AGR Credit Card change (October 2022)

[Chatuchak678]

So glad I moved my BoA World card’s credit line to my other BoA cards and closed it last week.

FNBO not only increased the AF but lowered the Mastercard tier from World to a regular one, yikes.

 

[NorthShore]

Just received mail today regarding the new card, looks like Amtrak is going with First National Bank of Omaha. don't know if this is a good or bad thing, I never had any experience with that bank before.

My initial reaction was, "Who the hell are THEY?!"

 

[Exvalley]

Picked up this link on FlyerTalk...
https://www.card.fnbo.com/landing/amtrakguestrewards/index.html

This seems like a fairly seamless transition. Kudos to Amtrak and FNBO.

 

[jebr]

My initial reaction was, "Who the hell are THEY?!"

Why they're the First National Bank of Omaha! Home of such wonderful railroads as Union Pacific and the parent company (Berkshire Hathaway) of BNSF!

 

[joelkfla]

I wonder what happens for cardholders who close their account between now and 10/23? I was planning to close my World account to get the fee refund. but I haven't made up my mind whether to do it before my closing date of 9/19 or after. Maybe if I do it after the closing date, BofA will say, "Sorry, we said we'd refund your fee, but we can't because we've given it to new bank." Or maybe they will refund it, and I'll get first year free with the new bank.

 

[jebr]

So glad I moved my BoA World card’s credit line to my other BoA cards and closed it last week.

FNBO not only increased the AF but lowered the Mastercard tier from World to a regular one, yikes.

I wonder if the render just doesn't show the World logo/text. It would be bizarre for them to not want to get the higher interchange fees from a World MC, especially since they're adding a ride share bonus (World MC comes with a $5 credit after 3 Lyft rides in a month.)

 

[joelkfla]

My initial reaction was, "Who the hell are THEY?!"

Wikipedia says:

"It is the third largest privately held bank subsidiary in the United States with $17 billion in assets and 4320 employees, as part of First National of Nebraska."

And, their "consumer finance operation ... First Bankcard is one of the top three banks serving the credit card needs of other financial institutions." Which is probably why you've never heard of them; they apparently operate mostly behind the scenes.

 

[D E K E R]

So we will get the new card automatically without an opportunity to enjoy a signup bonus on a new card?

That would be a shame indeed. Having a chance to earn a nice 20-30K sign up bonus just for applying to the new card company would have been great.

 

[D E K E R]

Will there also be a no-annual-fee version of the new AGR credit card, with lesser rewards?

According to the FAQ page on the FNBO page that was posted elsewhere in this thread, there will be a no annual fee version of the card.

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

That would be a shame indeed. Having a chance to earn a nice 20-30K sign up bonus just for applying to the new card company would have been great.

A similar points bonus for new card applicants (once new applicants are being accepted) would be very nice, too!

 

[Bonser]

Looks like they added an annual lounge pass as well. Okay value for $99, but I have enough AGR points for a while and I don't value the other benefits at $99 for my travel habits

But couldn't you apply for the regular, no annual fee, Amtrak Mastercard card?

 

[D E K E R]

A similar points bonus for new card applicants (once new applicants are being accepted) would be very nice, too!

Yes, absolutely. In the Chase > BofA transition, I believe everyone had a chance to apply for a new card with a sign up bonus. The Chase card was changed to a different product.

In this case, it does appear that existing cardholders will be switched over automatically and mailed a replacement FNBO card.

 

[Brian Battuello]

So now we know. I'm surprised that BofA would let the accounts just go away, I guess FNBO is paying them something for the customer base. BofA didn't want the deal with Amtrak and FNBO did. I suspect the "no reapplying" was part of the deal, since you can't reapply for an existing BofA card if you already have one. I have known people to cancel a card and let it cool for a year or two and successfully reapply for the bonus, but hardly seems worth the effort.

