15,000 AmEx "Valued Customer Loyalty Bonus" Points for NOT Cancelling Card

LRedang3lz on 26/07/2017 - 21:43
Last edited 26/07/2017 - 21:46

Hi. Not sure if this is a bargain so posting here.. Sorry if it's been posted before.

So yesterday I decided to call up Amex to cancel my platinum edge, the annual fee is due in Jan 2018. I was asked the usual why do you want to cancel the card questions: well because there's no more free flight/no good offers lately/need to wait 18 months before claiming any more joining bonuses. And was offered 15,000 points to not cancel the card today. Thinking this was too good to be true, I checked how long it would take for the points to be credited to my account. Apparently in 24-48 hours, and confirmed I can cancel the card afterwards and still keep the points. Sure enough, in 24 hours 15,000 points hit my account as promised. I was feeling greedy at the time so I asked if he could offer me qantas points to not cancel the qantas discovery card, and he again offered me 15,000 qantas points. Still waiting for the points after 24 hours…

Sorry for the long story, just thought I'd share in case anyone else also want to cancel their cards.

I also tried to get more points from him, but apparently 15,000 is the highest they can give away. And this loyalty offer only applies to "some" cards only.

Addit Just checked amex website again, 15,000 Qantas points just been credited

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Comments

  • Maxxjet on 26/07/2017 - 21:52

    Thanks for sharing… good stuff … I guess you will pay the fee now?

    • Redang3lz on 26/07/2017 - 21:55
      +1

      the platinum edge is already paid for until Jan 2018, and the Qantas discovery has no annual fee. So probably cancel them next month once the qantas points are automatically transferred..?

      • lovetravellinginbiz on 26/07/2017 - 22:32

        Great work!

        I should do this too.. 4 amexes across 2 accounts.. that could amount to 60k points.. =p

  • starburstyellow on 27/07/2017 - 00:26
    +1

    Did you have AMEX points at the time of cancellation? I currently have 200K in there and want to sound convincing when I cancel. Doesnt sound very convincing if I have a stackload of points in there does it :D

    • Redang3lz on 27/07/2017 - 09:03

      I've transferred most of the points to velocity last year - probably had about 100k? But from what the guy on the phone said they are just trying to convince people to keep their cards…?

      • starburstyellow on 27/07/2017 - 11:37
        -1

        Ah ok. So you had 100K in your account when you called and they still gave you 15K for retention. Hmm. Might call later.

  • lukebeau on 27/07/2017 - 06:42

    How long have you had your card for? I wouldn't mind trying this but have only had it for 2 years.

    • Redang3lz on 27/07/2017 - 09:04

      Had the platinum edge for 5ish years, Qantas Discovery for about a year.

    • 30mmolkcl on 28/07/2017 - 14:17

      I just did this successfully on a card I've only had for ~18 months - 2 years is plenty!

      • MathNerd on 30/07/2017 - 13:54

        Did you get 15,000 points? I literally just now got off the phone with them to cancel my plat edge and they only offered 8,000 points, and the lady said that for my account it's the best she can do… And I spent big on the card last month too, was hoping to get the 15,000

        • 30mmolkcl on 30/07/2017 - 14:24

          I was offered 23,000

        • MathNerd on 30/07/2017 - 15:45

          @30mmolkcl: was this for your essentials or platinum edge? Thanks :)

        • 30mmolkcl on 30/07/2017 - 16:51

          @smarioc: essentials

        • MathNerd on 30/07/2017 - 17:13

          @30mmolkcl: thanks :) so that's 23,000 gateway points which is 17,500 FF points effectively… Even better than 15000! Lucky!!

  • imolared on 27/07/2017 - 07:09

    Was offered this when I called to cancel my Velocity Platinum that I had for 11 months a few months ago. Didn’t want to pay the annual fee.

  • 30mmolkcl on 27/07/2017 - 14:30
    +1

    After reading this post I called up AMEX to try cancel my essentials card (white card, no annual fee) and was offered 23,000 MR Gateway points to keep the account open. I was extremely surprised by this given I also have the Platinum Edge card and that there is no annual fee on the essentials card account. My advice - everyone give this a go!!

