Dec 13, 2018, 12:13 pm
Last edit by: rasheed
BofA has officially refreshed the Bank of America Cash Rewards card. It does not appear any aspect of the rewards program will be getting worse (only new positive options).
BofA has published a comprehensive document indicating the MCC for each bonus category.
BofA has published a pre-release article about the program for customers.
BofA has published a website detailing the 3% categories.
On a calendar monthly basis, a customer can choose a category from a pre-determined list to receive 3% cash rewards. If you do not change the category in a given calendar month, it will stay with what you picked the previous calendar month (or gas if none was ever chosen). You must make the change before the purchase happens (the term "future purchases" is used) because bonus rewards are calculated immediately when transactions post (unlike AmEx, but similar to Chase and Barclays). It seems possible that you could split the month among two categories if you leave the previous calendar month category and then change it later in the new month.
Category selection happens on mobile app or Online Banking website (not by phone call or chat).
Currently, that list is:
Gas (this will be the default if a choice is not selected)
-Pay at the pump (automated fuel dispensers including Costco Gas, Sam's Club and gas stations at grocery stores that categorize as fuel dispensers)
-Pay inside (when the convenience store is categorized as a service station)
-5172 Petroleum and Petroleum Products (*unique to BofA*)
-5541 Service Stations (includes many 7-11s for example)
-5542 Automated Fuel Dispensers (almost all pay at the pump classifies as this one regardless of brand or retailer)
-5983 Fuel Dealers (*unique to BofA*)
This is confirmed from the 3% category choice explanation website.
Online Shopping
This category is actually the most restrictive of all the new choices. In general, a purchase made "online" via website or mobile should count. However, if the merchant is categorized as a service, it will likely not count. Paypal DOES pass along the MCC of the underlying merchant seller. If you are buying physical goods, it should be okay, but if you are buying any virtual item (gift cards, etc.), be aware that it probably will not count.
It appears that BofA did a NOT to include for this category and selected as many services that will not count (including tuition, taxes, healthcare bills, insurance, memberships). It also appears that BofA did NOT exclude any travel merchants where you make the purchase online (OTA/direct airlines/prepaid hotels?). So, it is an overlap of Travel.
MCCs that have confirmed to work (with Online Transaction flag as Y):
-4722 Travel Agencies and Tour Operators
-5300 Wholesale Clubs
-5399 General Merchandise/Misc
-5732 Electronics Stores
-5912 Drug Stores and Pharmacies
-5992 Florists
-8675 Automobile Associations
Paypal okay via online transaction if underlying merchant is in an allowed category.
Any major gift card use such as BHN (common charge prefix for Blackhawk), Cashstar (back-end for many retailer direct online gift card purchases) has been manually removed/deactivated so that they do not pay the 3% part.
Dining
Includes:
-5812 Eating Places and Restaurants
-5813 Drinking Places/Bars
-5814 Fast Food Restaurants
Not likely:
-5462 Bakeries (this is a fixed 2% category with grocery stores noted below )
-5811 Caterers
This is confirmed from the 3% category choice explanation website.
From another BofA card reference:
Travel
BofA went further than all other BofA cards with travel categories for this card:
Note, it includes many, but not all Entertainment categories found in other cards such as Savor or Marvel. Some of the key ones excluded are Movies Theater-related. This card does include theme park tickets (at the ticket booth), but not retail stores or dining in theme parks. This card also has some unusual ones such as airports and art galleries.
