Question
Since Citibank manages Diners Club which has a 10K point renewal "program", I thought I would call Citibank AAdvantage Visa since my annual fee had posted to the account. The agent kept repeating that she had never heard of anything like that and suggested I speak with AAdvantage customer service.
Does anyone know anything about this? When I called to cancel my Citibank AAdvantage World Mastercard, they offered me a few miles or a small discount on my renewal--but it didn't seem worthwhile, so I canceled the card. Does one have to cancel the Visa card (or threaten to do so) in order to receive a renewal bonus? (I know that Citibank has been trying to migrate all customers away from the Visa card to their World MasterCard, so they probably wouldn't mind canceling a Visa card.)
Answer
I just called Citibank with the exact same question and was told that I can't get any miles for renewing. So I said to the CR rep that I could simply cancel and sign up for a new card but why put me thru that hassle of just going thru the semantics. He offered me 2,000 miles and I asked if he could do better so then he offered me 4,000 miles. Not a bad deal but as soon as I hung up I did apply for a second card Platinum card. Once that comes in I'll cancel the first and get a refund of the annual fee.
Just try negotiating with them and they are usually pretty responsive.
Answer
They might offer you some miles if you switch over to the World MasterCard.
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So I said to the CR rep that I could simply cancel and sign up for a new card but why put me thru that hassle of just going thru the semantics.
Actually the small print says that they have the right to deny the signup bonus if you do that. You are only eligible for the signup bonus if you are a new customer in the last 6 months. They don't enforce this for 2nd or 3rd accounts since this is new business
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Keep in mind also that Citibank is trying to eliminate its Visa cards. If I remember correctly, it has something to do with the placement of the Visa logo. I know once a year I get a mailing telling me that they are going to switch my card to the World MC. I call them and inform them that this is the only Visa I carry and to not switch the card. So far, so good.
--Jim
Answer
After receiving my new BA branded VISA card with a lower interest rate, I decided to cancel my Citibank AA Mastercard which I had had for 2 years. I had no intention of asking for a renewal or retention bonus, however, when I first spoke to customer service, I was tranferred to what was clearly a retention type of desk. I was asked about why I was canceling my account and told the truth, a lower interest rate. They offered me a lower rate than what I currently had on my AA Mastercard, but not as low as the rate I had on my BA card, so I declined.
Since my intent was to cancel, the next offer for 1,000 miles was also declined as was the free voucher for a companion ticket. While I played along somewhat, asking questions about the companion coupon and even the miles, it became clear to the customer service representative that I didn't want to keep the card, so finally, she gasped, told me to hold the line and after a few moments, came back and offered me 7,500 miles, to post on my next statement. She claimed that she had never seen this offer before and sometimes these special offers are buried with all the others ... uh huh.
While this just happened yesterday and I'm not terribly convinced that the miles will post, it was a very generous offer, more than I had ever seen posted on this board before. So, 7,500 miles convinced me to keep my card, at least for another month or so.