Part of playing the travel hacking “game” is doing occasional credit card maintenance. I got the Gold Amex Delta Skymiles card about a year ago, and while the annual fee was waived the first year, $95 was coming due soon. Time to see what kind of Delta Skymiles retention offer I could get! I actually screwed up when I got this card and got a way worse offer than I should have, but that, my friends, is another story entirely!!
It had actually already posted on my account a few days ago, but with American Express, you have 60 days after the annual fee to cancel the card without having to pay the fee. So I logged on to AmericanExpress.com, used my handy trick to always get a live chat (did you know that this is STILL my most popular post I’ve ever written?)
How’d the chat go?
We started with the pleasantries
Amex: How can I help you today?you: I was looking at my Amex Delta Skymiles cardyou: and noticed that the annual fee is coming upyou: I like the card and would like to keep ityou: but I’m not sure the benefits I’m getting are worth the annual feeyou: and so I thought I would check in with you guys to see how you could help me out!Amex: I will be happy to check your account!Amex: Please allow me some time to review the account details.
Amex: You will be glad to know the benefits of your Gold delta card…Amex: You get One SkyMile for every dollar in eligible purchases.
Two SkyMiles for every eligible dollar spent on Delta purchases.
you: YesAmex: Identity Theft Assistance*Amex: Entertainment Access
Extended Warranty
Purchase ProtectionAmex: Express Service
Global Assist
Roadside Assistance
Amex Delta Skymiles card retention offer
I really want to fly more on Delta! Work with me here, Amex!!!! 😀
As she continued talking about benefits that aren’t really useful (no foreign transaction fees, which is actually somewhat useful, except I’d say most cards have that nowadays), I tried to ask what kind of retention offer I could get, again, emphasis mine
you: I do really like the Delta card thoughyou: what’s the most bonus Skymiles you could offer in exchange for my keeping that card?Amex: I am sorry there is no retention bonus offer on this card.Amex: However, you can switch to Hilton Hhonors card from American Express that has $0 annual membership fee.you: I see.you: What type of statement credit offers are available?Amex: We keep you informed about the upcoming offers via emails, banner ads throughout MYCA, and integrations within Amex site navigation areas, however, there is retention bonus.
Downgrading the account
She did offer to downgrade the account either to the $65 annual fee SPG Amex or to the no-fee Amex Hilton HHonors card (which I already have). What I will probably do is transfer the credit limit over to my existing Amex Hilton card, but there might be one reason to hold on to the card at least a little while longer!
One reason to keep the card for a few weeks?
One reason to keep it for a little bit longer is that because it’s an American Express card, it’s eligible for Small Business Saturday, which would give me an additional $30 statement credit. I’ll have to think if that’s worth it or not…
Anyone ever gotten a good Amex Delta Skymiles card retention offer?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Last week I received a retention offer of 7500 SkyMiles with a $1500 spend.