Another BofA card that defines travel purchases indicates the following categories
This information needs to be verified (likely through card experience):
a) Airlines, Air Carriers (MCC Codes 3000-3299, 4511); (b) Lodging-Hotels, Motels, Resorts (MCC codes 3501-3999, 7011); (c) Car Rental Agencies (MCC codes 3351-3441, 7512, 4121); (d) Cruise Lines (MCC code 4411); Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (MCC codes 4722, 4416, 4417); (e) Passenger Railways (MCC code 4112); (f) Transportation-Suburban and Local Commuter Passenger, including Ferries (MCC Code 4111); (g) Bus Lines (MCC codes 4131, 4722); (h) Transportation Services-not elsewhere classified (MCC code 4789); (i) Real Estate Agents and Managers-Rentals (MCC code 6513); (j) Timeshares (MCC code 7012); (k) Campgrounds and Trailer Parks (MCC Code 7033); (l) Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rental (MCC Code 7519); (m) Tourist Attractions and Exhibits (MCC Code 7991, 5971); (n) Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Circuses, Fortune Tellers (MCC Code 7996); (o) Aquariums, Dolphinariums, Zoos, and Seaquariums (MCC Code 7998); (p) Boat Leases and Boat Rentals (MCC Code 4457); or (q) Recreation Services-not elsewhere classified (MCC Code 7999)
Another list for a different program indicates (looks like it overlaps with the above list):
Drug Stores
-5912 (Drug Stores and Pharmacies)
-5122 (Drug Proprietors and Drug Sundries) (*unique to BofA*)
This is confirmed from the 3% category choice explanation website.
Home Improvement/Furnishings
Very broad list of MCCs.
This is confirmed from the 3% category choice explanation website.
Fixed 2% grocery stores and wholesales clubs
BofA's 2% grocery stores category is broader than AmEx's US supermarket category.
BofA does list the relevant matching description of the merchant for the MCC on the website transactions, but does not expose the actual MCC code.
The card will continue to earn 1% elsewhere and that is not included in the $2500 per quarter spend limit.
There does not appear to be any limitation on location of merchants worldwide to earn rewards as long as the merchant is properly categorized (unlike AmEx). Those customers who had the old Schwab 2% Invest First Visa issued by a BofA affiliate that did not otherwise cancel or proactively change the card when it was discontinued may have received a BofA Cash Rewards card thats does not have an added FTF (beyond Visa's embedded FTF rate) which is different than the card currently offered to customers. This version of the card offers international reward benefits for those customers.
There is a limit of $2500 in 2% or 3% category spending per quarter that will receive the bonus rate. Rewards can be redeemed at face value for any amount at any time. As long as account is in good standing, rewards do not expire. The only reason to hold rewards would be if you plan to qualify for Preferred Rewards and wish to get the relationship bonus rate for older spending when you do redeem the balance.
BofA customer bonuses:
All BofA deposit customers can receive at least a 10% bonus when they earn their reward if their total banking relationship indicates that they have a BofA checking or savings account. This is usually associated by having a BofA online account which has both the deposit and Cash Rewards card on the same login.
Customers who have signed up for Preferred Rewards that requires a deposit relationship balance can currently receive a 25% to 75% redemption bonus. This can tremendously increase the value of the 3% and 2% categories when compared to other cards.
Information on the thresholds for that program are located here: https://www.bankofamerica.com/preferred-rewards/
BofA has published a comprehensive document indicating the MCC for each bonus category.
BofA has published a pre-release article about the program for customers.
BofA has published a website detailing the 3% categories.
On a calendar monthly basis, a customer can choose a category from a pre-determined list to receive 3% cash rewards. If you do not change the category in a given calendar month, it will stay with what you picked the previous calendar month (or gas if none was ever chosen). You must make the change before the purchase happens (the term "future purchases" is used) because bonus rewards are calculated immediately when transactions post (unlike AmEx, but similar to Chase and Barclays). It seems possible that you could split the month among two categories if you leave the previous calendar month category and then change it later in the new month.
Category selection happens on mobile app or Online Banking website (not by phone call or chat).
Currently, that list is:
Gas (this will be the default if a choice is not selected)
-Pay at the pump (automated fuel dispensers including Costco Gas, Sam's Club and gas stations at grocery stores that categorize as fuel dispensers)
-Pay inside (when the convenience store is categorized as a service station)
-5172 Petroleum and Petroleum Products (*unique to BofA*)
-5541 Service Stations (includes many 7-11s for example)
-5542 Automated Fuel Dispensers (almost all pay at the pump classifies as this one regardless of brand or retailer)
-5983 Fuel Dealers (*unique to BofA*)
This is confirmed from the 3% category choice explanation website.
