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]
Jun 6, 2013, 4:55 pm
#1801
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Austin TX.
Programs: AA GLD (1MM), Hyatt PLT, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 783
I have the Aadvantage Citi Platinum card. Got the $95 fee on my latest bill.
Called to cancel.
Was offered:
1. $95 bill credit for $1000 spend in the next three months.
Declined as my current card spending is going on USAirways Mastercard for a 15,000 mile bonus.
2. $95 bill credit for making 5 purchases of any $ value in the next 3 months.
Accepted.
I was prepared to let the card go, but that was a great retention deal.
Called to cancel.
Was offered:
1. $95 bill credit for $1000 spend in the next three months.
Declined as my current card spending is going on USAirways Mastercard for a 15,000 mile bonus.
2. $95 bill credit for making 5 purchases of any $ value in the next 3 months.
Accepted.
I was prepared to let the card go, but that was a great retention deal.
Jun 7, 2013, 11:26 am
#1802
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,582
I just called the retention department and was offered the same choices:
1. $95 credit after 5 purchases
2. 2 miles per purchase for 6 months
3. 3000 miles
I happily took option 1.
1. $95 credit after 5 purchases
2. 2 miles per purchase for 6 months
3. 3000 miles
I happily took option 1.
Jun 7, 2013, 6:30 pm
#1803
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 211
I have the Citi Gold AA Visa, which I have had since July 2011. I had the fee waived last year after spending about 5k above the minimum spend requirements for the initial 75k bonus.
After having the fee waived, I didn't spend anything on the card until receiving a targeted offer a few months back for 3x on gas, groceries, restaurants, drug stores for up to 2500 bonus miles. I met that a few weeks ago, and called in today looking to cancel. Since I had little spend this year and had the fee waived last year, I didn't expect much, and I wasn't planning to keep the card unless I got the fee waived.
First offer was for $85 statement credit after 5 purchases of any amount in the next three months, which I gladly accepted. I didn't prompt for bonus mile offers as I simply wanted the fee waived.
Not bad for 3 minutes on the phone. ^
After having the fee waived, I didn't spend anything on the card until receiving a targeted offer a few months back for 3x on gas, groceries, restaurants, drug stores for up to 2500 bonus miles. I met that a few weeks ago, and called in today looking to cancel. Since I had little spend this year and had the fee waived last year, I didn't expect much, and I wasn't planning to keep the card unless I got the fee waived.
First offer was for $85 statement credit after 5 purchases of any amount in the next three months, which I gladly accepted. I didn't prompt for bonus mile offers as I simply wanted the fee waived.
Not bad for 3 minutes on the phone. ^
Jun 7, 2013, 9:09 pm
#1804
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Lubbock, TX
Programs: AAPlatinum, UA
Posts: 250
I called today to cancel my wife's CCard and got offered a $50 credit after 5 purchases within 3 months...I rejected and they said they didn't have more offers.
After indicating that we just got a United CC (Chase) that gave us 50000 miles their offer was not good enough for us and I was offered a (Better) second offer:
-$50 credit (no purchase requirement) plus
-750 bonus miles for every $750 in purchases for the next 16 cycles
Took second offer immediately!
After indicating that we just got a United CC (Chase) that gave us 50000 miles their offer was not good enough for us and I was offered a (Better) second offer:
-$50 credit (no purchase requirement) plus
-750 bonus miles for every $750 in purchases for the next 16 cycles
Took second offer immediately!
Jun 8, 2013, 8:17 am
#1805
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 116
I have the Thank You Premier, annual $120 fee scheduled on the 4th of next month.
Was first offered a waived annual fee for a $4,500 spend in 3 months.
After I said no, too high a spend, I was offered a $75 credit for a $1,000 spend in 3 months.
Then, I asked if there were any offers that were Thank You Points because those are worth more than cash to me, he said $10K TYP for $3,000 spend in 3 months.
I ended up taking the $75 credit for a $1,000 spend in 3 months because I may apply for a few credit cards at the beginning of next month and may have limits I have to hit for that. Only thing that sucks is the offer doesn't immediately hit my credit card, it could take up to 48 hours. So I have to put off a shopping trip I was about to go on this morning.
Was first offered a waived annual fee for a $4,500 spend in 3 months.
After I said no, too high a spend, I was offered a $75 credit for a $1,000 spend in 3 months.
Then, I asked if there were any offers that were Thank You Points because those are worth more than cash to me, he said $10K TYP for $3,000 spend in 3 months.
I ended up taking the $75 credit for a $1,000 spend in 3 months because I may apply for a few credit cards at the beginning of next month and may have limits I have to hit for that. Only thing that sucks is the offer doesn't immediately hit my credit card, it could take up to 48 hours. So I have to put off a shopping trip I was about to go on this morning.
Jun 8, 2013, 4:30 pm
#1806
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 116
Curious what happens if call in for a card hoping for an offer don't get one, does the card ever get cancelled even though you really didn't want it to be.
When I was talking to my retention guy, there was a lot of hemming and hawing on his end, he was at least definitely waiting to see if I said no. And once I said no, then he'd move to the next offer. But if I say no, hoping to get a better offer and there isn't one, he just says okay and cancels my card real quick?
