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]
Jan 28, 2011, 11:29 am
#616
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,565
Great find, thanks! This might be more appropriate in the Citi AA thread, but it would easily get lost in the mix, so I'm glad I got to see it...although I wish I was eligible for the 1.5 promotion or even the 1.2.
Last edited by johndeere19; Jan 28, 2011 at 11:35 am
Jan 28, 2011, 11:46 am
#617
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
This offer and variants have been discussed since November in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...l#post15109212
I opted for the spend $750 to get the bonus 750 offer. 1 simple mint purchase a month.
Trying to make sure I do 15 small transactions on the card (i.e. imply lunch at the cafeteria or something, when I already have a 5% card for those purchases), or, to make a deliberate trip to a gas pump and generate 15 receipts under a dollar each or something (assuming the CC wouldn't go into fraud alert) seemed too much effort.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...l#post15109212
I opted for the spend $750 to get the bonus 750 offer. 1 simple mint purchase a month.
Trying to make sure I do 15 small transactions on the card (i.e. imply lunch at the cafeteria or something, when I already have a 5% card for those purchases), or, to make a deliberate trip to a gas pump and generate 15 receipts under a dollar each or something (assuming the CC wouldn't go into fraud alert) seemed too much effort.
Jan 28, 2011, 1:47 pm
#618
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SFO
Posts: 225
Thanks for the post, skymatty.
I called and got:
1) 3000 miles upfront, 750 miles per month after 15 transactions (per month) for next 16 billing cycles
2) 2 additional miles per dollar for 6 months, 10,000 mile cap
3) 3000 miles for spending $500 per month for 3 months
I chose #2. I didn't want to deal with the hassle of 15 transactions per month.
I called and got:
1) 3000 miles upfront, 750 miles per month after 15 transactions (per month) for next 16 billing cycles
2) 2 additional miles per dollar for 6 months, 10,000 mile cap
3) 3000 miles for spending $500 per month for 3 months
I chose #2. I didn't want to deal with the hassle of 15 transactions per month.
Jan 29, 2011, 8:48 am
#619
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tucson
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, AA, BA, US
Posts: 214
I called yesterday to cancel my AA business master card. I told the CSR that I am tired of getting Citi phone solicitations for identity protection plans, and that I don't use the card that much.
The CSR transferred me to a retention specialist, who promptly offered me 2500 miles not to cancel. I didn't see a downside - the annual fee doesn't hit until May - so I am letting it ride until then.
The CSR transferred me to a retention specialist, who promptly offered me 2500 miles not to cancel. I didn't see a downside - the annual fee doesn't hit until May - so I am letting it ride until then.
Jan 29, 2011, 9:33 am
#620
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: UA, AA, SPG, HH
Posts: 672
So for people that have been successful in getting the Citi CSR's to offer these promos did you have to mention cancelling the card or were you able to just call in and use the old "A colleague of mine received an offer for XYZ, I was hoping you would apply the same promo to my account" strategy?
Jan 29, 2011, 9:46 am
#621
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 110
couple good offers will call to see what i can get.
Jan 29, 2011, 11:30 am
#622
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 411
Called to cancel my Citi AAdvantage VISA - charge about $50,000 year on the card and always pay if off every month - last time I checked my credit score it was 797 - I mentioned that I was thinking of canceling the card due to the annual fee and before I could say anything else, the customer service rep said, card is canceled, thank you for your business. I have had the card for about five years. No big deal because unless the retention deal was great, would not have kept the card but am quite surprised that a company would let a good customer get away so easily. No big deal, I will use my SPG Amex and a lower annual fee.
Jan 29, 2011, 1:08 pm
#623
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tucson
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, AA, BA, US
Posts: 214
Just tried to cancel my AA personal mastercard (which I haven't used since August 2010) and was offered an immediate $85 statement credit plus 750 extra miles for $750 spend for the next 16 billing cycles.
Mentioning "unwanted telephone solicitations" seemed to help.
Since the annual fee isn't even due until May, this also seems like a no brainer.
Mentioning "unwanted telephone solicitations" seemed to help.
Since the annual fee isn't even due until May, this also seems like a no brainer.
Jan 29, 2011, 3:37 pm
#624
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
I called yesterday to cancel a card which I had canceled six months ago (Citi apparently did not cancel as requested and sent me a bill for the annual fee after months of no use).
Retention offered me $85 credit (same as annual fee) on this personal (not biz) card if I made five charges right away. They also had 3K AA miles with no fee credit.
Bing! Card canceled! ^
Jan 29, 2011, 7:25 pm
#625
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,262
Just tried to cancel my AA personal mastercard (which I haven't used since August 2010) and was offered an immediate $85 statement credit plus 750 extra miles for $750 spend for the next 16 billing cycles.
Mentioning "unwanted telephone solicitations" seemed to help.
Since the annual fee isn't even due until May, this also seems like a no brainer.
Mentioning "unwanted telephone solicitations" seemed to help.
Since the annual fee isn't even due until May, this also seems like a no brainer.
Jan 31, 2011, 7:13 pm
#626
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 30
Just called threatening to cancel and received 3,000 miles plus:
750 bonus miles for spending $750 per statement for 16 billing periods.
Thanks for the advice guys.
750 bonus miles for spending $750 per statement for 16 billing periods.
Thanks for the advice guys.
Jan 31, 2011, 9:08 pm
#627
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 396
I'm glad they didn't just cancel my card, because I've only had it 4 months.
Jan 31, 2011, 9:50 pm
#628
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,117
Another option was 15 transactions per month for 750 miles extra. I passed on that since it's just too much work for me each month. In retrospect, though, I could have walked down one street a month and done 25c in 15 parking meters . . .
Jan 31, 2011, 10:48 pm
#629
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 49
Called also this evening and offered the 3000 miles and 750 miles for 15 purchases each billing cycles for 16 billing cycles. Glad I saw this post.
Feb 1, 2011, 10:09 am
#630
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
i was offered 2500 miles to keep it open after i only had it for two months (aug-sept). i agreed and had to send sevearl emails to get it credited. probly gonna call tonight to try and cancel again for real