Gas and fuel merchants include merchants whose primary line of business is the sale of automotive gasoline that can be purchased inside the service station or at the automated fuel pump and gasoline purchased at boat marinas, as well as fuel dealers whose primary line of business is the sale of heating oil, propane and other fuels, such as kerosene.
This category is actually the most restrictive of all the new choices. In general, a purchase made "online" via website or mobile should count. However, if the merchant is categorized as a service, it will likely not count. Paypal DOES pass along the MCC of the underlying merchant seller. If you are buying physical goods, it should be okay, but if you are buying any virtual item (gift cards, etc.), be aware that it probably will not count.
It appears that BofA did a NOT to include for this category and selected as many services that will not count (including tuition, taxes, healthcare bills, insurance, memberships). It also appears that BofA did NOT exclude any travel merchants where you make the purchase online (OTA/direct airlines/prepaid hotels?). So, it is an overlap of Travel.
MCCs that have confirmed to work (with Online Transaction flag as Y):
-4722 Travel Agencies and Tour Operators
-5300 Wholesale Clubs
-5399 General Merchandise/Misc
-5732 Electronics Stores
-5912 Drug Stores and Pharmacies
-5992 Florists
-8675 Automobile Associations
Paypal okay via online transaction if underlying merchant is in an allowed category.
Any major gift card use such as BHN (common charge prefix for Blackhawk), Cashstar (back-end for many retailer direct online gift card purchases) has been manually removed/deactivated so that they do not pay the 3% part.
Dining
Includes:
-5812 Eating Places and Restaurants
-5813 Drinking Places/Bars
-5814 Fast Food Restaurants
Not likely:
-5462 Bakeries (this is a fixed 2% category with grocery stores noted below )
-5811 Caterers
This is confirmed from the 3% category choice explanation website.
From another BofA card reference:
Travel and Dining Category: Dining includes Restaurants, including Fast Food, and Drinking Establishments, such as Bars or Taverns. [..]
BofA went further than all other BofA cards with travel categories for this card:
Airlines, Air Carriers, Airports, Airport Terminals, Flying Fields Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Circuses, Fortune Tellers Aquariums, Dolphinariums, Zoos and Seaquariums Art Dealers and Galleries Boat Leases and Boat Rentals Bus Lines Campgrounds and Trailer Parks Car Rental Agencies Cruise Lines Direct Marketing — Travel-Related Arrangements Services Hotels, Motels, Resorts Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rental Package Tour Operators (for use in Germany only) Parking Lots and Garages Real Estate Agents and Managers (Rentals) Recreation Services (not elsewhere classified) Suburban and Local Commuter Passenger Travel, including Ferries Taxicabs and Limousines Timeshares Truck and Trailer Utility Rentals Passenger Railways Toll and Bridge Fees Tourist Attractions and Exhibits Transportation Services (not elsewhere classified) Travel Agencies and Tour Operators
Another BofA card that defines travel purchases indicates the following categories
This information needs to be verified (likely through card experience):
a) Airlines, Air Carriers (MCC Codes 3000-3299, 4511); (b) Lodging-Hotels, Motels, Resorts (MCC codes 3501-3999, 7011); (c) Car Rental Agencies (MCC codes 3351-3441, 7512, 4121); (d) Cruise Lines (MCC code 4411); Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (MCC codes 4722, 4416, 4417); (e) Passenger Railways (MCC code 4112); (f) Transportation-Suburban and Local Commuter Passenger, including Ferries (MCC Code 4111); (g) Bus Lines (MCC codes 4131, 4722); (h) Transportation Services-not elsewhere classified (MCC code 4789); (i) Real Estate Agents and Managers-Rentals (MCC code 6513); (j) Timeshares (MCC code 7012); (k) Campgrounds and Trailer Parks (MCC Code 7033); (l) Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rental (MCC Code 7519); (m) Tourist Attractions and Exhibits (MCC Code 7991, 5971); (n) Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Circuses, Fortune Tellers (MCC Code 7996); (o) Aquariums, Dolphinariums, Zoos, and Seaquariums (MCC Code 7998); (p) Boat Leases and Boat Rentals (MCC Code 4457); or (q) Recreation Services-not elsewhere classified (MCC Code 7999)
Another list for a different program indicates (looks like it overlaps with the above list):
How Your Travel Credit Works: A travel credit is applied as a statement credit to your account to offset travel purchases from qualifying merchants in these travel-related categories: airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, trailer parks, motor home and recreational vehicle rentals, campgrounds, car rental agencies, truck and trailer rental, cruise lines, travel agencies, tour operators and real estate agents, operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, boat rentals, parking lots and garages, tolls and bridge fees, tourist attractions and exhibits like art galleries, amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, aquariums, zoos and the like. Purchases from some merchants that provide travel-related goods and services will not be eligible for a travel credit, like in-flight goods and services, and duty-free airport purchases.
