$95 for a card that I never use. This seemed like a no brainer in the Keep Vs. Cancel process. Last year I spent 2k on annual fees. This year I want to spend less. I called up Barclays and said I wanted to cancel. After a brief hold, I was told that they would waive the $95 fee and that I would receive 5k AAdvantage miles if I spent 1k in 3 months. Obviously, I took the offer. Score one for Barclays!
They have always waived annual fee for me
They are the only ones to flat out waive it for me with no additional action needed.
why wouldn’t you close it if there is a chance you can churn this card?
Good point and for good reason. I was supposed to get 10k miles after spending $750 a month for 3 months. It never posted and they’re still investigating it. After that’s resolved then I will consider closing it. At the same time, Barclays hates if you churn too hard.
but don’t you get 10K AA miles with your anniversary?
No, but you would get a $100 voucher if you spent 30k in a year!
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/partners/credit-card/aadvantage-aviator-red-mastercard.jsp
Move the credit to a different card and cancel!
I pay the $95 annual fee for three reasons: 1) I was converted to the Aviator card from the old US Airways card and get 10,000 AAdvantage miles every time I renew; 2) I get “preferred” boarding on American flights; and 3) I get offered some valuable promotions almost every year. More than once I have been offered 15,000 miles for a reasonable spend. If they keep this up, I will continue to keep the card. If they do not, it is great to learn that they sometimes waive the fee–thanks for sharing!