With the soon to be changes and raising of AFs on the Delta line of cards, I decided to call in and see if there were any upgrade offers. Yes, I know I can apply for a Platinum and probably get a much better SUB, but I didn't want to open a new card and was curious what they would offer.
I call in and a gentleman answers. I ask about any offers whether it be upgrade or retention. He tells me I have many and puts me on hold for a second. Comes back and tells me I can get $15 back after spending $30 at Sam's Club. I'm like, wait, what? He then proceeds to tell me about if I spend $599 or more at Dell.com, I can get $120 back. I try to interrupt him, but he continues down the list. I'm finally able to stop him and say that those aren't the type of offers I'm looking for. He apologizes and puts me on hold for a couple minutes. Comes back and says he has what I'm looking for. An offer for $25 back for a $100 or more purchase at Sherwin-Williams. Before he can continue, I politely interrupt and say I was looking to possibly upgrade to the Platinum and wanted to see what offers were available. He repeats my question to make sure he heard me right and puts me on hold for 5 minutes. He pops back on to thank me for my patience and to let me know he's putting me back on hold. 5 minutes later he pops on again to apologize for the hold and puts me on hold again. A few minutes later he comes back with my offers.
1. 10k skymiles for upgrading, no spend requir3d.
2. They can email me an offer that could be higher in the future if there's a specialist
3. He can transfer me to a specialist to see if they can offer me more
I declined speaking to a specialist because I didn't have the time. 10k seems really low so I asked for the email. I was put on a priority list for emails, which I highly doubt. I thanked him for his time and he thanked me for calling. I go to say bye and he cuts me off to thank me for being an amex customer for 20 years. I chuckle and thank him. He thanks me. I thank him and tell him to have a good night. He thanks me. I thank him and hang up before he can thank me again.
Never taken an upgrade offer before, what's common? Mine seemed low, especially when they're offering 10s of thousands for signing up for a new card. If I speak to a specialist, do I treat it like a recon?
Stay Gucci, my friends.
@Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the info.
Did you ever consider calling again to get a different CSR, and possibly different card offers, or do you think they'll offer the same deals?
Don't know. Kinda why I'm asking here. AF goes up on 1/30/20
@Ricky_D wrote:Gee, kind of a funny story.... yet, sad.
As the user of 7 Amex cards and having conversations with CSRs ALOT, I have learned the following:
During peak overflow call times, weekends, late nights, Amex switches the phone system to an overseas center.
Unfortunately, the people there are not fully trained, or given full decision making control as the stateside reps have.
Many stateside reps told me they have Amex cards to use as part of their understanding of the cards features, benefits, etc.
Your story sounds like you were pushed overseas. I would call back no later than 6pm eastern and you will get a caring, thoughful rep who will look at your file and offer sound advice. I did this on every card I have from them from CLIs to upgrades. A stateside rep will tell you when and how to accomplish what you want from them.
By the way, tell them your 1K limit on the Gold card won't get you far and at least up the limit so you can comfortably travel when it is time to. I bet you they will raise it if you let them offer you a number. Oh, and ask for a Blue Cash Everyday to compliment your Delta.
I have never spoken to a stateside rep no matter what time I've called. It's my belief that the Delta cards, with the exception of the reserve, probably, are all overseas based. And it's fine, I've never had a problem. He got me the answer I was looking for. Seemed like he was new, that's all.