-5912 (Drug Stores and Pharmacies)
-5122 (Drug Proprietors and Drug Sundries) (*unique to BofA*)
This is confirmed from the 3% category choice explanation website.
Home Improvement/Furnishings
Very broad list of MCCs.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Repair Shops Antique Shops for Sales, Repairs and Restoration Services Architectural, Engineering and Surveying Services Building Materials, Lumber Stores, Carpentry Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Contractors, Concrete Crystal and Glassware Stores Drapery, Upholstery and Window Coverings Stores Electrical Contractors Electrical Parts and Equipment Equipment, Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores (except Appliances) Equipment, Tool, Furniture and Appliance Rental and Leasing Fireplace, Fireplace Screens and Accessories Stores Floor Covering Stores Florist Suppliers, Nursery Stock and Flowers Furniture Reupholstering, Repair and Refinishing General Contractor/Residential Building Glass, Paint, Wallpaper Stores Hardware Equipment and Supplies Hardware Stores Heating, Plumbing, Air Conditioning Contractors Home Supply Warehouse Stores Household Appliance Stores Landscaping and Horticultural Services Lawn and Garden Supply Stores Masonry, Stonework, Tile Setting, Plastering, Insulation Contractors Miscellaneous House Furnishing Specialty Shops Office and Commercial Furniture Paints, Varnishes and Supplies Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Roof, Siding and Sheet Metal Work Contractors Special Trade Contractor (not elsewhere classified)
Fixed 2% grocery stores and wholesales clubs
Purchases made at eligible grocery store merchants and wholesale clubs, which include supermarkets, freezer/meat lockers, candy, nut or confection stores, dairy product stores, and bakeries. Excluded from this Bonus Category are superstores and smaller stores (like drug stores and convenience stores) that sell groceries and other products.
BofA does list the relevant matching description of the merchant for the MCC on the website transactions, but does not expose the actual MCC code.
The card will continue to earn 1% elsewhere and that is not included in the $2500 per quarter spend limit.
There does not appear to be any limitation on location of merchants worldwide to earn rewards as long as the merchant is properly categorized (unlike AmEx). Those customers who had the old Schwab 2% Invest First Visa issued by a BofA affiliate that did not otherwise cancel or proactively change the card when it was discontinued may have received a BofA Cash Rewards card thats does not have an added FTF (beyond Visa's embedded FTF rate) which is different than the card currently offered to customers. This version of the card offers international reward benefits for those customers.
There is a limit of $2500 in 2% or 3% category spending per quarter that will receive the bonus rate. Rewards can be redeemed at face value for any amount at any time. As long as account is in good standing, rewards do not expire. The only reason to hold rewards would be if you plan to qualify for Preferred Rewards and wish to get the relationship bonus rate for older spending when you do redeem the balance.
