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]
Nov 23, 2013, 12:46 pm
#2086
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
$95 fee hit on an old AA Amex. Had the card a couple of years now. Offered $95 credit for $3k spend or 3000 points for $500 spend. Neither was appealing (have too many other places I want to put the $3k spend, and I am not a buyer of AA miles north of 3 cents per mile) so closed the account
Nov 26, 2013, 11:33 am
#2087
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 146
No Business retention offer
3 year old AA Citibusiness card. In the past I have always been offered 10,000 miles with $5k spend to keep the account open, sometimes at anniversary, sometimes mid year. This time (anniversary) no retention offer at all besides a lower interest rate. Closed.
Nov 26, 2013, 4:44 pm
#2088
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Annual Fee up for both of my citi AA (visa/amex) cards in 2 weeks. Called recon number and got fee wavied + bonus 1000 miles after $1000 spend for both cards. Thanks FT!!
Nov 30, 2013, 9:27 pm
#2089
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 75
Just got the $85 AF waived on one of my Citi AA platinum cards (I have four personal and one business currently open). Was also offered an extra 1 mile per dollar spent, up to 1000 miles for the next 16 statements. I don't remember exactly how much I spent but I'm sure it was not much more than the spending required for the 50k mile bonus when I opened it a year ago.
Dec 2, 2013, 8:42 pm
#2090
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 37
I opened Citi AA platinum Visa and Amex cards a year ago using the two browser method. Called the retention line directly ("please help Citi save this customer" while I was on hold). For the Visa, I said the annual fee was a problem, and the rep said, "so you're primarily concerned with the annual fee?" I noted that I was also earning more miles with the SPG Amex. He checked his computer and offered me a $95 statement credit plus 1000 bonus miles per cycle with $1000 spent. I took the offer, and asked if there was any promotions available for the Amex. He gave me the exact same offer, which I also took. I've spent ~$5K on each card.
Dec 2, 2013, 11:16 pm
#2091
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ORD/AUS
Programs: SW A-List and HH Diamond
Posts: 188
Citi retention offer reports [All cards]
I have a Citi AA Platinum Visa (~$50K annual spend) opened in 2010 and Citi AA Gold Visa (sitting in a drawer) opened in 2012. I also just opened a Citi AA Exec Master Card, as I'm probably ditching Plat AmEx. Anyway, my question is when calling to cancel the AA Plat Visa, what kind of offer should I expect? Is $95 and 1,000 miles the best I could hope for?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Dec 3, 2013, 1:23 pm
#2092
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 140
The 18 months is supposedly calculated from when you apply for the card, not from when you close it (no need to even close it to get approved again), so the benefit would just be the $95.
Dec 4, 2013, 10:05 am
#2093
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 757
Called on AA Biz - used just for min spend ($3k), opened a year ago. Was offered $50 (AF = $75) or $75 if I spent $5K in 6 months. Declined both. I would have taken the first if I didn't have a personal card.
Dec 4, 2013, 8:46 pm
#2094
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: ORD
Posts: 269
I have the same card, also haven't used since minimum spend and called about the annual fee. They also offered the $50 credit or 10k miles if I spend 5k in 6 months. Was also offered to downgrade to Citi Business thank you card with no annual fee. Still debating what to do.
Dec 5, 2013, 10:53 am
#2095
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Posts: 286
Just called in about my citi premier card AF($125) and they offered me a $75 SC after 1k spend to stay. I declined since this card isn't worth $50 and was going to cancel but they let me downgrade to a preferred card. I accepted the downgrade but I already have a preferred card so we'll see what happens. There is a 30 day grace period on the AF so I suppose I could have tried to hit the spend quickly, gotten the SC and then canceled within the grace period? Not sure if that would work though..
Dec 5, 2013, 12:01 pm
#2096
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 583
I opened Citi AA platinum Visa and Amex cards a year ago using the two browser method. Called the retention line directly ("please help Citi save this customer" while I was on hold). For the Visa, I said the annual fee was a problem, and the rep said, "so you're primarily concerned with the annual fee?" I noted that I was also earning more miles with the SPG Amex. He checked his computer and offered me a $95 statement credit plus 1000 bonus miles per cycle with $1000 spent. I took the offer, and asked if there was any promotions available for the Amex. He gave me the exact same offer, which I also took. I've spent ~$5K on each card.
Cheers
Dec 5, 2013, 1:06 pm
#2097
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 384
I've had my Citi AA Platinum Visa for about 3 years now. Had the fee waived every time. I put about $25K on it every year, and pay it off in full every month.
I called today and expressed concern about the annual fee (that was on my most recent bill). They expressed regret that they could not waive the fee but could instead give me a $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases within the next three months.
Not as good of an offer as a lot of other people are getting, but whatever. I'll take it!
I called today and expressed concern about the annual fee (that was on my most recent bill). They expressed regret that they could not waive the fee but could instead give me a $95 credit after 5 eligible purchases within the next three months.
Not as good of an offer as a lot of other people are getting, but whatever. I'll take it!
Dec 5, 2013, 7:08 pm
#2098
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 209
Citi HH RESERVE - 3 diff offers
1. 5000 Hilton points after spending $2000 in 3months
2. 750 pts bonus if $750 spend - 16 cycles
3. 2 extra HH pts on gas purchases.
None worth keeping for me.
1. 5000 Hilton points after spending $2000 in 3months
2. 750 pts bonus if $750 spend - 16 cycles
3. 2 extra HH pts on gas purchases.
None worth keeping for me.
Dec 5, 2013, 8:17 pm
#2099
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
Citi Premier 2 offers $75 after $1,000 in 3 months. 2nd offer $125 after $4,500 spend in 3 months. Both were statement credits after spend.
Dec 5, 2013, 8:37 pm
#2100
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 89
Data points
Called on Citi AA Biz which was opened a year ago & only utilized to meet minimum spend ($3K). Was offered $50 vs. $75 annual fee. Said i wanted to cancel. Then offered full $75 with no spend requirement. Graciously declined and canceled. I have 3 Personal AA cards and I might want to apply for another Citi AA Biz in next few months.