topic Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX in Credit Cards

Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

I_Love_Cards — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 16:57:52 GMT

I have a Delta Gold that I opened on 8/28/18. The statement cuts on the 23rd. I am expecting the annual fee to post on my upcoming statement.

Since opening this card, I’ve gone on to open a Delta Platinum which is just a better card for me. There’s no reason in the world for me to have two Delta cards and I would like to swap out the Delta Gold for a different AMEX card altogether.

I am heavy in AMEX with 5 revolvers and 2 charge cards and a pile of MR’s and other loyalty points. I do not want to risk any of that. And would like to preserve the option to earn SUB in the future (on new cards).

Am I safe to call and close the Delta Gold after the statement cuts on the 23rd? Do I pay the AF first? Does it matter?

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

NRB525 — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 17:04:34 GMT

After the AF posts, have you considered downgrading the Delta Gold to the Delta Blue? This technically maintains the account, you get the AF refunded if you call right after the AF posts, and you have a card that earns two SkyMiles on dining. Then after another year or more, consider closing, and it reduces the chances being tagged as a churner. Take advantage of possible AMEX offers on the card.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

I_Love_Cards — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 17:17:03 GMT

Thanks. That is an option and I will do that if I need to. I would rather swap it for a card I can use more (as I am at the 5 card max now), but I don’t want to anger Amex.

I have a Gold charge card already so I can technically earn 4 miles per dollar on dining (if I transfer MR to Delta and they transfer 1:1).

As a stand-alone card, the blue doesn’t offer much appeal to me (unless it has Amex offers that don’t come up for my other 6 cards?-that’s an actual question-not a sarcastic comment). But if I need to keep the card open another year, then the Blue is a cost effective option.

I have closed zero Amex (or any other prime bank) cards thus far in my life. Not sure if that makes any difference.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:00:36 GMT

I don’t believe you can change to a different card until after a year but I’m not positive on that. You don’t want to close it before the first year is up though - that’s been seen to cause issues with future SUBs. And finally, you will only be able to PC it in the family, such as to a different Delta card. You can’t change a Delta to a Hilton or a Cash Magnet, for example.

If I were you I’d wait until a year has passed and then either change it to a different Delta, or move its CL to your Delta Plat and close the gold. You’ll be safe from AA that way.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

I_Love_Cards — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:14:18 GMT

Thank you. I think I’m using too much of my own terminology.

The card is over a year old, but the AF hasn’t posted yet. I’m expecting it to post on the upcoming statement (the 13th for the card).

What I mean by “change” cards is that I would like to close this card and open (apply for) a different one. The delta platinum more than meets my delta needs. I would like a no AF MR earning revolver (ED). But I have the max number of revolvers Amex will allow me to have. So I need to close one in order to apply for the ED. I am shorthanding all of that into “change” cards.

But I want to make sure that when I do close the Delta Gold, I’m doing it in a “safe” way (no AA and no loss of future SUB). I think I’m ok to do that after the AF posts but I wanted to be sure.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:19:50 GMT

Ok got it now lol. Yes, let the AF post, and then close it within 30 days and they’ll credit the fee. First though, move your limit to another Amex to preserve it. You don’t have to lose that CL when you close the card. I believe on that card you’ll have to leave a minimum of $500 on the card but the rest should be movable to another card first.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

I_Love_Cards — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:23:35 GMT

That’s a great idea to move CL! Do you know if that impacts the existing CLI schedule? I’m due for my next attempt on 9/26.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:33:44 GMT

I don’t believe it does but I can’t tell you for sure. Hopefully someone with a definite answer will chime in though. If no one does, then weigh out what you think is more beneficial and do that first. If you have a $6k CL, I’d move that first on the thought that a $6k CLI is unlikely, so I’d make whatever move I think will be tied to the bigger dollar figure.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 22:11:04 GMT

A different reluctant perspective on my Delta Gold experience...

Opened the card late summer 2018. Went on one trip, thought there'd be more, but didn't happen. Wife really didn't want to pay the annual fee, and told me to cancel it, despite my objections. I ended up giving in, and cancelling it before the AF processed.

3 weeks later got a nasty gram email stating that my bonus would be clawed back. I called and pleaded with an agent. She said there was nothing I could do - they were unable to reopen the account. I'd have to apply for another if I wanted it, but am unlikely to get any sign on bonus ever with AmEx as I'm now seen as a churner.

2 months later, the miles haven't yet been deducted from SkyMiles, but I'm expecting them to vaporize at some point. Poof!

I'd recommend you understand all the potential reactions if you cancel. As mentioned in an earlier post, downgrading might be a better option. Or pay one AF and cancel it 11 months from now and before the next AF posts.

Bummer is, I could have applied that spending to earn the bonus (soon to be clawed back) on another card. Lost opportunity all around.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

odd_dog — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 22:29:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
A different reluctant perspective on my Delta Gold experience...

