Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

[stilllurking]

My FA keeps telling me I am unable to purchase TTTXX via MMF CMA account on any platform.

I am able to move cash into and out of the account, but they insist I am not able to purchase/sell the asset myself. I have to "call it in" which I feel is kind of ridiculous. Is this indeed true or do I have an uneducated team who doesnt know their own platform?

I’ve purchased many MMFs via ME and had no problems, including TTTXX. Is your account a managed one? I noticed there are some MMFs that ME offers that are only for their advisory clients?

[StayTheCourse60]

My FA keeps telling me I am unable to purchase TTTXX via MMF CMA account on any platform.

I am able to move cash into and out of the account, but they insist I am not able to purchase/sell the asset myself. I have to "call it in" which I feel is kind of ridiculous. Is this indeed true or do I have an uneducated team who doesnt know their own platform?

I’ve purchased many MMFs via ME and had no problems, including TTTXX. Is your account a managed one? I noticed there are some MMFs that ME offers that are only for their advisory clients?

It is on the ML side, and I would imagine it probably is managed. But it was created upon my request. It doesnt incurr any fees. Perhaps it should have been created on the Merrill Edge side for self-directed use?

[anon_investor]

My FA keeps telling me I am unable to purchase TTTXX via MMF CMA account on any platform.

I am able to move cash into and out of the account, but they insist I am not able to purchase/sell the asset myself. I have to "call it in" which I feel is kind of ridiculous. Is this indeed true or do I have an uneducated team who doesnt know their own platform?

I’ve purchased many MMFs via ME and had no problems, including TTTXX. Is your account a managed one? I noticed there are some MMFs that ME offers that are only for their advisory clients?

It is on the ML side, and I would imagine it probably is managed. But it was created upon my request. It doesnt incurr any fees. Perhaps it should have been created on the Merrill Edge side for self-directed use?

You can open an account on the ME side yourself online. I opened an ME account online myself, and I am able to buy/sell TTTXX myself online (website or via the app).

[StayTheCourse60]

Thanks! Thats what I kind of figured. I asked the FA to evaluate what it would take to allow me to buy/sell myself. Sounds like a new account on ME and a migration of funds is in store. It is kind of ridiculous why this is locked down on the advisory side. Seems like it should have been a simple lever. Thanks all!

[stilllurking]

Testing on my T-Mobile payment of $1.01 today. Will post back.

Please do share your results, I have T-Mobile as well.

I have a legacy T-Mobile plan. The test of the dollar payment is confirmed working on the Online Shopping category to get a nickel in my case. I’ll leave that as my new auto pay CC.

Excellent! My T-Mobile autopayment is later this week. I have a grandfathered Sprint plan, and never got any autopay discount, so 5.25% cash back is sweet!

Confirming, CCR using the online shopping catagory also got 5.25% cash back on my T-Mobile auto payment.

For anyone buying Verizon gift cards to pay a Fios bill, Online Shopping 5.25% category works.

[evelynmanley]

I am planning to go ahead with setting up a Merrill Edge CMA and then Preferred Deposit (100k). I already have BofA checking and savings accounts.

1. My Merrill rep says there are no bonuses available right now. Do you think it's worth waiting for a bonus? How often are they available?

2. I have the 100k in my Vanguard brokerage account. Before I set up the CMA, should I transfer those funds to my BofA account and then transfer to the new CMA? (Since there's no bonus, it doesn't have to be "new money.") Or can I just write a check from my Vanguard brokerage account (I have checkwriting set up already) and use the Merrill app digital deposit feature and deposit in the new CMA account? Or can we link our CMA account to Vanguard and do an ACH transfer? What's the safest approach?

3. I realize we have to call a Merrill rep when we want to set up the Preferred Deposit. That seems so dumb. Even my Merrill rep couldn't explain the rationale for this. Why do we have to do that? What does the Merrill rep do when we call?

I see we have to open a personal checking account in order to set up Preferred Rewards. I already have a business checking, personal savings, will have the CMA account, and now yet another account required for Preferred Rewards. Egads. So many usernames and passwords.

Thank you!

[zie]

I am planning to go ahead with setting up a Merrill Edge CMA and then Preferred Deposit (100k). I already have BofA checking and savings accounts.

1. My Merrill rep says there are no bonuses available right now. Do you think it's worth waiting for a bonus? How often are they available?

2. I have the 100k in my Vanguard brokerage account. Before I set up the CMA, should I transfer those funds to my BofA account and then transfer to the new CMA? (Since there's no bonus, it doesn't have to be "new money.") Or can I just write a check from my Vanguard brokerage account (I have checkwriting set up already) and use the Merrill app digital deposit feature and deposit in the new CMA account? Or can we link our CMA account to Vanguard and do an ACH transfer? What's the safest approach?

3. I realize we have to call a Merrill rep when we want to set up the Preferred Deposit. That seems so dumb. Even my Merrill rep couldn't explain the rationale for this. Why do we have to do that? What does the Merrill rep do when we call?