BofA customer bonuses:
All BofA deposit customers can receive at least a 10% bonus when they earn their reward if their total banking relationship indicates that they have a BofA checking or savings account. This is usually associated by having a BofA online account which has both the deposit and Cash Rewards card on the same login.
Customers who have signed up for Preferred Rewards that requires a deposit relationship balance can currently receive a 25% to 75% redemption bonus. This can tremendously increase the value of the 3% and 2% categories when compared to other cards.
Information on the thresholds for that program are located here: https://www.bankofamerica.com/preferred-rewards/
Bank of America Cash Rewards - 3% category qualifying options
Aug 16, 2019, 7:12 pm
#122
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BAY AREA
Posts: 1,125
Aug 17, 2019, 12:08 pm
#123
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 24
Updated list March 8, 2024 - added many,
If anyone would like to private message me additions, go ahead (completely private). To check your rewards, on the BOA website when viewing your credit card, click on the "Rewards" tab and view the rewards given on each purchase. If a bonus was given you will see "BONUS" on the right side of the transaction, and you can calculate the percent to be sure by simple division calculation. You can go back and view previous statements.
Yes - 3% online shopping categories.
No (1% only)
If anyone would like to private message me additions, go ahead (completely private). To check your rewards, on the BOA website when viewing your credit card, click on the "Rewards" tab and view the rewards given on each purchase. If a bonus was given you will see "BONUS" on the right side of the transaction, and you can calculate the percent to be sure by simple division calculation. You can go back and view previous statements.
Yes - 3% online shopping categories.
- (App) Apple iCloud service - iCloud monthly service payment
- (App) DoorDash - food delivery
- (App) Google Play - in-game purchase (various games with different names, they all show as "Google *xxxxx"
- (App) Groupon - deal purchase through app (vs website)
- (App) Kung Fu Tea (via LevelUp) - drink purchase
- (App) Lucra - deposit
- (App) Lyft - completed ride
- (App) Mercari - item purchase to be shipped
- (App) OfferUp - item purchase to be shipped
- (App) ParkMobile - parking purchase
- (App) Peloton - membership purchase (confirmed again Jan 11, 2022)
- (App) Popeyes - food purchase
- (App) Raise - gift card purchase
- (App) SolitaireCash - deposit
- (App) SpotHero - parking spot reservation
- (App) Uber - completed ride (confirmed again Feb 2023)
- (App) Wawa - gas purchase
- (App MobilePay) Walmart - Walmart Pay in store (still 3% as of purchase on Sep 20, 2021)
- (App MobilePay) Plastiq - paid mortgage
- (Website) AA.com - American Airlines - bag purchase
- (Website) AA.com - American Airlines ticket purchase
- (Website) AA.com - American Airlines taxes on miles redemption
- (Website) AARP.com - membership purchase
- (Website) AceHardware.com - item purchase
- (Website) Adidas.com - item purchase
- (Website) Agoda.com - hotel purchase
- (Website) AirBnB.com - accommodation purchase
- (Website) AliExpress.com (no international transaction fee)
- (Website) AllSaints.com - item purchase
- (Website) ANA.co.jp - ANA Air ticket purchase
- (Website) Amazon.com - item purchase
- (Website) Amazon.com - Amazon Music subscription
- (Website) Amtrak.com - train ticket purchase
- (Website) AncientNutrition - item purchase
- (Website) Apple.com - item purchase
- (Website) Audible.com - membership purchase
- (Website) B&H Photo - item purchase
- (Website) BedBathAndBeyond.com - item purchase
- (Website) BathAndBodyWorks.com - fragrance purchase
- (Website) Cancer.org - donation
- (Website) Care.org - donation
- (Website) Carters.com - clothing purchase