When I was talking to my retention guy, there was a lot of hemming and hawing on his end, he was at least definitely waiting to see if I said no. And once I said no, then he'd move to the next offer. But if I say no, hoping to get a better offer and there isn't one, he just says okay and cancels my card real quick?
Jun 8, 2013, 6:52 pm
#1807
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA plt 2 mm, Marriott LTT, HH dia
Posts: 1,215
Curious what happens if call in for a card hoping for an offer don't get one, does the card ever get cancelled even though you really didn't want it to be.
When I was talking to my retention guy, there was a lot of hemming and hawing on his end, he was at least definitely waiting to see if I said no. And once I said no, then he'd move to the next offer. But if I say no, hoping to get a better offer and there isn't one, he just says okay and cancels my card real quick?
When I was talking to my retention guy, there was a lot of hemming and hawing on his end, he was at least definitely waiting to see if I said no. And once I said no, then he'd move to the next offer. But if I say no, hoping to get a better offer and there isn't one, he just says okay and cancels my card real quick?
Yes, the card can get cancelled if you are not careful. I have seen posts about it in the Chase retention thread. Chase does not always give retention offers. So if people say they are calling to cancel the card due to the annual fee, the rep often times will say, "Okay, the account has been closed." If I am just going for a retention offer, I usually say I am considering closing the card because of the annual fee.
In late June of 2012, I did the two browser trick and got a visa and amex. Today I finally got around to calling about the retention offer. My goal was to have the annual fee waived on at least one of the two cards so that I could keep the 10% rebate on redeemed miles. Since I was not willing to pay the fee, I told them that I was cancelling the card because of the annual fee.
Both cards had a $85 annual fee. On both cards I was given the same offer:
$85 statement credit (no spend required) posted w/in 2 months
750 bonus miles after spending $750 each month for next year
This was my first offer, but it seemed fair and met my goal of not paying the annual fee. So I kept both cards open.
Jun 10, 2013, 8:55 pm
#1808
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western US
Programs: WN CP, WN A-List Preferred, AS MVPG 75k, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 554
I called today looking for an offer on my AA Platinum Visa. I had about $20k in spend on the card during last year.
The offers were
$25 credit for $500 in spend in three months.
3000 miles for $1500 in spend in three months.
Double miles for the next six months, up to 5000 miles. (Accepted)
I was looking for a fee waiver each of the times I called, but never came close to a decent offer. I took the double miles promotion for the next six months, because I'm tired of playing retention offer roulette. This was the sixth time I've called trying to look for just an annual fee statement credit, but nothing ever came close.
The offers were
$25 credit for $500 in spend in three months.
3000 miles for $1500 in spend in three months.
Double miles for the next six months, up to 5000 miles. (Accepted)
I was looking for a fee waiver each of the times I called, but never came close to a decent offer. I took the double miles promotion for the next six months, because I'm tired of playing retention offer roulette. This was the sixth time I've called trying to look for just an annual fee statement credit, but nothing ever came close.
Jun 11, 2013, 1:32 am
#1809
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Born and raised in South Carolina, now in New York City.
Posts: 534
I got an offer for 3k AA miles after $500 spend on my AA Amex card. Quick question on this, I still have two months or so until the fee posts. Could I call back and get another retention offer right before the fee posts? Or will they know I already got one? Does citi do anything if you get a retention offer and cancel anyway?
Jun 11, 2013, 4:57 am
#1810
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 74
You should call again and check to see if the offer has been enabled on your card. I bet it's already active and you don't need to wait 48 hours. I just did this on 2 cards and both offers were active later that SAME day! ^
Jun 13, 2013, 3:14 pm
#1811
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA, SPG, Hyatt, Hilton
Posts: 196
No offer on my Citi TY Premier card when I called today, so I PC'd the card to a Preferred to avoid the annual fee.
Jun 14, 2013, 1:56 pm
#1812
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,075
I have an American Airlines CitiBank Card and with my annual fee coming up in September I called Citibank and spoke with a retention specialist telling them that with the merger with US Airways and American I was not sure how their credit card benefits would work etc. I said I was thinking about cancelling their card due to the unknowns about the merger. The agent gave me a $95 statement credit that would apply to the annual fee. In addition if I spend $750 amount of dollars I can get bonus miles.
Jun 15, 2013, 8:32 am
#1813
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 116
Anyway, I was told there was no way for her to know and her (brilliant) suggestion was just to wait 48 hours before any spend to make sure the offer was activated.
Jun 15, 2013, 12:53 pm
#1814
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 409
I got an offer for 3k AA miles after $500 spend on my AA Amex card. Quick question on this, I still have two months or so until the fee posts. Could I call back and get another retention offer right before the fee posts? Or will they know I already got one? Does citi do anything if you get a retention offer and cancel anyway?
I plan to ask to downgrade to a fee free card rather than outright cancel.
Jun 15, 2013, 1:06 pm
#1815
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
Received the $85 statement credit offer for my AAmEX and the credit posted already even though my annual fee is still 2-6 weeks out.
Anything to stop me from just closing it out and keeping the $85 credit?
Anything to stop me from just closing it out and keeping the $85 credit?