Opened the card late summer 2018. Went on one trip, thought there'd be more, but didn't happen. Wife really didn't want to pay the annual fee, and told me to cancel it, despite my objections. I ended up giving in, and cancelling it before the AF processed.

3 weeks later got a nasty gram email stating that my bonus would be clawed back. I called and pleaded with an agent. She said there was nothing I could do - they were unable to reopen the account. I'd have to apply for another if I wanted it, but am unlikely to get any sign on bonus ever with AmEx as I'm now seen as a churner.

2 months later, the miles haven't yet been deducted from SkyMiles, but I'm expecting them to vaporize at some point. Poof!

I'd recommend you understand all the potential reactions if you cancel. As mentioned in an earlier post, downgrading might be a better option. Or pay one AF and cancel it 11 months from now and before the next AF posts.

Bummer is, I could have applied that spending to earn the bonus (soon to be clawed back) on another card. Lost opportunity all around.

Not sure here but does anyone have DP on how long before they "claw back"? 2 months and you still have miles, did AMEX say WHEN they were clawing back? Seems strange that they wait...I mean you could use them and what would they "claw"? strange

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

swpopham — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 00:27:44 GMT

Not what I expected when I clicked this thread! Ive told amex to shove it more times then I can count, Im probably in the top 5 people on here with a love hate relationship with them, I can run 100k plus thru my platinum card and not a flinch from them, if I want a revolver automatic approval 1k everytime!!! My wife on the other hand gets 20-40k starting limits with them. So when I get angry I cash out my points and close them. Then in about 4-6 months I get an offer to come back for 75-100k MR points and most of the time I take it. Just close it and move on

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 00:55:51 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
A different reluctant perspective on my Delta Gold experience...

Opened the card late summer 2018. Went on one trip, thought there'd be more, but didn't happen. Wife really didn't want to pay the annual fee, and told me to cancel it, despite my objections. I ended up giving in, and cancelling it before the AF processed.

3 weeks later got a nasty gram email stating that my bonus would be clawed back. I called and pleaded with an agent. She said there was nothing I could do - they were unable to reopen the account. I'd have to apply for another if I wanted it, but am unlikely to get any sign on bonus ever with AmEx as I'm now seen as a churner.

2 months later, the miles haven't yet been deducted from SkyMiles, but I'm expecting them to vaporize at some point. Poof!

I'd recommend you understand all the potential reactions if you cancel. As mentioned in an earlier post, downgrading might be a better option. Or pay one AF and cancel it 11 months from now and before the next AF posts.

Bummer is, I could have applied that spending to earn the bonus (soon to be clawed back) on another card. Lost opportunity all around.
Not sure here but does anyone have DP on how long before they "claw back"? 2 months and you still have miles, did AMEX say WHEN they were clawing back? Seems strange that they wait...I mean you could use them and what would they "claw"? strange

Really hard to guess on this.

Just when I started to wonder whether I had been a fool for NOT having done self-referrals, Amex started clawing those back with a huge delay.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

NRB525 — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 04:38:48 GMT

OP what is your list of cards?

If you have two charge cards, that is likely Platinum and Gold. With those two, I see zero reason to rush to get an ED card. The claw back possibility is a YMMV situation but I would not risk it.

With the latest claw backs of self referrals that is one of many data points about how banks are clamping down on churners. The poster with multiple “come back for more MR” is doing well, but I’d want to know when those occurred. The high spend is a major factor driving those offers, I would guess.

I will reiterate my suggestion to go to the Delta Blue, and keep that for a year.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 04:42:59 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
Not sure here but does anyone have DP on how long before they "claw back"? 2 months and you still have miles, did AMEX say WHEN they were clawing back? Seems strange that they wait...I mean you could use them and what would they "claw"? strange

I have seen other posts here about clawbacks and such. Can't vouch for them though. I think I've also seen posts about people going into negative SkyMiles balances should the clawback be greater than their current balance. Please search here though. I won't go negative if/when this happens.

The agent told me that the ask to clawback went out when I got the nastygram email. GIven SkyMiles and bonus processing, could be any week now.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

kudosalert — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 10:13:22 GMT

@I_Love_Cards wrote:
That’s a great idea to move CL! Do you know if that impacts the existing CLI schedule? I’m due for my next attempt on 9/26.

i would wait until after you've requested your CLI on 9/26. move any additional credit to another card, request to close the Gold. they will refund the AF pro-rata.

i'm not sure about Amex but i did this to a BOA card and the request for CLI button disappeared on the card that received the additional credit from the closing card. i'm assuming because the system sees the new limit however the amount might be as a CLI and reset my clock on that card.

you'll lose out on a couple of bucks by waiting til the end of the month but it's better than waiting 3 months for another CLI.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

VPExecutive — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 12:21:32 GMT

The answer is simple. You hop on chat, you tell them you want to close the card, they confirm, and then it's done.

