American Express Sending Annual Fee ‘Appreciation’ Credit For Many Business Cards (Delta, Marriott, Hilton, Platinum)

Update 1/2/2021: Looks like these credits are being extended for people with renewal date after January 1, 2021. It’s unclear what the new cutoff point will be but hopefully American Express will provide something more official in the coming days (I suspect it will cover Q1 2021 to begin with). Hat tip to Frugal Nellie.

American Express is sending out ‘Customer Appreciation Credits’ which post after you paid your annual fee. We posted earlier about the $200 Business Platinum credit, and now many are reporting similar credits on other business Amex cards that come with annual fees:

  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business ($550 fee) – $125 annual fee credit
  • Delta Platinum Business ($250 fee) – $75 annual fee credit
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business ($125 fee) – $50 annual fee credit
  • Hilton Business ($95 fee) – $50 annual fee credit
  • Platinum Business ($595 fee) – $200 annual fee credit

Some are getting this via email and others are seeing it as a banner ad in their Amex login. At this time it’s unclear if these credits are for everyone or targeted based on your history or whatnot.

It’s seems somewhat clear (though not confirmed) that those whose card renewals aren’t until January 2021 or beyond will not get a credit. It’s not yet clear about those whose renewals are in 2020; many have gotten emails about the credit while others have not. It might just be a matter of waiting until it gets sent out to everyone. That’s my personal guess, we’ll see.

(Update: Multiple readers were told this specifically by a rep – the appreciation bonus is for those whose annual fees renew between May 1 and December 31.)

I don’t have a copy of the terms, but they are likely similar to the the ones on the Business Platinum card:

  • Eligible Card Members as determined by American Express in its sole discretion, will be eligible to receive a one-time statement credit after Card renewal.
  • The statement credit will be applied to the eligible card account within 8-12 weeks of the account renewal month.
  • This statement credit is limited to Basic (not Additional) Card Members only.
  • Offer is non-transferable.
  • If the eligible Card is cancelled, or you have downgraded or upgraded your Card up to 45 days after the first day of your renewal month, you will not receive the one-time $200 statement credit.
  • American Express reserves the right to modify or revoke offer at any time.
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DTCGuy
DTCGuy (@guest_1151577)
February 27, 2021 13:28

Just had my AF hit for my Delta Platinum Business card. $250 annual fee with no $75 credit. Maybe since they announced the $15 a month benefits this is no longer being applied?

VL
VL (@guest_1125123)
January 10, 2021 19:44

Delta Biz Platinum – AF posted on December 20, 2020 (and it was not increased fee yet – still $195 for some reason), the credit posted on 12/31 (even before the fee was due for the payment)… I was going to close the card anyway, so not sure what will happen with the credit, but I never asked for it and not counting on it.. will be totally fine if they take it back, but seems like you can get it even before you pay the fee.

Security
Security (@guest_1123449)
January 7, 2021 00:23

Never got this on hilton biz with July statement date

James
James (@guest_1122330)
January 5, 2021 10:41

Biz Plat: Annual Fee posted on 12/5, statement closed 12/8, paid AF 12/17, Appreciation credit posted 12/31

C
C (@guest_1121656)
January 4, 2021 14:07

$100 credit posted on my personal Delta Reserve last week

ChickB
ChickB (@guest_1121730)
January 4, 2021 15:07
  C

Mine, also. Funny thing, as AD Navy I don’t pay the AF. Was VERY surprised to see this.

Pam
Pam (@guest_1121479)
January 4, 2021 10:39

Called Amex two weeks ago asking for a retention offer and was told this $200 appreciation credit does not exist. I had called back in July about something else and the rep told me I’d be getting this $200 automatically upon renewal. Anyway, the retention rep insisted that he could not issue me this $200 credit because there isn’t such a thing, but then proceeded to offer me $500 credit to keep my card open. Personal Platinum card.

Matt
Matt (@guest_1122053)
January 4, 2021 20:02

The $200 appreciation credit is only on business plat, not personal plat. Personal plat instead had a $200 statement credit for using Amex Travel portal. So it sounds like the first rep was wrong and the second rep was correct.

Vengenceonu
Vengenceonu (@guest_1121253)
January 3, 2021 22:40

I signed up for the Amex Biz Plat May 2020, does this mean when June comes around, they’ll give me the $200 Appreciation credit?

BB
BB (@guest_1120872)
January 3, 2021 09:23

Chatted with Amex for retention on P2’s personal Delta Plat. First offer was $50 statement credit which I turned down, second was 15000 skymiles which I accepted. However, just received an email for a $50 statement credit. Unsure if ii received both retention offers or if it’s related to this

Patrick
Patrick (@guest_1120794)
January 2, 2021 23:13

My current upgrade offer to the Business Platinum includes the $200 credit along with the 50k for $10k in spend. Which now makes more sense.

Gav
Gav (@guest_1120755)
January 2, 2021 21:25

I got a 25k Skymile retention offer on the Amex Delta Plat with a $50 statement credit after the new year