topic Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card? in Credit Cards

Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 06:48:13 GMT

With the new BOA Premium Rewards out, is anyone still using the BOA Travel Rewards? The Boa TR has been my second favorite card in my lineup so far, mainly because I get a extra bonus points being a preferred client...with no AF and no FTF. Just trying to see if anyone else likes this card, is there any love?! lol.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

Loquat — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 12:25:54 GMT

I have one but don't use it at all anymore. It was a better alternative to my Venture as it didn't have the annual fee. I'll swipe it every 3-4 months for soda or something for activity purposes but other than that I don't use it. I don't care for being restricted to travel redemption althought their opinion on travel is very broad which is great if you find use for the card.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

kdm31091 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 12:47:15 GMT

As I have mentioned on these forums many times, unless you are Preferred Rewards and getting 2.62% on every purchase with this card, I don't see much point in it. 1.5% that you can only spend on travel. What's the point? Why not just use a cash back card with an equal or greater return? You can get the same 1.5% or 2% in cold hard cash you can do whatever you want with.

Like I said, Preferred Rewards changes the discussion somewhat, but on its own, I think the card is underwhelming.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

MrDisco99 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 12:49:40 GMT

I just got it for the bonus points. I'm hoping to get the Premium Rewards card sometime next year so I'm hanging on to the points until I can transfer them and cash them out. If not then I'll just use it on a hotel stay or something.

Since I just got it, it also has 0% interest until the end of next year, so it's useful for big purchases. I'm using it to pay down a large home repair right now.

1.5% return is not terrible. But the Citi DC gives me 2% cash which kinda makes it irrelevant. If you have investments with BoA/ML, though, that changes the value argument considerably.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

K-in-Boston — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:53:15 GMT

I've only used mine for balance transfers for the past 10 years or so. The Premium Rewards card makes it completely obsolete (although I should add the caveat that not everyone who can qualify for a TR card would qualify for a PR card, which has been shown to have markedly higher underwriting standards - I'm not even sure I would have been approved had I not had ~$50k in available credit on other BoA cards at the time I apped) since the redemptions on that card are the same for travel reimbursement, cash, or whatever you use it for. With Travel Rewards you only get a fraction of the rewards if you decide to get cash back. My TR will be product changed to a vanilla BankAmericard after I combine and close my current BankAmericard and Cash Rewards cards into it in 2018.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

Shadowfactor — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:01:13 GMT

I have one. Only had it for about a month and a half so far. I travel overseas constantly for work so it’s nice to have. I’m sure there’s better cards out there since I don’t have assets in BoA.

I mainly got it as a back up to my FlexPerks card since its a Visa Signature. The places I mainly travel to are Visa/Mastercard only.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

CreditCuriosity — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:02:48 GMT

Thinking about transferring one of my old 401k's from old company that I have been trying to figure out what to do with to Merrill and try for the preferred rewards card again (denied last time for to many new accounts).. Figure if they have 100k+ in merrill IRA it might yeild an approval. Rollover IRA seems to make sense with that 401k as well or suppose can rollover to new 401k, but like the idea of IRA more as more investment opportunities. Been on the fence about this. Kinda off subject of travel rewards card, but somewhat relevant

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

K-in-Boston — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:13:10 GMT

CC, I think it’s very relevant since the PR completely outdoes the TR card. If you decide to move over the investments, I’d absolutely go for the PR card. Even if denied, a call to a senior analyst should make things happen for you. Unless you’re going for high-value miles or points (like SPG), for someone who could get Platinum Honors there is no card on the market that touches Premium Rewards for a daily driver.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

wasCB14 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:20:36 GMT

Which purchases have been qualifying for the BofA $100 airline incidentals credit?

Given that many people here can't use the full Amex credits naturally, maybe some have trouble using the full BofA credit (and can't justify the BofA AF, and don't want to bother with trying to PC later)?

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

K-in-Boston — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:51:58 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
Which purchases have been qualifying for the BofA $100 airline incidentals credit?

Given that many people here can't use the full Amex credits naturally, maybe some have trouble using the full BofA credit (and can't justify the BofA AF, and don't want to bother with trying to PC later)?

All AA purchase have been reported to work. For all other domestic airlines, if the purchase doesn't trigger the credit you can contact BoA for credit but you will likely need to ensure that it conforms to the covered charges. Even if one doesn't use the airline or GE credits, it's worth considering that even without Preferred Honors, it only takes about $1650 in spending on dining and travel purchases before the additional rewards on PR outweigh the TR with no AF fee, and the SUB alone is enough to cover the AF for 5+ years.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

CreditCuriosity — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:54:35 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
CC, I think it’s very relevant since the PR completely outdoes the TR card. If you decide to move over the investments, I’d absolutely go for the PR card. Even if denied, a call to a senior analyst should make things happen for you. Unless you’re going for high-value miles or points (like SPG), for someone who could get Platinum Honors there is no card on the market that touches Premium Rewards for a daily driver.

