Amex "I'm going to cancel my card" - bonus points given thread.

[GSP]

Called to cancel my DJ AMEX card today. Was prepared to listen to any offers they may have to keep my account open.


Was asked why I was closing the account and I detailed very poor recent experiences with my card having a hold placed on it it for:


1) Being in credit.


2) Attempting to register my cards for Apply Pay.


No attempt to apologise for the difficulties this caused. No attempt to offer any compensation. No attempt to talk me out of cancelling my account.


Account now closed.


I am now without any AMEX cards and am sitting out the 18 month exclusion period.

With hindsight, you should have stuck to your strategy of sending a snail mail cancellation.

 

[Dr Ralph]

With hindsight, you should have stuck to your strategy of sending a snail mail cancellation.

Probably. But fee was due today so I wanted to act without delay. And given some of the positive experiences reported here I thought I may have some chance of points/fee waiver.

 

[Matt_01]

Just came across this thread. I am switching back to the Plat Charge, I am not expecting the I will get the Bonus points as I only cancelled my old one back in May 17. It is just a better card for my needs (despite the annual fee). Once this was approved I rang to start cancelling other AMEX cards.

First - my corporate card, not offered anything, does not surprise me as the company does not participate in the rewards program.
Next to go was the Velocity card (the one with no annual fee) - offered 70k points to keep open.
Next one was the QF Ultimate - offered 70k points to keep that one open.
Final was the Explorer Card - nothing offered.


2 out of 4 have gone, rest will go when the new one arrives. It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

 

[albyd]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Matt_01. Looks like a clear pattern the MR cards seem to be generally not offered any retention bonus but the airline cards are. We’re you spending much on the QF & VA cards?

 

[jbman]

Just came across this thread. I am switching back to the Plat Charge, I am not expecting the I will get the Bonus points as I only cancelled my old one back in May 17. It is just a better card for my needs (despite the annual fee). Once this was approved I rang to start cancelling other AMEX cards.

First - my corporate card, not offered anything, does not surprise me as the company does not participate in the rewards program.
Next to go was the Velocity card (the one with no annual fee) - offered $70k to keep open.
Next one was the QF Ultimate - offered $70k to keep that one open.
Final was the Explorer Card - nothing offered.


2 out of 4 have gone, rest will go when the new one arrives. It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

I am guessing you mean 70,000 points not $70,000 to keep the cards?

 

[Matt_01]

I am guessing you mean 70,000 points not $70,000 to keep the cards?

Yes good pick up, I will edit the post. In my my line of work numbers that end with a k or M normally start with some type of currency symbol or abbreviation. Just a habit but with it was $70k to keep the card, although I can live with the points.

 

[mini2]

Called, nothing offered on all 3 cards (Plat Charge/Reserve/Edge), 200k spend across the cards.

No one can confirm if I've got 30 days after account closure to transfer points out.

 

[Dr Ralph]

No one can confirm if I've got 30 days after account closure to transfer points out.

I lost access to the rewards section of the AMEX website the moment I cancelled.

I transferred all points out 24 hours prior to cancelling my accounts.

 

[woodyren]

Called today to cancel the wife's Velocity Amex. Offered 1500pts.

I will wait till they take the next annual fee later this month and try again to see if the offer is raised. Don't think much will change and am only doing so to get another data point.

The consultant even suggested I do the same as she said she can only offer what is on the file.

Will then just cancel and get the AF reimbursed.

My new Velocity on the way this week as my probation is now up.

 

[mini2]

I lost access to the rewards section of the AMEX website the moment I cancelled.

Thanks Dr, will transfer the points out while I've still got access to it.

 

[jbman]

Wife cancelled Explorer, no offers of any kind made. Waiting out the 18 months for the next sign up.

 

[Gary. Wang]

I have the plat charge and the plat business so 2700 in fees. i called to ask about a free plat as I am paying 1500 for biz they said no and no points so i will cancel the biz card in december.

Did you get the bonus when opening the biz card since you already had a platinum charge card.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Nothing for my wife on Explorer and Plat Edge. Points cleared out before call. Cancelled and waiting out the 18 months.

Nothing on my Explorer, fee charged this week. Points still in the account. Spend of about $50K last year plus another $12K on the Plat Edge.

Will keep it for now as the effective 2 KF miles per dollar suits me and I will use the travel credit.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Rang to cancel my DJ Amex.

As suggested by others on this thread, I waited until after the annual fee was charged/paid (but within the next month).

The lovely Nancy said I could have a full refund but that I should wait until the current points balance was transferred to QF (25th), but be sure to cancel before the end of the next statement period (28th) for a full refund.

She then offered a retention bonus of 20k points if I wished to keep the card.

I had planned to cancel and wait out the 18 months however there is no guarantee that I would be approved when I reapplied. I decided that 20k points now was better than a possible 20k in 18 months time.

JV

 

[albyd]

Called tonight to cancel my wofe’s hardly used (only for shop small and Amex offers) Velocity Platinum card.

Last year was offered 2000 points to keep it as they wouldn’t refund annual fee as had already redeemed flight.

This year was offered 25000 points to keep it. Decided to close it and restart 18 month wait for her.

 

[Eh520]

DI

Called tonight to cancel my wofe’s hardly used (only for shop small and Amex offers) Velocity Platinum card.

Last year was offered 2000 points to keep it as they wouldn’t refund annual fee as had already redeemed flight.

This year was offered 25000 points to keep it. Decided to close it and restart 18 month wait for her.

Did you guys take the 25k points and then cancel the card afterwards?

 

[albyd]

I was tempted assumed they would not refund annual fee if I waited & called back so whilst I thought the offer of points was fair in exchange for the annual fee, I didn’t take the offer. Thinking I should have kept it. If she’s also offered a fee waiver, would have been an interesting decision.

 

[The Warlock]

I tried cancelling my AMEX Discovery the other day, no points offered.

Which bank issued cards are being taken up by people while you all sit out the exclusion period? I want to reapply for the ANZ Black with 75,000 Qantas points and no annual fee for the first year. It's been a year since I last had that card, does anyone know what the wait time is before one is eligible for the sign up bonus points again on bank issued cards?

 

[Eh520]

I tried cancelling my AMEX Discovery the other day, no points offered.

Which bank issued cards are being taken up by people while you all sit out the exclusion period? I want to reapply for the ANZ Black with 75,000 Qantas points and no annual fee for the first year. It's been a year since I last had that card, does anyone know what the wait time is before one is eligible for the sign up bonus points again on bank issued cards?

12 months according to the T&C

 

[maccaisking]

Rang to cancel to Plat Edge yesterday, received no offer, not even a lower card. Never been so unhappy to have a customer service agent efficiently carry out my request!