Mrs Flyer Jon just received her Accolades card. There's very little info about points earning. BofA CS don't know much either. I was told a more detailed package is on the way. Why don't they just send it with the card??

IMHO, based on our miles/points needs, this card is only good for free enrollment in Priority Pass. She's already a lounge member of AA and USAir with UA addition. Card should cover most airports with some overlap, especially in the US.

The advertizing stuff talks about free companion tickets, again, no info with card. It also mentions, hotel early/late check-ins and upgrades. Is this BofA card an American Express Platinum card in sheep's clothing?

I'll post more when I see the package.

It is my understanding that BAC employees (particularly those in the Global Wealth Management division) are being offered the Bank of America Accolades Card with a special priority code for identification. They do NOT need to meet the requirements to be a cardholder—minimum spend or clients of the Private Bank/Wealth Management until 2008 after which it is $30k annual spend or $200k in deposits or investments at BAC. Employees will not be subject to the annual fee of $295 until that time it seems.

Also there are different appearance versions of the card. It can be a tad customized.. It can say Bank of America only as we see in the photos, or it can also have “The Private Bank” underneath or “Family Wealth Advisors” underneath as well. Though, the color scheme is all black as we see in the card photos.

The companion ticket program is through Spirit Incentives, which also runs the Citigroup Chairman Card companion ticket program and travel agency benefit as well. It is not clear if Accolades has a travel agency department/benefit. Accolades does give a special number to call fro this benefit unlike Chairman which is 1 Number and they will connect you.

Priority Pass is available to the primary cardholder only as is the case with Chairman Card. [Thus ones spouse cannot gain admittance on his/her own as the Priority Pass membership is only in the primary cardholder’s name.] Apparently the level of Priority Pass is the Prestige level which permits unlimited visits and a $24 per guest visit fee. It is unclear if this will be charged if one brings in any guest including a spouse/traveling companion or immediate family members. (In my opinion and experience most US clubs allow immediate family members and do not charge for doing so whether or not you are Priority Pass or Member of that specific club.) It is not clear if additional cardholders on the primary account receive alternate account umbers as is common with AXP products.

The Rewards Program is the standard Bank of America WorldPoints program. No info on special category spending bonuses as with Chairman Card. And certainly no “flight points.”

Within 7-10 days of receipt of plastic one should receive a Welcome Kit – basically anything else you need except for plastic, credit limit info, rate info …..

Foreign Currency Transactions: T&C state a “1% commission” on the converted amount. Isn’t AMEX usually 2%?

I hope this add to the discussion.

I just applied and got approved for mrs.anaggie....got the special version....25k limit.....she gets the PP unlimited version.....

this way both of us have the PP cards...mine is with Chairman....

only way to apply is thru the premier bank and they call it in for you....it is not available to anyone at the branch.....

annual fee waived for my wife and me (authorized user)....

That is funny the booklet I got from my Private banker at BOA has this number to apply 866-745-6882. I posted it on FW and many people called up that number and applied over the phone and had no problem at all. Many of them got there cards even already. I posted that number on June 11. So you would figure everyone at BOA is well aware of that number or atleast anyone who has seen the printed booklets BOA is passing out.

Can someone clear this up please?
 

1. Are there different levels of the BofA Accolades card?
2. What are the benefits of each level?
3. What is the annual fee for each level?
4. What are the minimum balance levels req'd to avoid the fee? What type of account is req'd?
5. What type of Priority Pass is associated with each level?

When Citi raises the Chairman Fee to $495, I will consider dropping that card. However, I would like to keep the super-premium priority pass via a different card. BofA is interesting me because of: (a) no-commision trades for some accounts, (b) excellent online banking, (c) local branches, (d) tax-free core account. I have been a long-time Fidelity customer that uses Citi for everyday banking. However, I am starting to think that BofA > Fidelity + Citi.

1. No, there not differnent levels for the Accolades Card - benefits, rewards, fee etc.... You can get different writing on your card as I posted. Though I think it is up to your relationship manager to select that option on an internal portal site and furthermore based on your relationship- "The Private Bank" or "Family Wealth Advisors" though not "Premier Banking"

2, 3, 5 - Since there is only one level I guess there are not answers to those questions.

