Point Me To First Class 78. Score Bonus Points and Waived Fees: The Art of the Credit Card Retention Call with Dr. Suzy Spadafora
Aug 26, 2024
Dr. Suzy Spadafora, a points and miles enthusiast who has opened over 30 rewards credit cards, shares her secrets for maximizing credit card retention offers. She discusses effective strategies to negotiate waived fees, statement credits, and bonus points when calling banks. Suzy reveals her process for evaluating which cards to keep and the mistakes to avoid during retention calls. She even offers her exact script for requesting retention offers and explains the differences in generosity among issuers.
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Longtime Points Player
- Suzy started in points in 2003 and ramped up in 2016, opening 30+ cards since then.
- She currently keeps about 20 open and uses Travel Freely to stay organized.
Keep Cards When Benefits Outweigh Fees
- Suzy values cards that deliver outsized tangible benefits like lounge access and free nights.
- She keeps premium cards when benefits exceed the high annual fees in real usage value.
Regularly Reevaluate Cards
- Evaluate cards monthly and use reminders (like Travel Freely) when annual fees are approaching.
- Do quick math on point valuations to decide if a retention offer makes the card worth keeping.