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

[momad]

Called last night, fees due Feb 19 but was not offered anything instead of being advise to keep the card till Feb 19 since the changes doesn't kick in till April.

Did not ask for retention and was not offered any. Thought I will wait till the next call before being more straightforward.

Also, planning to switch the Explorer to Plat Edge to get into the Ascent Premium program. Do you get charge the annual fee on switching or when your original Explorer annual fee due (eg. Feb 19 in my case)? Also, do you get a credit hit as a new application and do you need to provide payslip etc over the phone?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Also, planning to switch the Explorer to Plat Edge to get into the Ascent Premium program.

The Edge does not credit to Ascent Premium, only Ascent. The difference is that Ascent does not offer QF as a partner.

If you want Ascent Premium you need the Platinum Charge card.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

The Edge does not credit to Ascent Premium, only Ascent. The difference is that Ascent does not offer QF as a partner.

If you want Ascent Premium you need the Platinum Charge card.

Ascent also currently uses a 4:3 rate for Skywards conversions versus 1:1 for Ascent Premium.

 

[momad]

Ah, thanks guys. Does this mean there is not much point converting from Gateway to Ascent by switching to Edge? Main goal is Krisflyer points.

//edit

Just googled and found that 'normal' Ascent would meet my goal of 1:1 KF and improve my Gateway points

 

[Mr_Orange]

Ah, thanks guys. Does this mean there is not much point converting from Gateway to Ascent by switching to Edge? Main goal is Krisflyer points.

Since you are not interested in QF, Ascent is fine. You need to check on the difference in redemption rates between Gateway and Ascent for SQ to see if it is worth your while.

 

[Jacques Vert]

In my (limited) experience, the best time to call is in the month AFTER you have paid the annual fee. As I understand it, you are entitled to have the fee reimbursed in that month. However, Amex don't like giving money back so are more inclined to offer something to keep you (and the fee) on board.

Don't quote me and YMMV

 

[ajd]

Ah, thanks guys. Does this mean there is not much point converting from Gateway to Ascent by switching to Edge? Main goal is Krisflyer points.

//edit

Just googled and found that 'normal' Ascent would meet my goal of 1:1 KF and improve my Gateway points

As you've noted - Ascent converts at 1:1, so it's a ~33% increase from your Gateway points if you can get them to convert from Gateway to Ascent at 1:1.

(it's what I just did - and then I got my points out to VA during the 15% bonus deal.)

 

[TSOOBI]

Annual fee is due Xmas day .. Merry Xmas to me Called and was offered 100k to keep plat charge card of which i accepted

 

[TSOOBI]

True to their word the below appeared


Date Description Charge Base points Bonus Points Total Points
12/12/2018 Once Only Valued Customer Loyalty Bonus 0 100,000 100,000

 

[velo]

Just another data point, called to cancel Explorer 1 week before annual fee was due. Was offered 10,000 points, I spend about $4k/mth. I declined and instead downgraded to fee free Essential, so that I can avoid transferring points to any airline now and lose the flexibility.
Last year I was offered 15,000 points and accepted, so it seems they do offer retention bonus even if you have received one previously.

 

[Steve Lim]

Just another data point, called to cancel Explorer 1 week before annual fee was due. Was offered 10,000 points, I spend about $4k/mth. I declined and instead downgraded to fee free Essential, so that I can avoid transferring points to any airline now and lose the flexibility.
Last year I was offered 15,000 points and accepted, so it seems they do offer retention bonus even if you have received one previously.

How does fee free essential help with the points devaluation?

 

[ajd]

How does fee free essential help with the points devaluation?

It buys you an extra 4 months without having to pay another year's annual fee (and figure out how you're going to spend your travel voucher to make up for the fee)

 

[djchuckles]

Phoned tonight - Amex Plat Charge - c. $10k /mth spend. Just simply asked if there was a loyalty bonus available to avoid me cancelling. Said nothing showing available on my account

 

[TSOOBI]

Phoned tonight - Amex Plat Charge - c. $10k /mth spend. Just simply asked if there was a loyalty bonus available to avoid me cancelling. Said nothing showing available on my account

They said the same to me. I then told them i was considering cancelling my card and she asked three or four times to which i replied i would be considering cancelling my card and boom 100k offered

 

[djchuckles]

They said the same to me. I then told them i was considering cancelling my card and she asked three or four times to which i replied i would be considering cancelling my card and boom 100k offered

Tried the same - she put me on hold to check - came back with some offer - nothing. I said ok then I will cancel - she said make sure you spend your points first (I have 900,000 of them)

Wonder if its because I have a reduced annual fee ($750 per year)

 

[Ewing]

Just called to cancel my Plat Charge.

Was planning on following through but they offered 100k points without even prompting. I can keep it for another year for that

 

[djchuckles]

Just called to cancel my Plat Charge.

Was planning on following through but they offered 100k points without even prompting. I can keep it for another year for that

I better try again then - maybe calling on a Saturday night was my downfall....

 

[Daver6]

Just called to cancel my Plat Charge.

Was planning on following through but they offered 100k points without even prompting. I can keep it for another year for that

When was your annual fee due?

 

[Ewing]

When was your annual fee due?

It comes on the December statement so... tomorrow plus 14 days

 

[Daver6]

It comes on the December statement so... tomorrow plus 14 days

Obviously not definitive, but it seems those who try cancel close or just after the annual fee is to get rewarded. Those who just call up to try it out, get nothing.