- (Website) ContainerStore.com - item purchase
- (Website) CopaAir.com - ticket upgrade
- (Website) Delta.com - bag purchase
- (Website) Delta.com - ticket purchase
- (Website) DSW.com - shoe purchase
- (Website) DulceSuenos.com - subscription purchase
- (Website) EatCandyCan.com - candy purchase
- (Website) FlyFrontier.com - Frontier airlines ticket purchase
- (Website) Francescas.com - clothing purchase
- (Website) Frederick's Of Hollywood - item purchase
- (Website) Google Express Shopping - device purchase
- (Website) Google Fi - phone purchase (https://fi.google.com)
- (Website) Groupon.com - deal purchase
- (Website) Groupon.com - Groupon Select membership fee ($4.99/mo)
- (Website) Hm.com - item purchase
- (Website) HolidayCars.com - car rental
- (Website) HomeDepot.com - item purchase
- (Website) Hotmart.com - unfortunately seen as an international purchase with a international transaction fee
- (Website) IdentityGuard.com - membership purchase
- (Website) iHerb.com - item purchase
- (Website) Jetblue.com - bag purchase
- (Website) JTBUSA.com - Japan Tourism Bureau JR Rail pass purchase
- (Website) JustNutritive.com - hair care products
- (Website) Keds.com - item purchase
- (Website) Loft.com - item purchase
- (Website) LordandTaylor.com - item purchase
- (Website) Lulus.com - item purchase
- (Website) Macys.com - item purchase
- (Website) Mamaknowsnutrition.com - item purchase
- (Website) Mavis.com - item purchase
- (Website) Megabus.com - ticket purchase
- (Website) MichaelKors.com - item purchase
- (Website) MountVernon.org - ticket purchase
- (Website) NewEgg.com
- (Website) Offerup.com - item purchase for shipping
- (Website) ParagonSports.com - item purchase
- (Website) PatPat.com - item purchase
- (Website) PayPal.com - B&H Photo purchase
- (Website) PayPal.com - BJ's gift card purchase
- (Website) PayPal.com - BuyBuyBaby purchase
- (Website) PayPal.com - eBay purchase
- (Website) PayPal.com - eBay shipping fee
- (Website) PayPal.com - RaisedGood purchase
- (Website) PayPal.com - YouTube Premium purchase
- (Website) RapidPassVirginia.com - emissions test payment
- (Website) Reolink.com - item purchase (although BOA sees a foreign transaction, so the 3% fee kills it)
- (Website) Shein.com - item purchase
- (Website) Sketchers.com - item purchase
- (Website) Sodastream.com - item purchase
- (Website) Southwest.com - ticket purchase. Previously identified as a failure, but it coded as a bonus in April 2022.
- (Website) Stash.com - service plan ($1/mo) for investment app. Coded as shopping, strangely.
- (Website) Staples.com - item purchase
- (Website) StoryBookLand.com - ticket purchase
- (Website) Swarovski.com - item purchase
- (Website) Thrivemarket.com - item purchase
- (Website) TunnelBear.com - 2 year service purchase
- (Website) Uniqlo.com - item purchase
- (Website) United.com - taxes on a reward miles ticket redemption
- (Website) UnrealMobile.com - SIM card plan purchase
- (Website) USAToday.com - subscription purchase
- (Website) UShmm.org - US Holocaust Museum ticket purchase (done on mobile site)
- (Website) VanityGrace.com - item purchase, except payment processor is Shopify which is seen as being in Canada, so 3% foreign transaction fee kills it.
- (Website) VictoriasSecret.com - item purchase
- (Website) Walgreens.com - item purchase
- (Website) Walmart.com - Walmart+ subscription purchase
- (Website) Way.com - parking purchase
- (Website) WilsonsLeather.com - clothing purchase
- (Website-Payment-Processor) MutualPaySM Property Pay (for paying HoA dues)
- (Website-Payment-Processor) CIT Property Pay (for paying HoA dues)
- (Website-Payment-Processor) Selz.com - baby item purchased through some website that uses Selz
- (Website-Payment-Processor) Shopify.com - this will always code as online purchase, but unfortunately it many times triggers a 3% foreign transaction fee since the location is seen as Canada.
