How 5 minutes of chat got me 85,000 points plus $150
I love retention offers. These can be a great way to add extra points and miles to your balances. If a bank wants to keep you as a customer, then you may receive a retention offer in the form of points, miles or cash.
Related: Quick Points: How to use retention offers for extra points and miles
I recently used the chat function on the American Express website for retention offers on three cards and came away with 85,000 points plus $150 in statement credits. That represents $1,850 in value to me, which was definitely worth five minutes of my time. Here's a look at my experience with tips on how you can replicate it.
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Why you should use the online chat function for retention offers
Much of the discussion on retention offers focuses on calling to ask for a retention offer. However, now that American Express and Citi have online chat functions, I prefer using these.
During these discussions, you will often receive some terms and conditions from the bank, and I like seeing these, rather than having them read to me over the phone.
Additionally, if you receive an offer from the bank, having it in writing (and then grabbing a screenshot to save for your records) is ideal.
Finally, if you get nervous on the phone, this can be a way to reduce your anxiety. And it gives you more time to digest whether you think a retention offer is worth it without being put on the spot on the phone.
My personal experience with online retention offers
The annual fee on three of my Amex cards posted recently. I used the chat function to inquire about retention offers on all three. The chats were pretty quick, with a total combined time of five minutes.
1st offer: The Platinum Card® from American Express
As you may know, the Amex Platinum card has one of the highest annual fees out there. When the $695 annual fee posted (see rates and fees), I wanted to make sure I made it worth my while.
On this card, I received an offer of 55,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $4,000 in the next three months. TPG values these points at $1,100, which is a 27.5% return on the spending required. I accepted this offer gladly.
2nd offer: American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab
You must be a Schwab banking customer to apply for this card — which you should be, since it's one of the best bank accounts for travelers. You can read more about the different types of Platinum Cards here.
A unique feature of the Platinum Card for Schwab is that you can transfer points directly to your bank account, cashing them out at a rate of 1.1 cents apiece. While this isn't the best value for your Amex points, it does provide extra options for using your points when you have to pay cash for something and want to reimburse yourself for the purchase.
On this card, the Amex chat agent offered me a $150 statement credit to offset part of the annual fee. There was no spending required to receive this credit, and it posted to my account within 48 hours. I happily took it.
The information for the Amex Platinum Card for Schwab has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?
3rd offer: American Express® Gold Card
The chat representative offered 30,000 bonus points if I would spend $3,000 on my Gold Card in the next three months. According to TPG's valuations, this is a 20% return on spending.
Adding up my offers
In total, I received offers for 85,000 Membership Rewards points plus a $150 statement credit, with a spending requirement of $7,000. This amounts to another welcome offer in my eyes, but it doesn't require an application for a new card, a hard pull on my credit or new accounts showing up on my credit report. Those are all positives. TPG's valuations put my offers at $1,850 in value — definitely worth a few minutes of my time.
Bottom line
Without a doubt, sign-up bonuses from credit cards are the best way to earn a huge stash of points and miles that you can use for travel. However, you can also use authorized user bonuses, referral bonuses and retention offers to pad your balances.
I'm a big fan of using chat functions for retention offers whenever possible. My Amex chat retention offers took about five minutes of my time but provided $1,850 in value.
I don't think you have any doubts about whether I'm happy with the results. Hopefully, this avenue can work for you, too.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees