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]
Apr 21, 2011 | 1:48 pm
#751
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum
Posts: 367
I had the no-fee Citi PP, converted to the Citi Preferred. I have not used my card in a year. Called to cancel, and the retention agent offered me either:
10K bonus points for $3K spend over next 6 mos,
or,
4 bonus points/$ spent on everything for the next 3 mos, for a total of 5 points/$ spent.
I took the latter.
10K bonus points for $3K spend over next 6 mos,
or,
4 bonus points/$ spent on everything for the next 3 mos, for a total of 5 points/$ spent.
I took the latter.
Apr 28, 2011 | 3:47 pm
#752
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: BA Avios, UA MP, AA, Choice, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,126
Citi Plat AMEX (now TYP Premier) called see what they could offer as I have stopped using it.
- offered just like above, 4 bonus points/$ spent on everything for the next 3 mos, for a total of 5 points/$ spent.
- offered just like above, 4 bonus points/$ spent on everything for the next 3 mos, for a total of 5 points/$ spent.
Apr 30, 2011 | 8:51 am
#753
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: CA & Europe
Programs: AA Life-Plat-Pro, HH Gold, IHG Plat, UA
Posts: 753
Both fee cr + miles offer
Just called the retentions number and told them I was thinking of cancelling bc I got another card that offers more miles. Was offered 3k bonus miles + 750 miles/month for 16 swipes/month. Asked for other options and was offered 750 for 750 spend a month and finally 3 miles/dollar up to 10k for 6 months, which I finally accepted.
Anybody got BOTH annual fee credit AND miles offer, to be in effect together?
Apr 30, 2011 | 4:01 pm
#754
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago
Posts: 74
4 per $, 20k max
Same story as always: I called to say I barely use my AA MC and want to cancel it to avoid the $85 fee. The CSR said "I have some offers for you... let's see which is best" and then he offered me 4 bonus miles per dollar charged, up to 20,000 bonus miles in 6 months. I'll get those miles in a month and use them the following month -- all in all a good deal!
May 4, 2011 | 12:07 pm
#755
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum-3 MM Marriott Lifetime Plat Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 980
I called them today about the $85 fee on my AA Platinum card. They told me that after 5 purchases of any amount. I got a very pleasant man (US based) they would credit me the entire amount. I had this card for more than 20 yrs.
Rob
Rob
May 4, 2011 | 5:54 pm
#756
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
I've had the AA Citi Platinum for 6 months, just did the CapOne Venture matching which I think is a better card overall, so I called to close the Citi card.
Asked to speak to retention right away.
Waited 1 minute, talked to Steve in South Dakota.
Offered 3K miles for 5 purchases
or
x2 additional miles per dollar spent in the next 6 months, up to 10K miles.
Took the 2nd, will do that in the next 2-3 months and then cancel the card before the annual fee is due.
Asked to speak to retention right away.
Waited 1 minute, talked to Steve in South Dakota.
Offered 3K miles for 5 purchases
or
x2 additional miles per dollar spent in the next 6 months, up to 10K miles.
Took the 2nd, will do that in the next 2-3 months and then cancel the card before the annual fee is due.
May 6, 2011 | 9:30 am
#757
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Homeless Nomad Wandering the Globe
Programs: Former AA EXP/2M Lifetime now Blackballed UA Premier Executive PWP Bronze
Posts: 5,938
stoned
i have the thankyou PREMIER
that's how it reads on the front of my new card. it converted over from an older TY account. i retained the flight miles benefit, so i like it for that. generally, i use the points for Wal-Mart gift cards 10,000 = $100 and get a 1.0 cent/point benefit b/c that seems easiest for me. i burn $$$ at sam's, so it's like cash.
my annual fee of $85 came up in april, so i called the 800 CSR number and asked specifically for a retention agent. i spend $50,000+ each year on the card and pay most if not all of the balance each month. some months i do carry a balance, so they DO make money on my account.
