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 19, 2009 | 4:21 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 30,336
The conversion rate used to bill local currency in USD, often is 5 to 10% higher than the actual bank rate.
Citi has changed its T&C officially that USD billed from aboard will be subj to the same 3% forex fee.
There has been a LENGTHY thread on this forum discussing this subject.
Apr 19, 2009 | 8:36 pm
#77
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Plat, IHG Diamond Ambo, HH Gold, UA 1K
Posts: 125
Ouch. I called Citi today to cancel the card, and I was only offered 1000 miles or 2 miles per dollar for the next 6 months as a retention bonus. Then again, I've only had the card for about 3 months and I've charged less than $1,500 on it (and my credit history is relatively young), so I'm probably not a valuable enough customer for them to give me higher incentives on the card.
Apr 20, 2009 | 3:25 pm
#78
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 320
Just called to cancel my Citi Biz card and was offered 5k miles right away. Took it. Plus, was offered to have my photo added to the card. Took it too. 
Apr 20, 2009 | 5:25 pm
#79
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
Apr 21, 2009 | 3:20 am
#81
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
Contrary to popular belief, picture credit cards are a danger for ID theft. You may recall the time a TV station (was it 60 Minutes?) had a card made up with a photo and the name of Mickey Mouse. Then sent someone whose picture did not appear on the card and whose name was not Mickey out to make charges--which they did with no problems.
IMHO, never have a picture credit card. It protects the bank ("You must have made those charges in Nigeria because your picture is on the card."); not you.
IMHO, never have a picture credit card. It protects the bank ("You must have made those charges in Nigeria because your picture is on the card."); not you.
Apr 22, 2009 | 6:33 am
#82
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13
I don't want to go through the trouble of cancelling the card on the phone. How can I do it online?
Apr 22, 2009 | 10:34 am
#83
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA PLT (MM), UA 1K, Marriott Ti, IHG Diamond
Posts: 952
May 8, 2009 | 6:59 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 78
retention bonuses
I just called today to cancel my personal Amex, personal MC, and business MC. For the personal Amex, I was offered 2 miles/$1 for 6 months, and for the personal MC I was offered 5000 miles right away, and then 3 miles/$1 for 6 months, with a 10,000 miles cap. However, they offered me nothing for the business card and didn't even transfer me to the retention department. I pretended to change my mind to get off the phone with that agent, but when I called back to get a new one, I found out the last guy had gone ahead and canceled my account without telling me! Ughhh.
Last August, I threatened to cancel the the 2 MCs and was offered 7500 miles right away for each. However, when I called back a few months later, they told me that my acceptance of those meant I couldn't have the annual fee waived...
Last August, I threatened to cancel the the 2 MCs and was offered 7500 miles right away for each. However, when I called back a few months later, they told me that my acceptance of those meant I couldn't have the annual fee waived...
May 8, 2009 | 7:25 pm
#85
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Northport, NY
Programs: Advantage 4MM
Posts: 1,741
In the past 12 months I have spent over $400K on my business AAdvantage card, yet Citi will not waive my annual fee or offer any bonus!!! I will not cancel as I can use all the Aadvantage miles but I think Citi is being quite stingy. They must have made a fair amount in merchant fees on my account.
On my personal card, I only spent about $50K and they offered zilch also! All they would do is downgrade me to Gold Card with a $50. annual fee.
On my personal card, I only spent about $50K and they offered zilch also! All they would do is downgrade me to Gold Card with a $50. annual fee.
May 8, 2009 | 8:31 pm
#86
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA PLT (MM), UA 1K, Marriott Ti, IHG Diamond
Posts: 952
I just called today to cancel my personal Amex, personal MC, and business MC. For the personal Amex, I was offered 2 miles/$1 for 6 months, and for the personal MC I was offered 5000 miles right away, and then 3 miles/$1 for 6 months, with a 10,000 miles cap. However, they offered me nothing for the business card and didn't even transfer me to the retention department. I pretended to change my mind to get off the phone with that agent, but when I called back to get a new one, I found out the last guy had gone ahead and canceled my account without telling me! Ughhh.
Last August, I threatened to cancel the the 2 MCs and was offered 7500 miles right away for each. However, when I called back a few months later, they told me that my acceptance of those meant I couldn't have the annual fee waived...
Last August, I threatened to cancel the the 2 MCs and was offered 7500 miles right away for each. However, when I called back a few months later, they told me that my acceptance of those meant I couldn't have the annual fee waived...
May 8, 2009 | 8:41 pm
#87
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 78
Yup, called back to back. In fact, I declined the offer for the Amex once, and called right back, with apparently no one noticing. (During that call I was also offered 5 miles/$1 on "everyday spending".) I guess they don't let all the agents see all your calls and notes?
Jun 7, 2009 | 6:41 pm
#88
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: UA Plat, AA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 57
Just threatened to cancel my credit card due to the $50 annual fee on my Citi AA card. Was offered a refund on the 50 bucks, I took it.
Jun 8, 2009 | 9:28 am
#89
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CMH
Posts: 891
If you cancel your card before the monthly statement closes, do you still get the miles for what you spent that month?
Jun 8, 2009 | 9:51 am
#90
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CA
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,879