In the miles and points space, the fastest way to earn miles and points is by signing up for credit cards and meeting the minimum spend to earn a welcome bonus. While issuers spend a lot of money to acquire customers, it’s always beneficial if the same customers stick on as opposed to them have to spend new money chasing new customers again. That’s where retention bonus offers come into the picture. If you’re a customer in good standing and spend money on the card and pay the card off each month, you stand a decent chance of getting a retention bonus offer. While nothing is guaranteed, it never hurts to ask.
Also Read: My attempt at getting a retention bonus offer on the Amex Platinum Card
Retention Bonus offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is a fantastic product if you frequently stay at Marriott Bonvoy properties around the world. It works perfectly for me. Ever since I’ve picked up the card, I’ve booked some memorable stays at upscale properties like the Ritz Carlton Langkawi, Malaysia, Phulay Bay – A Ritz Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Thailand, St. Regis Mumbai and JW Marriott Juhu, Mumbai in India.
However, while the card works really well for me, it carries a massive annual fee of $650. In my case, I’m able to easily offset the fee thanks to:
- Annual free night certificate (up to 100,000 points per night once you top up using Marriott Bonvoy points)
- $25 monthly dining credit (which is valid worldwide)
Moreover, I also get complimentary Platinum elite status in addition to 25 elite night credits, which come very handy.
Retention Bonus Offer Via Chat
I logged into my Amex account and started a conversation with the chat rep, telling her that the annual fee was billed and I was unsure about renewing the card for another year.
She started asking me about my travel plans for the rest of the year as she pulled up my account. I mentioned that I have fewer stays so I was not quite sure about committing for one full year. She pointed out that my travel spend on the card was $6,587, which was impressive, in addition to other non-travel spend in other categories.
She offered me 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to keep the account open. I’d get the bonus points after I spend $1,500 in 3 months. $500 a month on the card is pretty easy so I renewed the card and took up the offer.
The Pundit’s Mantra
It never hurts to ask. I carry many cards that charge an annual fee and always make it a point to request for a retention bonus when the annual fee is billed. While you get rejected every now and then, there are times when you can often hit a jackpot.
What was your most recent retention bonus request like? Tell us in the comments section.
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New Credit Card Offers
Chase Sapphire Cards
- Earn 100,000 bonus points and a $500 statement credit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Earn 200,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card for Business
Co Branded Hilton Honors Cards
- Earn 100,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit with the Hilton Honors American Express card
- No fee for the first year, earn 130,000 bonus points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card
- Earn 175,000 bonus points with the Hilton Aspire card, in addition to 1 free night certificate each year
- Earn 175,000 bonus points with the Hilton Business Card
Co-branded Delta SkyMiles cards
- No annual fee for the first year, earn 80,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- No fee for the first year, earn 90,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
- Earn 110,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Marriott Credit Cards
- Earn 60,000 points and 1 free night with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card by Chase
- Earn 5 free nights with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card
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