Mar 12, 2014, 3:53 pm
Last edit by: muji
As an additional resource for these cards see this thread: Alaska Airlines Visa
PERSONAL CARDS
30k mile offer, $75 AF, $1k spend: https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit...s-credit-card/
+2k miles if done with onboard paper application
30k mile offer with $100 credit and fee for companion ticket waived the first year, $75 AF, $1k spend: https://secure.bankofamerica.com/app...aignid=4020594
link no longer working
30k mile offer with $100 credit, $75 AF, $1k spend: https://secure.bankofamerica.com/app...aignid=4009277
link no longer working
If you are applying for a personal Alaska card, and are not an expert on applying for Alaska cards STOP, don't apply yet.
Instead, read this post. Doing that first may save you a huge amount of wasted time and frustration.
A few people in the Alaska Airlines forum have in the past received personally targeted, single-use links for a 50k offer
when they opt-in to "Partner Offers" in their Mileage Plan account preferences.
=======================================
BUSINESS CARDS
30k mile offer, $75 AF, $1k spend, no foreign transaction fees:
https://www.bankofamerica.com/smallb...-credit-card//
Note: There are two different earning formats for the business card, which you choose when you apply:
To avoid billing confusion later, make sure you choose the Individual Level Earning Plan if you are not going to have employee cards under the same account as your account.
Also see the Applying for Business Credit Cards [Consolidated] thread (not-BofA-specific) for general tips on applying for business cards.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconsideration # (for personal cards):
1-800-354-0401 (8am-7pm ET Mon-Fri) direct, referring agent from another BofA line called it their "credit department"
1-866-811-4108 from the Alaska Airlines Visa thread post 949
Business card Recon Line:
866-695-6598 (8-7 EST M-F from what I was told)
Biz card status line: 888 663 6262
Biz Card credit analyst line: 877 665 5022, 877 665 5023 (seems to be non-working number)
Check application status online here:
https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit...status-form.go
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Enquiries for Personal cards come from BofA. Enquiries for business cards come from FIA. Credit bureaus usually merge enquiries from the same requester made on the same day. Enquiries from BofA and FIA will not be merged.
When do the initial bonus miles post? You will get the miles after the statement closes for the cycle in which you meet your minimum spend. Usually AS points show up the Sunday evening after your statement closes, but sometimes it takes an additional week.
If there's a statement credit, when does it post?
It seems to be batch-processed. It will post automatically. Can be on the same statement or the next statement. It does not appear to be based on the statement close date.
.................................................. .................
PERSONAL CARDS
30k mile offer, $75 AF, $1k spend: https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit...s-credit-card/
+2k miles if done with onboard paper application
30k mile offer with $100 credit and fee for companion ticket waived the first year, $75 AF, $1k spend: https://secure.bankofamerica.com/app...aignid=4020594
link no longer working
30k mile offer with $100 credit, $75 AF, $1k spend: https://secure.bankofamerica.com/app...aignid=4009277
link no longer working
If you are applying for a personal Alaska card, and are not an expert on applying for Alaska cards STOP, don't apply yet.
Instead, read this post. Doing that first may save you a huge amount of wasted time and frustration.
A few people in the Alaska Airlines forum have in the past received personally targeted, single-use links for a 50k offer
when they opt-in to "Partner Offers" in their Mileage Plan account preferences.
=======================================
BUSINESS CARDS
30k mile offer, $75 AF, $1k spend, no foreign transaction fees:
https://www.bankofamerica.com/smallb...-credit-card//
Note: There are two different earning formats for the business card, which you choose when you apply:
- $50 per company, $25 per card (Business Level Earning Plan)
- $0 per company, $75 per card (Individual Level Earning Plan)
To avoid billing confusion later, make sure you choose the Individual Level Earning Plan if you are not going to have employee cards under the same account as your account.