- (Website-Payment-Processor) ViewInvoice.com - digital payment processor for services
- Online payment for my exterminator (confirmed again, June 16, 2020)
- College board online payment
No (1% only)
- (App MobilePay) GooglePay @ RiteAid - failed. Shows as mobile pay.
- (App MobilePay) GooglePay @ Wawa - failed. Shows as mobile pay.
- (In-Store) BJs - just another data point (recognized as 2% warehouse bonus, which goes against your 3% quarterly limit)
- (In-Store) CostCo - just another data point (recognized as 2% warehouse bonus, which goes against your 3% quarterly limit)
- (In-Store) CVS - just another data point
- (In-Store) Michael's - just another data point
- (In-Store) Microcenter - just another data point
- (In-Store) Panera - just another data point
- (In-Store) Sally Beauty - just another data point
- (In-Store) Staples - just another data point
- (In-Store) Target - just another data point
- (In-Store) Walgreens - just another data point
- (Phone) Amtrak - just another data point
- (Phone) SiriusXM - bill/renewal. They authorized the payment through the phone.
- (Website) AcadiaPower.com - electric bill payment
- (Website) Allianz - American Airlines travel insurance during miles redemption
- (Website) Att.com - coded as telecommunications, even though the purchase was not for a bill, instead for actual shopping of accessories.
- (Website) Babylist.com - this is incorrect, going to dispute. Coded as medical, but this is an online store.
- (Website) BellaBallerina.com - membership payment
- (Website) BristolBayFitness - membership payment
(Website) Copaair.com - ticket purchase (Side note, this was made through Vayama.com. Vayama charges disappear and then the airline charges 2 weeks later it)- (Website) DiscoveryPlus.com - trial membership
- (Website) ESPN+ - annual membership purchase
- (Website) ErieInsurance.com - insurance payment
- (Website) EverSource.com - electric bill pay
- (Website) FairfaxCounty.gov - tried to buy a park service.
- (Website) FairfaxCounty.gov - tried to pay my car taxes. Coded as "Finance: Taxes". Merchant name: "FC PERSONAL PROPERTY TA". Processor was Govolution (added below)
- (Website) FairfaxWater.org - tried paying my water bill. Coded as "Home & Utilities: Utilities"
- (Website) GEICO.com - tried paying insurance bill. Coded as online, "Insurance-Sales & Underwriting"
- (Website) IKEA Gift Card processor - gift card purchase
- (Website) Ivacy.com - VPN purchase (BoA will assess a foreign transaction fee, charged from Singapore)
- (Website) Kaiser Permanente - insurance premium payment
- (Website) Lincoln Financial Group - insurance payment (coded as online, "Insurance-Sales & Underwriting")
- (Website) MyGiftCardsPlus.com - gift card purchase for Swagbucks. Coded as "Cash, Checks & Misc"
- (Website) NationalChildrensMuseum.org - ticket purchase
- (Website) Netflix.com - coded as "Home & Utilities: Cable/Satellite Services"
- (Website) ParkWayParking.com - parking reservation. Coded as public transportation.
- (Website) PayPal.com - USPS shipping purchase (coded as government services)
- (Website) Progressive.com - car insurance purchase
- (Website) RedBox.com - BluRay rental
- (Website) Roku.com - channel purchase
- (Website) Schwans.com - online grocery (counted as 2%)
- (Website) SiriusXM.com - trial purchase
(Website) Southwest.com - airline ticket purchase. Failed. It wasn't even coded as an online purchase. What a joke.- (Website) Swagbucks - swagbucks purchase
- (Website) TireAmerica.com - tire purchase. Coded as "Transportation: Automotive Expenses"
- (Website) Total Wireless - nope.
- (Website) TSDistributors.com - online home improvement store. Should be 3%, but it is not identified properly by BoA. Not identified as an online purchase.
- (Website) Verizon.com - FiOS bill
- (Website) Vudu.com - movie purchase
- (Website) XFinity Wireless - nope.
