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]
Oct 2, 2013, 3:36 pm
#1996
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 115
Had my gf call for her Citi AA Amex. Had it for one year, spent the min to get the miles, then haven't used it since.
Called three times and was repeatedly told that a statement credit was not an option they were given. Only option was to close or transfer to Citi AA Bronze which is a no-fee card. Didn't really need to use the card anyways, so just transferred to Bronze to avoid closing a card and to help improve average age of credit.
meh. don't know if i should have been persistent and kept trying. oh well..
Called three times and was repeatedly told that a statement credit was not an option they were given. Only option was to close or transfer to Citi AA Bronze which is a no-fee card. Didn't really need to use the card anyways, so just transferred to Bronze to avoid closing a card and to help improve average age of credit.
meh. don't know if i should have been persistent and kept trying. oh well..
Oct 3, 2013, 3:43 pm
#1997
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 50
I just went through the same thing with the Citi Amex. The annual fee is posting later this month. I have had minimal spending on it since hitting the initial spend. The only option offered to me was the Citi Bronze. This stinks! I will call back in a few days, but it is probably worth it to keep the card and convert it to Bronze and not close the account.
Oct 4, 2013, 1:33 pm
#1998
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Had my gf call for her Citi AA Amex. Had it for one year, spent the min to get the miles, then haven't used it since.
Called three times and was repeatedly told that a statement credit was not an option they were given. Only option was to close or transfer to Citi AA Bronze which is a no-fee card. Didn't really need to use the card anyways, so just transferred to Bronze to avoid closing a card and to help improve average age of credit.
meh. don't know if i should have been persistent and kept trying. oh well..
Called three times and was repeatedly told that a statement credit was not an option they were given. Only option was to close or transfer to Citi AA Bronze which is a no-fee card. Didn't really need to use the card anyways, so just transferred to Bronze to avoid closing a card and to help improve average age of credit.
meh. don't know if i should have been persistent and kept trying. oh well..
Oct 4, 2013, 1:48 pm
#1999
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: UA/AA/Delta/BA/SW/US airway
Posts: 12
Citi AA business visa card, had it for two years, spent 5000+ on this card, annual fee charged yesterday,
Called today and nothing offered, I went ahead close my account.
Called today and nothing offered, I went ahead close my account.
Oct 4, 2013, 8:31 pm
#2000
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 84
Citi AA Business Visa (opened less than 6 months ago) - offered 10K extra points for 5K spend in next 6 months.
Oct 5, 2013, 9:13 am
#2001
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 880
AA AMEX - Open 3 years. About $4100 in spend the last 12 months, although 98% of that was to meet the terms of my last retention bonus.
A) $95 statement credit after 5 purchases in 3 months
OR
B) 3000k bonus miles after $500 in spend in 3 months.
I took the credit, figuring buying miles at 3.1cpm ($95/3000) wasn't ideal. A little disappointed in the offers, but happy to retain the card at no cost.
A) $95 statement credit after 5 purchases in 3 months
OR
B) 3000k bonus miles after $500 in spend in 3 months.
I took the credit, figuring buying miles at 3.1cpm ($95/3000) wasn't ideal. A little disappointed in the offers, but happy to retain the card at no cost.
Oct 6, 2013, 1:36 pm
#2002
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 2
I called on Friday as well and received the $95 statement credit for 5 purchases over 3 months.
I was told a purchase could be just a cup of coffee x 5. Pretty easy to do so I took them up on their offer.
For background, I got the card when they were offering the 75K. Have made minimal purchases since but usually at least a few each month (mainly online).
When I called the retention dept., I expressed that I've recently had a hard time trying to use my miles domestically and that wasn't the case in the past. I also told them that because of this, that I've decided to just close the account and stick with my Chase BA Visa as I've had good luck with getting flights with them for the past 3 years (yes, it's true).
The Customer Service Rep was really nice and told me that as long as I tell them why I am considering closing the account that they can usually make some sort of offer to "appease" me.
On another note, when I called last year I was offered nothing.
I was told a purchase could be just a cup of coffee x 5. Pretty easy to do so I took them up on their offer.
For background, I got the card when they were offering the 75K. Have made minimal purchases since but usually at least a few each month (mainly online).
When I called the retention dept., I expressed that I've recently had a hard time trying to use my miles domestically and that wasn't the case in the past. I also told them that because of this, that I've decided to just close the account and stick with my Chase BA Visa as I've had good luck with getting flights with them for the past 3 years (yes, it's true).
The Customer Service Rep was really nice and told me that as long as I tell them why I am considering closing the account that they can usually make some sort of offer to "appease" me.
On another note, when I called last year I was offered nothing.
Oct 9, 2013, 10:07 am
#2004
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AAdvantage, British
Posts: 53
AA VISA Platinum - had a retention bonus last year (spent about $12K for 2 points per dollar). This year the offer was $95 statement credit after 5 purchases in 3 months. I did not ask for other offers.
Oct 9, 2013, 5:51 pm
#2005
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: MR, SPG, IHG, HH, CC, AA, UA, BA, DL
Posts: 270
AA Visa Plat. Was offered a $95 statement credit after $1000 spend in 3 months. This was the better of the offers available to me (one being the $95 credit after $3000 spend and others being bonus miles).
Oct 10, 2013, 7:36 am
#2006
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: BA Avios, UA MP, AA, Choice, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,100
AA Visa Plat $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases in the next 3 months (minimal use on the card but I have kept it for >3years) They actually are really nice on the phone
Oct 10, 2013, 9:28 am
#2007
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA
Programs: DL DI AA LTPL MAR LTPL HY GL
Posts: 477
Called in for TY Premier. $125 for $4.5 spend in 3 month.
Spend is about $7k in first year.
Spend is about $7k in first year.
Oct 10, 2013, 7:09 pm
#2008
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 76
Called the other day for Platinum Amex. Had probably 5-8K spend in the year, almost nothing in last 6 months. Said I just wasnt using it a lot since I had other options.
Received 95$ credit plus 1000 bonus miles after $1000 spend for 16 cicles. No haggling involved.
Received 95$ credit plus 1000 bonus miles after $1000 spend for 16 cicles. No haggling involved.
Oct 10, 2013, 11:23 pm
#2010
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Opened aa plat last yr n only did min spend. Was offered:
A) $95 statement credit and 750 bonus point for $750 spend for 16 billing cycles
OR
B) 3000k bonus miles after some spend
Took a) since I need a card to make vr worth my while
A) $95 statement credit and 750 bonus point for $750 spend for 16 billing cycles
OR
B) 3000k bonus miles after some spend
Took a) since I need a card to make vr worth my while