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]
Mar 18, 2013, 6:32 pm
#1726
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Actually this card had a 0 fee version briefly during the $75 annual fee period. Our Premium cards are grandfathered for 0 annual fee. I dont call on this one for fear they mess it up and we lose our 0 fee status!
Mar 19, 2013, 5:52 am
#1727
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Varies :-)
Programs: AS; AA; UA; DL; VS; BA; Nat'l Emer. Exec.; AGR
Posts: 2,250
Why would you not call the retentions line directly?
Mar 19, 2013, 10:46 am
#1728
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DCA
Programs: US, AA, UA, LH, VX
Posts: 45
Citi retention offer reports [All cards]
Duh is right! Lesson learned! Still kinda new to this 
Mar 19, 2013, 12:54 pm
#1729
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,314
My own datapoint... $95 annual fee for the Citi AA Platinum card credited back if I make 5 purchases of any $ amount within 90 days.
4th year in a row I get same offer, and take it. Got no problem keeping this card for all eternity as long as I dont have to pay the annual fee
4th year in a row I get same offer, and take it. Got no problem keeping this card for all eternity as long as I dont have to pay the annual fee
Mar 22, 2013, 5:14 pm
#1730
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AA Gold; HH Gold
Posts: 2,850
Citi Aadvantage Gold card $50 fee posted. I have a small business and run most of my charges through the card (approx $5k/month). I've never carried a balance. Called and was first offered a $50 statement credit. When pressed for other options, only other was 1 extra mile for 6 months with a 5k cap. I took the second option.
Mar 23, 2013, 5:21 pm
#1731
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ANC, SAP
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,863
Thank You Premier:
Called the retention line directly. Agent initially offered $125 statement credit after $4,500 in purchases in 3 months. After further inquiry, additional offers were made:
-10K TYP for $3K in purchases in 6 months
-5K TYP for $1K in purchases
-$75 Statement Credit for $1K in purchases.
Ultimately, I took the $125 statement credit. Prefer the cash to additional TYP's considering they're only worth 1.33 cpp if booked towards airfare, but that often there is actually a markup (annoying), and also, you lose the opportunity to save 15% at Spirit Incentives (when available), making them actually worth somewhat less than 1.33 cpp.
Called the retention line directly. Agent initially offered $125 statement credit after $4,500 in purchases in 3 months. After further inquiry, additional offers were made:
-10K TYP for $3K in purchases in 6 months
-5K TYP for $1K in purchases
-$75 Statement Credit for $1K in purchases.
Ultimately, I took the $125 statement credit. Prefer the cash to additional TYP's considering they're only worth 1.33 cpp if booked towards airfare, but that often there is actually a markup (annoying), and also, you lose the opportunity to save 15% at Spirit Incentives (when available), making them actually worth somewhat less than 1.33 cpp.
Mar 23, 2013, 9:16 pm
#1732
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
Just received the spend on $1k get 5k hilton on both cards I opened back in October. Other option was spend $750 get 750.
Mar 24, 2013, 7:01 pm
#1733
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 17
So, does anyone simply call and ask them to waive the annual fee, or do we really have to go through the song and dance about wanting to cancel the card first?
Mar 24, 2013, 9:26 pm
#1734
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 313
I just called and got (and accepted) this same retention offer for my AAdvantage Visa. I still have three months remaining on the retention offer I received last year (1,000 bonus miles for $1000 spending for 16 months). I also received a statement credit last year for the annual fee ($85 at the time).
An AMEX Platinum is now my primary card, so I was just looking for a way to keep the AAdvantage Visa without paying the $95 annual fee.
An AMEX Platinum is now my primary card, so I was just looking for a way to keep the AAdvantage Visa without paying the $95 annual fee.
Mar 25, 2013, 1:23 pm
#1735
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum-2 MM Starwood Plat,Delta DM
Posts: 975
They offered me the $125.00 credit for $4500.00 in charges. That was a good deal. So in 10 seconds I made $125.00. I have had luck with retentions on many cards but never AMEX.
Rob
Rob
Mar 27, 2013, 8:48 am
#1737
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 87
Just accepted an offer on my AA Visa Platinum for an $85 statement credit to offset the annual fee, and 500 miles for $500 in spend for 16 months. I pushed for the 750/$750 offer, but had no luck.
Mar 28, 2013, 8:00 am
#1738
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: BA Avios, UA MP, AA, Choice, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,096
Citi TYP Premier
Got similar offers, thanks everyone for giving me the heads up.
-10K TYP for $3K in purchases in 6 months
-5K TYP for $1K in purchases
-2TYPs/$ for 3 months
I took the 10K offer.
My reasoning was I'm gonna essentially get 2TYP/$ with flight points in making 3K in purchases and I get about 100 bucks back with 10K points.
Got similar offers, thanks everyone for giving me the heads up.
-10K TYP for $3K in purchases in 6 months
-5K TYP for $1K in purchases
-2TYPs/$ for 3 months
I took the 10K offer.
My reasoning was I'm gonna essentially get 2TYP/$ with flight points in making 3K in purchases and I get about 100 bucks back with 10K points.
Mar 28, 2013, 8:50 am
#1739
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 352
My own datapoint... $95 annual fee for the Citi AA Platinum card credited back if I make 5 purchases of any $ amount within 90 days.
4th year in a row I get same offer, and take it. Got no problem keeping this card for all eternity as long as I dont have to pay the annual fee
4th year in a row I get same offer, and take it. Got no problem keeping this card for all eternity as long as I dont have to pay the annual fee
Mar 28, 2013, 4:07 pm
#1740
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX, SNA
Posts: 359
I have a TYP card. The annual fee is supposed to hit on the May statement. I called to cancel and the rep asked me if I wanted to continue to use it until May, which I replied yes. She then said to wait until that time and then I can call back to cancel. I didn't get any retention offers. I agree and ended the call.
Should I have said that I wanted to cancel it now? I do not want to cancel the card because I have a lot of TYPs which I can use for flights which was why I was reluctant to press the issue.
Should I have said that I wanted to cancel it now? I do not want to cancel the card because I have a lot of TYPs which I can use for flights which was why I was reluctant to press the issue.