i asked about getting my $85 back or receiving points to offset the $85, and after a brief hold i was told "no"
i said that i was planning on transferring my banking activity from Citi to Chase and supported that with my positive experiences with my Chase Sapphire Card and my negative experiences with Citibank (multiple). The retention agent asked/offered at least three times to cancel my card for me - almost encouraging me to close it.
honestly, i'm finding it impossible to bank there, and using this card is now another straw on the camel's back. this is the first year - going back to my Citi AA MC that i have not received a credit of the annual fee or an offset.
that's how it reads on the front of my new card. it converted over from an older TY account. i retained the flight miles benefit, so i like it for that. generally, i use the points for Wal-Mart gift cards 10,000 = $100 and get a 1.0 cent/point benefit b/c that seems easiest for me. i burn $$$ at sam's, so it's like cash.
my annual fee of $85 came up in april, so i called the 800 CSR number and asked specifically for a retention agent. i spend $50,000+ each year on the card and pay most if not all of the balance each month. some months i do carry a balance, so they DO make money on my account.
i asked about getting my $85 back or receiving points to offset the $85, and after a brief hold i was told "no"
i said that i was planning on transferring my banking activity from Citi to Chase and supported that with my positive experiences with my Chase Sapphire Card and my negative experiences with Citibank (multiple). The retention agent asked/offered at least three times to cancel my card for me - almost encouraging me to close it.
honestly, i'm finding it impossible to bank there, and using this card is now another straw on the camel's back. this is the first year - going back to my Citi AA MC that i have not received a credit of the annual fee or an offset.
May 6, 2011 | 9:34 am
#758
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,668
i have the thankyou PREMIER
that's how it reads on the front of my new card. it converted over from an older TY account. i retained the flight miles benefit, so i like it for that. generally, i use the points for Wal-Mart gift cards 10,000 = $100 and get a 1.0 cent/point benefit b/c that seems easiest for me. i burn $$$ at sam's, so it's like cash.
my annual fee of $85 came up in april, so i called the 800 CSR number and asked specifically for a retention agent. i spend $50,000+ each year on the card and pay most if not all of the balance each month. some months i do carry a balance, so they DO make money on my account.
i asked about getting my $85 back or receiving points to offset the $85, and after a brief hold i was told "no"
i said that i was planning on transferring my banking activity from Citi to Chase and supported that with my positive experiences with my Chase Sapphire Card and my negative experiences with Citibank (multiple). The retention agent asked/offered at least three times to cancel my card for me - almost encouraging me to close it.
honestly, i'm finding it impossible to bank there, and using this card is now another straw on the camel's back. this is the first year - going back to my Citi AA MC that i have not received a credit of the annual fee or an offset.
that's how it reads on the front of my new card. it converted over from an older TY account. i retained the flight miles benefit, so i like it for that. generally, i use the points for Wal-Mart gift cards 10,000 = $100 and get a 1.0 cent/point benefit b/c that seems easiest for me. i burn $$$ at sam's, so it's like cash.
my annual fee of $85 came up in april, so i called the 800 CSR number and asked specifically for a retention agent. i spend $50,000+ each year on the card and pay most if not all of the balance each month. some months i do carry a balance, so they DO make money on my account.
i asked about getting my $85 back or receiving points to offset the $85, and after a brief hold i was told "no"
i said that i was planning on transferring my banking activity from Citi to Chase and supported that with my positive experiences with my Chase Sapphire Card and my negative experiences with Citibank (multiple). The retention agent asked/offered at least three times to cancel my card for me - almost encouraging me to close it.
honestly, i'm finding it impossible to bank there, and using this card is now another straw on the camel's back. this is the first year - going back to my Citi AA MC that i have not received a credit of the annual fee or an offset.
