The National Association of Railroad Passengers Hotline reported on Friday that Amtrak and Bank of America will be discontinuing the Amtrak Guest Reward Mastercard.
We can still earn points towards Amtrak Travel using the card through the closing date for the May 2007 statement and the points we have already earned using the card won't be taken away from us. Questions regarding your current AGR Mastercard account are being referred to BOA rather than Amtrak.
The report also states that Amtrak is hoping to have a new Guest Rewards Credit Card offered by a different financial partner. Look for details in April.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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So, Amtrak is keeping the Guest Rewards PROGRAM; we are just going to have to switch to another card in May?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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YES - The Guest Reward Program is staying. Our travel with Amtrak and patronage of whoever the current partners are will continue to earn points towards Amtrak travel.
Just the partnership with the Bank of America (formerly MBNA) on the AGR Mastercard is ending. We can still accumulate points with our current AGR Mastercard until sometime in April, depending on what day of the month our statement which arrives in May closes.
Hopefully Amtrak will find a new financial partner to offer a Guest Rewards credit card. Frankly, that's where two thirds of my Guest Rewards points come from!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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As someone who has been disappointed with the policies of MBNA/BOA relating to billing and interest rates I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing, provided an alternate provider can be found.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Mr. Toy: As someone who has been disappointed with the policies of MBNA/BOA relating to billing and interest rates I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing, provided an alternate provider can be found.
Same here actually.
If it were not for the Amtrak points I would have closed my account with MBNA at least a couple of years ago.
I will be closing my now BOA account just as soon as my new purchases stop earning Amtrak points.....perhaps sooner.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I closed my BOA/AGR account last fall because of their outrageous fees and awful customer service. I really miss piling up thos AGR points.
BOA mailed me a statement so late that it was due one day after I received it. I mailed a check for the total balance the day I got the bill, noting the statement period end date was still a week away. I was still charged a $29 late fee on a $50 balance. In 45 years of banking I have never before been charged a late fee before.
When I called to politely express my opinion that this fee was excessive, I was told they are very strict about their fees. I then stated that their billing practices would probably influence me not to use their credit card in the future, and in a very rude tone I was told that was "up to my discretion".
I then contacted my other two credit card companies (Wells Fargo & Citicards) and asked them what fees they would charge in this situation. Both said $15, but considering my payment history and the late statement, the fees could have been waived.
I realize I could have monitored my statements online and/or made a payment by phone, but I feel it is the responsibility of the credit card company to bill me in a timely manner. My experiences with phone and online bill payment have left me with a preference for good old US mail. It is safer and less time consuming.
BOA's website claimed they would respond to e-mails within 48 hours and it took them weeks. I usually had to hold for twenty minutes or more when contacting them by phone. If the late fee had been more reasonable I would not have even complained, but $29 on a $50 balance that arrived 2 days past due because of their late statement -is simply a scam to make money. They made no attempt to keep my business, probably because I had always paid my full balance every month. This is not the kind of company I want to give my business to.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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quote:Originally posted by TwinStarRocket: If the late fee had been more reasonable I would not have even complained, but $29 on a $50 balance that arrived 2 days past due because of their late statement -is simply a scam to make money. They made no attempt to keep my business, probably because I had always paid my full balance every month. This is not the kind of company I want to give my business to.
No question whatever, Mr. TwinStar, some practices in the consumer credit industry today appear capricious. However, it is clearly stated in a cardholder's agreement that the burden is on the holder to assure the required payment is received by the issuer prior to its due date.
As I noted at another credit card topic we had here, the days of a simple 18% rate for all have been replaced with a series of "teaser" rates. These rates are fine for a disciplined and "endowed' consumer, and many such are "$$$ ahead" for having this pricing in the marketplace. But the issuers are betting that "the average consumer", even if the second, is not the first. Then it is time for an array of penalties and Tony Soprano interest rates to take effect. The industry has always had the 'average guy' cross subsidizing the "endowed and disciplined", but with their targeted rates and fees, such cross subsidy has been doubled in spades.
Sorry you got "caught"; for the quality of the postings you submit here at the Forum suggest you are a disciplined guy.
Disclaimer: author holds position in BAC
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I got my BOA Guest Rewards MasterCard bill today. I thought there might be some mention of ending of the affiliation but there was nothing. Has anyone heard directly from them about this change?
Frank in, they say, soon to be wet SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by sbalax: I got my BOA Guest Rewards MasterCard bill today. I thought there might be some mention of ending of the affiliation but there was nothing. Has anyone heard directly from them about this change?
Frank in, they say, soon to be wet SBA
I received a form letter in a separate mailing from Bank of America two days ago. Didn't tell me anything about the discontinuance of their participation in the Guest Rewards program that I didn't already know BUT they did assure me that I would otherwise continue to receive the same level of service I'd come to expect from them with my existing account.