One trick I can do, my spouse and I applied separately to both get the bonus, I can cancel her card and get her as a second name on mine. Will save $99 a year but lose one lounge ticket. Don't see any other advantage to having two accounts. Should have done it years ago.

Would have been better if they hadn't bumped up the annual fee, but does seem slightly more valuable.

 

[jebr]

But couldn't you apply for the regular, no annual fee, Amtrak Mastercard card?

I already have the no annual fee one as well and plan to keep it, even if I don't use it much.

 

[JimVB]

From the FAQ: "Please keep using your current Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard for your purchases until 12 p.m. CT. on October 23, 2022." Is that just a request or does it imply that we'll earn points until October 23?

 

[TinCan782]

From the FAQ: "Please keep using your current Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard for your purchases until 12 p.m. CT. on October 23, 2022." Is that just a request or does it imply that we'll earn points until October 23?

I read it as the BofA card will generate points until that time.

 

[PaTrainFan]

So the new Premier Card is on par with the B of A World card but with a higher annual fee. The World Card is, what, $79? The new fee is $99. The benefits appear to be the same. I'm guessing that Amtrak will see more revenue from the new arrangement as much of FNBO's revenue likely comes from servicing credit cards, can handle it more efficiently and for them it is a bigger piece of the pie than at B of A.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

From the FAQ: "Please keep using your current Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard for your purchases until 12 p.m. CT. on October 23, 2022." Is that just a request or does it imply that we'll earn points until October 23?

That's what I'm wondering too. Like BoA will send over the last points we earn through our Sept statements, and MAYBE FNBO will give us points that we earn in Sept/Oct??

 

[mgeller]

I received the packet today. FNBO is the bank and it sounds like I don't have to qualify or do anything at all, just wait for the replacement. I hope that's all there is to it....

 

[John Bredin]

So now we know. I'm surprised that BofA would let the accounts just go away, I guess FNBO is paying them something for the customer base. BofA didn't want the deal with Amtrak and FNBO did. I suspect the "no reapplying" was part of the deal, since you can't reapply for an existing BofA card if you already have one. I have known people to cancel a card and let it cool for a year or two and successfully reapply for the bonus, but hardly seems worth the effort.

I didn't see anything in FNBO's FAQ (linked earlier) that addressed what BofA is doing with the old credit cards. No reapplying, as you say: FNBO's new cards will be sent in October and won't kick in (once activated) until noon Central on October 23, and the BofA card will work (and presumably earn Amtrak points) until then.

Clearly one's BofA AGR card won't be an AGR card at 12:01 p.m. CT 10/23/22. But will it continue as a non-AGR card or just close? I presume FNBO didn't answer that because that's not FNBO's problem.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Ok, who wants to Twitter them with our questions about points earnings between now and Oct 23rd?

twitter.com/FNBO

 

[chrsjrcj]

I received a letter from BoA regarding my AGR card today, except it was only a congratulations on another year and my annual fee will post soon.

Hope I don’t have to re-pay the AF when the new bank takes over.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I received a letter from BoA regarding my AGR card today, except it was only a congratulations on another year and my annual fee will post soon.

Hope I don’t have to re-pay the AF when the new bank takes over.

If your new fee will post in October, which I suspect it will, your account should be under FNBO's umbrella by then... My annual fee will post in October and I'm thinking of cancelling my card just before it does. I have both the fee and non-fee cards.

 

[Bonser]

I read it as the BofA card will generate points until that time.

I'm wondering if the 12 PM is a mistake - that's an odd time to start. Could it be 12 AM? That's the start of a new date.

 

[NorthShore]

Picked up this link on FlyerTalk...
https://www.card.fnbo.com/landing/amtrakguestrewards/index.html

https://www.card.fnbo.com/landing/amtr

Why they're the First National Bank of Omaha! Home of such wonderful railroads as Union Pacific and the parent company (Berkshire Hathaway) of BNSF!

So, the first month's balance is being paid, compliments of W.B.?