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]
Aug 25, 2011, 4:40 pm
#856
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
For my Citi AA Platinum MasterCard ($85 annual fee), current card retention promos included:
1. $85 statement credit for 5 purchases of any amount
2. $85 statement credit for $3000 in purchases
3. spend $500, get 3000 AA miles
4. 1 extra AA mile on all purchases for 6 months up to a max of 5000 miles
5. 2 extra AA miles on all purchases for 6 months up to a max of 10000 miles
I'm generally pleased with Citicard service. The annual fee is the big bugaboo for me, so #1 did it for me. I'm keeping the card for another year.
1. $85 statement credit for 5 purchases of any amount
2. $85 statement credit for $3000 in purchases
3. spend $500, get 3000 AA miles
4. 1 extra AA mile on all purchases for 6 months up to a max of 5000 miles
5. 2 extra AA miles on all purchases for 6 months up to a max of 10000 miles
I'm generally pleased with Citicard service. The annual fee is the big bugaboo for me, so #1 did it for me. I'm keeping the card for another year.
Aug 26, 2011, 9:15 am
#857
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 275
Is there a delay in the bonus miles for people that got the double miles up to $750 retention bonus? Or should it be on the statement they promised to start it for 16 statements?
Aug 26, 2011, 9:08 pm
#858
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,800
Note: Citi's offers take 48 hours to be in effect. Make sure you only spend after the offer takes place.
Aug 27, 2011, 6:25 am
#859
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Washington, DC area
Programs: Air: Many; Hotel: HH D, HY G, IHG P, MR S, RR
Posts: 504
Cancelled one card and got bonus on another card
I called to cancel my almost one year old Citi AAdvantage Signature Visa, which has had almost no use since meeting the initial spending requirement. I also have the Citi AAdvantage World MasterCard, which is my regular card for purchases where I can't use Amex (I get the annual fee on the MC waived through Citigold).
I don't really have a need for two CB AA cards, so I wasn't looking for a retention offer on the Visa. Nevertheless, the first CSR transferred me to a retention specialist, who offered me the extra mile per dollar spent for up to six months with a cap of 5K miles to keep the card. I declined but asked if I could get a bonus on the MasterCard, and he offered me the same bonus on my MC. I'm pretty happy since I wasn't expecting anything.
I don't really have a need for two CB AA cards, so I wasn't looking for a retention offer on the Visa. Nevertheless, the first CSR transferred me to a retention specialist, who offered me the extra mile per dollar spent for up to six months with a cap of 5K miles to keep the card. I declined but asked if I could get a bonus on the MasterCard, and he offered me the same bonus on my MC. I'm pretty happy since I wasn't expecting anything.
Aug 27, 2011, 7:45 am
#860
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Programs: All major programs
Posts: 1,403
If you want a retention offer, it is best to talk to a human and say something like - "I am considering closing the account. Does it qualify for retention?" If your card qualifies, the CSR should transfer you to the retention. At no point ask them to close the account lest CSR closes it without transferring to retention. If you really want to close the account, you can always do it by sending a message through the online system. Hope it helps.
Last edited by gv111; Sep 22, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Aug 27, 2011, 11:07 am
#861
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA
Posts: 70
Retention Offers for AAdvantage Cards
AAdvantage Amex and Visa. Annual fees due next month.
Called first to cancel the Amex. Said I was considering canceling due to having the BA Chase Visa, which can be used for AA flights, and can be used more places since it's a Visa. Got offered an $85 credit for 5 transactions in the next 3 months.
Then called to cancel the Visa. Said I was considering canceling due to having the BA Chase Visa, which can be used for AA flights, and gives more miles per dollar spent. Got offered an $85 credit (straight up) AND 750 bonus miles for each month where I spend more than $750 on the card. The offer ends in 16 months.
I hadn't spent much on either card since the signup bonuses a year ago, but the second offer will likely cause me to switch daily spending to the AA Visa. Thanks, Citi!
