I don't recall an application. I did have to go to a BofA website set up for that, provide some info and in minutes, I was approved.
Amtrak considering shifting Credit-Card Portfolio away from BofA
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That was likely their application to get the card - I don't recall anyone getting moved automatically.
I just recall that overall it was pretty "seamless" for my wife and I.
Perhaps that was related to credit history/score.
Technically it would be new credit so, yes, everyone would need to apply again. But today, with all the information already available on all of us (unfortunately) credit decisions anymore are almost instantaneous.
When Costco switched from Amex to Citi, I don't recall having to apply again, though my memory may be faulty. It could be that they soft-pulled credit scores and didn't require applications for those that scored high enough.
No you didn't have to apply again. The account simply moved from Amex to Citi, because Citi actually bought the entire portfolio (existing customer accounts) from Amex. Citi did not want to technically start from scratch on building a customer base for the card.
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When checking my balances today I got an offer for a 1.5% cashback card. Why would I want/need 2 cards with them?
I could think of a dozen or so reasons that have nothing to do with the current state of what may become of the Amtrak card.
I get offers from them all the time for various credit card products they underwrite.
jis
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Yes. Including bank accounts. There was a period when they even tried to give the impression that it is very difficult to make payments on their credit card bills without a bank account with them. They have actually had their hands slapped several times by regulators for their over aggressive marketing attempts. That is why I have hated every moment of the Amtrak forced relationship that I have had to suffer with them, and have seriously considered bagging the AGR credit card several times, but laziness has won the day for AGR.
It's best to remember that banks make offers to people so that they can make more money. Marketing exists to convince you that you have a need that only they can fulfill when in reality, the reverse is true.
https://www.bestcards.com/credit-card-news/bank-of-america-removes-amtrak-rewards-credit-card/
My question is, will BoA stop giving points now w/o telling us? I'm going to switch to another card for now that will give me points for a hotel brand just in case BoA is not longer giving points.
My question is, will BoA stop giving points now w/o telling us? I'm going to switch to another card for now that will give me points for a hotel brand just in case BoA is not longer giving points.
You will continue to earn points as long as you keep the card active.
That's not what happened with Chase. They told us we'd be getting a different card with different rewards, and it arrived in the mail a few days later. The Amtrak card was deactivated and replaced.
Had to apply to BoA (the new partner) to continue getting points.
Ryan
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Betty's concern was that it would happen without notice, which is unlikely to occur. As you noted, cardholders were informed every step of the way about what was occurring.
While BoA isn't offering the card to new applicants, nothing should change for existing cardholders without notification.
While BoA isn't offering the card to new applicants, nothing should change for existing cardholders without notification.
The "different rewards" were Chase rewards that came part of the new card's reward program. AGR continued with the BofA if you applied.
Exactly. Existing card holders will continue to earn points with the card, until BofA gives and end date. Until then, all we can do is sit back and see how it plays out.
One of two things will happen:
When BofA backed card dies, we will have to apply for a new card, with the new bank.
OR
New bank buys the Amtrak card portfolio from BofA which includes the customers and their balances, etc. Assuming BofA is interested in selling it. New bank will issue new cards with numbers. Of course AGR numbers won't change.
I'm not sure how much money Amtrak makes off of the cobrand relationship. But I'm sure they don't want to go too long without a credit card to offer. If no other bank is interested in it, then they may renegotiate with BofA.
My spidey sense tells me Amtrak is currently talking to Capital One and Amex. Remote possibility is Barclays. And one of those three banks is talking to BofA.
No. That would be a breach of the credit card agreement that AGR credit card cardholders have with Bank of America. They'd have to send out an updated credit card agreement, effective (almost certainly) for some future date, that the card no longer earns AGR points. That would also state what alternative rewards, if anything, the card would earn on that effective date.
I've never heard of an instance where a co-branded credit card changed earning structure retroactively or with no notice given. As sleasy as BoA can be, I can't see them not notifying customers if/when the card no longer earns AGR points.
By the way, if/when the card moves away from BoA, if the customers aren't also sold (and kept with BoA) I'd imagine BoA would change it to one of their existing credit cards. I wouldn't mind having another Customized Cash or two to either stack 3% categories or add some additional ones where I don't currently earn 3% or better.
Pretty much what Chase did...my Chase AGR card became a Chase Freedom card.
Ditto.
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Since the bank deposits the AGR points earned with the AGR program each month, there is no reason to lose any AGR points earned just because the affinity credit card changed from one bank to another. Amtrak runs the AGR program, not the bank.
diesteldorf
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When AGR was with Chase, did they offer a standard and premium card?
I've utilized the TQP bonus for $5000 spend and was curious if anyone recalled the benefits for the old Chase card.
Edit: I searched Flyertalk and it looks like it was just one card:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amt...ew-amtrak-guest-rewards-mastercard-chase.html
2 points on Amtrak and 1 on everywhere else.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtrak-guest-rewards/1250149-chase-amtrak-mastercard.html
I'll be anxious to see what happens in the next few months.
I've utilized the TQP bonus for $5000 spend and was curious if anyone recalled the benefits for the old Chase card.
Edit: I searched Flyertalk and it looks like it was just one card:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amt...ew-amtrak-guest-rewards-mastercard-chase.html
2 points on Amtrak and 1 on everywhere else.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtrak-guest-rewards/1250149-chase-amtrak-mastercard.html
I'll be anxious to see what happens in the next few months.
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jis
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The thing with Chase was that you could exchange points 1:1 with many more other programs.
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