- (Website) Walmart.com - eGift Card Purchase
- (Website-Payment-Processor) 2ENROLL (for XFinity Wireless & Total Wireless)
- (Website-Payment-Processor) BluePay via Tree Removal Service website (coded as home improvement).
- (Website-Payment-Processor) Govolution via FairfaxCounty.gov - fee on my tax payment; coded as "Cash, Checks & Misc: Other Expenses".
- soccer team membership (1%)
- Toll account online refill (1%)
Last edited by Tokar; Mar 8, 2024 at 3:41 am
Sep 1, 2019, 7:10 am
#125
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 127
Purchased a new phone with a plan from total wireless and xfinity: Both got only 1%
Online payment to Soccer team: 1%
College board online payment: Counted as 3%
Schwans online order: Counted at 2%
Online automatic replemenishment of Toll account: 1%
Online payment to Soccer team: 1%
College board online payment: Counted as 3%
Schwans online order: Counted at 2%
Online automatic replemenishment of Toll account: 1%
Sep 7, 2019, 2:57 pm
#126
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 24
Who is the toll with? EZPass?
What is the college board site? Who is their payment processor?
Who is the payment processor of the soccer team?
Sep 24, 2019, 8:12 pm
#128
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boston
Posts: 249
Sep 25, 2019, 1:39 am
#129
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Same problem. I pre-ordered a new iPhone, which has now shipped, and it posted as "Online Transaction: N" and 1% cash back, despite the expected merchant name "APPLE ONLINE STORE" and MCC of Electronics Store. I ordered using apple.com (on desktop) and I believe I had already set this CC (Visa) as the payment method on my Apple ID and/or Apple Store account, so I just chose it during checkout. (So not Apple Pay.)
Called BoA and they said they wouldn't do anything; that's just how it posted and that's it. I did point out that they list apple.com (iTunes and Store) as an example merchant under the Online Shopping category. The rep tried to convince me that the MCC was the issue, which is most likely wrong.
Called Apple and they thought it was bizarre; I convinced them to open a case internally with (maybe) whoever deals with their payment backend, but I dunno if that's going anywhere.
I suppose I should try the BoA Preferred Rewards line too?
I need to order some more Apple stuff in a few months and it would be really nice to get 3% on it...
Last edited by willmo; Sep 25, 2019 at 1:59 am
Sep 27, 2019, 10:47 pm
#132
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 682
Since all cruise payments I've ever made have shown up as a charge from the cruise line itself, hopefully this is the way that other lines will also work, but I guess someone needs to try it. If you booked yourself, you should be able to make a minimal payment yourself on the cruise line's website to see if it codes as online.
Last edited by MisterBill; Oct 1, 2019 at 9:35 pm
Sep 27, 2019, 10:50 pm
#133
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 682
Can someone confirm that if I make a purchase but then the purchase is refunded to the account and the cash back is removed (and both code in the 3% category) that purchase amount does not continue to counted against the max in charges for the quarter? I made a $150 purchase but the company cancelled the order and refunded the money. I'm assuming the answer is yes but would be curious to hear if anyone knows for sure.
Oct 25, 2019, 9:09 am
#134
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,975
Not sure if this is targeted; I got an email:
So, if online is my 3% category, here it's 9% back? Any conclusion on online travel purchases?
Earn up to $150 cash back on online shopping purchases through December 31, 2019. That's a 6% bonus on up to $2,500 in purchases—and it's on top of the rewards you already earn with your credit card.
Simply click on the button above to activate your bonus offer.
[...]
The Online Shopping Bonus will post to your account as additional cash rewards within 12 weeks of the end of the promotional period.
Simply click on the button above to activate your bonus offer.
[...]
The Online Shopping Bonus will post to your account as additional cash rewards within 12 weeks of the end of the promotional period.
Oct 25, 2019, 10:30 am
#135
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,138
I also had a data point: tickets purchased online for a mansion tour in North Carolina (Biltmore) only received the 1% back. The online purchase indicator was N.