Bank of America To Enter Premium Credit Card Market [Confirmed]

This card is now live and available for sign ups, more information here.

[Update 7/27/17: Reposting since we heard from a reliable source that BofA will be releasing a premium card. It’ll be a Visa Signature with a minimum credit line of $5,000. Roll out of the card is expected to be some time near the end of 2017. It’s also important to note that at this stage our reliable source has just confirmed a premium card will enter the market and not any of the benefits/fees/points structure listed below.]

Frequent Miler is reporting that Bank of America plans to enter the premium credit card market with a new card in September or October of 2017 to compete directly with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. This isn’t the first new card to enter the space with U.S. Bank launching the Altitude Reserve and UBS launching the Visa Infinite (American Express also made significant changes to their Platinum card in response).

Details are sparse regarding the new Bank of America card, but Frequent Miler is reporting the following:

  • $450 annual fee
  • Travel reimbursement (unknown amount)
  • Points are worth 1.5¢ towards travel
  • No transfer partners

To me that reads as a Chase Sapphire Reserve clone rather than a competing product (although significantly worse with no transfer partners). Bonus categories with Bank of America are somewhat interesting due to the preferred rewards program. I assume there will be some additional benefits (e.g lounge access and some kind of airline related benefit as well). Let’s hope for a nice big sign up bonus and travel reimbursement that operates on a calendar year. If you’re going to copy Chase, do it with a bang!

Credit goes to Frequent Miler for this information. As always if you have any additional information or want to leak anything (doesn’t have to be Bank of America) get in touch with me!

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114 Comments
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JL100
JL100 (@guest_450852)
August 1, 2017 12:48

I hope every bank clones the CSR – as long as they don’t have 5/24!

mec
mec (@guest_448866)
July 28, 2017 22:47

I’m a big fan of the “make your own travel purchase and get a statement” model. The value isn’t there for 2% cards to justify MS or lots of organic spending when compared with points transfer cards potentials but most cards working under that model have a 50-100 dollar fee or no fee.

If they have a few categories that earn at a higher rate this card could be interesting for some people. Most likely people with the full relationship modifier with BofA.

However, it could be the categories have caps that limit the potential or are in group like dining end entertainment that don’t lend themselves to serious points accumulation.

Fingers crossed for a good product.

E
E (@guest_448477)
July 28, 2017 11:11

There’s way too much duplication in the premium cc market already.

For existing CSR holders to even blink an eye at this card, it would have to offer everything that CSR doesn’t, i.e. things other than Global Entry credit, Priority Pass Select, etc.

PJ
PJ (@guest_448391)
July 28, 2017 08:31

Interesting. I am already at 3 BofA cards and was thinking of going ML. Hope this doesn’t affect the ML bonus offer.

Mike L
Mike L (@guest_448273)
July 28, 2017 01:19

Assuming the earning structure were identical to the CSR (i.e. 3x on dining) and they allowed a 1.5c valuation on ANY travel redemption (i.e. directly through the hotel or with an OTA of your choice) it would be interesting. That’s the one gripe I have about the CSR 1.5c valuation is that you have to book through Chase to get it and they rarely have the best prices.

NinjaX
NinjaX (@guest_448300)
July 28, 2017 02:28

if you think the power of UR is 1.5 cpp and have issues with the chase OTA then i feel sad for u.

Mike L
Mike L (@guest_448432)
July 28, 2017 09:52

It all depends on what type of travel you’re doing. I value domestic first class and often stay at hotels outside of peak times, so booking with an OTA or “cash” directly with the airline or hotel is the logical thing to do, especially since there is virtually no first saver availability with United. So feel sad all you want, not everyone uses points the same way you do.

Tony
Tony (@guest_448444)
July 28, 2017 10:22

No, please keep doing what you’re doing. The more people like you that exist, the less likely Chase will devalue the UR program for the rest of us.

NinjaX
NinjaX (@guest_448736)
July 28, 2017 17:43

haha…

paul
paul (@guest_448257)
July 28, 2017 00:54

Will the IT on their website enter 1996?

Mike
Mike (@guest_448240)
July 28, 2017 00:19

What’s confirmed with this card? Besides that a premium card is coming. Or is the old rumors confirmed that were discussed here months ago

NinjaX
NinjaX (@guest_448248)
July 28, 2017 00:37

nothing has been confirmed. just the rumor itself.

Rob
Rob (@guest_448153)
July 27, 2017 21:48

If they really want to differentiate, they should make the card out of wood.

P
P (@guest_448171)
July 27, 2017 22:23

Or fairy glitter

Lrdx
Lrdx (@guest_448175)
July 27, 2017 22:35

I approve this message.

Avi
Avi (@guest_448184)
July 27, 2017 22:51

Or even slime.

NinjaX
NinjaX (@guest_448247)
July 28, 2017 00:37

then u may have two woodies in your pocket. may get confused.

E
E (@guest_448474)
July 28, 2017 11:07

I would actually like this card to be either clear or hollow (e.g. metal frame but with holes). That should cut down on some of the weight.

Nick
Nick (@guest_448140)
July 27, 2017 21:32

Too bad no transfer partner’s. Alaska, Asiana, Amtrak and Virgin would have been solid.

James
James (@guest_448138)
July 27, 2017 21:30

Sooo.. what card will you get instead when your credit line turns out to be $4,999? 🙂

Vito
Vito (@guest_448143)
July 27, 2017 21:38

Good-ole BankAmericard which earns 0% on everything. Hurrah!