    • Redang3lz on 27/07/2017 - 19:06
      +1

      Nice one!

      • 30mmolkcl on 28/07/2017 - 14:26

        Haha yeah - it was a big win for me :P

    • [Deactivated] on 27/07/2017 - 21:31

      How long have you been with AmEx? My card is only a few months old and I'm wondering if it's worth a shot or if I'm just going to look like a fool.

      • 30mmolkcl on 28/07/2017 - 12:35

        I’ve had the essentials since they launched Apple Pay in Australia - I think that was Dec 2015…?

    • 30mmolkcl on 28/07/2017 - 17:50

      Just checked - 23,000 points in my account

  • starburstyellow on 28/07/2017 - 18:56
    +1

    Called, got the 15K thanks OP.

  • budgetman on 28/07/2017 - 21:47
    +1

    Ive been calling amex for years. (I have the Platinum Edge card)
    They started giving me $100 gift cards, then cash to my account (they called it spend incentive) but after doing this for 3 years they said they closed that department so now I just call the number on the back of the card and ask to be put through to cancellations.
    I just tell them there are other cards around offering a lot of sign up bonus points and they always offer 23,000 points to stay. I asked for 30,000 last year but they said 23K was the max.

    • 30mmolkcl on 29/07/2017 - 13:14

      Maybe I should make this an annual thing, budgetman?

    • MathNerd on 30/07/2017 - 15:48

      I tried this with my platinum edge and only got offered 8,000 points - yes it's still free but it looks like it heavily depends on the CSR you get and if they're incentivised to keep you as a customer :(

    • MathNerd on 08/01/2018 - 11:43

      they said they closed that department

      Are you referring to the "retention team"? So if we call up and ask for that team specifically, it doesn't exist?

      • budgetman on 08/01/2018 - 16:25

        They ended up giving me a direct line to a department (retention I guess) I was only able to call them 3 times (3 years), the 4th time the call was diverted to another line. The line we now call to cancel the card.

        • MathNerd on 08/01/2018 - 16:33

          If you don't mind sharing, what was the number?

        • budgetman on 08/01/2018 - 16:36

          @MathNerd:
          the number was 1300 650 897, and no longer in use
          now i just call the number on the back of the card

        • MathNerd on 08/01/2018 - 16:48

          @budgetman: Ah cool, thanks so much for that information. Annual fee coming up this March so it's good to be armed with some information.

        • budgetman on 08/01/2018 - 17:01

          @MathNerd:
          Just called and got absolutely bugger all.
          I'm going to call tomorrow morning after their shift changes.
          I asked to get put through to cancellations and she said "thats me"
          I initially asked if they have a retention or spend incentive team…..no they dont.
          Also told her I can cancel my card and re-apply in 18 months and you will give me 100K on the explorer card, surely cheaper to give an existing member an incentive rather than advertise.
          Anyway….got F all!

          My spend has increased dramatically in the last 6 months.
          Told her I will be moving to another card that gives NEW customers 100K points to sign up.
          I have been a member since 1999, never had any issues…..but never paid interest either.
          She said there is something amazing happening this year and she hopes I can hold on until the announcement.

        • MathNerd on 08/01/2018 - 17:13
          +1

          @budgetman: Interesting, thanks for the update. I think with all these kinds of things, once a lot of people start getting bonuses from 'fake' cancellation calls, the supervisors in these call centres tell the operators to discontinue dishing out bonuses (that's what I think anyway).

          She said there is something amazing happening this year and she hopes I can hold on until the announcement

          I hope that's true, rather than just a filler to get you off their backs!

  • budgetman on 29/07/2017 - 15:01

    Absolutely, when mine is due again in December this year i'm going to try something a little different.
    If it works and I get more than the max I will post for all to try.
    I never posted this before because I just assumed everyone on oz bargain would already be doing it.
    Works for virgin flyer card also but have not had much luck with the banks.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2017 - 13:34
    +2

    anyone tried with the explorer?

  • tess1988 on 10/08/2017 - 04:06

    can you cancel a card if the current statement hasn't been paid?

    that way you could just change your mind…. sorry i will keep the card if they don't offer any points

  • KingJuf on 11/08/2017 - 10:55

    Tried to call and cancel Platinum Edge I have held for 8months was offered 8k points. Probably should have just taken it but he said that may change between now and annual fee due date in November so will call again.

