wrote:The only way that a CSP is "better" than a CSR is that it has a lower annual fee. Use the travel credits and the real difference in annual fee is only $55. If you spend $2000 or so in combined travel (which is broadly defined) and restaurant purchases over the course of a year, the value of the additional URs outweighs the difference in annual fee. If you use the Chase travel portal to redeem your URs for travel purchases, you will have made up for the difference in AF with like a $200 redemption! I'm planning to PC my CSP to CSR this summer after paying off my Slate BT. It's a shame that the CSR isn't a real Visa Infinite card, though, as it doesn't qualify for the $100 companion ticket discount like the Ritz-Carlton card, for example.
And to swing this back on-topic, you should certainly figure out if the Premium Rewards or Travel Rewards card makes more sense for your spend (and any status). Usually after any CLI with BoA, the link will disappear for a few months. I'd certainly try calling and speaking to them after applying to get a boost on the Cash Rewards card.
Honestly BoA doesn't have the most lucrative credit products. Yes you can really improve their appeal if you can achieve Platinum Honors status, but honestly that's only worth it if you can find a way to invest $100K with Merrill. (letting $100K sit in a BoA account that pays <0.1% interest is a terrible, terrible waste) I personally see BoA as having way more appeal on the banking side with their preferred rewards program that has fairly lax deposit requirements (relatively speaking).
I've had this card since September and I've never had a love button appear. So, I went button hunting and smashed it in spite of BofA making it hard to find. And, they gave me the double-my-line increase I asked for. Shoud've asked for more. I chickened out.
Moral of the story? Button shmutton.
