No need. The program guide that arrives through the postal service looks exactly like this:

http://www.brmerrillplus.com/brmerri.../?u1=texterity

It would be interesting to know how you have used the concierge service.

i think they need to bring back the american airlines matching policy for medallion status

Hm, just found this thread. Is there anything interesting left if one already uses the Schwab 2% card and SPG AMEX? It seems like the only benefit is the PremierPass membership, but at a cost of $500 (M+ earns 1% while Schwab earns 2%. To hit the 50k level, one would be giving up $500 in cash otherwise earned by Schwab).

Seems like a lot to pay for a bunch of lounge visits.

Not always:

1) Merrill+ points can be converted in blocks of 5,000 to British Airways miles, and I value a BA mile at more than $0.02 because I redeem for business and first class transatlantic tickets.

2) If you don't like BA miles you can redeem 25,000 Merrill+ points for a $500 airline ticket on AA, BA, CO or DL, which is also 2%.

https://cards.ml.com/MLRewardsCenter...Travel-Air.htm

However, it may not matter if you do not already have this card because I do not see an application link.

So this is the same (or slightly worse) than the Schwab, right? If you don't max out at exactly $500, your redemption rate is just under 2%.

Alas, I usually redeem for Economy travel so BAEC isn't worth that much to me.

Correct.

Resurrecting an admittedly old thread...

2011 +3 benefits still include airline lounges outside of Priority Pass. I'm not sure which they include, but Delta for sure, as I just renewed for this year with SkyClub.

I imagine it's the same lounges they had prior to only promotoing Priority Pass, which I believe was Delta and American.

Nice to see that this is still an unadvertised feature as PP does nothing for me being located in Delta captured hub city.

Ok. I thought I was done with my app spree after getting approved for the Chase CO Presidential Plus and Citibank Executive AA MC World Elite for both this past month. With the new business cards as well, my INQ are getting up there so I was going to stop for 6-12 months. Well fate wouldn't let well enough alone. I get notice that MERRIL Lynch is discontinuing their reward program associated with their delayed debit signature visa. With the notice came a preoffer to apply for their ML+ Signature VISA credit card. I said to myself crap, "How can I apply with so many damm inquiries (my scores are in the 705-734 range with no negatives, just 9 inquiries last 6 months). Anyway, I bite the bullet and apply, cause I use my ML account daily and have acculmulated a substantial amount of ML beyond reward points and get the proverbial call in for an instant decision. The card is run through BoA and FIA. The credit anaylyst puts me on hold for 2 minutes then comes back saying Congratulations. I am approving your new account with a 55K CL!! Yes 55K! Here's the best part. 1.25% cash back on ALL PURCHASES Plus 1 ML reward point for each dollar spent (which are similar to membership rewards for Amex only it's a separate program run through MERRIL Lynch. I almost fell off my chair!!! if anyone has a ML account and deferred debit, you should get a notice about them discontinuing the rewards assoc with the debit card and an offer to apply for the ML+ VISA. I am in shock but on cloud nine. I have officially decided no more cc apps for 12 months (we will see how long that lasts!!)

Folded jbsack's post into an existing Merrill+ thread. If it turns out this is not the same card the threads can be separated later.

Any resemblance between this card's rewards program and American Express Membership Rewards is superficial, unless you redeem for merchandise.

It is the same card. I did not mean to imply that the ML rewards program was similar program to AMEX only that it was a program similar to AMEXs' (if that makes sense). There are a bunch of benefits that differ from AMEX. They are similar only in the sense that points can be redeemed for Air, gift cards, cash, travel, etc.. However, when you add the 1.25% cash back per point on top of the 1 point per dollar spent, that totals 2.25% back, which is excellent in my book. This offer is targeted to people with a ML CMA who have the VISA deferred debit (signature or not) as ML is doing away with the rewards program for their debit cards as of 10/15/2011.

Also forgot. NO AF!!! Makes it irresistible in my book.

As as most banks, because the transaction fees have been capped. I have this card (Merrill+ VISA), but have not used it for a few years. Originally, it had no foreign transaction fees, but now it is 2% (IIRC). To my knowledge the only airline transfer partner is BA.

is that 1 point + 1.25% an always on feature or just introductory?

If always on, can you link or post the details of what you can use ML points for?

Does it share points with Accolades or is it a different program?

Merrill+ is a separate program (which had been shared with a version of the deferred debit card). Accolades earns Worldpoints. Individuals who have both cards can transfers points from Accolades to Merrill+, but (to my knowledge), not the reverse. There has not been an application link for Merrill+ for a few years, but it may be possible to apply by phone or through a Merrill advisor.

This card was administered for Merrill by Bank of America even before they owned the company. If you review this thread (and others) you will see that Merrill tinkered with this card's benefits most years. Many are offered on a calendar year basis, but typically they do not publish changes until after the year has started.

https://cards.ml.com/RWDapp/ml/merrillplus

The link to apply is www.newcardonline.com

BUT - you need a priority code to get past the first screen. It appears as they are discontinuing their reward program in conjunction with the debit cards associated with the CMA accounts, I was given a priority code in the letter informing of such and that the alternative with the Merril+ Signature VISA.

Regarding ML + visa and getting points and 1.25 % i have this card and I just called to see if they will do this. They told me it is just the 1% not both at the same time if you want to put it into a ML Edge, cma, 529, etc... account.