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]
Dec 19, 2013, 1:23 pm
#2116
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
I called and got the offer of $95 statement credit after 5 qualified purchases in 60 days. I did 5 small transactions on Amazon.com.
1- How long after making the transactions do you get the statement credit?
2- What happens if I, after I get the $95 statement credit + get hit with the $95 annual fee, I cancel the card? Do I get a check for $190 (the $95 statement credit + the refunded annual fee)? Or do they just refund the annual fee (assuming I cancel within 30 days) and send you a check for the remaining $95 statement balance?
1- How long after making the transactions do you get the statement credit?
2- What happens if I, after I get the $95 statement credit + get hit with the $95 annual fee, I cancel the card? Do I get a check for $190 (the $95 statement credit + the refunded annual fee)? Or do they just refund the annual fee (assuming I cancel within 30 days) and send you a check for the remaining $95 statement balance?
Dec 19, 2013, 1:59 pm
#2117
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 154
Per #2, you will never have a $190 statement balance. Citi will charge you the $95 fee on one line and issue a $95 credit on another line, zero-ing out the annual fee completely.
Dec 19, 2013, 2:16 pm
#2118
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
But doesn't Citi reimburse you the $95 fee if you cancel withing 30 days of being assessed the fee?
Dec 19, 2013, 6:55 pm
#2119
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Dec 19, 2013, 7:02 pm
#2120
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
I guess I wasn't clear about this strategy.
Citi will charge you a $95 annual fee, and it will give you a $95 statement credit when you make 5 purchases.
Now, let's say that both of those transactions have occurred. Say for example:
12/20/2013 Statement Credit $95
12/20/2013 Annual Fee $95
On 12/31/2013, I call Citi and ask to close my credit card. Since I am still on the 30 days window, the annual fee should be taken out completely. That leaves me with a $95 statement credit (minus the 5 transactions I made, which in my case amount to $0.85).
So my question is, since the annual fee is credited back on account closure, doesn't that leave the statement credit free and clear? After all, the conditions for getting the statement credit were 5 purchases, which I made. The statement credit is not subject on me keeping the account open. While the annual fee is subject on me keeping the account open 30 days or more. (I don't know if Citi pro-rates this annual fee if you close after the 30 days).
Doesn't this strategy nets you a $95 check on the mail?
Citi will charge you a $95 annual fee, and it will give you a $95 statement credit when you make 5 purchases.
Now, let's say that both of those transactions have occurred. Say for example:
12/20/2013 Statement Credit $95
12/20/2013 Annual Fee $95
On 12/31/2013, I call Citi and ask to close my credit card. Since I am still on the 30 days window, the annual fee should be taken out completely. That leaves me with a $95 statement credit (minus the 5 transactions I made, which in my case amount to $0.85).
So my question is, since the annual fee is credited back on account closure, doesn't that leave the statement credit free and clear? After all, the conditions for getting the statement credit were 5 purchases, which I made. The statement credit is not subject on me keeping the account open. While the annual fee is subject on me keeping the account open 30 days or more. (I don't know if Citi pro-rates this annual fee if you close after the 30 days).
Doesn't this strategy nets you a $95 check on the mail?
Dec 19, 2013, 7:09 pm
#2121
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
I guess I wasn't clear about this strategy.
Citi will charge you a $95 annual fee, and it will give you a $95 statement credit when you make 5 purchases.
Now, let's say that both of those transactions have occurred. Say for example:
12/20/2013 Statement Credit $95
12/20/2013 Annual Fee $95
On 12/31/2013, I call Citi and ask to close my credit card. Since I am still on the 30 days window, the annual fee should be taken out completely. That leaves me with a $95 statement credit (minus the 5 transactions I made, which in my case amount to $0.85).
So my question is, since the annual fee is credited back on account closure, doesn't that leave the statement credit free and clear? After all, the conditions for getting the statement credit were 5 purchases, which I made. The statement credit is not subject on me keeping the account open. While the annual fee is subject on me keeping the account open 30 days or more. (I don't know if Citi pro-rates this annual fee if you close after the 30 days).
Doesn't this strategy nets you a $95 check on the mail?
Citi will charge you a $95 annual fee, and it will give you a $95 statement credit when you make 5 purchases.
Now, let's say that both of those transactions have occurred. Say for example:
12/20/2013 Statement Credit $95
12/20/2013 Annual Fee $95
On 12/31/2013, I call Citi and ask to close my credit card. Since I am still on the 30 days window, the annual fee should be taken out completely. That leaves me with a $95 statement credit (minus the 5 transactions I made, which in my case amount to $0.85).
So my question is, since the annual fee is credited back on account closure, doesn't that leave the statement credit free and clear? After all, the conditions for getting the statement credit were 5 purchases, which I made. The statement credit is not subject on me keeping the account open. While the annual fee is subject on me keeping the account open 30 days or more. (I don't know if Citi pro-rates this annual fee if you close after the 30 days).
Doesn't this strategy nets you a $95 check on the mail?
Dec 20, 2013, 12:37 am
#2122
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
How did you cash the $95 net you made? Did you get a check for $95? Or did you just made purchases against the credit?
Dec 20, 2013, 11:37 am
#2123
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ROC
Programs: Anything CC gives me
Posts: 1,118
Dec 21, 2013, 11:56 am
#2124
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Arlington, VA USA
Posts: 672
Citi Aadvantage Amex
Called because my statement said the annual fee would be on the next statement. I was offered a $95 statement credit and up to 1,000 bonus miles per statement for the next 16 statements (1 bonus mile per $, capped at $1,000 per cycle).
Dec 23, 2013, 4:37 pm
#2125
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: DEN
Posts: 14
Called today and got the same offer as the post above me ($95 credit + 1k miles each month with $1k+ in purchases for 16 months) I only did min spend on this card with one or two other random purchases on it.
Dec 26, 2013, 2:13 pm
#2126
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: California
Programs: AAdvantage, Rapid Rewards, US Airways
Posts: 39
Got the same offer for both my cards opened 11 months ago (Citi Amex and Citi Personal Visa)
$95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months
$95 statement credit and 1,000 mile bonus for $1,000 spend for the next 16 months
Dec 26, 2013, 2:40 pm
#2127
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
I got the 1000 mile bonus and statement credit offers for both AA Visa and Amex, applied for using the two browser trick almost a year ago. Does anyone know if the $1000 is for spending or statement balance? For example, since the statement credits will apply for both cards for this cycle, do I have to spend $1000 or $1095 to get the bonus?
Dec 27, 2013, 3:02 am
#2128
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
I got the 1000 mile bonus and statement credit offers for both AA Visa and Amex, applied for using the two browser trick almost a year ago. Does anyone know if the $1000 is for spending or statement balance? For example, since the statement credits will apply for both cards for this cycle, do I have to spend $1000 or $1095 to get the bonus?
Dec 27, 2013, 8:12 am
#2129
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Arlington, VA USA
Posts: 672
It is essentially double miles on all purchases capped at 1,000 miles per billing cycle. If you have two cards, you could potentially earn double miles on your first $2,000 of spending per month. With the recent UA devaluation, I would say that's an unbeatable earnings rate except for some categories of spending (e.g. 5x bonuses with Chase Ink, and 3x bonus on airfares with the Amex PRG.)
Dec 27, 2013, 1:56 pm
#2130
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 162
just got off the phone with retention, got $95 statement credit and 1000 points for $1000 spent for the next 16 months. AAdvantage Visa Signature card from 1/2013... will call my amex which I got the same day (2 browser trick), after I pay off the balance today/should post tomorrow...