{"id":4864,"date":"2013-08-08T07:00:11","date_gmt":"2013-08-08T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=4864"},"modified":"2013-08-07T23:52:49","modified_gmt":"2013-08-08T05:52:49","slug":"canceling-a-credit-card-is-like-breaking-up-with-a-girlfriend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=4864","title":{"rendered":"Canceling a Credit Card is like Breaking up with a Girlfriend"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apologies to those local followers who couldn’t attend our last-minute WorldWanderlusting BBQ last night to celebrate good times, discuss our strategies, and dream about our next vacations and how we’re going to get there. \u00a0The next time we put one together we’ll offer more advanced notice. \u00a0[Want us to do a WorldWanderlusting seminar with you? \u00a0Comment below and we’ll make it happen!]<\/p>\n

One of the questions that came up was, “What do you say when you’re canceling a credit card? \u00a0It felt really awkward, like breaking up with a girlfriend.<\/span><\/strong>” \u00a0We all had a good laugh at Jared’s comment, (He was the one who did the guest post about taking his son to Columbia<\/a>) but afterward I’ve given it a lot of thought. \u00a0He’s totally right.<\/p>\n

\"awkward<\/a>

Taylor Swift is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER getting back together with you. (Photo Courtesy of sugarscape.com.)<\/p><\/div>\n

Forgive my male perspective on this, but I’m sure you women can relate just as easily. Simply replace “girlfriend” with “boyfriend,” and you can laugh along with us. Here is a direct correlation between canceling a credit card and breaking up with your girlfriend:<\/p>\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Breaking Up<\/strong><\/td>\nCanceling the Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You got what you wanted from the relationship.\u00a0 You’ve already kissed her and now the thrill of trying to catch the prey is over.\u00a0 The magic is gone now and you’re moving on.<\/td>\nThe sign on bonus from your Sapphire Preferred was so exciting when it arrived.\u00a0 Now that the bonus is over, your relationship with the card has completely fizzled.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Having the conversation with your “girlfriend” is going to be tough.\u00a0 You stew about it for days and finally decide to call her instead of seeing her face to face.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to hurt feelings.<\/td>\nYou put it off for as long as you can. The customer service rep acts hurt when you tell them you want to cancel the card.\u00a0 They ask what it was that made the relationship go sour.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You struggle on the phone to explain how things just “aren’t the same anymore.” You’re sure to tell her that it isn’t her fault.\u00a0 She has been great, but the problem is your mother doesn’t want you to “seriously” date anyone before you turn 18.\u00a0 If it were your choice you’d plan on staying with her forever.<\/td>\nYou explain to the CSR that it isn’t American Express’ fault.\u00a0 They had nothing to do with your decision to cancel the card.\u00a0 In fact, their service was great.\u00a0 The problem was that SPG moved 142 properties to higher tiers this year, while only moving down 35.\u00a0 This has seriously devalued the points that you’re working so hard to accrue.\u00a0 You’d be willing to keep the card and pay the annual fee if SPG wouldn’t constantly devalue the points.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In reality, you’re now really excited about this “new girl” in school.\u00a0 Your “ex” is a thing of the past. Now you’ve got your eyes set on the new chick in your biology class.\u00a0 She was looking really good the other day in that silver dress.<\/td>\nThe silver Barclaycard Arrival is looking downright sexy.\u00a0 You’re not as enthusiastic about 1 point for every dollar you spend on the last card when you can get 40k for $440 in free travel after meeting the $1000 spending requirement.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Canceling a credit card is a bit tough on your first experience. \u00a0Once you get the hang of it you’ll be playin’ all the Customer Service Reps. \u00a0Here are a few tips for making it as smooth as possible when canceling a credit card.<\/p>\n

Don’t Blame The Issuer<\/h2>\n

This doesn’t work when canceling a bank-point card like BarclayCard Arrival, or a Chase Sapphire, but if you have a co-branded card like a United, Marriott, Delta, SPG, etc. this is a way to make it easier.<\/p>\n

This happened to me when I went to cancel my SPG Amex just a month ago. \u00a0The CSR asked me why I was canceling. \u00a0I simply explained that SPG had increased the amount of points it required on over 120 of their properties. \u00a0That devalued my chances of using the points that American Express was so willing to give me. \u00a0The Customer Service was excellent and the card was great. \u00a0The rep was speechless. \u00a0He told me that he agreed with my decision to cancel the card.<\/span> <\/strong>\u00a0Imagine if it were that easy to sideline a needy girlfriend!<\/p>\n

This is important because it sends the right message<\/strong> back to American Express. \u00a0Hopefully when 1000 people call to cancel their cards they go back to SPG and say, “Come on, you guys are making us lose all of our customers. \u00a0STOP DEVALUING YOUR POINTS.”<\/p>\n

For Airline Cards: No Availability<\/h2>\n

This point is similar to the one listed above. \u00a0 The problem is finding availability on the airline partner. \u00a0What CSR that has some points himself wouldn’t agree with you? \u00a0When was the last time you looked at the Delta award tiers leaving your small town? \u00a0They’re so dang stingy on usage – take the opportunity to complain about it.<\/p>\n

It will tell Citi, Chase, or Amex that they’re doing fine.\u00a0Tell them that you love earning the points and are excited about taking vacations. \u00a0Go as far as to say that you’d pay double the annual fee<\/strong> if you could simply use the points on the lower level redemptions.<\/p>\n

Other Totally Valid Reasons to Cancel a Credit Card<\/h2>\n