topic Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard in Credit Cards

BofA and Visa / Mastercard

pauldc73 — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 17:19:15 GMT

I have just completed a product change from the CCR Mastercard to the Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard.

However, the product offering on their website shows both cards to be Visa cards.

Would you have to call in to request the MC version? How would people even know a MC was even available if it was not listed on their website? Or, do Mastercards appear on the BofA home page depending on where you are located? (I have always been in Texas) So many questions from a new forum member!

For me, I was happy to stay with a MC as my main credit card uses the Visa network. As a side note, I was hoping the MC logo on the card would have been the silver/gray MC logo to complement the card color, but is the standard red/orange.

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

BearsCubsOtters — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 17:24:09 GMT

@pauldc73 wrote:
I have just completed a product change from the CCR Mastercard to the Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard.
However, the product offering on their website shows both cards to be Visa cards.

Would you have to call in to request the MC version? How would people even know a MC was even available if it was not listed on their website? Or, do Mastercards appear on the BofA home page depending on where you are located? (I have always been in Texas) So many questions from a new forum member!

For me, I was happy to stay with a MC as my main credit card uses the Visa network. As a side note, I was hoping the MC logo on the card would have been the silver/gray MC logo to complement the card color, but is the standard red/orange.

BofA for a while offered the Customized Cash Rewards card as a MasterCard after offering it as a Visa for years. Then, they reverted back to Visa. For those who were approved for the MasterCard, they keep it as a MasterCard for your convenience.

Historically, they have entertained people's request to change their Visa to MasterCard and rarely, vice versa. But you would need to contact them to ask them. I have not converted a BofA card in over a decade; but I remember it took weeks to finish; therefore, if you wish to change to the Visa, now would be the time to request it. If the wheels are already in motion for the PC, you may have to wait for the conversion then request the network change-but don't quote me on that. Best thing to do is call them.

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

pauldc73 — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 17:30:52 GMT

Maybe I should have made myself a little clearer. I now have an Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard. Was the only reason I was able to PC to it was because I had the CCR MC first, and no new MC applications are allowed (except Americard)?

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

coldfusion — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 17:46:06 GMT

IME BoA uses a standard logo for World MasterCards, most issuers (Capital One and Chase might be the exceptions) reserve the silver/gray Mastercard logo to be used only for World Elite MasterCards.

As pointed out above you can try calling in now to try to get your conversion-in-progress modified to also convert to a Visa, as BoA card conversions still do take 2-4 weeks from the time you request the conversion until the new card is in your hands. Be prepared for the possibility that while the CSR accepts and processes your request they still issue the new card as a MasterCard, in which case you'll have to call back and request another conversion.

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

pauldc73 — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 18:08:11 GMT

I'm fine with the MC. It's just odd that new applications all seem to be Visa and no choice is offered despite being available. Especially as the UCR is a relatively new product offering.

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

SoCalGardener — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 19:57:59 GMT

@pauldc73 wrote:
I have just completed a product change from the CCR Mastercard to the Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard.
However, the product offering on their website shows both cards to be Visa cards.

Would you have to call in to request the MC version? How would people even know a MC was even available if it was not listed on their website? Or, do Mastercards appear on the BofA home page depending on where you are located? (I have always been in Texas) So many questions from a new forum member!

For me, I was happy to stay with a MC as my main credit card uses the Visa network. As a side note, I was hoping the MC logo on the card would have been the silver/gray MC logo to complement the card color, but is the standard red/orange.

That's odd that they offer the MC but only show the Visa version on the site. Now you've piqued my interest!

My BofA CCR card is a Visa, and all the offers I've had from them to get the UCR card have also been Visa. I wonder what would happen if I asked for a Mastercard version?

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

pauldc73 — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 22:03:42 GMT

@SoCalGardener wrote:
@pauldc73 wrote:
I have just completed a product change from the CCR Mastercard to the Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard.
However, the product offering on their website shows both cards to be Visa cards.

Would you have to call in to request the MC version? How would people even know a MC was even available if it was not listed on their website? Or, do Mastercards appear on the BofA home page depending on where you are located? (I have always been in Texas) So many questions from a new forum member!