Also see the Applying for Business Credit Cards [Consolidated] thread (not-BofA-specific) for general tips on applying for business cards.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconsideration # (for personal cards):
1-800-354-0401 (8am-7pm ET Mon-Fri) direct, referring agent from another BofA line called it their "credit department"
1-866-811-4108 from the Alaska Airlines Visa thread post 949
Business card Recon Line:
866-695-6598 (8-7 EST M-F from what I was told)
Biz card status line: 888 663 6262
Biz Card credit analyst line: 877 665 5022, 877 665 5023 (seems to be non-working number)
Check application status online here:
https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit...status-form.go
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Enquiries for Personal cards come from BofA. Enquiries for business cards come from FIA. Credit bureaus usually merge enquiries from the same requester made on the same day. Enquiries from BofA and FIA will not be merged.
When do the initial bonus miles post? You will get the miles after the statement closes for the cycle in which you meet your minimum spend. Usually AS points show up the Sunday evening after your statement closes, but sometimes it takes an additional week.
If there's a statement credit, when does it post?
It seems to be batch-processed. It will post automatically. Can be on the same statement or the next statement. It does not appear to be based on the statement close date.
.................................................. .................
Alaska Airlines card offers, Personal & Business [2012-2016]
Jun 9, 2016, 2:51 pm
#3481
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,639
No but I should have. I didn't know the amount on that card at the time (ancient never used card). In hindsight, that probably would have been an easy solution. Too late now.
Jun 9, 2016, 4:03 pm
#3482
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
And also you want to try to limit your AS cards to about 3 at a time, so once you have 3, cancel the oldest one before applying for a 4th one, etc.
Also, if BofA gives you big credit limits, reduce them once you've finished the minimum spend on the card. You don't want want them to approve you for less than $5k, because then you only get a Visa Platinum (rather than Visa Signature) card, which has a comparatively tiny bonus, and then it can take months to get that straightened out.
Jun 9, 2016, 5:12 pm
#3483
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
We don't know for sure. But the consensus here is that to play it safe you want to space you applications at least 90 days / 3 months apart. People who've doing the churning of the Alaska Airlines personal card at the rate of 3 to 4 a year, and keeping each card for at least 6 months to a year, while also doing some spend on each card (which wasn't necessary to get the singup bonus before but will be from now on) and also hopefully earning Alaska miles some other way (such as by using the card at least once in a while for MileagePlan Dining) have had no problem.
And also you want to try to limit your AS cards to about 3 at a time, so once you have 3, cancel the oldest one before applying for a 4th one, etc.
Also, if BofA gives you big credit limits, reduce them once you've finished the minimum spend on the card. You don't want want them to approve you for less than $5k, because then you only get a Visa Platinum (rather than Visa Signature) card, which has a comparatively tiny bonus, and then it can take months to get that straightened out.
And also you want to try to limit your AS cards to about 3 at a time, so once you have 3, cancel the oldest one before applying for a 4th one, etc.
Also, if BofA gives you big credit limits, reduce them once you've finished the minimum spend on the card. You don't want want them to approve you for less than $5k, because then you only get a Visa Platinum (rather than Visa Signature) card, which has a comparatively tiny bonus, and then it can take months to get that straightened out.
Jun 9, 2016, 10:33 pm
#3484
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 229
When my card was approved on 6/6, I was told they would expedite it to me. But I just received an email tonight saying my card was mailed on 6/9 and should arrive in 5-7 biz days. I called BoA tonight. The rep said a brand new card couldn't be expedited because I suppose to receive the T&C letter first. Can anyone share their experience re: how fast their AS card was delivered? Thanks!
Jun 10, 2016, 4:59 am
#3485
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Assuming the details previously in this thread are correct, it is quite the hassle to just change things around on a plat card and force change it to a sig. Could take months. It is much easier to cancel the plat and get a new signature card from the rep on the phone.
