee for $4500 spend in 3 months, or a $75 credit for $1000 spend. I asked if I could instead downgrade the card to a fee-free card, and was surprised that the agent agreed, and downgraded my card to a Thank You Preferred, which I really have no use for, but now I won't lose that credit line and it will help the average age of my accounts (plus they do occasionally have those 5 TYP per dollar promotions that are basically 5% cash back, which isn't too bad for a few bucks in spend).
Feb 9, 2013, 8:32 am
#1668
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
TY Premier, called and offered waiver of $125 fee if we spent $4500 in 3 months. We have other cards to meet spend on so turned them down. He offered to xfer some of CL to CITI Hilton card so we said yes. Reminded us that we had 30 days to spend TY points.
Feb 9, 2013, 2:01 pm
#1669
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Platinum,
Posts: 123
I just cancelled my citi premier thank you card, they said because i cancelled within 30 days my annual fee will be refunded which is great, also they tried to charge me $50 for an authorized user and i asked to take the person off, they said, no can do, so i just cancelled the card
Feb 9, 2013, 2:25 pm
#1670
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,947
Happy to see that my Citi AA Visa Signature Plat retention lure (NOV) of 1000 AA mile bonus for each month with a $1000 spend is crediting as offered. Works great for all those CC purchases that don't earn 2x miles on other cards and would otherwise fall through the cracks. 
Feb 12, 2013, 2:20 pm
#1671
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 36
Got a $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases on my Citi Visa. Rep didn't "see an option for that unfortunately" at the start of the call. I told her that I'd like to cancel and then miraculously it appeared.
She offered 6.99% interest for 6 months or an additional mile per $ spent. I said no to either.
I'll try for the Citi Amex retention later...
I should probably cancel one them both eventually to make myself eligible for any future card promos they have. Had both the cards for 2 years.
She offered 6.99% interest for 6 months or an additional mile per $ spent. I said no to either.
I'll try for the Citi Amex retention later...
I should probably cancel one them both eventually to make myself eligible for any future card promos they have. Had both the cards for 2 years.
Feb 12, 2013, 5:54 pm
#1672
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: AA Gold (4 life), Delta Platinum, Starwood Gold, IC RA
Posts: 146
Citi AA Gold to Citi AA Platinum
Delete, answered in a different post
Does Chase offer any bonuses for upgrading from Gold to Platinum on the Citi AAdvantage Card. Thx
Does Chase offer any bonuses for upgrading from Gold to Platinum on the Citi AAdvantage Card. Thx
Last edited by kleinms; Feb 12, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Feb 12, 2013, 8:24 pm
#1673
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
Anyway, no, no bank offers bonuses for upgrading to a higher credit level of the same card. You only get bonuses by applying afresh for a card, or for "threating" to cancel a card you have.
Feb 12, 2013, 11:10 pm
#1674
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CTS
Programs: AA:1MM
Posts: 743
wasn't expecting it when offered but clearly took it.
Feb 13, 2013, 7:31 am
#1675
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: US, CA, HK
Programs: UNITED 1P
Posts: 508
Called about my citi TY card. Last year's spent was 30k. But offer was the same as everyone else. I took the 10k TY points for 3000 spending within 6 months.
Feb 15, 2013, 2:43 pm
#1676
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,204
This is for citi AA Business card.
Called the number all on the back, told rep I'm thinking of cancelling the card because there aren't many business transactions right now. Got transferred to a specialist, he asked the same thing and I repeat the same reason why I want to cancel. This was the offer and I took it:
1. $75 statement credit (after 1-2 billing cycles)
2. 750 bonus miles per billing cycle if spend at least $750 per cycle for 16 cycles.
Called the number all on the back, told rep I'm thinking of cancelling the card because there aren't many business transactions right now. Got transferred to a specialist, he asked the same thing and I repeat the same reason why I want to cancel. This was the offer and I took it:
1. $75 statement credit (after 1-2 billing cycles)
2. 750 bonus miles per billing cycle if spend at least $750 per cycle for 16 cycles.
They aren't so generous in February.
$50 statement credit
OR
10,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in spend
I took the second option. I took advantage of the same offer last year. I may just cancel the card next year. I can't really complain since the first year was fee free and I did earn 75,000 miles with it. That was a very nice promo! I haven't had the personal card in almost 18 months so I may try to sign up again in a few months.
Feb 15, 2013, 5:10 pm
#1677
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: WI
Programs: A bunch
Posts: 488
data point:
Called the direct retention ph# listed a page or 2 back.
Amex AA card: $85 statement credit and $750 bonus AA miles per each $750 spent per month for 16 months.
Visa AA card: $85 statement credit and $500 bonus AA miles per each $500 spent per month for 12 months.
Accepted both offers.
Called the direct retention ph# listed a page or 2 back.
Amex AA card: $85 statement credit and $750 bonus AA miles per each $750 spent per month for 16 months.
Visa AA card: $85 statement credit and $500 bonus AA miles per each $500 spent per month for 12 months.
Accepted both offers.
Feb 18, 2013, 8:21 am
#1678
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 186
Another data point. Called retention for my AA Visa, opened in March 2012. After getting sign up bonus, did not put much spend on it, maybe a couple hundred at most.
Was offered the $85 statement credit and double miles on $750 spent each billing cycle for next 16.
Accepted. I plan on calling about the Amex sometime later.
Was offered the $85 statement credit and double miles on $750 spent each billing cycle for next 16.
Accepted. I plan on calling about the Amex sometime later.
Feb 18, 2013, 6:33 pm
#1679
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Have had both the Visa and AA cards since early 2013. Called today to see what the retention offers were for both cards. Here is what I got:
Visa: Waived $85 statement credit instantly (even though fee doesn't post until April), and a bonus 1,000 miles with $1k of monthly spend, good for 16 months (16k bonus)
Amex: Nothing.
Interesting that the Visa had offers attached, but the Amex had nothing. I accepted the Visa deal, and I will try again with the Amex in a couple of days.
Visa: Waived $85 statement credit instantly (even though fee doesn't post until April), and a bonus 1,000 miles with $1k of monthly spend, good for 16 months (16k bonus)
Amex: Nothing.
Interesting that the Visa had offers attached, but the Amex had nothing. I accepted the Visa deal, and I will try again with the Amex in a couple of days.
Feb 19, 2013, 9:00 am
#1680
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,055
HHonors offers
I called in this morning about my three Citi HHonors Visa no-fee cards. I gave him the first number, he verified my name and security answer and then announced that I was fortunate that one of their best offers was available on this card:
Spend $750 in a month and get a bonus of 750 HHonors points, good for each of the next 16 months.
I asked if there were any other options available and he said there was also:
Spend $1000 in the next 3 months and get 5000 HHonors points.
I can't imagine how the first offer could possibly be considered better than the second.
There may have been other offers but the second was the one I wanted so I accepted it and went on to get the same offer on the other two cards.
Billing cycles start in about a week and are about a week apart, so 3K worth of ice cream should net me 24K points. Then I just need another 16K for a trip I am planning. Maybe I'll see what AmEx has to offer.
Spend $750 in a month and get a bonus of 750 HHonors points, good for each of the next 16 months.
I asked if there were any other options available and he said there was also:
Spend $1000 in the next 3 months and get 5000 HHonors points.
I can't imagine how the first offer could possibly be considered better than the second.
There may have been other offers but the second was the one I wanted so I accepted it and went on to get the same offer on the other two cards.Billing cycles start in about a week and are about a week apart, so 3K worth of ice cream should net me 24K points. Then I just need another 16K for a trip I am planning. Maybe I'll see what AmEx has to offer.