topic Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer. in Credit Cards

Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

sjt — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 19:09:34 GMT

My Amex Platinum card is up for renewal this month. I will probably be assessed the annual fee at the statement cut off date, which is in a few weeks. Any advice on getting any retention offers. Should I call now or what until the annual fee posts?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

blindambition — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 19:20:25 GMT

It will be YMMV, Amex has really curbed the retention offers, in favor of offers released to public. Making sure cards are more useful to more cardholders, in more categories.

You won't know though until you ask.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

M_Smart007 — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 19:30:01 GMT

I would wait until the AF post.

@blindambition, Is correct on Amex curbing the retention offers.

I just closed one AF card because they would not budge.

I am not paying a AF just to please the Amex gods, when I am not using the card due to Covid-19.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 19:34:03 GMT

Flyertalk lists a few this year (these are from May on)

5/2020 - 50k MR or $500, no spend requirement
5/13/20 - 30k MR (no spend requirement) or $300 credit for $2,000 spend. Took MR. Annual spend 2019: $10k.
6/7/2020 - 50k MR - no spend requirement. 22 years with Amex and heavier spend on other Amex cards, my Platinum card gets less than $5,000 a year in spend
7/6/2020 30,000 MRP on first anniversary with card (2 days before 30 day limit, moved points before call)
8/7/2020 - 20K MR for AF due next month (Received retention 2 years ago, nothing last year).

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

wasCB14 — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 20:13:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Flyertalk lists a few this year (these are from May on)

5/2020 - 50k MR or $500, no spend requirement
5/13/20 - 30k MR (no spend requirement) or $300 credit for $2,000 spend. Took MR. Annual spend 2019: $10k.
6/7/2020 - 50k MR - no spend requirement. 22 years with Amex and heavier spend on other Amex cards, my Platinum card gets less than $5,000 a year in spend
7/6/2020 30,000 MRP on first anniversary with card (2 days before 30 day limit, moved points before call)
8/7/2020 - 20K MR for AF due next month (Received retention 2 years ago, nothing last year).

Wait until AF posts.

I got 50k no spend on 4/29...but that was days before the streaming and wireless credits were rolled out.

Along with annual spend, the frequency with which you request retention offers may also affect whether you get one.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

K-in-Boston — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 23:42:19 GMT

Agreed. Absolutely wait until the AF posts. Best results will come to those with normally heavy spend across their Amex accounts who rarely or never ask for retention offers.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

MrDisco99 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 18:42:59 GMT

Wait for the fee to post. Then call and tell the machine you want to close your account.

If you get a prerecorded message with terms and conditions for closing then there's no offer for you. You can either proceed with closing the account or hang up and try again another time.

If there is an offer available, you'll be transferred to a live agent. Typically they'll make the offer without you having to ask. Also they typically have a couple of different offer options to pick from (like one points offer and one statement credit offer), so be sure to ask if there are other offers available.

Data suggests retention offers are only available once every two years.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

K-in-Boston — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:33:42 GMT

@MrDisco99 wrote:
Wait for the fee to post. Then call and tell the machine you want to close your account.

If you get a prerecorded message with terms and conditions for closing then there's no offer for you. You can either proceed with closing the account or hang up and try again another time.

If there is an offer available, you'll be transferred to a live agent. Typically they'll make the offer without you having to ask. Also they typically have a couple of different offer options to pick from (like one points offer and one statement credit offer), so be sure to ask if there are other offers available.

Data suggests retention offers are only available once every two years.

? OP is inquiring about the American Express Platinum Card. I don't think I've ever even heard an entire ring before speaking with a live person. (Sapphire Preferred and Reserve were this way until a few years ago, as well.)

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

Remedios — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:37:09 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
@MrDisco99 wrote:
Wait for the fee to post. Then call and tell the machine you want to close your account.

If you get a prerecorded message with terms and conditions for closing then there's no offer for you. You can either proceed with closing the account or hang up and try again another time.

If there is an offer available, you'll be transferred to a live agent. Typically they'll make the offer without you having to ask. Also they typically have a couple of different offer options to pick from (like one points offer and one statement credit offer), so be sure to ask if there are other offers available.

Data suggests retention offers are only available once every two years.
? OP is inquiring about the American Express Platinum Card. I don't think I've ever even heard an entire ring before speaking with a live person. (Sapphire Preferred and Reserve were this way until a few years ago, as well.)

OMG you sound offended 🤣

With that said....

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

K-in-Boston — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:40:21 GMT

It is one nice distinction that Platinum cardholders go straight to the same call center as Centurion cardholders. Never change, Amex.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

wasCB14 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:45:44 GMT

I called the number on the back of my card and I didn't even use the word "cancel" or "close". I just said it was hard to use the perks given COVID and was wondering if I had any offers available.

I think I used the phrase "even a small offer would be great".

Only time I've asked (on that particular account) in four years, though.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

MrDisco99 — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 16:36:28 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:

? OP is inquiring about the American Express Platinum Card. I don't think I've ever even heard an entire ring before speaking with a live person. (Sapphire Preferred and Reserve were this way until a few years ago, as well.)

Ah... I don't have a Plat so I didn't realize you guys get the elite CS experience. My mistake.

I'll just keep hanging out down here with the riff raff.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

iced — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 16:43:20 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
@MrDisco99 wrote:
Wait for the fee to post. Then call and tell the machine you want to close your account.

If you get a prerecorded message with terms and conditions for closing then there's no offer for you. You can either proceed with closing the account or hang up and try again another time.

If there is an offer available, you'll be transferred to a live agent. Typically they'll make the offer without you having to ask. Also they typically have a couple of different offer options to pick from (like one points offer and one statement credit offer), so be sure to ask if there are other offers available.

Data suggests retention offers are only available once every two years.
? OP is inquiring about the American Express Platinum Card. I don't think I've ever even heard an entire ring before speaking with a live person. (Sapphire Preferred and Reserve were this way until a few years ago, as well.)

Interesting, I've had the polar opposite experience. Chase picks up immediately and blows sunshine up my backside for 20 seconds; Amex has me twiddling thumbs for a few moments or waiting on a chat window with someone who has no idea what to do. I had to contact Amex 3 different times just to get one card shipped to me.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

sjt — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 17:26:10 GMT

Thanks, everyone for your advice. I will definitely wait until my annual fee posts, which should be late next week. Will keep you all posted on the outcome.
BTW- spend across all cards would not be considered "high volume" but I have never requested a retention offer, had the platinum card since 2016, and been an overall cardmember since 1999. When I call should I flat out ask if there are any retention offers?

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

MrDisco99 — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 18:08:42 GMT

@sjt wrote:
When I call should I flat out ask if there are any retention offers?

That's what I do. Seems to work.

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

sjt — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:33:14 GMT

My annual fee posted last night and I called this morning. Got nothing, nada, except for a reminder of the temporary credits I received for my cell phone and cable bill.......

Re: Seeking advice on getting a Amex Platinum retention offer.

1GaDawg85 — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:42:32 GMT

@MrDisco99 wrote:
@K-in-Boston wrote:

? OP is inquiring about the American Express Platinum Card. I don't think I've ever even heard an entire ring before speaking with a live person. (Sapphire Preferred and Reserve were this way until a few years ago, as well.)
Ah... I don't have a Plat so I didn't realize you guys get the elite CS experience. My mistake.

I'll just keep hanging out down here with the riff raff.

We are the non-special people lol