[Update: See American Express Business Platinum Refunding $200 From Annual Fee After Card Renewal]
Some users on reddit have reported that during retention calls they have been told to consider holding off cancelling cards as American Express plans to offer annual fee relief across all cards due to the uncertainty of travel. In American Express’ Q1 earnings call American Express talked about offering several new benefits, services and rewards and completing card refreshes in May so it’s possible this is part of that.
In terms of timing I could see American Express either making an announcement on Friday (May 1st) or on Monday (May 4th), my gut feeling would be that we’re more likely to see something official on the Monday. In either case it might be worth waiting a few days before cancelling a card. I’ve put some feelers out with sources at American Express to see if they can provide any additional information.
FWIW, I just discussed Marriott Biz (AF $125) with a chat rep and she issued $50 statement credit. She said eligible cards are those whose renewal date is between May – Dec 2020.
The timestamp of the chat was 1:20am PST on May 1st.
I just tried by chat and was told to call retention. Was for Bonvoy Biz, AF hit earlier in April.
It’s possible that it only applies to cards renewing after May if what the rep said was correct.
Same situation. Bonvoy Biz said nothing available for me in retention and won’t get prorated annual fee refund if cancelled after 30 days. Annual fee hit early april
I talked to them today and they said the same, hang tight because changes were coming “to help you make the most of your card benefits”
Do they ever offer anything for BCP? My annual fee hit on 4/7 so I guess i have a few days still to call. I guess I’ll see if something gets announced tomorrow.
Called Amex for retention offers on my platinum card — they offered $500, no spend required. I asked if they’re convert it to 50k MR points, they declined. Happily took the $500 credit and it hit my account about 2 days later. This was 4/26.
$250 AF hit my Gold card a couple weeks ago. Called in and got $200 statement credit for $3k spend or 30k MR for $4k spend. Took the cash since I’m all about just churning for cash right now during these uncertain times. Have a huge stash of MR, UR, airline miles from several canceled trips with no immediate plan to use them all..
I’m guessing that’ll probably make me ineligible to get AF waived or reduced though…
Can this apply to Blue Cash Proffered annual feed?
I got a spend $3000/30 day offer for a $100 credit when I called on 4/12. Easy decision–I spend that at grocery stores easily
AMEX Platinum Schwab card $550 due by May 8th. No retention offer last week or this week. I got one last April, so they say there’s a chance in May, but not holding my breath. Hate to cancel but c’est le vie.
How will this impact people who have paid their AF a few weeks ago? Will it be retroactive?
AMEX AS ALWAYS SHOWING THE CLASS APART. BY GIVING ANNUAL
FEE RELIEF. SOME MAY TAKE THIS AS A LOSS IN PROFIT, I LOOK THIS WAIVER AS EARNING MILLIONS OF BLESSINGS.
I have been getting 50k MR retention offers on various flavors of plats for consecutive years, and that’s why I keep all of them.
When I called in the first few times before the annual fee hit, they actually told me because they gave a retention bonus last year, they won’t do it again this year. But, after waiting for the annual fee to post and a bit longer after that, they somehow have the same 50k offers. So for those who had no offers because they got it last year, maybe give it another try a bit after the annual fee posts.