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]
Feb 1, 2011, 11:27 am
#631
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Disney World
Programs: Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 321
slightly different offer
I called today because the 1 year anniversary of my Citi Business AA Visa is coming up. They said they couldn't waive the annual fee but offered 10k bonus miles for $5k of spending over the next 6 months. I took it because I plan to keep the card anyway.
Feb 1, 2011, 11:53 am
#632
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
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.
Reason I like the #2 offer though, is if you've signed up for example the 50K mile after $750 spend and additional 50K miles after $10K spend, then it's great to stack that retention offer on the sign on bonus requirement.
So, if I manage to escape the 'first time card members only' rule on my 50K+50K application, first thing I do once I get the card is calling retentions. Since I'm going to have to spend $10K anyway, would much rather be earning an extra mile per dollar.
Feb 1, 2011, 2:46 pm
#633
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: Delta silver, HH silver, IHG platinum, SPG gold, AMEX platinum
Posts: 400
Great Head's up. Simple call
>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
I was offered 1 and 2..I chose the 15 transactions as I plan to put the bulk of my charges on other cards. Not bad for 15000 additional miles IMHO without opening another card.
A couple months ago they waved the 2nd year fee of my MasterCard...I am very happy with Citi and the customer service I've received when I called. FYI at this time there don't seem to be any retention offers for the Biz cards.
>2) 2 additional miles per dollar for 6 months, 10,000 mile cap
I was offered 1 and 2..I chose the 15 transactions as I plan to put the bulk of my charges on other cards. Not bad for 15000 additional miles IMHO without opening another card.
A couple months ago they waved the 2nd year fee of my MasterCard...I am very happy with Citi and the customer service I've received when I called. FYI at this time there don't seem to be any retention offers for the Biz cards.
Feb 2, 2011, 2:59 pm
#635
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
IMHO, Citi has made a policy decision to cut back on retention bonuses without particular regard for the spend on each account.
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! ^
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! ^
Feb 3, 2011, 7:29 am
#636
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Reston, Virginia, USA
Posts: 653
Fee credited plus the double points for $750 spend. Luck of the draw?
Told the first guy that I had a problem justifying the fee. Cancel, or could he do anything for me? Transferred to a very nice lady in S Dakota. Got the credits, anong with a nice chat on snow driving, and ethnic names. Mine is very ethnic.
A most pleasant experience.
Told the first guy that I had a problem justifying the fee. Cancel, or could he do anything for me? Transferred to a very nice lady in S Dakota. Got the credits, anong with a nice chat on snow driving, and ethnic names. Mine is very ethnic.
A most pleasant experience.
Feb 3, 2011, 8:20 am
#637
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
cancelled my last AAdvantage card two nights ago. it was the visa business version. only thing i was offered was 10k points with $3k spend over the next 3-6 months i think. also offered a different card with 5 miles per $ on something with at&t, 3 miles on office supplies, and 1 on everything else. i asked if he had anything else but i guess he didn't. cancelled. if 75k link is still up next month i might try again and hope to get lucky 
Feb 3, 2011, 6:43 pm
#638
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
cancelled my last AAdvantage card two nights ago. it was the visa business version. only thing i was offered was 10k points with $3k spend over the next 3-6 months i think. also offered a different card with 5 miles per $ on something with at&t, 3 miles on office supplies, and 1 on everything else. i asked if he had anything else but i guess he didn't. cancelled. if 75k link is still up next month i might try again and hope to get lucky
I just got approved for the Citibusiness AAdvantage: 50K + 50K offer. Since I have to spend $10K anyway, I'd love to be able to stack something like what you were offered.
Feb 4, 2011, 1:11 pm
#639
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 81
Just another data point. Had AA Visa since June, sadly only got 35k on the initial bonus versus the massive ones out there now. Probably charged $100 total since then other than the bonus requirements. Have an AA MC that I use extensively.
Offer 1: 750 miles for $750 spent for 16 months (12k total, no bonus) and $85 fee waived.
Offer 2: 3000 miles for $500 in purchases.
Cancelled. Going to test the water with the AmEx and Business cards.
Offer 1: 750 miles for $750 spent for 16 months (12k total, no bonus) and $85 fee waived.
Offer 2: 3000 miles for $500 in purchases.
Cancelled. Going to test the water with the AmEx and Business cards.
Feb 4, 2011, 3:48 pm
#640
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 290
It seems the retention direct number mentioned earlier 800-444-2568 can only handle personal cards, not business cards. Anyone has a direct number for business card retention? thanks
Feb 5, 2011, 11:01 am
#641
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,107
Does anyone know for sure whether the monthly $750 requirement is per cycle, or per calendar month? I think of it until I got off with the guy . . .
Feb 5, 2011, 1:47 pm
#642
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, AA Plat
Posts: 1,138
Feb 5, 2011, 2:11 pm
#643
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: Delta silver, HH silver, IHG platinum, SPG gold, AMEX platinum
Posts: 400
Possible ideas
"You can buy $1 Amazon Gift Cards that are instantly sent through e-mail with no shipping/fees/order minimum."
I haven't gone the Amazon route as my cafeteria at work charges .10 to use their cups/hot water also our vending machines (think .50 gum) accept Visa/AMEX :-).... You can also make 1 time payments on bills through utility websites.
Feb 5, 2011, 2:15 pm
#644
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: AA Plat,PC Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 904
Did all of your guys just threaten to cancel the card or just asked if there were any offers? My card has been open for just 4 months and I have charged nothing apart from the initial 1500. So I am afraid that they might just go ahead cancel it, in which case, I might lose the miles.
Feb 5, 2011, 2:29 pm
#645
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,107