I followed the instructions here. Reduced CL a few months ago. Delayed app a bit waiting for the new offer. Applied yesterday during business and was approved for a signature card. I don't apply as frequently as many, my 4th AS card in about 23 months. I have one open from before, and will cancel it in a month or two before the fee is due, and will keep just one card open.
Jun 10, 2016, 8:56 am
#3486
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
But it's still pretty early (relative to when 30k was first rolled out). Just because there are still live links from old offers does mean they will stay around forever. And just because there are still live links from old offers doesn't mean that any new offers that replace them will be the same.
But, at least on the personal card: Since there are now 30k offers with $100 credit, why would anyone want to apply for the 25k offer with no credit, unless they really have trouble with the $1000 spend?
Jun 10, 2016, 10:12 am
#3487
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Wine Country, Finger Lakes
Programs: LFFRS BOD
Posts: 1,355
Yes, and the business card doesn't even seem to have a 30k version yet.
But it's still pretty early (relative to when 30k was first rolled out). Just because there are still live links from old offers does mean they will stay around forever. And just because there are still live links from old offers doesn't mean that any new offers that replace them will be the same.
But, at least on the personal card: Since there are now 30k offers with $100 credit, why would anyone want to apply for the 25k offer with no credit, unless they really have trouble with the $1000 spend?
But it's still pretty early (relative to when 30k was first rolled out). Just because there are still live links from old offers does mean they will stay around forever. And just because there are still live links from old offers doesn't mean that any new offers that replace them will be the same.
But, at least on the personal card: Since there are now 30k offers with $100 credit, why would anyone want to apply for the 25k offer with no credit, unless they really have trouble with the $1000 spend?
In my case I do not do MS and I would rather put $1k of spending on my husband's Chase Sapphire Preferred or my Citi Thank You Premier or my new Barclays's World Arrival which requires $3k spending.
It's worth it to me to have the 25k miles post within days of applying and receiving the card and not have to worry about putting on $1k spend on it.
Jun 10, 2016, 12:44 pm
#3488
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: American Gold, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 269
Just a note: I had two Alaska Signature cards both with the Annual fee due, I called in to move CL from card #2 to card #1 and the first CSR said it would be a hard pull and they would need to ask income questions, etc. I found this weird so I HUCA and the second CSR said that it was only a soft pull. Moved some of my CL and closed the 2nd card.
Wanted to share incase others had a CSR tell them it was a hard pull.
Wanted to share incase others had a CSR tell them it was a hard pull.
Jun 11, 2016, 10:30 am
#3489
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Tri-state area
Posts: 25
We don't know for sure. But the consensus here is that to play it safe you want to space you applications at least 90 days / 3 months apart. People who've doing the churning of the Alaska Airlines personal card at the rate of 3 to 4 a year, and keeping each card for at least 6 months to a year, while also doing some spend on each card (which wasn't necessary to get the singup bonus before but will be from now on) and also hopefully earning Alaska miles some other way (such as by using the card at least once in a while for MileagePlan Dining) have had no problem.
And also you want to try to limit your AS cards to about 3 at a time, so once you have 3, cancel the oldest one before applying for a 4th one, etc.
Also, if BofA gives you big credit limits, reduce them once you've finished the minimum spend on the card. You don't want want them to approve you for less than $5k, because then you only get a Visa Platinum (rather than Visa Signature) card, which has a comparatively tiny bonus, and then it can take months to get that straightened out.
And also you want to try to limit your AS cards to about 3 at a time, so once you have 3, cancel the oldest one before applying for a 4th one, etc.
Also, if BofA gives you big credit limits, reduce them once you've finished the minimum spend on the card. You don't want want them to approve you for less than $5k, because then you only get a Visa Platinum (rather than Visa Signature) card, which has a comparatively tiny bonus, and then it can take months to get that straightened out.
So I could have multiple Alaska airlines cards and still qualify for the bonus for each card?
