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pecan 3.14159265

September 23, 2009 2:41 PM

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Why is the annual fee dreaded, other than the fact that you have to pay for it? You sign up for that particular card knowing that it's there. It's precisely why I signed up with the Blue Cash card - to avoid annual fees. If you dread it, don't get it.

Aside from that, kudos to the OP for being levelheaded and asking politely. A lesser OP would have called AmEx and demanded the fee get waived. Kudos to Chuck for being patient, and for having a backup suggestion(switching to a no fee card).

By the way, Chuck, do you ever walk around telling people, \"I am the prophet Chuck\" or pretending your last name is Bartowski?

3 replies

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September 23, 2009 3:02 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: Maybe the OP got it when he would have been able to recoup the annual fee and then some with the added benefits. It would have made sense in better times. It probably does not make any sense now, and he wanted it removed.

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TCama

September 23, 2009 2:47 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: Nah, a lesser OP probably would have just canceled the card; I know I would have. I guess he either really likes the card or just wanted to see how he could push his luck.

To me, it goes along with the general theme that companies are going at least a little bit out of their ways right now to accommodate customers who have been hit hard. It makes pretty good business sense; the companies who come out of the recession in the best shape will be very successful. And keeping customers is essential to many companies' success.

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hills

September 23, 2009 3:01 PM

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@TCama: It sounds like it is an American Airlines card, so if he cancelled it he would have lost his accumulated miles.... Good work OP!

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bilge

September 24, 2009 4:28 PM

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@hillsrovey: He would not lose his miles if he cancelled his card.

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SRSco

September 23, 2009 2:53 PM

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This is about a Citibank customer with a card with the AMEX logo on it, not an American Express customer with a full on American Express card. This doesn't mean you can call AMEX and get the same deal.

5 replies

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September 23, 2009 10:39 PM

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@SRSco: Or what \"NeverLetMeDown\" said more succinctly. In other words, nevermind. :-)

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pecan 3.14159265

September 23, 2009 3:56 PM

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@SRSco: How do you get a Citi card with an AmEx logo?

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September 23, 2009 10:58 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265:

There are quite a few cards where AmEx (i.e. Centurion Bank) is not the issuing bank, but which are used on the AmEx network, as opposed to the Visa/Mastercard/Discover network. I have a Bank of America Accelerated Cash Rewards AmEx. It has an AmEx logo on it and it's an American Express card as far as retailers etc are concerned, but it's not issued by AmEx, and they're not the ones lending me the money.

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September 23, 2009 10:36 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: It sounds like an American Airlines \"AAdvantage\" credit card that earns miles. AMEX comes into the picture with their \"redeem miles anytime\" program. In short, it's all cross-marketing. The card is really a Citi card, not an AMEX card.

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September 23, 2009 4:59 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265:

As of a couple of years ago, Visa/Mastercard started allowing their member banks to issue Amex-branded cards, after years of argument and litigation.

I have an Amex that's branded by Fidelity but issued by BoA - 2% cash back on every purchase. :)

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frank64

September 23, 2009 3:10 PM

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I am scared to tell by CC banks I am laid off, I thought they would drop my limit and raise my rate? I am able to at least 3X minimums, but still.

2 replies

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September 23, 2009 4:04 PM

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@frank64: Sounds like you have more problems if you're talking about adding to your debt while you're unemployed.

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frank64

September 23, 2009 4:21 PM

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@ModernTenshi04: No I am at least paying my expenses and even more, but if even one bank dropped my credit limit, my FICO would go down and then they would all raise my rates and THEN I would be in trouble.

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September 23, 2009 3:37 PM

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I can't imagine ANY consumer being able to justify signing up for a credit card with an annual fee unless they are certain they will come out way ahead in rewards each year.

The OP probably will discover that interest he may pay and rewards be pay earn are not worth the $50 he has to pay in annual fees to have this card.

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September 23, 2009 5:27 PM

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IT'S A TRAP!!!!

Right? It's a trap?

I got one of the AAdvantage card solicitations in the mail this week, I didn't pay attention to the card brand, but the APR was like 24%. I think they're one mile per dollar spent, so you don't get a round trip domestic ticket until you spend $25,000. (They generally have a sign up bonus of 20,000 points, but still not worth it.) If you fly a lot and pay your bills, a real Amex Platinum ($450/yr) gives you a free companion fare for every ticket you buy with no restrictions, IIRC.

1 replies

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Poshua

September 23, 2009 6:53 PM

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@Tankueray: Amex Platinum did away with the domestic companion airfare program about a year ago, unfortunately.

Airline rewards cards can be a good deal despite the annual fee, depending on how much your annual spend. Like another poster, I carry a Fidelity-branded Amex issued by Bank of America that pays 2% cashback on all purchases, which is better than most rewards deals I've seen.

As for the APR, in most cases, if you're going to be carrying a balance, a rewards credit card isn't a good deal-- it's best to focus on finding cards with low APR instead.

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September 23, 2009 5:36 PM

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The woman in the picture has that 1940/50s look to her hair. Actually makes her look hot cuz I've always had a fantasy for that,,,,somewhere lurking in my mind.

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bilge

September 23, 2009 6:47 PM

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The Citibank American Airlines cards are pretty generous when it comes to waiving the annual fee. Every year I call in to cancel my card and they ask me what it would take to not cancel. I reply, \"I don't mind hanging onto it if you can refund the annual fee\" and a few weeks later I get a voucher in the mail to cover the cost.

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H3ion

September 23, 2009 7:16 PM

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If that's a picture of Chuck, I can probably figure out why he's having difficulty finding work.

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moonunit999

October 25, 2009 9:25 PM

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I'm happy to hear someone is having success with that! I have what is (still) advertised as a no-annual-fee card with Citi, and they just recently decided to start charging me one anyway (I'm a \"deadbeat\" who pays in full each month).

I asked to switch to a no-fee card and they said it was impossible, the only option was to close my account. I asked if I could apply for the same card again, since it had no fee, and they said I could but once my transaction history was reviewed they'd be adding the fee back on again. They said not to waste my time. Oh: the reason is because they can \"change the terms at any time for any reason\" -- presumably including whether or not the card has an annual fee.

I am no longer a CitiCard holder.

Why is it legal to advertise no annual fee and then charge one for some customers anyway? That seems like deceptive advertising to me.

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