People think way too much into closing cards just because they have an annual fee. You're not going to get adverse-action taken against you for closing the card within the first year... Especially one like the Delta Gold that provides one perk... Free checked bags.

Nobody has a "relationship" with a bank like American Express unless you're Warren Buffet... In which case, he owns a ton of AMEX shares.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 12:41:08 GMT

@VPExecutive wrote:
The answer is simple. You hop on chat, you tell them you want to close the card, they confirm, and then it's done.

People think way too much into closing cards just because they have an annual fee. You're not going to get adverse-action taken against you for closing the card within the first year... Especially one like the Delta Gold that provides one perk... Free checked bags.

Nobody has a "relationship" with a bank like American Express unless you're Warren Buffet... In which case, he owns a ton of AMEX shares.

Actually, Amex is known for adverse action if you close the card before the AF hits. They'll claw back the bonus and ban you from ever getting another sign up bonus. It's pretty clear in the terms and conditions.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

VPExecutive — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 12:44:24 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
@VPExecutive wrote:
The answer is simple. You hop on chat, you tell them you want to close the card, they confirm, and then it's done.

People think way too much into closing cards just because they have an annual fee. You're not going to get adverse-action taken against you for closing the card within the first year... Especially one like the Delta Gold that provides one perk... Free checked bags.

Nobody has a "relationship" with a bank like American Express unless you're Warren Buffet... In which case, he owns a ton of AMEX shares.

Actually, Amex is known for adverse action if you close the card before the AF hits. They'll claw back the bonus and ban you from ever getting another sign up bonus. It's pretty clear in the terms and conditions.

Sure, if you're abusive with it... And even that's a stretch.

I've never had a sign up bonus clawed back and I've opened 15 AMEX cards over the last three years. None of the cards lasted longer than a year either.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 12:45:06 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
A different reluctant perspective on my Delta Gold experience...

Opened the card late summer 2018. Went on one trip, thought there'd be more, but didn't happen. Wife really didn't want to pay the annual fee, and told me to cancel it, despite my objections. I ended up giving in, and cancelling it before the AF processed.

3 weeks later got a nasty gram email stating that my bonus would be clawed back. I called and pleaded with an agent. She said there was nothing I could do - they were unable to reopen the account. I'd have to apply for another if I wanted it, but am unlikely to get any sign on bonus ever with AmEx as I'm now seen as a churner.

2 months later, the miles haven't yet been deducted from SkyMiles, but I'm expecting them to vaporize at some point. Poof!

I'd recommend you understand all the potential reactions if you cancel. As mentioned in an earlier post, downgrading might be a better option. Or pay one AF and cancel it 11 months from now and before the next AF posts.

Bummer is, I could have applied that spending to earn the bonus (soon to be clawed back) on another card. Lost opportunity all around.
Not sure here but does anyone have DP on how long before they "claw back"? 2 months and you still have miles, did AMEX say WHEN they were clawing back? Seems strange that they wait...I mean you could use them and what would they "claw"? strange

They'll basically charge you for the value of them.

Re: Proper Etiquette for Closing an AMEX

VPExecutive — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 12:54:10 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
A different reluctant perspective on my Delta Gold experience...

Opened the card late summer 2018. Went on one trip, thought there'd be more, but didn't happen. Wife really didn't want to pay the annual fee, and told me to cancel it, despite my objections. I ended up giving in, and cancelling it before the AF processed.

3 weeks later got a nasty gram email stating that my bonus would be clawed back. I called and pleaded with an agent. She said there was nothing I could do - they were unable to reopen the account. I'd have to apply for another if I wanted it, but am unlikely to get any sign on bonus ever with AmEx as I'm now seen as a churner.

2 months later, the miles haven't yet been deducted from SkyMiles, but I'm expecting them to vaporize at some point. Poof!

I'd recommend you understand all the potential reactions if you cancel. As mentioned in an earlier post, downgrading might be a better option. Or pay one AF and cancel it 11 months from now and before the next AF posts.

Bummer is, I could have applied that spending to earn the bonus (soon to be clawed back) on another card. Lost opportunity all around.
Not sure here but does anyone have DP on how long before they "claw back"? 2 months and you still have miles, did AMEX say WHEN they were clawing back? Seems strange that they wait...I mean you could use them and what would they "claw"? strange
They'll basically charge you for the value of them.

Nowhere does it say I have to pay a bill AMEX decides to send to me because they can't claw back the points. AMEX isn't allowed to just make up some random value for their bonus and then expect me to pay them back. Send me a bill and I'll rip it up. If the amount isn't an authorized charge to my card, or a fee that's clearly laid out in the T&C's when I apply for the card, they don't get paid.

This is just a case of AMEX trying to stack everything in the favor... Typical multi billion dollar company.