For me, I was happy to stay with a MC as my main credit card uses the Visa network. As a side note, I was hoping the MC logo on the card would have been the silver/gray MC logo to complement the card color, but is the standard red/orange.
That's odd that they offer the MC but only show the Visa version on the site. Now you've piqued my interest!

My BofA CCR card is a Visa, and all the offers I've had from them to get the UCR card have also been Visa. I wonder what would happen if I asked for a Mastercard version?

I would post a picture of the card if I wasn't so new - the built-in image hosting forum option is not available to me yet!

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

BearsCubsOtters — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 22:11:39 GMT

@pauldc73 wrote:
Maybe I should have made myself a little clearer. I now have an Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard. Was the only reason I was able to PC to it was because I had the CCR MC first, and no new MC applications are allowed (except Americard)?

The simple answer is yes. Yours is a mastercard still because your Customized Cash Rewards was a mastercard. It is my understanding that nobody currently could cold apply for a new Ultimate Cash Reward mastercard (at least online). It may be available as a mastercard from new by calling or going to a banking center to apply.

BofA is good about allowing network changes to and from mastercard on the lower tier cards. This picture was found on another credit board/blog wherein the poster indicated that he requested his Customized Cash Rewards to be changed from mastercard to Visa so that he may use it at Costco:

There have been others here and elsewhere online whom have done the same. Many years ago, the BofA Better Balance Reward card was popular here. It was always marketed as mastercard. Some who were approved for two BBR changed one to a Visa to differentiate between their two cards while others PC'ed an existing BofA Visa to a BBR and it stayed a Visa after the PC.

So yes, in your case, because you had mastercard first, for your convenience they kept your card a mastercard; however, I am sure that others who were approved as a Visa could probably call to have theirs changed to a mastercard.

I have never seen a mastercard version ofTravel Rewards or Premium Rewards. However, the small business version of the Travel Rewards is a mastercard. But I will stop now LOL.

Re: BofA and Visa / Mastercard

pauldc73 — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 22:42:12 GMT

Ha! I could do the same picture as my wife has the Visa version of the UCR card! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

Bank of America offers both VISA and Mastercard?

tkshk — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 20:37:17 GMT

The current BOA website lists only a BankAmericard with Mastercard, and the rest of their core cards with Visa.

If I request, do they issue, say, a MC-branded Travel Rewards Card?

Thanks in advance for any info!

Re: Bank of America offers both VISA and Mastercard?

FinStar — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 20:43:23 GMT

@tkshk wrote:
The current BOA website lists only a BankAmericard with Mastercard, and the rest of their core cards with Visa.
If I request, do they issue, say, a MC-branded Travel Rewards Card?

Thanks in advance for any info!

No.

There is no option to select a V/MC network when you apply. So, the Travel Rewards will be issued as a Visa.

Re: Bank of America offers both VISA and Mastercard?

simplynoir — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 20:46:59 GMT

According to this post not too long ago discussing a similar situation specific about the Travel Rewards card the answer is unknown. Might be that you'll have to call and cross your fingers you get a knowledgeable enough customer service rep to answer that question. Perhaps coldfusion or Finstar will see this and have a more definitive answer for you

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/BofA-and-Visa-Mastercard/m-p/6464242#M1803061

edit: was too late lol

Re: Bank of America offers both VISA and Mastercard?

FinStar — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:00:53 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
According to this post not too long ago discussing a similar situation specific about the Travel Rewards card the answer is unknown. Might be that you'll have to call and cross your fingers you get a knowledgeable enough customer service rep to answer that question. Perhaps coldfusion or Finstar will see this and have a more definitive answer for you

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/BofA-and-Visa-Mastercard/m-p/6464242#M1803061

edit: was too late lol

I believe that the former Cash Rewards product (now known as CCR) offers the flexibility because it has several affinity options where the product is issued in both V/MC iterations. I've been able to switch my WWF CR from VS>WMC (and viceversa) several times, but that was a few years ago (currently in WMC flavor).

But, so far I haven't seen anyone converting their BBR (issued originally as MC) into Visa or the Premium Rewards (issued as Visa) into WMC or WE.

So, potentially, @tkshk can reach out to BoA (after they've had the account opened and card issued) to see if the Travel Rewards even offers such an option. Doubtful, but DPs always help.