Kinda my thought and it really doesn't matter where i park some of my rollover IRA money assuming merrill's fees aren't outrageous for IRA activities which I don't believe they are.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:57:39 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
As I have mentioned on these forums many times, unless you are Preferred Rewards and getting 2.62% on every purchase with this card, I don't see much point in it. 1.5% that you can only spend on travel. What's the point? Why not just use a cash back card with an equal or greater return? You can get the same 1.5% or 2% in cold hard cash you can do whatever you want with.

Like I said, Preferred Rewards changes the discussion somewhat, but on its own, I think the card is underwhelming.

Agreed. It's only great for fraud protection on purchases if you're someone who wants to safeguard your money, since BoA has the best fraud protection in the industry, or if you're an average credit card user who wants overdraft protection/all of your accounts at BoA, if you aren't a preferred customer.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

BronzeTrader — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:32:10 GMT

Not everyone can do the BA PR card. My family member uses BA TR as the go-to card. But the spending is like $300/month. I'd rather the minor to build own credit, then using my rewards card to pick up a frew extra $. Not worth it.

Also, we bank with BA, so we can see all the BA activities from the same mibile BA banking. For this reason, we do not use the Citi DC card.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

wasCB14 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:42:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
As I have mentioned on these forums many times, unless you are Preferred Rewards and getting 2.62% on every purchase with this card, I don't see much point in it. 1.5% that you can only spend on travel. What's the point? Why not just use a cash back card with an equal or greater return? You can get the same 1.5% or 2% in cold hard cash you can do whatever you want with.

Like I said, Preferred Rewards changes the discussion somewhat, but on its own, I think the card is underwhelming.
Agreed. It's only great for fraud protection on purchases if you're someone who wants to safeguard your money, since BoA has the best fraud protection in the industry, or if you're an average credit card user who wants overdraft protection/all of your accounts at BoA, if you aren't a preferred customer.

What's the basis for this claim? I've no experience with BofA, but haven't heard this before.

Moments ago I booked a domestic economy flight at 4.6 cents per MR, so I can resist the allure of a straightforward 2.625% a bit longer.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

CreditCuriosity — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:47:19 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
As I have mentioned on these forums many times, unless you are Preferred Rewards and getting 2.62% on every purchase with this card, I don't see much point in it. 1.5% that you can only spend on travel. What's the point? Why not just use a cash back card with an equal or greater return? You can get the same 1.5% or 2% in cold hard cash you can do whatever you want with.

Like I said, Preferred Rewards changes the discussion somewhat, but on its own, I think the card is underwhelming.
Agreed. It's only great for fraud protection on purchases if you're someone who wants to safeguard your money, since BoA has the best fraud protection in the industry, or if you're an average credit card user who wants overdraft protection/all of your accounts at BoA, if you aren't a preferred customer.
What's the basis for this claim? I've no experience with BofA, but haven't heard this before.

Moments ago I booked a domestic economy flight at 4.6 cents per MR, so I can resist the allure of a straightforward 2.625% a bit longer.

Agree Chase is pretty much the cat meow on fraud detection.. Don't think there is any better in the business, but I have no metrics to prove it eiether other then what i have read on the forums. I have never had fraud on any of my cards knock on wood. How some people get it time and time again amazes me. Something expect they either have viruses on their computer or they need to find new places to shop

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

K-in-Boston — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:15:47 GMT

My vote would be for Amex on fraud detection for one simple reason: they approve the charge first, then ask questions. Not once in 15 years have I ever had a declined transaction from them. My Gold/PRG card has been compromised twice over the years (assuming it was skimming either at the pump or at a restaurant). They approved "my" four first class roudtrips from JFK to Munich, then contacted me just to make sure that I had really purchased them since I didn't normally purchase 5-digit airfare. They approved the $150 Dominos Pizza order I made in Idaho (in between my trip to the grocery store out in the suburbs and a Dunkin' Donuts in the city), then contacted me just to make sure that was really me. Also worth noting that they have never contacted me over a false alarm, and I've run untold thousands of transaction through Amex cards over the years.

@wasCB14 nice job on the MRs!

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

wasCB14 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:46:57 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:

@wasCB14 nice job on the MRs!

Thanks...a personal best!

MRs to Avios during the recent 40% promo, then Avios + $5.60 for an AA-operated award. Avoided AA's close-in award fee, too!

@Anonymous do I @mention someone?

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

UncleB — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 19:05:54 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@Anonymous do I @mention someone?

Right now the capability is only turned on for admins, mods, and community leaders.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

K-in-Boston — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 19:26:14 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
@Anonymous do I @mention someone?
Right now the capability is only turned on for admins, mods, and community leaders.

You put that so eloquently. UncleB will never tell a poster to eat cake.

Re: Anyone still use the BOA Travel Rewards Card?

UpperNwGuy — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 22:42:23 GMT

I refuse to apply for the BOA Travel Rewards card, the Barclay Arrival Plus card, the Capital One Venture card, or any other card that limits my redemptions to statement credits for travel spending. I already have a 2% cash back card that allows me to redeem for unrestricted cash. Why get a card that restricts my redemptions to travel?