Called first to cancel the Amex. Said I was considering canceling due to having the BA Chase Visa, which can be used for AA flights, and can be used more places since it's a Visa. Got offered an $85 credit for 5 transactions in the next 3 months.
Then called to cancel the Visa. Said I was considering canceling due to having the BA Chase Visa, which can be used for AA flights, and gives more miles per dollar spent. Got offered an $85 credit (straight up) AND 750 bonus miles for each month where I spend more than $750 on the card. The offer ends in 16 months.
I hadn't spent much on either card since the signup bonuses a year ago, but the second offer will likely cause me to switch daily spending to the AA Visa. Thanks, Citi!
Aug 27, 2011, 1:46 pm
#862
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: varies
Programs: AA Plat; Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, BestW Plat
Posts: 202
If you want a retention offer, it is best to talk to a human and say something like - "I am considering closing the account. Does it qualify for retention?" If your card qualifies, the CSR should transfer you to the retention. At no point ask them to close the account lest CSR closes it without transferring to retention. If you really want to close the account, you can always do it my sending a message through the online system. Hope it helps.
Aug 31, 2011, 3:52 pm
#863
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
Was offered:
1) $85 credit for 5 transactions
2) 3000 bonus for $500 spend
3) 2 miles per $ for 6 months
I accepted (2) as I have other cards to spend on and I already got targeted for 1.5 miles per dollar until 10/31. This will get me closer to the 2m mark
This is on a Citi AAdvantage Amex opened in 2009 and I got a similar bonus last year when the first annual fee came up
Called the retention line directly. Will call again tomorrow for my Citi Biz Visa which is up for renewal soon too
1) $85 credit for 5 transactions
2) 3000 bonus for $500 spend
3) 2 miles per $ for 6 months
I accepted (2) as I have other cards to spend on and I already got targeted for 1.5 miles per dollar until 10/31. This will get me closer to the 2m mark
This is on a Citi AAdvantage Amex opened in 2009 and I got a similar bonus last year when the first annual fee came up
Called the retention line directly. Will call again tomorrow for my Citi Biz Visa which is up for renewal soon too
Sep 7, 2011, 1:25 pm
#864
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
Called in today, and was told could not ask for "retention dept" until after the annual fee posts to my account (at the close of this billing cycle, in a couple of weeks).
First time I was ever told that, lol. Guess we'll see what happens.
First time I was ever told that, lol. Guess we'll see what happens.
Sep 7, 2011, 1:26 pm
#865
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
BS. Call retention direct 800-444-2568
Sep 7, 2011, 1:31 pm
#866
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 152
Both my wife and I got the $85 credit offer after 5 purchases on our AA cards. How long did it take for the credit to show up?
Sep 7, 2011, 2:03 pm
#867
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
Wow! Thanks for that ma91pmh. It's a magic number indeed! I was able to have the $85 fee waived after $1k in purchases (over 3 months). Considering I spend that in 1 week, that was fine, lol. Then, they also informed me I was eligible for an additional 1mile/1$ spent on the account and applied it effective for this statement, i was very happy.
Next step will be to follow up with a November call to upgrade the card to the new Citi Exec card to get the MM qualifying miles for (at least) 1 more year.
Next step will be to follow up with a November call to upgrade the card to the new Citi Exec card to get the MM qualifying miles for (at least) 1 more year.
Sep 7, 2011, 2:58 pm
#868
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: Delta Skymiles (Silver), PriorityClub (Platinum), BA, AA, CO, Hilton Honor, SPG
Posts: 344
Retention offer
I called today.. they offer me $85 credit for my annual fee, plus each month if I use $750, I will have 750 bonus miles for each month up to 16 months.. whoo hooo. .I will definitely use it MORE!!! :-) Thank you Citibank!
Sep 8, 2011, 12:29 am
#869
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,800
Either on the last day of the statement cycle (so you would not see it until after statement close) or in the next statement cycle - both scenarios happened to our cards.
Sep 8, 2011, 8:48 am
#870
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 152
Happy, thanks for replying. If the credit is in the "next statment", did you mean that it will show up after the next statement closes?