May 6, 2011 | 9:53 am
#759
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Homeless Nomad Wandering the Globe
Programs: Former AA EXP/2M Lifetime now Blackballed UA Premier Executive PWP Bronze
Posts: 5,938
That doesn't sound good at all - a 1% cash back card, essentially? If you go back to your AA card, you're basically buying miles at 1 cent each, which seems like a better deal in comparison. Or get the Chase AARP card or the Chase BA card which gives 1.25 miles per dollar.
when i used TY points for flights, i got much better deals than using miles. most flights are 2x miles (AA) using miles, so 50k + fees for domestic. if a flight costs $500/50,000 TY points (they usually don't), it's still a net gain b/c i collected miles on the airline i flew with TY point bought fares (it's like paying cash). factor in that i can fly any airline (when i fly which isn't nearly as often), and an AA card doesn't make sense.
i would much rather have cash, and both my current cards afford me that opportunity - directly with Chase or indirectly with Citi. that said, as i stated, i am becoming increasingly disenchanted with citi.
May 6, 2011 | 10:38 am
#760
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 51,741
Not if you buy airline tickets to earn sufficient Flight Points. This is a gimmick which doubles your ThankYou points on each dollar, and the points are worth $0.0133 when redeemed for air travel. Essentially it's $0.0266 per dollar if both your spending and redeeming patterns are a good match.
This is better than a card which awards one airline mile per dollar, but not as good as those which award 1.25 or more miles per dollar.
This is better than a card which awards one airline mile per dollar, but not as good as those which award 1.25 or more miles per dollar.
May 6, 2011 | 11:57 am
#761
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
Offered credit for annual fee + 750 bonus miles for spending $750/month for next 16 billing cycles. Took it and figured I would do 750 coins/month for the next year to get 18K miles.
May 6, 2011 | 2:16 pm
#762
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
I had the PPE converted to TYN Premier. Annual fee was charged earlier this year, then credited, and now charged again.
Since the fee was now pending, I called retentions to cancel and was offered 2 bonus TYP for three months, or 10k TYP for $3k spending within 6 months; took the latter, it will cover the fee cost.
Since the fee was now pending, I called retentions to cancel and was offered 2 bonus TYP for three months, or 10k TYP for $3k spending within 6 months; took the latter, it will cover the fee cost.
May 11, 2011 | 5:09 pm
#763
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Citi AAdvantage Card. Called to cancel before annual fee kicked in, was offered a credit for the annual fee if I make five "qualifying" purchases (i.e. not balance transfer, goods that get returned, etc.) by the end of June.
May 18, 2011 | 1:55 pm
#764
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 235
had the card for 5-6 months. called retentions directly.
offered $85 statement credit and 750 miles/mo for spending $750 each month for 16 months OR 2 miles per dollar up to 5k miles for 6 months but no credit.
took the first one.
offered $85 statement credit and 750 miles/mo for spending $750 each month for 16 months OR 2 miles per dollar up to 5k miles for 6 months but no credit.
took the first one.
May 19, 2011 | 3:20 am
#765
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: United MileagePlus, BA Avios, AAdvantage
Posts: 23
They actually gave me many options,
I called about 3 weeks ago and asked to cancel, the rep gave me the following offers:
1) lower my APR to 8 or 9% (don't remember very well)
2) a 50 dlls credit after 5 purchases
3) 3 miles per dollar for 6 months
I didn't like either and explained to them that I had just received the Cap1 card and I wasn't going to stay with them, what was the point on purchasing for a 50-dollar credit? They offered the 50 dollars w/o any purchase. I accepted
I called about 3 weeks ago and asked to cancel, the rep gave me the following offers:
1) lower my APR to 8 or 9% (don't remember very well)
2) a 50 dlls credit after 5 purchases
3) 3 miles per dollar for 6 months
I didn't like either and explained to them that I had just received the Cap1 card and I wasn't going to stay with them, what was the point on purchasing for a 50-dollar credit? They offered the 50 dollars w/o any purchase. I accepted