Update: If you don’t get at least 7,500 points, ask to speak to a supervisor. A lot of people in the comments have reported receiving this bonus when doing so.
U.S Bank & Club Carlson recently announced that their Club Carlson credit cards would be losing the last night free benefit. This was easily one of the best credit card benefits available and as such a lot of cardholders have been angry/disappointed about this change.
Whenever a credit card benefit is removed, you should always ask the credit card issuer for some type of compensation. If you haven’t already, give U.S Bank a call and see what they will offer you (note this is in addition to the 30,000 points after your next paid stay and the new free night benefit after $10,000 in spend). Here are some of the things that readers have reported receiving:
- Annual fee refund
- Points 3,000-10,000
Obviously this won’t make up for losing the benefit but it’s always nice to get a little bit back and it also sends a clear message to U.S Bank that you’re not happy about the change. I usually just call in and say something along the lines of (after a bit of small talk) “the main reason I signed up for this card was the last night free benefit. I’m really disappointed about this change. Is there anything that U.S Bank can do?” and go from there, don’t necessarily accept and offer as soon as one is given as they often lead with the worst offer available.
Asked to speak w manager about the ClubCarlson benefits changing, he wouldn’t remove annual fee but added 7500 pts to my account.
So how long is it taking for points to post? It’s been more than a week since I called and no points as yet…. Wondering when to call again?
They will post when you’re next credit card statement closes. You can go on US Bank and look at your account…go to rewards..and you’ll see what is about to post
Thanks @Michael. I do see some pending Customer Service points on the US Bank website, so not seeing them on the Carlson site is less worrisome. Thanks again,
Anyone have any data points as to how fast these compensation points are posting?
I called in on May 4th and got offered the 2,500 points. I asked for a supervisor and was told they’d call back because they were too busy to speak with me at that moment. (I suspect the supervisors were just gone for the day, since I called in the evening.) So the supervisor called me back the next day on May 5th and told me that the reps are only authorized to offer 2,500 as their max, but supervisors can offer 7,500.
She mentioned that it should post in 6-8 weeks. That’s obviously after our May 31 deadline, but I’m wondering if anyone has seen the points post sooner?
I called a few weeks ago and got 3,000 points on the business card. How can I get more? Can you go back?
Now time to try SO’s personal card, hope for the 7,500.
Yes, call again. I got 2500 each on 2 personal and 1 business acct last week. Called back, asked for a supervisor, and got the 7500. Not sure if they added 7500 or changed the 2500 to 7500; either way I am happier as it will be at least 15,000 more across the 3 accounts.
Apparently some folks are writing a regulatory agency and getting even more compensation; see comment here: http://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/2015/04/23/club-carlsons-30000-point-bonus-may-be-easier-to-get-than-expected/comment-page-1/#comment-1251083
I am going to sit tight and see how this develops. I may cancel 1 or more cards on renewal and/or write the consumers agency mentioned above, but for now I am focusing on booking with my Carlson points before the end of May.
Not sure the link goes tro the correct comment, look at Dan says @
April 23, 2015 at 5:21 pm
Interesting about filing complaints with CFPB and BBB.
According to the supervisor I spoke with yesterday, once they add the 2500 they cannot take them back… so they can only add the 7500 for a total of 10k
Yes, call in and ask for more.
Just called US Bank, Was told by the rep there is nothing they can do for me. Asked for the supervisor -got 7,500 points for my Personal card and for my Business card. When calling, remember to be nice and polite.
Nice! Seems like if you escalate, you’ll get 7,500 points.
Just called in and was offered 7500 points. Initially, the customer service rep offered me 2500 points. I said that wasn’t sufficient to compensate me for the loss of benefits on the card, so she put me on hold, and after about 10 minutes, I got a supervisor on the line. I went over my story with him and he offered 7500 points, which I took. He also said it was Club Carlson who made the change, and he confessed that US Bank has been dealing with an avalanche of customer complaints. It seems like they were taken by surprise and Club Carlson never gave them a heads up about it, or at least, sufficient heads up. Note: I called in two weeks ago, right around when the news broke, and back then I got nothing, even after calling 4 separate times. So the fact that I got something now means that the customer complaints have risen and US Bank decided to do something about it. So if you only get offered 2500 points, or less, make sure to ask to be transferred to a supervisor.
Just called for both my personal and biz cards separately. I got offered 2,500 points for both cards.
I think the reason US BANK is refunding fee & 15k points for 2 reasons, they advertised the bonus award night after paying $75 fee and you wasted your hard inquiry because they said you apply for it to get the bonus award night
just called in and they initially offered 2k point (seriously???). I said that wasn’t enough, and she said she could request a refund of AF on my account. Said to call back in 7-10 days. Let’ see.
you get $75 refund and 15k points if you file CFPB complaint
What was your CFPB complaint for exactly? I don’t like recommend filing these complaints unless they are actually breaking the law.
According to the supervisor i talked with, it was club Carlson, not US Bank that took array the last night free