AGR Credit Card change (October 2022)

[jis]

You and @Trogdor are correct. BofA just confirmed the card is officially dead as of 10/23. Now for a fun day transferring account payments to a new card. Think I will use one that is likely to have more stability- a Chase hotel card.

Indeed! I moved my stuff to my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

 

[Brian Battuello]

Just cancelled my spouse's card and added her as a name on mine. We had to do it by phone since they conveniently forget to have a "cancel account" button on the webpage. The agent said he understood and politely didn't even try to upsell her on another BofA card.

 

[Palmland]

ndeed! I moved mys tuff to my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Interesting. I wondered about that card as it gets a top rating from ‘The Points Guy’. Somehow it’s always seemed better to me to have the card linked directly to the airline or hotel you want. Do you find any downside to using it in terms of hotel/airline perks or points?

 

[jis]

Interesting. I wondered about that card as it gets a top rating from ‘The Points Guy’. Somehow it’s always seemed better to me to have the card linked directly to the airline or hotel you want. Do you find any downside to using it in terms of hotel/airline perks or points?

I generally use it as the fall back card, as in this case. I have a huge stash of points there which I typically use to drain for buying intercontinental business class tickets on various airlines. Most hotels I use their affinity cards, and Amtrak I would use their card normally but it changes too often for me to bother with it anymore. I don't travel that much by Amtrak since moving to Florida too.

 

[Trollopian]

I'm feeling lonely 'cause I have heard nothing about the switch, from either BoA or FNBO, by either email or snail mail (via "Informed Delivery" or actual delivery...some mailpieces disappear in between, no joke). Literally nothing, except what I've learned on Amtrak Unlimited. Am I worried? Not yet.

 

[MarkInAustin]

Good summary but still not sure what happens to existing BofA card. I’m assuming it will still be valid after 10/23 but no longer earn points. I hope so as I have a bunch of repetitive payment accounts tied to it (streaming, newspapers, phone, etc). It will take a while to transition those to the new card and that can’t start until we actually get it next month.

We are in the same position. I will try to get every repeating payment transferred as soon as the new card is activated - but there will be some unavoidable glitches.

 

[Palmland]

We are in the same position. I will try to get every repeating payment transferred as soon as the new card is activated - but there will be some unavoidable glitches

It wasn't as hard as I thought. It only took about an hour to transfer 9 accounts to a Chase card. So everything should be switched before the deadline. I'll only use the new card for travel (other than air and hotel), dining, and maybe an occasional big ticket purchase.

 

[TinCan782]

I'm feeling lonely 'cause I have heard nothing about the switch, from either BoA or FNBO, by either email or snail mail (via "Informed Delivery" or actual delivery...some mailpieces disappear in between, no joke). Literally nothing, except what I've learned on Amtrak Unlimited. Am I worried? Not yet.

We finally got ours in the mail yesterday. It'll show up!

 

[Chatter163]

You and @Trogdor are correct. BofA just confirmed the card is officially dead as of 10/23. Now for a fun day transferring account payments to a new card. Think I will use one that is likely to have more stability- a Chase hotel card.

Would you please direct us to this BOA confirmation? Thanks.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Would you please direct us to this BOA confirmation? Thanks.

Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Or, in this case, you can't have your carriage and pumpkin too. At the stroke of noon central time, you AGR card converts from a BoA carriage to and FNBO pumpkin. (no, not saying BoA was better than FNBO, just using an analogy that uses a time cutoff).

 

[Palmland]

Would you please direct us to this BOA confirmation? Thanks.

Sorry, it was a phone conversation with a BofA credit card rep who seemed quite knowledgeable.

 

[joelkfla]

Would you please direct us to this BOA confirmation? Thanks.

FNBO is preserving your existing credit limit and renewal date, so your credit line is just shifting from one bank to another. If BofA kept your account open, in effect it would be doubling your credit line.

 

[jebr]

Interesting. I wondered about that card as it gets a top rating from ‘The Points Guy’. Somehow it’s always seemed better to me to have the card linked directly to the airline or hotel you want. Do you find any downside to using it in terms of hotel/airline perks or points?

I'll quickly note that "The Points Guy" makes much of their money from referrals, so they'll often brag up cards more than they're really useful for.

The biggest downside to me is that you don't get any of the ancillary benefits that you would with the cobranded card. So, for example, with the Reserve you won't get free checked bags on United with the card, or United lounge access. I think you also have to transfer in 1,000 point increments, but it's been a while. On the plus side it's quite flexible, so you're not tied into one program. All depends on what your priorities are.

 

[jis]

The Chase points are worth much more if the travel booking is arranged through their concierge service, as compared to merely transferring them to some other program.