Jun 11, 2016, 1:16 pm
#3490
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,792
How long does it take after you call to cancel the card for the annual fee to reverse or disappear from your online banking? I called to cancel a week ago and it's still there and the next statement generated a day or two ago for the annual fee. Call again? The AF posted on 5/31 or 6/1.
Jun 12, 2016, 6:48 pm
#3492
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 14
B of A Alaska Air card -- subtract sign-on bonus after 1 year???
Sorry for the long post: here is a chat transcript from Bank of America: They told me (two different agents - I disconnected from the first one) that they will SUBTRACT the sign-on bonus from my Alaska Air account if I close my account. See below. Need advice here! Are they kidding? Remove a sign-on bonus? Really?
__________________________________________________ _________
Welcome to an online chat session at Bank of America. Please hold while we connect you to the next available Bank of America Online Banking Specialist. Your chat may be monitored and recorded for quality purposes. Your current wait time is approximately 4 minutes. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for choosing Bank of America. Amanda is ready to assist you. For security purposes, please remember to close your chat window when completed.
Amanda: Hello! This is Amanda, here to provide you with nothing but excellent customer service here at Bank of America. How are you doing on this wonderful Sunday? How may I be of assistance with your personal credit card today?
Me: Hello
Me: I am ok. How are you?
Amanda: I'm doing great thanks for asking.
Me: I just received some information from B of A which I believe was factually incorrect.
Me: I need clarification.
Amanda: Absolutely! How may I assist you today?
Me: This is about my Alaska Air credit card ending in XXXX.
Amanda: Okay!
Me: I got this card a year ago. It had an attractive sign.on bonus I was offered, and I got it.
Me: I used it.
Amanda: Great!
Me: However, I also have a business, and I have the Alaska Air business card now.
Me: So I have two.
Me: Are you with me so far?
Amanda: Yes I am with you.
Me: ok
Amanda: For your business account I will need to provide you with the number to our Business Card Department.
Me: So, I chatted to ask about a retention offer to keep the personal card, for which I was just charged $75. Keep in mind that I already have the business card, so I was feeling that I didn't need two.
Me: No, this is about the personal card.
Amanda: Okay!
Me: My first inclination was to close the card and have the $75 refunded.
Me: Or ask for a retention offer.
Me: Can you do either?
Me: With regard to my personal card ending XXXX?
Amanda: Please allow me a moment while I bring up your account.
Me: Thanks
Amanda: You're very welcome!
Amanda: What I can do is close the account for you and waive the $75.00 Annual Fee.
Me: Yes. I understand that.
Me: However, here's what I was told.
Me: When I received this card, I was awarded 25000 miles. They are sitting in my Alaska Air account and I have not used them.
Me: I got those miles one year ago.
Me: They are not expired.
Me: They are not used.
Me: They are available for use at www.alaskaair.com
Me: Are you with me so far?
Amanda: If I were to close the account you would lose the miles I can get you the link to the Alaska Airlines Website.
Me: So, let me clarify:
Me: If I close this account today, I will lose the 25000 sign.on bonus which I got one year ago.
Me: Those miles will be removed from my Alaska Air account.
Me: Even though they were put in there one year ago.
Amanda: Yes that is correct!
Me: At present, I have about 55000 miles in my Alaska Air mileage account. Please clarify: you are saying that if I close my Bank of America Alaska Air account today, the 25000 miles I received as a sign.on bonus, one year ago, will be subtracted from my balance, so I will only have 30000 miles left in my account. Is that right?
Amanda: All the miles that you have on the account you will lose if you close the account.
Me: But I have another card. Are you saying that I will lose ALL 55000 miles? I am not closing my Alaska Air mileage account. I am asking about closing my Bank of America Alaska Air credit card.
Me: Please confirm / define your "All the miles".
Me: What do you mean exactly by "All the miles"?
Me: Are you still there?
Amanda: Yes I am still here.
Amanda: If you were to close your personal account you will lose only the 25000.
Me: I see: I also used the card from June 2015 to June 2016 and earned approximately 1000 miles for usage. Would I lose those too?