4. It is my understanding for non BAC employees that it is $30k annual spend or $200k in deposits/investments to 'qualify' for the card but the fee is still charged though it might be at your bankers discretion---I am not clear on this. BAC employees, I understand, have qualification waivers and fee waiver until 2008.

I hope this helps a little bit.

$100K waive the annual fee. $30K in spending or $200K unlocks the plus benfits. Simple as that. Annual is billed and automatically credited back if you meet any of the above requirements.

Plus Benfits include Priority Pass + access to 4 companion domestic tickets and upgraded insurance benfits which still are not primary renters car insurance but just have higher limits ie $50K for standard and $75K for Plus members.

Citibank offers sweep account too via SB FMA accounts except you need $500K vs $50K with BOA MRA to waive the monthly service fee.

Citibank will waive the annual fee on Chairman Amex but again it requires $500K vs $100K for Accolades or $200K to unlock plus benfits.

True. I missed that point. I should have just kept quiet!

well since I am in El Paso, I guess the roll out is slow here....there are no BOFA Accolades booklets laying around in the branches...nor does any of the managers/tellers/loan specialists have any info....

But this is El Paso where the avg income level is low and therefore not too many Premier Bank and PB customers....

I assume you live in LA...right DOLMAR....so therefore the info there is much faster than here....since I cannnot say what is going on in the rest of the country, I go by experience....

Companion ticket deal?
 

I've been following this thread, the Chairman thread and fatwallet's discussion of the new Accolades card and Chairman card.

I have the AMEX Plat and I have booked a domestic companion airfare ticket in coach with them and found that it was somewhat useful and justifies the annual fee for that card. Anyone know about what Accolades holds in terms of the companion ticket benefit? Is it coach, first, biz, domestic/international? I've seen a lot of varying details on it posted and would like to know if anyone has had any experience with the benefit? Would anyone have any idea if the companion ticket offer is useful or does it have to be in full-fare economy/biz?

Dolmar or anyone? It seems that from the threads, those with the card are as uncertain as everyone else about the benefits as the benefits package comes separate from the card?

also, does chairman only come with international companion free ticket as the brochure states? I'm assuming this has major restrictions as well? Thank you in advance.

I never seen this booklet in branch. I got the booklet sent to me via mail by my BOA private bank. I dont believe I am only person who got the booklet in the mail as it seems BOA mailed out the booklet to all there PB clients as my PB was not even aware of booklet when I got the booklet in the mail so I assume BOA mailed this booklet out to all PB customers at a min. Other people on FW has gotten the same booklet from there Premier bankers at BOA. I dont remember claiming the booklets were passed out by Tellers or sitting in the branches.

Yeah I am Los Angeles.

studentbecometeacher for Plus Cardmembers you get 4 Domestic Coach Companion Tickets. BOA is using Sprint Travel same service Citi PPE and Citi Chairman card use.

Thanks Dolmar and STAM4NICK. What are the core benefits? Do you have a link to a good description?

Guide to coverage

Cash Access by using ATM, Checks, or Emergency cash via Western Union
Lost or Stolen Cards
Protection from Credit Card Fraud (Legal Requirement)
Indentity Theft Recovery Unit(sm)- Assistane with ID theft
Extended Warranty- 1 year more
Retail Protection- Loss or dammage in 90 days or less
Best Value Guarantee does not apply to online purchases
Return Protection- does not apply to online purchases
Premium Concierge Assistance- through AXA
Complimentary Companion Air Tickets- 4 per year (Business, or First Class)
AMEX Worldwide Travel Accident Insurance- up to $1M depending on loss category
Emergency Assistance from AXA and from American Express
Worldwide Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance- This is secondary insurance
Trip Delay and Baggage Delay Insurance
American Express Roadside Assistance- through AXA

Enhanced Travel and Fraud Protection Benefits
Priority Pass(tm) Airport Lounge Access- Prestige Membership
Identity Theft Protection Program- www.bankofamerica.com/idprotect
Identity Fraud Expense Coverage
Enhanced Insurance Benifits.
Complimentary Coach Companion Air Tickets- 4 per year

Just got the new card, but not the benefits packet. I guess it will be coming soon. How does one enroll in Priority Pass? Do you have to call special number and enroll "physically"? Or it done automaticaly?

What are the first 6 digits of this card.