Bank of America AAA Credit Card Introduction [Updated June 2021: $200 Sign-Up Bonus]

Bank of America AAA Co-Branded Credit Card Overview

Highlights

• Preferred Rewards bonus: If you have a BofA Preferred Rewards account, you can earn an extra bonus on the card's regular 3x, 2x, and 1x cash back rates. In other words, the 3x travel and AAA purchases can earn up to 5.25x, and groceries, drugstores, and gas can earn up to 3.5x, with no cap.
  • Standard BofA Checking/Savings customers can earn an additional 10% cash back bonus
  • BofA Gold (Checking + investment assets > $20,000) can earn an additional 25% cash back bonus
  • BofA Platinum (Checking + investment assets > $50,000) can earn an additional 50% cash back bonus
  • BofA Platinum Honors (Checking + investment assets > $100,000) can earn an additional 75% cash back bonus
  • For requirements, see: official link
• Up to 40% bonus on AAA redemptions: If you use the points you earn to redeem AAA purchases or AAA vouchers, you can get an extra bonus. My guess is that you make a purchase with this card at AAA, and then you can use points in the credit card portal to offset that charge.
  • Redeem 5,000 - 19,999 points = 20% bonus, e.g. 5,000 points can be redeemed for $60 in AAA purchases
  • Redeem 20,000 - 49,999 points = 25%,
  • Redeem 50,000+ points = 40% bonus, e.g. 50,000 points can be redeemed for a $700 AAA voucher (cash value is only $500)
• No Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF): Most cards with no foreign transaction fee come with an annual fee, so it is nice that this card has no annual fee. See: FTF introduction

BofA card perks

• Free museum access: On the first weekend of every month, simply bring your BofA credit card or debit card and your ID to get free admission to more than 200 museums nationwide. If you are an authorized user, that works too. You can check the museum list at the link below and visit when you have time: 2019 BofA free museum list
• BofA Deals: Offers 5%-15% cash back or a fixed cash amount at various merchants. Past good deals have included Sears 15% cash back ($25 max), Nordstrom Rack 15% cash back ($37.5 max), and an extra $5 just for using any BofA Deal. For details, see “How to Use BofA Deals”
• Free credit score: BofA credit cards now provide a free TransUnion credit score. See: Free Credit Score Comparison

Drawbacks

• Somewhat niche, with a limited redemption range. High-value redemptions depend heavily on AAA.

My take:

The biggest advantage is that the 3% and 2% cash back categories have no cap, so if you have a BofA Preferred Rewards account, the rewards can still be very solid. In addition, the up to 40% bonus on AAA purchases is also a nice multiplier. If you spend a lot in these categories, this card is worth considering.

Application:

• You need to enter a ZIP code when applying. I suspect you can only apply in areas where AAA service is available.
• The application asks for your AAA membership number (however, you can still apply successfully without entering it; it is not yet clear whether this affects future redemptions)

• BOA application status check link, or call: (800) 732-9194
• 2/3/4 rule: at most 2 cards approved within 2 months, 3 within 12 months, and 4 within 24 months. However, BofA’s system is not very reliable, and sometimes a card may be approved at first but later shut down.
• The welcome bonus on the same card can only be received once every 24 months, and you need to make sure the card is closed before applying again>
• You need to be a Resident to apply for a BOA credit card online: when applying for a BofA credit card online, if you select Non resident alien, you will not be able to continue and must apply by phone. However, BofA’s definition of Resident alien is different from the IRS definition of Resident alien for tax purpose. No matter what immigration status you used to enter the US, if you have lived in the US for 183 days within the past two years, then select Resident Alien. If you just arrived in the US and cannot meet this requirement, follow the prompt on the online application page and call 1.800.932.2775 to apply.
• You can call the reconsideration line (888-593-6092) to speed up credit card approval or request a review of a denied application.
• More about applying for BofA credit cards

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