YAK25 Posted November 4, 2014 Hi. Anyone ever had any luck offsetting an AMEX annual fee or getting some kind of a retention bonus? I recently called the main line with regard to an annual fee on my BCP, and both the CSR and a supervisor told me that there was nothing they could do or offer me, despite my suggestion that I was seriously considering cancelling or at least downgrading the card to the no-annual-fee version. Just wondering if I should try my luck again with a different CSR or if there is a different number that I should call that would be more successful. As always, any feedback and help is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shifter Posted November 4, 2014 Nope. They'll just let you cancel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
funkiehouse Posted November 4, 2014 You can try but as Shifty said you probably won't have much luck. Either drop to the no fee version or use it every time at the grocery store and gas station. I'm actually going to switch to the fee version because I can easily make it up and make more than with the no fee one. It all depends on your spending with that card. Going down to the no fee card wont hurt anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mendelssohn Posted November 4, 2014 Buy Visa gift cards to make sure you hit the $6K cap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewanderer Posted November 4, 2014 As said previously, AMEX doesn't generally fold to the consumer they will just let you cancel/down grade. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YAK25 Posted November 4, 2014 Thanks for all the feedback. I'm guessing I will likely keep the card, since (as everyone agrees) the benefits far outweigh the annual fee. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhoenixDown Posted November 4, 2014 Would you get more value by downgrading? What about converting to the new blue card? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ihatedcu Posted November 4, 2014 The AF is definitely worth it for this card. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YAK25 Posted November 4, 2014 There is no question that the annual fee "is definitely worth it." While it would be preferable if there was some way to waive or offset the AF, I think I am better of in the long run with keeping the card (and paying the AF) than downgrading to the no-annual-fee version.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ihatedcu Posted November 4, 2014 I use BCP as a Costco card. 2% back from Costco executive 6% back from AmEx minus 4.95 activation fee. 8% back from already low price Costco, my wifes' dream card. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zobelle Posted November 4, 2014 I use BCP as a Costco card. 2% back from Costco executive 6% back from AmEx minus 4.95 activation fee. 8% back from already low price Costco, my wifes' dream card. Smart move! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cv91915 Posted November 4, 2014 I use BCP as a Costco card. 2% back from Costco executive 6% back from AmEx minus 4.95 activation fee. 8% back from already low price Costco, my wifes' dream card. I think you need to check some of that again. - $4.95 activation fee? Are you talking about a Serve or a Bluebird? - 8% back at Costco? Costco doesn't even count as a grocery store for BCP. Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include: • Specialty stores (e.g., fish markets, cheese shops, wine shops, and other specialty food stores ) • Superstores (e.g. Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart) • Warehouse clubs (e.g. BJ's Club and Costco Wholesale) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mizliz1011 Posted November 4, 2014 Good Call, CV... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mendelssohn Posted November 4, 2014 I use BCP as a Costco card. 2% back from Costco executive 6% back from AmEx minus 4.95 activation fee. 8% back from already low price Costco, my wifes' dream card. I think you need to check some of that again. - $4.95 activation fee? Are you talking about a Serve or a Bluebird? - 8% back at Costco? Costco doesn't even count as a grocery store for BCP. Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include: • Specialty stores (e.g., fish markets, cheese shops, wine shops, and other specialty food stores ) • Superstores (e.g. Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart) • Warehouse clubs (e.g. BJ's Club and Costco Wholesale) +1 I think he's a little confused. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDK Posted November 4, 2014 No way do you get 6% CB from Costco, as already said! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ihatedcu Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) Of course amex gift card. Geezer, do I have to spell it out. Edited November 4, 2014 by ihatedcu Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cv91915 Posted November 4, 2014 Of course amex gift card. Geezer, do I have to spell it out. Good lord. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDK Posted November 4, 2014 No way do you get 6% CB from Costco, as already said! Retracted. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ihatedcu Posted November 4, 2014 No way do you get 6% CB from Costco, as already said! Retracted. Sorry, penfed got my g-string in a bunch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDK Posted November 4, 2014 No way do you get 6% CB from Costco, as already said!Retracted. Sorry, penfed got my g-string in a bunch. No worries, I like how you think! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mendelssohn Posted November 4, 2014 Of course amex gift card. Geezer, do I have to spell it out. The bottom line is that it is fairly easy for almost anyone to max the $6K cap, so this card is worth the AF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDK Posted November 4, 2014 Of course amex gift card. Geezer, do I have to spell it out. The bottom line is that it is fairly easy for almost anyone to max the $6K cap, so this card is worth the AF. It was much better back before the cap. $6K is too low.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mendelssohn Posted November 4, 2014 Of course amex gift card. Geezer, do I have to spell it out. The bottom line is that it is fairly easy for almost anyone to max the $6K cap, so this card is worth the AF. It was much better back before the cap. $6K is too low.... That's 1 month for some people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDK Posted November 4, 2014 Of course amex gift card. Geezer, do I have to spell it out. The bottom line is that it is fairly easy for almost anyone to max the $6K cap, so this card is worth the AF. It was much better back before the cap. $6K is too low.... That's 1 month 1.25 DAYS for some people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ihatedcu Posted November 4, 2014 Here a better one, 5% gas with home depot and Lowes with no spending cap. In socal ARCO is the cheapest gas, but they don't take credit card. ARCO is around 20¢ cheaper than Shell. Lowes gives you 5% for anything over$299.00, but you gotta spend over $299. A better method is to go to home depot and grab some ARCO gift card. Show home depot your Lowes card. Automatic 5% off without spending $300. Shell is around $3.25 x 5% DC = 3.09 ARCO is $3.05 x 5% DC = 2.90 So I save around .19¢ per gallon plus ARCO has a minimart where I buy my snack, drinks, and cigs. I save on avg $100 per month. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites