topic Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K in Credit Card Approvals

Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

Aim_High — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:06:32 GMT

I really really was in the garden after my apps this year, @FireMedic1.

Honest!

Okay, just *ONE* more!! Lol.

Approved for the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Visa Infinite with a SL of $22K.
APR of 21.24% (1% above the top-of-advertised range of 20.24% to 27.24%.)
$550 AF. Offset by $300 in airline fee credits; $150 in lifestyle credits; $100 TSA Global Entry Credit.
Enhanced SUB of $750 (for making $5K purchases in the first 90 days.)

Background:

This enhanced version of the original $95 AF Premium Rewards was introduced in December 2021 and originally only available to selected members of the Preferred Rewards loyalty program. After a few months, the card was opened to other members of Preferred Rewards and the general public, although similar to the old Premium Rewards card, it only makes sense if you have Platinum or higher status with rewards enhancements through the Preferred Rewards program. (The card earns 1.5% on everything plus 2% on dining and travel, all uncapped. With the 75% rewards boost with Platinum Honors, the card earns 2.625% (CASH) on everything plus 3.5% (CASH) on dining and travel, all uncapped.) I do have Platinum Honors status, but the Elite card has a higher AF with complicated credits versus the original version, and at the time, I questioned the overall value. I also had other credit objectives.

A special shout-out to my friend @DJRobbieD, who encouraged me to apply for this card after I pointed out to him the enhanced SUB offering and he was approved. After that discussion, I started to realize this card might be one that I would enjoy and could benefit from, even with that higher AF. For one thing, after studying it, it appeared to me that the credits were more user-friendly than some like those from AMEX. The lifestyle credits are via MCC code, not tied to particular merchants, and appear to be allocated annually, not on a monthly or quarterly ration. Also, the MCC codes appear to be pretty lenient to qualify for the lifestyle credits. The remaining $100 of the AF after the $300 airline fee credit and $150 lifestyle credit can be partially offset by the TSA Global Entry credit (if needed) as well as the enhanced rewards when points are redeemed for airfare in the travel portal. (There is a 20% discount when paying with points so for uncategorized spend and Platinum Honors, the points are worth (1.5 x 1.75 / 0.8 = 3.28125%; for dining/travel they are worth 2.0 x 1.75 / 0.8 = 4.375%.) Plus the SUB alone covers the remaining $100 annual deficit for 7.5 years. There are also Visa Infinite perks which could carry some valuation, although they seem mostly equal or inferior to my Chase Sapphire Reserve.

I do have a soft spot for the premium metal cards. This one is striking and weighs in at 17 grams, as much as my CITI AA Executive.

Some important data points, since part of why I did this application now was for "science" and the community!

My new account status was 6/12. My approval seems to validate the data points that BofA had shifted to an approval threshold a few years ago of under 3/12 for non-customers but 7/12 for existing customers. As active as I've been with new credit, I had hesitated to apply for another card but knowing the likely BofA rules had given me some hope. I probably wouldn't have applied for a lender in-the-blind for an additional card. Also, BofA still had targeted offers for cards on my dashboard when I logged in, although they were for cards other than PR Elite.
Another reason I applied was, since I'm at BofA's "soft" $99.9K cap, I was curious if I might exceed it with a new card. Nope. They reallocated $22K from my original Premium Reward's $85K limit. That's fine, as I really didn't expect it and only use a portion of that limit. And they will allow me to move my limits around again.
Another significant data point is that I learned that the PR Elite is one of the cards that BofA allows to product change, and that family includes the Premium Rewards Elite, Premium Rewards, Customized Cash Rewards, Travel Rewards, and Unlimited Cashback Rewards. So if I decide this card is not for me, I can later product change it back to the original $95 AF PR or the $0 AF UCR.
What about my old Premium Rewards? I had thought if I ever applied for the Elite that I would just close the PR and consolidate limits. Well, in keeping with the above product change options, I have decided to product change my old PR into a second Customized Cash Rewards. I already have one but BofA allows more than one. As a Platinum Honors member, that card earns 3.5% on groceries and warehouse as well as 5.25% on one of six monthly-selectable categories. ( ... gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.) There is a $2500 quarterly cap on all of that combined. So two cards allows up to $5K per quarter on a 5.25% selectable cap (or) grocery/warehouse (or) having two selectable categories at one time! The neat thing is that, if I had just applied for CCR outright, the SUB is only $200. So this card allows me to snag a $750 SUB while also getting my second CCR indirectly by PC. All around a win-win.
Single hard pull on EX. At time of application, I was 2/6; 4/12; 4/24 on EX HPs.
My FICO EX (08) was 813 at time of application due to recent HPs and dropped 3 points to 810 after my approval.
For new (personal) accounts, at time of application I was 5/6; 6/12; 7/24.

*My last personal accounts: August 2023: BofA Premium Rewards Elite; July 2023: Synchrony Verizon Visa; July 2023: NFCU Flagship Rewards; June 2023: Barclay's Aviator Red; March 2023: AMEX Hilton Surpass; March 2023: Chase IHG Rewards Premier; Oct 2022: CITI AAdvantage Executive; Nov 2021: AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

*This excludes (3) business card accounts I've opened in the past 12 months that do not report on my personal credit report: May 2023: AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business; Feb 2023: Chase INK Unlimited; Sep 2022: AMEX Blue Business Plus: Sep 2022.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

FireMedic1 — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:04:41 GMT

I knew it!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to hire a hacker to block all credit websites. Congrats!

