topic Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC? in Credit Cards

How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Fri, 05 May 2017 02:14:27 GMT

i got a partially secured BoA Bankamericard CC on 5/27/16 with a $500 SL that i've SD for pretty much the entire year. the one year is coming up and today i got a notification about the annual fee appearing in June and here i am wondering what happen to the supposed automatic graduation within the year. it sounds to me like they haven't been looking at my CP recently (when i got this card my scores where in the low-mid 600s at best) or they would take a hint as to why i have my card SD and not giving them any business.

so now here i am thinking a couple of things:

1) should i contact them now for the graduation? if so should i call, email or chat?

2) should i take a HP to get them to PC the card to something like the blue travel rewards or BBR with $0 AF and give me a CLI all with only one HP (would prefer them to SP though).

3) if they don't do option 2 then i'll take any $0 AF card (still would prefer the BBR at this point) they want to give me just to keep the account open while it remains SD. if they still don't then the next option is waive the AF or i'll be closing down the card faster than they can say "we hate to see you leave".

because right now the only thing i keep saying to myself is "these guys are out of their mind if they think i'm going to be paying a $39 AF and thinking i need their little $500 toy limit".

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 May 2017 03:13:36 GMT

SDing the card is about the worst thing you can do if you want to graduate. That said, if your profile supports it you may be able to graduate anyway. It doesnt take a HP to graduate (from what I've heard), but if you ask for a CLI they WILL HP you. You can "PC" but you will keep the annual fee. Removing the annual fee doesnt take a HP, but you'll be hard pressed to get an assiciate that knows what they're doing. The CSR has to run the tool on the computer and it says weather you're eligible. (Then they fill out a form and send it for final approval).

Also, its nearly impossible to PC to the BBR.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 May 2017 03:16:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
SDing the card is about the worst thing you can do if you want to graduate.

Agreed! You should show some usage, doesn't have to be a lot, but it should be some.

From reading the forums, boa will grow like crazy if you treat them right.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Fri, 05 May 2017 03:37:51 GMT

@Justagirl73 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
SDing the card is about the worst thing you can do if you want to graduate.
Agreed! You should show some usage, doesn't have to be a lot, but it should be some.
From reading the forums, boa will grow like crazy if you treat them right.

they haven't done anything for me to give me incentives to use their cards, meanwhile Chase keeps giving me high SL, PC from Slate to CFU, and now they give me "Selected For You" for the CSP (which i can then PC to Freedom).

getting high CLI is good but for me rewards are more important as having $300k total credit means nothing if you PIF every month. i'll take 2.25-7.5 UR per dollar any day over BoA higher credit limits.

if i have to spend money to graduate then they can keep their cards and enjoy theirs in my SD as i will not spend on their card when : 1) they have no interest in doing business with me 2) they want an AF when they don't deserve it nor have any incentives to warrant why money should come out of my pocket for their crappy card.

it looks like i'll be chatting with them about my card as they will see either a close account or they will be waiving that AF at bare minimum.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 May 2017 03:57:08 GMT

Then close it.

But don't expect anything from them when your not using the card. As for the annual fee, you signed up it.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Fri, 05 May 2017 04:00:17 GMT

ok i just spoke with a CSR and she informed that i graduated back in June even though in January the lady i spoke with told me my card was still partially secured. so now my card doesn't have an AF anymore. she also filled out the forms for PC to either the Travel or Cash reward cards (she said they don't do PC to BBR anymore). so we will see in a few days what happens with that.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Fri, 05 May 2017 20:42:12 GMT

so today i get an email saying the case for PC to travel reward card was closed (she opened the case last night). so i call the number on the email to find out the outcome and she informed me that the PC to travel card was approved and that it would take 2-4 weeks to get the card. that is great to hear as it was one of the two cards i wanted to PC to since last year.

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.

long story short i finally got the card i wanted but it's still going to be SD until i travel and even then it will be a backup card to the CSR.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

Anonymous — Sat, 06 May 2017 02:26:05 GMT

@wilmer007 wrote:
so today i get an email saying the case for PC to travel reward card was closed (she opened the case last night). so i call the number on the email to find out the outcome and she informed me that the PC to travel card was approved and that it would take 2-4 weeks to get the card. that is great to hear as it was one of the two cards i wanted to PC to since last year.

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.

long story short i finally got the card i wanted but it's still going to be SD until i travel and even then it will be a backup card to the CSR.

I'm curious...

Since you have such strong feelings about the service or lack of service with BoA, why did you open the account? Why didn't you just wait a little while and cold app for the card you wanted? And if you're still unhappy, why didn't you close the account? Based on your post you don't need the card because you plan to use your CSR when you travel.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Sat, 06 May 2017 03:30:51 GMT

@beautifulblaquepearl wrote:
@wilmer007 wrote:
so today i get an email saying the case for PC to travel reward card was closed (she opened the case last night). so i call the number on the email to find out the outcome and she informed me that the PC to travel card was approved and that it would take 2-4 weeks to get the card. that is great to hear as it was one of the two cards i wanted to PC to since last year.

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.

long story short i finally got the card i wanted but it's still going to be SD until i travel and even then it will be a backup card to the CSR.

I'm curious...

Since you have such strong feelings about the service or lack of service with BoA, why did you open the account? Why didn't you just wait a little while and cold app for the card you wanted? And if you're still unhappy, why didn't you close the account? Based on your post you don't need the card because you plan to use your CSR when you travel.

i was new to rebuilding last year. if i had known what i know now i wouldn't have opened it (at the time i was just taking any low end card that would get accepted to help build back). but then again i would have eventually gotten the travel card anyway since it has $0 AF and no FTF which makes for a great backup international card if your main one gets declined or gets lost.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

grillandwinemaster — Sat, 06 May 2017 04:25:37 GMT

@wilmer007 wrote:

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.

