topic Re: Closing a card without affecting internal relationship with issuer in Credit Cards

Closing a card without affecting internal relationship with issuer

MisterFico — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:53:24 GMT

Nearly a year ago I applied for and received the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card from Amex. At the time I thought it was a suitable match for me and I applied in good faith. However, not soon after - even whilst still working towards the bonus - I came to regret it. It's not so much the card itself, just that I've been disappointed with my experiences of Marriott. I was trying to branch out from being Hilton only, but wish either that I hadn't, or that I had at least gone in a different direction to Marriott.

I've achieved the monthly $25 restaurant credit every month without fail and without difficulty. I have had some value from other aspects of the card on stays, plus of course I had the welcome bonus and so when the renewal comes up I think it's fair to say I'll be ahead. I'll also have a free night voucher when the renewal hits, not that I'm excited about it. I've therefore decided that even though I don't want the card, I'll let it run a while rather than close it now. I'll let the second annual fee hit as a minimum.

Medium term though, I want out but I don't want to make Amex feel like I was taking advantage just to get the welcome bonus. I wasn't, and I still have the points just sitting there. I'll probably end up using the points as air miles, as I can't see me making many more stays at Marriott properties. The problem is that almost every single time I want a hotel stay, Hilton has a better and/or lower cost option of comparable quality.

Say after the 2nd annual fee hits, I then continue to take the restaurant credit every month (except month 12) to bring that down to a real-life $375 instead of the actual $650, and then in month 12 of the second card year I call to cancel...do you think I'd have let enough time pass that they wouldn't hold it against me? I did also think about letting the 3rd annual fee hit but then cancelling a month or two after for a pro-rata rebate of it. However, I thought then it might look like I did it just to get the free night voucher at the end of the second year. I don't know how they think, but I don't want them to take it bad.

I care more about the relationship than the points and vouchers, as well as the effect closing it would have on FICO though I'm actually more concerned about the relationship with Amex, but obviously I don't want to keep hold of an expensive card for several years because I made a poor decision. I'd be grateful for advice from people who've been in a similar situation.

Re: Closing a card without affecting internal relationship with issuer

redpat — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:13:11 GMT

Don't worry about relationships and close the card if you want to. Amex really does care one way or another.

You still have their Plat card.

I've closed Plat, Hilton, gold, Biz brg and Marriott cards and still get SUB offers.

Re: Closing a card without affecting internal relationship with issuer

ElvisCaprice — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:59:02 GMT

Closing a revolver has no direct effect on FICO score. Utilization does, but is fleeting month to month and can easily be manipulated. Relationship? With a big issuer? Ahh, nope.

Re: Closing a card without affecting internal relationship with issuer

RobertS2 — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:11:51 GMT

I don't think the issuer is putting as much thought into the relationship as you. If you leave and your credit/income stay great, they'll still want you back.

Re: Closing a card without affecting internal relationship with issuer

Realist — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 03:36:28 GMT

You can allow the second AF to hit, and then call up and cancel the card. You should be able to request a refund of the AF within a window of 30 days. The other option is to downgrade the card to the cheapest one offered, which still gives you a free night cert for a certain point level. Not applicable if your intent is to actually close the account.

AMEX encourages the acquiring of welcome bonus offers, as they usually limit this to one per lifetime of product - unless you can find a link without that language. Someone that legitimately acquires a product and uses it, keeping it open, and earning the welcome bonus, is going to look much better than someone that opens a credit card to acquire the welcome bonus - and then closes it out immediately or months later. If you need to close, do so when you need to, but I would advise to be strategic about it and after the second AF hits.

There are people that are balance chased. There are people that have their lines cut in half or more. There are people that are asked about account and income verification. There are people that don't get second chances with AMEX. Many of them have no idea why. There are also people on the extreme opposite of what was mentioned. It doesn't take all that much effort to go the extra step to cross your T's and dot your I's - provided this is a lender you really want to do business with again in the future.

Re: Closing a card without affecting internal relationship with issuer

Dadof31978 — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:10:16 GMT

are you joking? they don't care about you..you are nothing more than a SSN to them...be real.