American Express Retention Offers

I understand American Express does not typically offer retention offers. I was surprised when an offer was made to me when I called in to cancel 2-year-old Premier Rewards Gold card. I paid last year's $175 annual fee. This year's annual fee was just posted in my account and my reason for cancellation to the CSR was the annual fee.

The offer: $75 credit now and $75 credit later after spending $1,000 within 60 days.

I wonder whether Amex would give pro-rated annual fee refund if I cancel the card after a few more months.

The following is not confirmed: During all the clicks, the CSR initially read to me this disclosure:
You will get 10,000 points now and 7,500 points later after spending (did not get the amount of charge.)

IIRC standard AmEx T&C say no refunds or prorating of annual fees.

There may be no "refund", but they can give you a credit for a minimum spend or whatever. When I inquired about cancelling my SPG amex card, they said over the phone, that I could get the fee cancelled within a time limit. And a pro-rated refund before a longer time limit. That is when I cancel.

From many conversation with amex reps-- all fee cards can cancel after being billed as long as done in 2 billing cycles with out paying any fee --- if cancel after "all" fee amex cards prorate

Yes. They do prorate a fee

That's great to know. Thanks!

Follow up to OP. My retention call was late Friday 1/20. I charged the required $1000 on Saturday 1/21 which was posted on 1/22. On Sunday 1/22, a $75 credit showed up. Today the second $75 credit showed up with a posting date of 1/23.

Struck out with my Platinum card. Last year at my first renewal I was going to cancel. They offered 20,000 points and I kept it open. This year I didn't want to cancel. I called and I asked for something to reduce the sting of the annual fee, The first rep passed me along. The second rep wanted to explain the benefits but offered nothing. I kept it open.

If you said you are planning to cancel, the outcome might of been different. 1. Retention offer or 2. Your account canceled.
For me, the card is still wort the annual fee.

I've always had fees prorated. Not sure where u get the info that no annual fee will ever be prorated.

20k MR points sounds pretty good to me.

+1

probably not worth much anymore...earlier I would argue it is ~$400. Has anybody else other than the OP got statement credit for the Amex PR Gold card?

at least worth $200. so with the airline credit, you're looking at $50 annual fee. i'd take it. might try this out tonight.

true ~ $250 using pay with points. So essentially free. I have been so demoralized by the fast disappearance of partners that I forgoother redemptions

aye. i, for one, am not a fan of them doing away with the tripit pro feature. one and done for that promo. boo!

Wow very nice on getting some retention offers. Just shows it matters who you speak to, and when.

When I called 3 weeks ago to cancel my Amex Premier Gold... no offer made, even though I've spent 85k/year on the card for a few years now.

There is another thread here in the forum where we have discussed obtaining a bonus because you possess mulitple cards that have an annual fee.

http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/discount-for-having-both-gold-and-platinum-cards.25787/

Today I called in to see if could get a retention offer to retain plat. I have approximately $50k of annual spend per year, used GE and the Airline Fee Credit. Annual fee posted a while back but just got around to calling.

After a few minutes, the agent offered triple points for a year for all airline purchase -or- 25k points. I took the points.

Which one did you take: 25K or Triple points?

Took the points. I have the Amex Biz Gold which comes with 3x points on airfare.

Platinum card bill closed early last week, points posted today. Nice to not have to follow-up.

Any experience with the SPG Amex? I've been a member since ~2006 (1-2K / month spend) and am thinking of canceling since my spend has gone down now that I have Saph Pref.

Called up retentions for my personal Plat. They offered $100 or 15k MR points. Took the 15k MR points. The spend since I opened the card about a year ago was pathetic, maybe $3-4k at most.

I JUST WAS WONDERING -- WHY EVEN KEEP THE PLAT CARD AN PAY $450.00 IF ONLY SPEND A FEW THOUSAND A YEAR ON IT -- MAYBE U FIG $200 AIRLINE MISC. AND LOUNGE MAKES IT WORTH WHILE, IF I AM WRONG -- why keep it -- sorry for caps

also for amex it is a good deal too -- thet get $450 fee and keep a client and give you 15k points( much less than new sign ups -- if "want" card u have not many choices