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Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?

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FlaDude
Valued Contributor

Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?

I have an Amex Everyday card that I got a few years ago for balance transfer, and except for spend to hit the SUB, I've never used since. I decided to close the card, so first step I moved most of the CL to other Amex cards. Then I called Amex, fully intending to close the card, but I also expected to get a retention offer and was ready to consider it. The agent first told me about the "great" benefits of the card, but there was nothing that I can't get better bonuses on other cards. After confirming I still wanted to close, they offered 7,500 MR points (with no spend requirement) to keep the card open. I took the offer, but after I got off the phone wondered if I could have held out for more, or if they would have just closed the card if I hadn't accepted. Anyone else have experience with Amex retention upping an initial offer?

 

Scores: March 21 FICO 8: EX 810, TU 808, EQ 813
AoOA: closed: 36 years, open: 25 years; AAoA: 11.8 years
Amex Gold, Amex Green, Amex Blue, Amex ED, Amex Delta Gold, Amex Hilton Surpass, BoA Platinum Plus, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Amazon, Chase CSP, Chase United Explorer, Citi AA Plat, Sync Lowes, Sync JC Penney - total CL 145k
Loans: Chase car loan (35k/6yrs 0.9%)
Message 1 of 19
18 REPLIES 18
K-in-Boston
Credit Mentor

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?

Whatever is attached to your account is what they can offer, nothing more.  That's a fairly substantial retention offer for a no annual fee card that you admit only received the minimum amount required for a Welcome Offer several years ago and has seen no spending since.

Message 2 of 19
Remedios
Credit Mentor

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?

You got something for nothing on the card you don't use. Math says you won, and I think you're lucky they offered anything under the circumstances. 

Message 3 of 19
Curious_George2
Valued Contributor

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?


@K-in-Boston wrote:

Whatever is attached to your account is what they can offer, nothing more.


Good info. Thanks!

 

Also, lol @ your rose gold spade. 

Message 4 of 19
Loquat
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?

This reminds me of an idiom...something about looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Take a look around this here forum. You'll see data points of folks with substantial spend and get offered nothing. Consider yourself fortunate to get anything on a no AF card with little to no spend.
Message 5 of 19
Remedios
Credit Mentor

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?


@Loquat wrote:
This reminds me of an idiom...something about looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Take a look around this here forum. You'll see data points of folks with substantial spend and get offered nothing. Consider yourself fortunate to get anything on a no AF card with little to no spend.

I got your back @Loquat 

 

👀🎁🐴👄

 

I think. 

 

Emoji math is hard

Message 6 of 19
Loquat
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?


@Remedios wrote:

@Loquat wrote:
This reminds me of an idiom...something about looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Take a look around this here forum. You'll see data points of folks with substantial spend and get offered nothing. Consider yourself fortunate to get anything on a no AF card with little to no spend.

I got your back @Loquat 

 

👀🎁🐴👄

 

I think. 

 

Emoji math is hard


@Remedios Hahahahaha!  You make me giggle!  Smiley LOL

Message 7 of 19
AverageJoesCredit
Legendary Contributor

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?


@FlaDude wrote:

I have an Amex Everyday card that I got a few years ago for balance transfer, and except for spend to hit the SUB, I've never used since. I decided to close the card, so first step I moved most of the CL to other Amex cards. Then I called Amex, fully intending to close the card, but I also expected to get a retention offer and was ready to consider it. The agent first told me about the "great" benefits of the card, but there was nothing that I can't get better bonuses on other cards. After confirming I still wanted to close, they offered 7,500 MR points (with no spend requirement) to keep the card open. I took the offer, but after I got off the phone wondered if I could have held out for more, or if they would have just closed the card if I hadn't accepted. Anyone else have experience with Amex retention upping an initial offer?

 


Im curious as to why you even expected a retention offer for a card that hasnt seen use in years by your statement? Even getting one is amazing and should be appreciated not contemplated because you might have haggled for more. Seems to me  a case of let sleeping dogs lieSmiley Wink

Message 8 of 19
FlaDude
Valued Contributor

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?


@AverageJoesCredit wrote:


Im curious as to why you even expected a retention offer for a card that hasnt seen use in years by your statement? Even getting one is amazing and should be appreciated not contemplated because you might have haggled for more. Seems to me  a case of let sleeping dogs lieSmiley Wink


I really wasn't looking for a retention bonus, but based on over 25 years of experience with Amex and having downgraded and closed cards before, I expected that they would not close a card without trying to sweeten the pot. I thought the bonus was decent given the circumstances, but wanted to see if anyone else had any better luck. Apparently the answer is no.

Scores: March 21 FICO 8: EX 810, TU 808, EQ 813
AoOA: closed: 36 years, open: 25 years; AAoA: 11.8 years
Amex Gold, Amex Green, Amex Blue, Amex ED, Amex Delta Gold, Amex Hilton Surpass, BoA Platinum Plus, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Amazon, Chase CSP, Chase United Explorer, Citi AA Plat, Sync Lowes, Sync JC Penney - total CL 145k
Loans: Chase car loan (35k/6yrs 0.9%)
Message 9 of 19
Remedios
Credit Mentor

Re: Did I settle for too little with Amex retention?

@FlaDude you got 4 MehFicoers to agree on something. 

That's by far bigger accomplishment than any retention offer. 

Message 10 of 19
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