Merrill + VS

[cmm89]

Anyone that has experience w/ the Merrill Lynch Plus (+ VS) --

I just applied through my advisor's Client Associate. It immediately went into pending status and it has been ever since 11AM today. Whoever might have it -- what was your process like? Was it an immediate approval? Pending for a day or two to review the relationship?

Any advice would be helpful as this moves the only remaining CC "goal" I have that's possible into my wallet. CSP is going to be a few years until my new accounts clear up  and the mortgage may be in between.

Thanks all!

[CreditCuriosity]

Merrill's are usually never instants well I haven't seen one.  I have one that started I believe at 16k and asked for 25k after 3 months and got it without counter, possibly could of got more.  It will be an Experian  HP.  How does your Experian  look?  It usually takes a few days for a decision on this card, believe I had one the next day or possibly applied in the morning and received later that day I can't remember, but never seen an instant one other than people calling into lending and pushing it through is as close as I could see to an instant approval.  

edit:  looking back it appears you have a relationship with BofA so that should help you out with an approval although 5k min sl on this card, not sure what you other BofA card limits are?

[Gmood1]

Same here, it took a day or so to process my application as well. SL was $10k back in November of last year, now $33.8k. BofA is a giving bank! One of the most generous in my stable. Good luck with your app!

[cmm89]

Thanks all for the prompt feedback!

I applied back in March when my scores were barely over/under 600; declined, obviously.

My EX is much higher now at 682 -- still not perfect, I know. My Travel Rewards is $10K and Cash Rewards $5K. I am in my mid twenties, make a little over $60,000 per year and have an investment account that is $150,000 from my father in a beneficiary IRA.

My ONLY concern would be new accounts, but BoA is just under 70% of my total CL ($22K total). They seem to be exceptionally generous with me.

Really want this card and that welcome bonus! All spend ran through it for sure!

ETA: ALL of my banking is done with BofA... direct deposit 100% of paycheck to CHK, *OK sized, they probably aren't impressed* savings account, IRA with Merrill (and an advisor and his team), Travel Rewards and Cash Rewards. I do have a few other cards, but the only one that will be frequently used all the time is my Delta AmEx. My Chase Freedom and Discover IT are seeing a lot of daylight with the 5% restaurants (& bars)----biggest spend category. 

[cmm89]

Approved, $5K w/ Welcome Bonus. See approvals thread. Thanks all!

[CreditCuriosity]

Congrats..  enjoy the bonus and card.  Honestly card is nice looking, but bonus is the best part of it otherwise just a 1% card.

[cmm89]

I got it for the bonus, and admittedly, the looks.

With the new BoA Premium Rewards coming out, I think I'll get the bonus on this one and go for the BoA PR (just in the nick of time -- no need to wait for 5/24 to fall for CSP!) and move my Travel Rewards CL over to the Premium Rewards and make that my daily driver.  This Merrill+ will be awesome for 2 free flights up to $500!!

Gotta hit the spend bonus on this one.... if I can't include rent it may be a little harder than I am guessing haha!

[CreditCuriosity]

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@cmm89 wrote:

I got it for the bonus, and admittedly, the looks.

With the new BoA Premium Rewards coming out, I think I'll get the bonus on this one and go for the BoA PR (just in the nick of time -- no need to wait for 5/24 to fall for CSP!) and move my Travel Rewards CL over to the Premium Rewards and make that my daily driver.  This Merrill+ will be awesome for 2 free flights up to $500!!

Gotta hit the spend bonus on this one.... if I can't include rent it may be a little harder than I am guessing haha!

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Use plastiq if you need a bit of help with rent for a fee the bonus still outweighs the fee for a month or two of rent.  I do use plastiq when I am going for two-three spend bonuses at a time as it is needed then for me.