If it truly graduated, you would have received your security deposit back. So it clearly did not graduate back in January.

As far as the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, well, that's very typical of Bank of America. At least in my experience with dealing with them in the part.

Nobody is expecting you to give your business to B of A, but in all fairness, you did inquire of the forum members what there thoughts on the subject were.

Best credit wishes to you, O.P.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Sat, 06 May 2017 05:11:14 GMT

@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@wilmer007 wrote:

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.
If it truly graduated, you would have received your security deposit back. So it clearly did not graduate back in January.

i never gave a deposit. hence why it was partially secured.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

grillandwinemaster — Sat, 06 May 2017 05:20:06 GMT

@wilmer007 wrote:
@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@wilmer007 wrote:

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.
If it truly graduated, you would have received your security deposit back. So it clearly did not graduate back in January.

i never gave a deposit. hence why it was partially secured.

Partially secured usually refers to the $99/500 secured card. Here, you put up $99 in exchange you get a $500 sl.

If you didn't make a deposit, it doesn't sound like you ever had a secured card. By definition, a secured card requires funds to secure the banks interests in the event of default.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Sat, 06 May 2017 05:47:58 GMT

@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@wilmer007 wrote:
@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@wilmer007 wrote:

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.
If it truly graduated, you would have received your security deposit back. So it clearly did not graduate back in January.

i never gave a deposit. hence why it was partially secured.
Partially secured usually refers to the $99/500 secured card. Here, you put up $99 in exchange you get a $500 sl.

If you didn't make a deposit, it doesn't sound like you ever had a secured card. By definition, a secured card requires funds to secure the banks interests in the event of default.

when i applied for it the banker never asked for a deposit as it came with a $39 AF. then when i tried to PC in the past they would tell me that my card was partially secured. the card normally comes with $0 AF if it is not secured while the secured card does come with a $39 AF and a deposit. so the partially secured statement is true based on this and the fact that i was charged a $39 AF last year with no deposit required.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

Anonymous — Sat, 06 May 2017 07:22:15 GMT

I've been dealing with this for the last few weeks as well. I have a cash rewards that I was told was secured but not collateralized. Same deal -- 39 AF and a $500 starting limit. Zero security deposit -- in fact until I tried to increase the credit limit I had no idea it wasn't a normal unsecured card. Of course calling it secured is basically a misnomer which every rep eventually concedes. I've spoken to probably ten different BOA employees and even a branch manager (who was very nice but by far the least knowledgeable) about the card. I was told that it was eligible to graduate at either 5 mos or a year depending on who I talked to in various conversations. At one point I was even HP'd before I was told I was ineligible which was super obnoxious.

What I've gathered is that it's a starter card handled by the secured card department and sort of an in-house semantical nightmare. It's not eligible for a credit line increase until after the 5th statement. So some reps unfamiliar with the product think it falls under the collateralized secured card rules (1 year) even though it doesn't. But really that's just a guess.

Today after my fifth month I saw the request CLI button appear online for the first time so I hit it and asked to increase my credit line to $3k from $500 and it gave me a 7-10 day message. I called immediately and spoke to a secured card specialist after a few transfers who said she could unsecure it and raise the limit to $1.5k and no higher. Then I tried again with the luv button and I was able to be immediately approved for $5k. I'm not sure why I even tried except that I had a similar experience with AAFCU a few weeks ago where a rep hemmed and hawed about a SL that I was able to double easily with another CSR a few days later.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

wilmer007 — Sat, 06 May 2017 08:23:35 GMT

did you get a HP on those 2 CLI (one with the CSR and one from the LUV button)?

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

Anonymous — Sat, 06 May 2017 08:45:29 GMT

Just with the CSR to convert it to a normal card, but there is no way around that from my understanding. The luv button didn't generate another HP.

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

Anonymous — Sat, 06 May 2017 09:41:40 GMT

I'll be dealing with this in a few months (99/500 card with a $39 AF). I really don't feel like dealing with this, so I plan on making one phone call. At the end of that phone call, the $39 AF will be waived without fuss or the card will be cancelled.

The 3-2-1 BOA is a nice card, but I got unexpectedly got the Freedom and Citi DC within weeks of getting approved for the BOA. It's a nice card, but I wouldn't have gotten it if I'd known the DC was right around the corner. The Citi/Chase/Discover redemptions are just so much easier to deal with. No BOA bank account, and I really don't care to deal with paper checks if I don't have to (I avoid statement credit options when possible).

Re: How exactly does the BoA Secure CC graduate and should i take a hit on a HP to PC?

grillandwinemaster — Sat, 06 May 2017 15:25:41 GMT

@wilmer007 wrote:
@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@wilmer007 wrote:
@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@wilmer007 wrote:

only problem is she was looking at the notes and informed me that my card graduated a few days ago on 4/27/17 and not june of last year. so now 3 different CSRs have given me 3 completely different responses about my graduation. And you guys expect me to spend and give business to BoA when they can't even get something so simple done right.
If it truly graduated, you would have received your security deposit back. So it clearly did not graduate back in January.

i never gave a deposit. hence why it was partially secured.
Partially secured usually refers to the $99/500 secured card. Here, you put up $99 in exchange you get a $500 sl.

If you didn't make a deposit, it doesn't sound like you ever had a secured card. By definition, a secured card requires funds to secure the banks interests in the event of default.
when i applied for it the banker never asked for a deposit as it came with a $39 AF. then when i tried to PC in the past they would tell me that my card was partially secured. the card normally comes with $0 AF if it is not secured while the secured card does come with a $39 AF and a deposit. so the partially secured statement is true based on this and the fact that i was charged a $39 AF last year with no deposit required.

I stand corrected. B of A is a funny bunch indeed!