  • Nat000 on 13/08/2017 - 09:42

    Is there a certain time of the day to get a csr that will offer more points to stay ?
    Eg. The CSR's at night are more generous.

    • Stoozer on 17/08/2017 - 08:56

      I called one morning and got the Australian call centre. I am sure the guy was sniggering at me, he said sure i will cancel all your accounts with no offer made. I hung up the phone and called back 3pm WA time and was offered 30k. I did not threaten to cancel the second time, asked for some help towards $1200 annual fee.

  • arctan on 13/08/2017 - 19:40

    Called Amex to cancel the explorer and platinum edge card, Amex offered 15k points on explorer and 2.5k on platinum edge card for retention. Also I was told if I add a supplementary card I can get 5k more points.

    • T-man on 13/08/2017 - 22:40

      How long have you held both cards?

      • arctan on 13/08/2017 - 23:00

        Since last Nov

  • maverick1 on 15/08/2017 - 23:08

    called to cancel Qantas discovery. held for little over 2 years offered 23K QFF points. Waiting for points to credit. Planning to hold this card till end of the year before culling it.

    • maverick1 on 18/08/2017 - 21:58

      still no sign of the promised bonus points? how long does it take usually?

      • starburstyellow on 23/08/2017 - 21:41

        I got mine within 3 hours of phone call. Got 15k.

        • maverick1 on 23/08/2017 - 23:55

          Great. I spoke to them over chat and now I can finally see the points come through..will call them again in oct to cancel my explorer. Not expecting 23K, but maybe 15K.

        • starburstyellow on 24/08/2017 - 00:14

          @maverick1: Well done. im going to call in Oct myself! haha. You think they will give another retainer?

  • Nat000 on 16/08/2017 - 11:29

    Given 15k when I went to cancel my platinum edge this morning

    • T-man on 16/08/2017 - 15:52

      How long have you held the card?

  • Nat000 on 16/08/2017 - 19:22

    5 months.
    I mentioned I was disappointed with Amex when I didn't get my 15k referral points I believed I was entitled to.

  • maverick1 on 12/09/2017 - 16:01

    got 16K MR points as one time loyalty bonus for my explorer. Points credited instantaneously

  • tess1988 on 14/09/2017 - 19:56

    Did you say you were going to cancel or did you say something like annual fee is coming up could you help me out with some bonus points even so I know I get a travel credit

    • starburstyellow on 14/09/2017 - 22:21

      I wouldn't go that tact. Just say you like the card, but you have another Amex. Can you reduce the annual fee (they can't), so when they say this, just say hmm OK if you throw in some points Ill stay. Bam! points.

    • Redang3lz on 14/09/2017 - 23:57

      Basically thinking of cancelling as I don't want to pay another annual fee. Then they said how about we give you some points for you to keep your card..

  • novicenow on 16/09/2017 - 02:29

    I have had the Qantas Discovery with 0 annual fee for about 2 years and when I called they didn't even care. I even explicitly asked for bonus points and mentioned how new members benefit because of marketing whereas existing loyal members don't, but they didn't budge. Oh well, guess it's time to shop around.

  • billbro on 08/01/2018 - 11:26

    Called up and no luck - reading on AFF from the more recent post it seems like the retention bonus has dried up.

    I think my spend is pretty reasonable on the explorer as it became my primary amex card.

  • MathNerd on 14/03/2018 - 21:09

    Anybody have any recent success stories of this? My annual fee is due this month on my Platinum Edge and I'm not having much luck!

  • budgetman on 15/03/2018 - 09:09
    +1

    I cancelled my wifes explorer card about 3 weeks ago. No points on offer.
    Signed her up to my edge card and we both recieved the referral bonus, she was not entitled to it.
    I signed up to explorer and she received the referral credit just before i cancelled her card.
    All up I recieved 55k in sign up bonus.
    So now i hold explorer and edge and ALL points earned go to Edge card…..nice

  • T-man on 15/03/2018 - 17:48

    This thread is the reason why they are not offering any retention points any more.

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