Amanda: Yes if there from your personal account.
Me: I earned them from the personal account, so yes.
Me: Finally, can you confirm this: If I close my personal account today, the sign-on bonus that I received one year ago of 25000 miles will be removed, subtracted, from my Alaska Air account. Please confirm that is the policy as of June 12, 2016.
Amanda: Yes that is correct!
Me: Can you please provide me with the link to the policy stating this?
Amanda: I apologize for the delay. I'll be with you shortly.
Me: ok, thanks.
Amanda: There is no link that states this.
Me: Is this a new policy?
Amanda: I can send you the discloser for when you close the account it states there if you do not use your points/miles you will lose them.
Me: Yes, please send that.
Amanda: Absolutely!
Amanda: Your account will be closed within 24 hours, so please be sure to make other payment arrangements with any merchants you have scheduled or pre.authorized payments with. If you want to reopen the account in the future, you may be advised to apply for a new account. All mobile credit numbers linked to this account will be deleted from the associated mobile devices. Any linkage to your checking/money market accounts for Overdraft protection will also be removed. Unfortunately, you'll lose any rewards associated with this account. Would you like me to redeem your rewards now? For customers with outstanding balances: If you have an outstanding balance, your security deposit will be applied to the remaining balance within 7.10 business days. If you have a payment due prior to that timeframe, please continue to make at least the total minimum payment due to avoid any late fees. Please continue to make your required minimum payment on any remaining balance until the account is paid in full. For customers with no outstanding balances: If there is no outstanding balance we will return the security deposit to you within 14 business days.
Me: Please do not close my account.
Me: I have not consented to closing it.
Me: Thanks.
Me: I need to think about it now.
Amanda: You're very welcome!
Amanda: I will not be closing the account.
Me: ok .. thanks.
Amanda: You're very welcome! Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Me: No .. the information you provided was very unusual and useful.
Me: But I don't need anything else. Thanks.
__________________________________________________ _________
Welcome to an online chat session at Bank of America. Please hold while we connect you to the next available Bank of America Online Banking Specialist. Your chat may be monitored and recorded for quality purposes. Your current wait time is approximately 4 minutes. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for choosing Bank of America. Amanda is ready to assist you. For security purposes, please remember to close your chat window when completed.
Amanda: Hello! This is Amanda, here to provide you with nothing but excellent customer service here at Bank of America. How are you doing on this wonderful Sunday? How may I be of assistance with your personal credit card today?
Me: Hello
Me: I am ok. How are you?
Amanda: I'm doing great thanks for asking.
Me: I just received some information from B of A which I believe was factually incorrect.
Me: I need clarification.
Amanda: Absolutely! How may I assist you today?
Me: This is about my Alaska Air credit card ending in XXXX.
Amanda: Okay!
Me: I got this card a year ago. It had an attractive sign.on bonus I was offered, and I got it.
Me: I used it.
Amanda: Great!
Me: However, I also have a business, and I have the Alaska Air business card now.
Me: So I have two.
Me: Are you with me so far?
Amanda: Yes I am with you.
Me: ok
Amanda: For your business account I will need to provide you with the number to our Business Card Department.
Me: So, I chatted to ask about a retention offer to keep the personal card, for which I was just charged $75. Keep in mind that I already have the business card, so I was feeling that I didn't need two.
Me: No, this is about the personal card.
Amanda: Okay!
Me: My first inclination was to close the card and have the $75 refunded.
Me: Or ask for a retention offer.
Me: Can you do either?
Me: With regard to my personal card ending XXXX?
Amanda: Please allow me a moment while I bring up your account.
Me: Thanks
Amanda: You're very welcome!
Amanda: What I can do is close the account for you and waive the $75.00 Annual Fee.
Me: Yes. I understand that.
Me: However, here's what I was told.
Me: When I received this card, I was awarded 25000 miles. They are sitting in my Alaska Air account and I have not used them.
