Love it, hate it, Bank of America and Bank of Hawaiian Credit cards

I’ve heard at least a few incidents that be mindful to apply for BoA and BoH credit cards that Bank of America/Hawaiian may issue you a lower platinum plus or preferred card, if you don’t qualify for the Signature card, which offers only at minimal of 5000 miles/points. This sucks if it happens to you.

I list below three cards that luring most people.

1.     25,000 miles Alaska Airline
·       Earn 25,000 bonus miles after approval on the Bank of America Alaska Airlines card.
·       $75 annual fee NOT waived for the first year; 3% foreign transaction fee
·       $99 companion certificate valid on ALL fare types and in both first and business class

2.     Bank of America Hawaiian Airlines credit card - 35,000 Hawaiian Airline miles (or 70,000 Hilton points)
·       20,000 bonus Hawaiian Airlines miles after 1st purchase with Bank of America Hawaiian Airlinecard. 15,000 bonus Hawaiian Airline miles after spending $1,000 within 4 months
·       Hawaiian Airline points transfer to Hilton in 1:2 ratio, so 35,000 Hawaiian Airline miles becomes 70,000 Hilton Honors points
·       $79 fee NOT waived for first year; 3% foreign transaction fee

3.     Bank of Hawaii Hawaiian Airlines credit card - 35,000 Hawaiian Airline miles (or 70,000 Hilton points)
·       20,000 bonus Hawaiian Airlines miles after 1st purchase with Bank of Hawaii Hawaiian Airlinecard. 15,000 bonus Hawaiian Airline miles after spending $1,000 within 4 months
·       Hawaiian Airline points transfer to Hilton in 1:2 ratio, so 35,000 Hawaiian Airline miles becomes 70,000 Hilton Honors points
·       $79 fee NOT waived for first year; 3% foreign transaction fee

Love it?

1.      All three cards seem to be churnable, meaning you can get it every 3-6 months.
2.      Hawaiian miles can convert to 1:2 Hilton points which will rack up 140,000 easily by applying for just two cards, if you churn, you can get 400,000 points  and it’s whole week hotel stay in a dreamed resort anywhere in the world with your significant others (or your favorite in-laws if you prefer. ;-) ) by using Hilton’s VIPdiscounting redeem.

Hate it?

1.      YMMV, you take risk of being lowered to up to 5000 miles of each card
2.      Annually fee not waived first year

My Take

1. To me the risk of being low ball offer is a big thing, if you are willing to risk and unluckily being offered 5000~10000 miles, call BoA and they might upgrade you to the Signature card, however, YMMV.

2. The two Hawaiian cards is a quick way to racking up 140,000 Hilton points and I’d give a shot in my next app-o-rama and also try to churn in the near future.

3. to avoid being offered low ball, make sure your credit is excellent >700, check Credit Sesame for free of proxy score of Experian where most creditors will pull your credit.