Well.....they didn't exactly say that but they did say they were ready to continue serving me.
I'm thinking "Thanks but no."
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Notelvis:"BUT they did assure me that I would otherwise continue to receive the same level of service I'd come to expect from them with my existing account."
Was that a threat? There has been a discussion on trainorders where many have mentioned their awful customer service. That was also my experience.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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I've had no problems at all with the account. I pay the full amount due each month and have always had the bill by the 8th due on the 26th. If I'm not going to get GR points, though, there's no point in keeping the card. I'll probably keep it until they stop giving points and then cancel. Hopefully, by then, Amtrak will have found a new partner.
Frank in still dry SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by TwinStarRocket: Notelvis:"BUT they did assure me that I would otherwise continue to receive the same level of service I'd come to expect from them with my existing account."
Was that a threat? There has been a discussion on trainorders where many have mentioned their awful customer service. That was also my experience.
Could have been a threat!
While I've not had any unexpected or unexplained fees pop up on my Guest Rewards Mastercard, I did once have a really unpleasant conversation with a then MBNA sales representative who telephoned and just about demanded that I transfer a balance from my other credit card to the MBNA card. She would not take no for an answer and I decided then that if, at any time, their card stopped earning Guest Rewards points that I would close the account.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I got my letter yesterday. Reports are that Amtrak will announce a new credit card partner in April.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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Those of you considering closing/cancelling your BOA card when it no longer gets you AGR points should be aware that closing a line of credit will adversely affect your FICO score. You are better off to just cut the card into pieces & not use it - let the account remain open and unused.. (And of course, you do check your credit reports don't you?)
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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When I closed my BOA account last fall they just sent me a new card a month later. The old one was not near expiration.
The problem with just cutting up a card is they might charge a fee, then not send a statement in time to avoid a late charge, as BOA did with me. If I just quit using an account, I would still have the hassle of checking online every month to make sure there was no balance. And I would still get those stupid blank loan checks they keep sending.
When I reported BOA's practice to the state Department of Commerce, they said this was a common complaint, but they could take no action since it was a federally chartered bank. Had it been a local bank, they would have taken action. They recommended I close the account and get confirmation in writing, which I did. This also eliminates the hassle of erroneous charges to your account because you are relieved of the responsibility of reporting them.
I must admit I am of an age where a small variance in FICO score is not a concern. But if one opens a new account with a more reputable bank, and obtains an additional UNUSED credit limit, that should eventually result in a positive effect on your FICO score.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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I agree with TwinStar. I suspect that a fee will come along with the BOA card after they sever the relationship with Amtrak. Closing the account should have a minimal effect, if any, on my FICO score.
Frank who will be on #14 on Monday to San Jose.
(And it's still dry in SBA.)
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Another consideration is the "vote with your feet" concept. When a company behaves badly and gives poor customer service, you just take your business somewhere else. And you tell everyone. If enough people do it they may change their behavior.
Before I closed my BOA account, I checked with both my other card issuers (Wells Fargo and Citibank). They did not share the BOA policies I was unhappy with. I also found their customer service was superior and they were easier to communicate with. So I voted with my feet and went to their competitors. And I am telling everyone.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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According to the Wall Street Journal, BOA is now starting to aggressively market their credit cards to illegal immigrants (those who have no credit history or social security card). Nice to know their corporate strategists found a growth market more promising than Amtrak customers. That'll teach me not to complain about their fees.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Keep the cards, just don't use them. That's what I have done with my previous card after getting the AGR card.
AGR says they will be getting a new client to issue the AGR credit card, so stay tuned.
My experience with BOA has been pretty rotten because I am touchy about them selling my information (which I specifically opt-out of, like that helps) and putting the so-called credit card "access checks" in with every statement. I called their CS reps FOUR TIMES about this, listening to the usual disclaimer about how it will take four to six weeks for them to knock it off, and it has yet to work. I was about to report success (the dren-mail stopped for two statements, wow!) but then I got my most recent statement today, and the junk is back in there. Don't they care that anyone can crack open the envelope and write one of those stupid "access checks" and have instant access to your entire credit line? I guess it pays to only imply that you're paranoid about security like everyone else. No, I don't want to pay for your optional credit protection service for the twentieth time. My message to them: so long and thanks for all the AGR points.
Posts: 391 | From: Schenectady | Registered: Jan 2002
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I take that back. Cancel the cards one by one, at least six months apart from one another. That way the credit reporting agencies don't sniff sudden changes like you're trying to cut ties to your previous financial history. And with a stellar credit rating, I don't call having to lobby them to raise my credit line "great customer service." I love my (yes, 2001) pre-merger HP computer, we model Conrail on our model train layout, and now the AGR card gets cut out. Mergers have the little guy in mind, no?
Posts: 391 | From: Schenectady | Registered: Jan 2002
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