Me: I got those miles one year ago.
Me: They are not expired.
Me: They are not used.
Me: They are available for use at www.alaskaair.com
Me: Are you with me so far?
Amanda: If I were to close the account you would lose the miles I can get you the link to the Alaska Airlines Website.
Me: So, let me clarify:
Me: If I close this account today, I will lose the 25000 sign.on bonus which I got one year ago.
Me: Those miles will be removed from my Alaska Air account.
Me: Even though they were put in there one year ago.
Amanda: Yes that is correct!
Me: At present, I have about 55000 miles in my Alaska Air mileage account. Please clarify: you are saying that if I close my Bank of America Alaska Air account today, the 25000 miles I received as a sign.on bonus, one year ago, will be subtracted from my balance, so I will only have 30000 miles left in my account. Is that right?
Amanda: All the miles that you have on the account you will lose if you close the account.
Me: But I have another card. Are you saying that I will lose ALL 55000 miles? I am not closing my Alaska Air mileage account. I am asking about closing my Bank of America Alaska Air credit card.
Me: Please confirm / define your "All the miles".
Me: What do you mean exactly by "All the miles"?
Me: Are you still there?
Amanda: Yes I am still here.
Amanda: If you were to close your personal account you will lose only the 25000.
Me: I see: I also used the card from June 2015 to June 2016 and earned approximately 1000 miles for usage. Would I lose those too?
Amanda: Yes if there from your personal account.
Me: I earned them from the personal account, so yes.
Me: Finally, can you confirm this: If I close my personal account today, the sign-on bonus that I received one year ago of 25000 miles will be removed, subtracted, from my Alaska Air account. Please confirm that is the policy as of June 12, 2016.
Amanda: Yes that is correct!
Me: Can you please provide me with the link to the policy stating this?
Amanda: I apologize for the delay. I'll be with you shortly.
Me: ok, thanks.
Amanda: There is no link that states this.
Me: Is this a new policy?
Amanda: I can send you the discloser for when you close the account it states there if you do not use your points/miles you will lose them.
Me: Yes, please send that.
Amanda: Absolutely!
Amanda: Your account will be closed within 24 hours, so please be sure to make other payment arrangements with any merchants you have scheduled or pre.authorized payments with. If you want to reopen the account in the future, you may be advised to apply for a new account. All mobile credit numbers linked to this account will be deleted from the associated mobile devices. Any linkage to your checking/money market accounts for Overdraft protection will also be removed. Unfortunately, you'll lose any rewards associated with this account. Would you like me to redeem your rewards now? For customers with outstanding balances: If you have an outstanding balance, your security deposit will be applied to the remaining balance within 7.10 business days. If you have a payment due prior to that timeframe, please continue to make at least the total minimum payment due to avoid any late fees. Please continue to make your required minimum payment on any remaining balance until the account is paid in full. For customers with no outstanding balances: If there is no outstanding balance we will return the security deposit to you within 14 business days.
Me: Please do not close my account.
Me: I have not consented to closing it.
Me: Thanks.
Me: I need to think about it now.
Amanda: You're very welcome!
Amanda: I will not be closing the account.
Me: ok .. thanks.
Amanda: You're very welcome! Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Me: No .. the information you provided was very unusual and useful.
Me: But I don't need anything else. Thanks.
Jun 12, 2016, 11:44 pm
#3493
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Welcome to Flyertalk.
That is false. I suppose there is always a first time, someday one of us might have it happen. But in thousands of data points on flyertalk so far on various cards, there is no airline card I've heard of where it happens. There is a much higher chance the agents are wrong than there is that you're the first one.
Often what the agents are confusing is that you will lose any miles that BoA owes you and haven't yet been sent to AS. So if your recent spend of $400 is on your CC, but your AS account does not yet have the next 400 miles, you forfeit those.
