@Milo
I was randomly selected via email because I was a BofA customer. I thought it was fake but it turns out it’s not and I’m currently filling out surveys every month.
Eleanor1 said:
@Milo
I was randomly selected via email because I was a BofA customer. I thought it was fake but it turns out it’s not and I’m currently filling out surveys every month.
I’m jealous! I love doing things like that.
Eleanor1 said:
@Ashby
I participate through their financial advisory panel that is run by Ipsos and this question gets asked occasionally seeing how important the Rewards program is to BofA customers.
I hope you said tremendously important.
@Ashby
Good points.
@oddah
I remember there was some speculation that they’d nerf the multipliers, but is there also some that they’d increase the minimum balances required? Don’t remember seeing anything on that.
Kemper said:
@oddah
I remember there was some speculation that they’d nerf the multipliers, but is there also some that they’d increase the minimum balances required? Don’t remember seeing anything on that.
Scant speculation only, not even rumors. I think the justification was the inflation of prices and income (lol).
Just so I understand the “points expire” part - this will only happen if you stop using the credit card entirely for a year, right? If you keep using it, even if you don’t redeem for a year, you have no problem? That doesn’t seem that bad or that unreasonable.
@Sayer
Yes, that’s my understanding as well.
BoA has a monthly auto redeeming function (but it does have a minimum of $25 for it to trigger) that I appreciate.
Ty
I wonder how the elite money market fund account plays into this.
BookwormBard said:
I wonder how the elite money market fund account plays into this.
From the email:
Have “Combined Qualifying Balances” with U.S. Bank in open consumer checking account(s), money market savings account(s), savings account(s), CDs and/or IRAs, U.S. Bancorp Investments, and personal trust account(s) (business accounts, commercial accounts, and the Trustee only (IFI) client relationship do not qualify).
I don’t know what the “elite” is, but I imagine it would help qualify.
When you state the tiers are calculated daily, do you mean they average the daily account balance? The “Relationship Balance” and tier are provided to you in a dashboard, with updates just once a month regardless of any account activity (at least that’s how it works in my account currently).
@Nyx
Yes, from my interpretation of the email. Here is the copy/paste. I see both a daily mention and a monthly mention (emphasis mine):
Next, the Smartly Earning Bonus tier that is applied to your U.S. Bank Smartly credit card account is determined by one of two potential calculations:
- For the initial evaluation after opening your first qualifying account and at the beginning of every calendar month thereafter, we will apply the Smartly Earning Bonus tier based upon the average Combined Qualifying Balance (as described above).
- In addition, we will review the Combined Qualifying Balances on a daily basis to determine whether you qualify for a higher Smartly Earning Bonus tier based upon the day’s Combined Qualifying Balances.
If your daily Combined Qualifying Balances qualify you for a tier upgrade, you will be moved to the higher tier (within 5 business days). You will remain in that tier until you qualify for a higher tier based on your daily Combined Qualifying Balances, or the calculated monthly Combined Qualifying Balance qualifies you for a higher or lower tier.
The Smartly Earning Bonus tier will be applied to your U.S. Bank Smartly credit card account within the first 5 days of each month or upon reaching a higher tier, which means that the bonus tier that will be applied to your account may vary during a billing cycle. The Smartly Earning Bonus is applied as of the Purchase transaction date (which may not be the date the transaction posts to the account).
@Nyx
Where does it say your tier on the dashboard? I opened an account (very) recently and should have a tier, but don’t see any indication. I recognize it may take a little time, but was curious where they displayed that so I could be on the lookout to know to contact them about it if I don’t see any updates after a couple weeks or so.
@Clovis
I use the app primarily. There is a side menu option for “Smart Rewards”, and it shows enrollment date, relationship balance, and tier level.
Is there a special waiver that lowers the threshold for IRA accounts to $100k? From what I see on the main brokerage page, you need $250k for an IRA: “Annual account/IRA fees may be waived for clients with a statement household balance > $250k.”
@Kenan
This is a confusing point that I think we will all see cleared up eventually.
There was discussion that a “bankside” IRA was different than an “investment” IRA, and did “investment” IRAs qualify. I can’t find the discussion at the moment, but I’ll see if I can dig it up.
But yes, the for sure way is $250k in balances, but I think some people saw an exception for bankside IRAs.
@Kenan
Answering my own question: the plus tier (50k) waives the IRA account fee, although you’ll need to be at the premium tier (100k) for the credit card to give 4% cash back.
@Axelle
Yeah, it is very confusing. The fact that the website lists IRAs with CDs makes me think it will be limited to bankside IRAs, which would be a shame.
I got the email too. I’m wondering if their investment accounts are considered eligible for the max bonus, as I am not in a state where I can get their checking or savings.