Cutting through the cancellation B.S.
Sep 19, 2007 | 12:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS Titanium, Marriott Lifetime Plat, UA Gold
Posts: 11,594
Cutting through the cancellation B.S.
I was a AAdvantage Platinum card holder but called today to cancel. I am no longer an AA flyer and see no need for the card.
Immediately I was put on with an "account specialist" who tried to convince me to try the Bronze card and even offered to give me a free companion ticket (buy 1, get 1 free) and waive the Platinum fee. I asked to have the card canceled. She then proceeded to offer me the Diamond Club or something like that.
I don't carry balances on my cards and have very little to zero debt.
Is there any way to expedite these cancellation calls without being rude?
Immediately I was put on with an "account specialist" who tried to convince me to try the Bronze card and even offered to give me a free companion ticket (buy 1, get 1 free) and waive the Platinum fee. I asked to have the card canceled. She then proceeded to offer me the Diamond Club or something like that.
I don't carry balances on my cards and have very little to zero debt.
Is there any way to expedite these cancellation calls without being rude?
Sep 19, 2007 | 1:57 pm
#2
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; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,889
Email. We cancelled an AAdvantage Mastercard using the customer service email link on the account website. First reply asked the cardholder to call "for assistance". I replied that we did not require any "assistance". They closed it without further discussion.
Sep 19, 2007 | 3:45 pm
#3
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
I kinda enjoy talking to the reps and hearing the various silly offers to keep the card. Sometimes, they even have a good offer. 
But, the email tip is a good one, especially if you have something more constructive to do than fish for bonus offers.
In the old days, I used to send a letter via US mail.
But, the email tip is a good one, especially if you have something more constructive to do than fish for bonus offers.
In the old days, I used to send a letter via US mail.
Sep 19, 2007 | 9:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: at 35,000 feet
Programs: WN A-List; Hyatt Glob: CC/HH Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,473
If you just want to cancel and not waste any time on the phone a simple letter (US postal mail) is the way to go. I've done this many times, never received any other responses than "your account has been canceled" etc. in about a week or so.
Sep 19, 2007 | 9:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: Mileage Plus, Rapid Rewards
Posts: 949
I, too, enjoy hearing the offers and have a couple times taken advantage of them. I only wish that they would offer something that would actually make their card competitive rather than some one-time "bonus" or one-time "fee waver."
Has anyone had any experience cancelling a Chase Business card via the secure message center?
Has anyone had any experience cancelling a Chase Business card via the secure message center?
Sep 20, 2007 | 7:21 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Amex Gold, Bonvoy Gold, HH Diamond,
Posts: 241
I have the AA Platinum Mastercard as well, and I will soon call and attempt to cancel to see what they offer. If they waive the fee, I'll keep it; otherwise I'll just eventually tell them to downgrade me to bronze. I'll post the results of what they offer.
I have entirely too many cards with an annual fee and do not use this one enough to justify the $85 fee. I figure with the bronze I can still add a few AA miles to my account each month that I don't fly...even with the lousy 2:1 earning ratio. Plus, I have the SPG Amex if I want to txfr miles, and I pay for the Amex Platinum, so it's time to cut back on the other annual fee cards I don't use.
I have entirely too many cards with an annual fee and do not use this one enough to justify the $85 fee. I figure with the bronze I can still add a few AA miles to my account each month that I don't fly...even with the lousy 2:1 earning ratio. Plus, I have the SPG Amex if I want to txfr miles, and I pay for the Amex Platinum, so it's time to cut back on the other annual fee cards I don't use.
Sep 20, 2007 | 9:24 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,859
I called last night to cancel my Chase Platinum Class MP visa. I spent about 20k on it last year, I used to be 1K so they had waived the fee in the past, with PP its not worth 140 a year.
They didn't even TRY to keep me. OK, credit agencies will be notified , bla bla bla. Done. I was sort of disappointed they didn't try to keep me, but its fine with me.
They didn't even TRY to keep me. OK, credit agencies will be notified , bla bla bla. Done. I was sort of disappointed they didn't try to keep me, but its fine with me.
Sep 20, 2007 | 2:51 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, Earth (PIT)
Programs: Airline/TSA Avoidance Platinum, Hotel Disloyalty Silver, Hertz 1.7*
Posts: 5,277
I called last night to cancel my Chase Platinum Class MP visa. I spent about 20k on it last year, I used to be 1K so they had waived the fee in the past, with PP its not worth 140 a year.
They didn't even TRY to keep me. OK, credit agencies will be notified , bla bla bla. Done. I was sort of disappointed they didn't try to keep me, but its fine with me.
They didn't even TRY to keep me. OK, credit agencies will be notified , bla bla bla. Done. I was sort of disappointed they didn't try to keep me, but its fine with me.