That is false. I suppose there is always a first time, someday one of us might have it happen. But in thousands of data points on flyertalk so far on various cards, there is no airline card I've heard of where it happens. There is a much higher chance the agents are wrong than there is that you're the first one.
Often what the agents are confusing is that you will lose any miles that BoA owes you and haven't yet been sent to AS. So if your recent spend of $400 is on your CC, but your AS account does not yet have the next 400 miles, you forfeit those.
Last edited by maverick17; Jun 12, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Jun 13, 2016, 9:19 am
#3494
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Sorry for the long post: here is a chat transcript from Bank of America: They told me (two different agents - I disconnected from the first one) that they will SUBTRACT the sign-on bonus from my Alaska Air account if I close my account. See below. Need advice here! Are they kidding? Remove a sign-on bonus? Really?
"First line" bank agents don't know much of anything about the way an airline miles program works. They're used to giving this answer (correctly) to people who cancel a different card that earns the bank's own points. Then when they see that confusing language that have to read to everyone who's cancelling an Alaska card, they jump to conclusions that this confusing language must mean that it works the same as for the cards with bank's own points. (But it doesn't work that way, because BofA has no "mechanism" for "reaching into" your Alaska Airlines account and "clawing back" miles you earned earlier.)
To have a chance at a more correct answer from BofA, you'd have to talk a supervisor. But I don't know if / how you can "elevate" to a supervisor in an online chat (I've only ever done it on phone conversations).
In any case, this paragraph of language that she gave you toward the end is what they've been reading to people who cancel Alaska cards for years, and yet no one's ever had any miles that were earned many months before "subtracted". The only miles you could lose is if you had purchases you'd made just before cancelling the card where the miles hadn't posted yet. The confusing paragraph of language she gave you is their attempt to explain that.
Last edited by sdsearch; Jun 13, 2016 at 7:39 pm
Jun 13, 2016, 11:32 am
#3495
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Welcome to FlyerTalk, health1au.
"First line" bank agents don't know much of anything about the way an airline miles program works. They're used to giving this answer (correctly) to people who cancel a different card that earns the bank's own points. Then when they see that confusing language that have to read to everyone who's cancelling an Alaska card, they jump to conclusions that this confusing language must mean that it works the same as for the cards with bank's own points. (But it doesn't work that way, because BofA has no "mechanism" for "reaching into" your Alaska Airlines account and "clawing back" miles you earned earlier.)
To have a chance at a more correct answer from BofA, you'd have to talk a supervisor. But I don't know you "elevate" to a supervisor in an online chat (I've only ever done it on phone conversations).
In any case, this paragraph of language that she gave you toward the end is what they've been reading to people who cancel Alaska cards for years, and yet no one's ever had any miles that were earned many months before "subtracted". The only miles you could lose is if you had purchases you'd made just before cancelling the card where the miles hadn't posted yet. The confusing paragraph of language she gave you is their attempt to explain that.
"First line" bank agents don't know much of anything about the way an airline miles program works. They're used to giving this answer (correctly) to people who cancel a different card that earns the bank's own points. Then when they see that confusing language that have to read to everyone who's cancelling an Alaska card, they jump to conclusions that this confusing language must mean that it works the same as for the cards with bank's own points. (But it doesn't work that way, because BofA has no "mechanism" for "reaching into" your Alaska Airlines account and "clawing back" miles you earned earlier.)
To have a chance at a more correct answer from BofA, you'd have to talk a supervisor. But I don't know you "elevate" to a supervisor in an online chat (I've only ever done it on phone conversations).
In any case, this paragraph of language that she gave you toward the end is what they've been reading to people who cancel Alaska cards for years, and yet no one's ever had any miles that were earned many months before "subtracted". The only miles you could lose is if you had purchases you'd made just before cancelling the card where the miles hadn't posted yet. The confusing paragraph of language she gave you is their attempt to explain that.
And the bank doesn't mind if you do get misinformed, and therefore decide not to cancel their card, based on that misinformation, either.