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

Aim_High — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:09:45 GMT

@FireMedic1 wrote:
I knew it!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to hire a hacker to block all credit websites. Congrats!

LOL ... I have to admit that you called it first, @FireMedic1.

Now ... seriously ... to the garden I go.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite $22K

sznthescore — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:23:30 GMT

Congrats on your BOA Premium Rewards Elite approval!

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

everest — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:27:59 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
Okay, just *ONE* more!! Lol.
//
I do have a soft spot for the premium metal cards. This one is striking and weighs in at 17 grams, as much as my CITI AA Executive.

Many congrats on your BofA PR Elite approval and kind thanks for all the DPs!! 🎉

Also, I couldn't agree more.. though I still have a new file and loads of new cards, I'm happy how the progression on the ones I've opened so far means they make sense to keep them open as long-term keepers (or have reasonable up-/down-grade options) AND look pretty .

Of course, making sure the benefits work out (like you've done on your very appreciated (by me and others!) Bonvoy Brilliant commentaries -- hoping I get a good upgrade offer on Bevy in a year!) is key, but a nice looking metal card can't hurt Congrats again! 🥐

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

DJRobbieD — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:32:14 GMT

Congrats @Aim_High! Welcome to the PRE club

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite $22K

Aim_High — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:39:54 GMT

@sznthescore wrote:
Congrats on your BOA Premium Rewards Elite approval!

Thanks very much @sznthescore! I'm excited to get it! I requested the expedited shipping like @DJRobbieD suggested and they said they'd deliver in 1-3 business days.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

Aim_High — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:42:16 GMT

@everest wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:
Okay, just *ONE* more!! Lol.
//
I do have a soft spot for the premium metal cards. This one is striking and weighs in at 17 grams, as much as my CITI AA Executive.
Many congrats on your BofA PR Elite approval and kind thanks for all the DPs!! 🎉

Also, I couldn't agree more.. though I still have a new file and loads of new cards, I'm happy how the progression on the ones I've opened so far means they make sense to keep them open as long-term keepers (or have reasonable up-/down-grade options) AND look pretty .

Of course, making sure the benefits work out (like you've done on your very appreciated (by me and others!) Bonvoy Brilliant commentaries -- hoping I get a good upgrade offer on Bevy in a year!) is key, but a nice looking metal card can't hurt Congrats again! 🥐

Thanks very much @everest! Glad to hear my reviews and data points have helped others along the way!

Best wishes on a Bevy upgrade!

Whether it's metal or not, it's hard not to like a good-looking card for us My-FICO'ers.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

Aim_High — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:48:19 GMT

@DJRobbieD wrote:
Congrats @Aim_High! Welcome to the PRE club

Thanks very much @DJRobbieD and thanks again for the encouragement to push for this card!

Your unboxing comments via PM make me anxious to see it in person.

Premium Rewards is a nice card but this one takes it to another level.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite $22K

sznthescore — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:49:46 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
@sznthescore wrote:
Congrats on your BOA Premium Rewards Elite approval!
Thanks very much @sznthescore! I'm excited to get it! I requested the expedited shipping like @DJRobbieD suggested and they said they'd deliver in 1-3 business days.

Just in time for the weekend! ***sighs*** the benefits of excellent credit. Goals... ✍🏽

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

FireMedic1 — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:52:05 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
@FireMedic1 wrote:
I knew it!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to hire a hacker to block all credit websites. Congrats!
LOL ... I have to admit that you called it first, @FireMedic1.
Now ... seriously ... to the garden I go.

Waitress is waiting for your order Sir.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

JoeRockhead — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 21:07:48 GMT

Congratulations on another great approval, and post filled with the usual in-depth DPs, which are much appreciated. Outstanding all around @Aim_High!

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

30mm_goes_BRRRT — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 21:16:44 GMT

Congrats!

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

DJRobbieD — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 22:31:57 GMT

@Aim_High Now you have me nervous that I overhyped it!

@Aim_High wrote:
@DJRobbieD wrote:
Congrats @Aim_High! Welcome to the PRE club
Thanks very much @DJRobbieD and thanks again for the encouragement to push for this card!
Your unboxing comments via PM make me anxious to see it in person.
Premium Rewards is a nice card but this one takes it to another level.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

Rdbeetle — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 23:52:08 GMT

Congrats on your BofA $22k approval!!!

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

KingRue8500 — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 02:11:23 GMT

Congrats on your BOA Premium Rewards Elite approval

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

CreditAggie — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:24:14 GMT

Congratulations on your BofA Premium Rewards Elite approval! These are nice offers and I might go pick up a regular PR sometime soon.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

PullingMeSoftly — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 22:37:59 GMT

Congrats @Aim_High, you're on a roll my friend

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite - $22K

mgood — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 01:57:04 GMT

Congratulations!

Premium Elite metal thingamabob sounds like a great card.

Re: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite $22K

Aim_High — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 02:52:59 GMT

@sznthescore wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:
@sznthescore wrote:
Congrats on your BOA Premium Rewards Elite approval!
Thanks very much @sznthescore! I'm excited to get it! I requested the expedited shipping like @DJRobbieD suggested and they said they'd deliver in 1-3 business days.
Just in time for the weekend! ***sighs*** the benefits of excellent credit. Goals... ✍🏽

Hang in there @sznthescore! Yes, excellent credit has some nice rewards but you get there one day too!