http://www.colloquy.com/article_view.asp?uid=4029

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Article based on interview with Paige Brockmann, Credit and Banking Product Executive with Bank of America, who explains some of the thinking behind Accolades:

"This is a client-managed channel," says Brockmann, "meaning clients deal with an individual at the bank instead of going into the banking center or calling an 800 number. Individual client managers offer the Accolades card to clients as part of a demand we make of ourselves, that we will work with individual clients to craft solutions...."

"Quite honestly, the base Accolades benefits are compelling, but they’re pretty similar to what’s already out there in the marketplace," says Brockmann . "It’s our extra layer of benefits that clients tell us are unique and different....The extra layer of benefits includes enhanced identity theft protection with identity fraud expense coverage and the Priority Pass program that proffers access to more than 500 airport lounges across the world. The card’s Charity Matching benefit allows cardholders to convert 250,000 points to $2,500 cash for donation to any 501(c)(3) charitable cause. Even better, Bank of America matches the donation. It’s a particularly compelling benefit for cardholders who earn points towards rewards that they can already afford.

I think it's telling that Bank of America considers Priority Pass a point of differentiation when it's a "me too" feature.