I can't believe that someone with an 8 figure balance (the trigger is more than $1M) would stay with IB if they had to deal with the same assclowns I had to deal with when I was with them. The IB apologists here seem to be dealing with an entirely different company from the rest of us, so if we give them the benefit of the doubt I'd say they must have a system like you describe. I know all the airlines and hotel chains do for their elite level customers.
At IB accounts > 100K get paid interest (cash sweep) & don't pay inactivity fees. One of the benefits of having a large account at most brokers is getting in on the best IPO's & getting first class customer service - IB ranks real low in these areas.
The service I get from IBKR's customer service chat is reasonably good. Their technology platform and commission rates are so far the best I have encountered as a retail international investor. Have you met any better broker for international investing? If yes, I am open to new options.
When you cross 750k and certain trade volume (500/mo or equivalent in commissions) as a retail investor, you get a direct access number where you are talking to a key-accounts team. These guys are slightly more knowledgeable than the rest of their support personnel. As far as negotiating better commissions they don't seem to budge unless you cross the 10k/mo trade volume mark. If you are trading international equities, you get access to their euro team under key accounts.
Yes. Also, for stocks you get cute little features like internalization off exchange saving you money, for example.