Citi Offering Some Hilton Cardholders 5,000 Points For Keeping Card

In case you didn’t know, Citi Hilton card will be converted to American Express Hilton cards at the end of January in 2018. Some Citi cardholders have been calling to cancel their cards because they don’t want this product change to occur for a number of reasons:

Some readers have been offered 5,000 Hilton points to keep the card open (1, 2, 3). Obviously there is no guarantee you’ll get such an offer (in fact it seems to be about a 50/50 chance) but it’s worth keeping in mind. The reason why Citi doesn’t want cardholders to cancel is American Express is purchasing the portfolio for them. This transaction is extremely valuable to Citi, in fact they expect to gain $150 million from the sale (this values the portfolio at over $1.2 billion). If you want to try and increase your chances of getting an offer make sure you call in rather than sending a secured message.

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Jill
Jill (@guest_544655)
December 31, 2017 13:04

5K offered still today when I called to cancel.

Highsky
Highsky (@guest_531753)
December 6, 2017 23:01

Called to cancel the card, was offered 5000 points to keep it

Still went on to cancel it since I do not want any risks in getting my first Amex hilton card bonus

J.M.
J.M. (@guest_512358)
November 9, 2017 19:07

I called to close my Citi HHonors Visa and they happily closed it almost before I could finished my sentence. No points offer.

P
P (@guest_512348)
November 9, 2017 18:36

Got -0- points. Closed the Reserve account. Keeping the Hilton Visa for now because it’s almost 3 years old and it would be nice if it’s history can continue.

Lrdx
Lrdx (@guest_512354)
November 9, 2017 18:52
  P

It’s a different issuer, the history won’t be continuous. At best they can only backdate the opening, but the report will show a new card.

I’m pretty sure it will be considered a new account for the Chase 5/24 rule.

Same thing happened with the Costco card.

Steve
Steve (@guest_512249)
November 9, 2017 15:44

Okay, so I just called to do a cancel (I certainly don’t want or need another Hilton Amex) and I was told that my account would not be converted to an Amex… rather, some accounts were being retained by Citi, but she couldn’t tell me which product I would be switched to. She did say that this would not affect my ability to open a new ThankYou Premier and earn the bonus (again after waiting 24 months).

Retired2008
Retired2008 (@guest_511690)
November 8, 2017 20:01

I called and the rep said that they weren’t offering any retention bonus, per Amex. I asked to speak to a supervisor, who gave me 5,000 Hilton points to keep the no-fee card. I was told that it will post on the next billing cycle, then I will cancel, as I already have the no-fee Amex card. I don’t need 2 of the same cards.

prfstrkr
prfstrkr (@guest_510899)
November 7, 2017 22:45

Is there any sample scripts we could follow when speaking with the clueless Citi CSRs? TIA

TD
TD (@guest_510507)
November 7, 2017 15:20

I SM’d them last week and they closed it immediately. No need for me to keep that card as I already have a Surpass and don’t need another amex card clogging up the pipeline for nothing.

TomT
TomT (@guest_510503)
November 7, 2017 15:17

Bummer. Citi just closed my Hilton card due to the lack of activity

Ben
Ben (@guest_510444)
November 7, 2017 14:11

I called and was only offered 1K points. In these instances better to decline and call back or just accept?

J. Grant
J. Grant (@guest_510452)
November 7, 2017 14:20

Accept. Unless you have a lot of free time and want to take your chances.