Then again, I have no idea what it takes to not be able to check a couple of bags for free on United, so I am no expert when it comes to that

 

[Herb]

Shhhhh I got the same informed delivery too - but wasn't going to say anything till I got it and opened it.

Mine shows two envelopes which makes me think it is about the CC's because I have both of them.

I have both cards too. I opened each one and read all the document. I’m going to keep the Mastercard not the Preferred Mastercard cause I don’t travel that much and see no need to pay $99 just to get one upgrade and one companion coupon.
What not reported is the Foreign transaction fees. I’m the Cardmember Agreement #10 says “We May charge a foreign transaction fee…”, in the first sentence. The second sentence reads “The amount of this fee is listed in the Schedule.” Looking for this Schedule I found one page that lists fees. No mention of F.T.F.
The same documents can’t for the Preferred Mastercard and there is the same wording about F.T.F. , yet again no fee listed. Also my offer shows the preferred card at 3% more for APR, along with the $99 yearly fee.
Just a bit too much.

 

[Winecliff Station]

Just got both envelopes yesterday, for hubby's account and mine on the fee cards. I noticed the bonuses list round trip companion coupons. I have never been able to use companion coupons for a round trip, only one-way travel so maybe this is an additional perk?

 

[toddinde]

My card does not have a yearly fee. Why do some cards have a fee?

Most credit cards that are associated with a transportation company and come with benefits and accrue points have fees. Airline credit cards have varying fees depending on the level of benefits; free checked bag, number of points earned per mile traveled or dollar spent, access to clubs, etc.

 

[TinCan782]

We are in the same position. I will try to get every repeating payment transferred as soon as the new card is activated - but there will be some unavoidable glitches.

Just don't jump the gun and change payments to the new card that come due before the 23rd!

 

[JayPea]

I haven't got any envelopes yet. Normally I wouldn't be concerned, but I'm less than impressed with the local yokels who deliver the mail here. Their delivery service is, shall we say, less than exemplary. With them, I might or might not get it. Regarding having to change credit card information for my accounts, I just had to do that a couple of months ago when my Guest Rewards card was compromised and had to get a new card. I should be in good practice when i have to do it all over again.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Good summary but still not sure what happens to existing BofA card. I’m assuming it will still be valid after 10/23 but no longer earn points. I hope so as I have a bunch of repetitive payment accounts tied to it (streaming, newspapers, phone, etc). It will take a while to transition those to the new card and that can’t start until we actually get it next month.

Ditto!

 

[TheVig]

As I indicated in a previous post, I might opt out of this offer. Since I already have an FNBO account I called the FNBO Customer Service line to discuss this matter. The knowledgeable rep said in order to opt out on the AGR FNBO credit card call 855-489-6174. This is an automated line that is identified as “Amtrak Guest Rewards Credit Card Change In Terms Notification Line”. After an introductory spiel you have the option to opt out of the offer. Opting out is final however so it is best to think this decision out before doing so.

Exactly. Regardless of how good one's credit may be or perceived to be, there is NO guarantee you will get approved for the new cards issued by FNBO.

 

[highfalutin]

Previously I've gotten two companion coupons per year with my card, and the new card will give me one "round-trip" companion coupon. Is this different? I haven't had a chance to use the coupons before, so maybe they were "one-way" and I just didn't realize it.

 

[dwebarts]

I'll quickly note that "The Points Guy" makes much of their money from referrals, so they'll often brag up cards more than they're really useful for.

The biggest downside to me is that you don't get any of the ancillary benefits that you would with the cobranded card. So, for example, with the Reserve you won't get free checked bags on United with the card, or United lounge access. I think you also have to transfer in 1,000 point increments, but it's been a while. On the plus side it's quite flexible, so you're not tied into one program. All depends on what your priorities are.

Exactly. I use my hotel card for rooms, airline cards for flights, and my Reserve for restaurants (major use) and as a backup for hotels and flights on brands other than my main hotel and airline cards.

 

[Winecliff Station]

Previously I've gotten two companion coupons per year with my card, and the new card will give me one "round-trip" companion coupon. Is this different? I haven't had a chance to use the coupons before, so maybe they were "one-way" and I just didn't realize it.

Ah, maybe that’s what happened, they’ve gone from two one-way coupons to a single round trip. Not as useful because sometimes we only book one way.

 

[Laser1987]

Got a letter from FNBO today. After a brief review, found the new benefits of the card are:

1. 2 Points for $1 on dining, transit, and rideshare.
2. Anniversary Station Lounge Pass.

With the annual FEE BUMP UP to $99!