February 20, 2020|AMEX, Chase, United

By Eric Lipkind 

My American Express Platinum annual fee was coming up.  I called the retention number with the usual, ‘I’m considering canceling my card’ language.   This time, I was offered a $500 statement credit or 50,000 membership reward points.   I took the points as they are worth more than $500 as well as worth more than the annual fee.   

What is so unusual about this offer is that there is no spend requirement – just free points. 

The retention number I called was (800) 452-3945.

Incidently, Chase offered no retention offer for the Sapphire Reserve card or the Presidential Plus card.   I changed the Presidential Plus card to a no-fee United card.  There is no credit pull and the card history stays in place.   Given the reduction in benefits in the Presidentiall Plus card, this is a great savings. 

As I said before, it never hurts to ask for free points.