I see we have to open a personal checking account in order to set up Preferred Rewards. I already have a business checking, personal savings, will have the CMA account, and now yet another account required for Preferred Rewards. Egads. So many usernames and passwords.

Thank you!

1: I don't think there ever was a bonus for just $100k moving, so if that's all you're moving, I'd just move it now.
When you open your CC's you should be able to get a $200 bonus per CC you open. That's a pretty nice bonus

2: All of those options are fine, they are all equally safe, what is most convenient for you?

3: You can make an appt in person and bring your Vanguard check book with you, and then have your person open the account and setup PD for you all at the same time.

4. Use a password manager to save you the hassle of caring. I use 1password, but Bitwarden is also good, there are threads on here about password managers if you want endless discussion about them, but pick either of the 2 I mentioned for literally any reason and you will be fine.

[tj]

I am planning to go ahead with setting up a Merrill Edge CMA and then Preferred Deposit (100k). I already have BofA checking and savings accounts.

1. My Merrill rep says there are no bonuses available right now. Do you think it's worth waiting for a bonus? How often are they available?

2. I have the 100k in my Vanguard brokerage account. Before I set up the CMA, should I transfer those funds to my BofA account and then transfer to the new CMA? (Since there's no bonus, it doesn't have to be "new money.") Or can I just write a check from my Vanguard brokerage account (I have checkwriting set up already) and use the Merrill app digital deposit feature and deposit in the new CMA account? Or can we link our CMA account to Vanguard and do an ACH transfer? What's the safest approach?

3. I realize we have to call a Merrill rep when we want to set up the Preferred Deposit. That seems so dumb. Even my Merrill rep couldn't explain the rationale for this. Why do we have to do that? What does the Merrill rep do when we call?

I see we have to open a personal checking account in order to set up Preferred Rewards. I already have a business checking, personal savings, will have the CMA account, and now yet another account required for Preferred Rewards. Egads. So many usernames and passwords.

Thank you!

1: I don't think there ever was a bonus for just $100k moving, so if that's all you're moving, I'd just move it now.
When you open your CC's you should be able to get a $200 bonus per CC you open. That's a pretty nice bonus

2: All of those options are fine, they are all equally safe, what is most convenient for you?

3: You can make an appt in person and bring your Vanguard check book with you, and then have your person open the account and setup PD for you all at the same time.

4. Use a password manager to save you the hassle of caring. I use 1password, but Bitwarden is also good, there are threads on here about password managers if you want endless discussion about them, but pick either of the 2 I mentioned for literally any reason and you will be fine.

Whenever there were bonuses, 100k was always one of the tiers.

[evelynmanley]

I am planning to go ahead with setting up a Merrill Edge CMA and then Preferred Deposit (100k). I already have BofA checking and savings accounts.

1. My Merrill rep says there are no bonuses available right now. Do you think it's worth waiting for a bonus? How often are they available?

2. I have the 100k in my Vanguard brokerage account. Before I set up the CMA, should I transfer those funds to my BofA account and then transfer to the new CMA? (Since there's no bonus, it doesn't have to be "new money.") Or can I just write a check from my Vanguard brokerage account (I have checkwriting set up already) and use the Merrill app digital deposit feature and deposit in the new CMA account? Or can we link our CMA account to Vanguard and do an ACH transfer? What's the safest approach?

3. I realize we have to call a Merrill rep when we want to set up the Preferred Deposit. That seems so dumb. Even my Merrill rep couldn't explain the rationale for this. Why do we have to do that? What does the Merrill rep do when we call?

I see we have to open a personal checking account in order to set up Preferred Rewards. I already have a business checking, personal savings, will have the CMA account, and now yet another account required for Preferred Rewards. Egads. So many usernames and passwords.

Thank you!

1: I don't think there ever was a bonus for just $100k moving, so if that's all you're moving, I'd just move it now.
When you open your CC's you should be able to get a $200 bonus per CC you open. That's a pretty nice bonus

2: All of those options are fine, they are all equally safe, what is most convenient for you?

3: You can make an appt in person and bring your Vanguard check book with you, and then have your person open the account and setup PD for you all at the same time.

4. Use a password manager to save you the hassle of caring. I use 1password, but Bitwarden is also good, there are threads on here about password managers if you want endless discussion about them, but pick either of the 2 I mentioned for literally any reason and you will be fine.

Hi zie! I remember all the good advice you gave me last year in a different thread, so thank you again for that. A lot has changed for me because of a recent inheritance, for which I'm very grateful.

I thought there was sometimes a bonus with opening a CMA and/or a bonus for transferring a Roth and such. No?

What is a CC? I feel like I should already know this!

Good to know I can set up the CMA and PD at the same time with a rep in the branch office. The Merrill rep I met with today told me that I had to call another rep first in order to set up PD, which makes no sense.

I do use Bitwarden, like it a lot, but still I think that's a lot of separate accounts to deal with for BofA/Merrill! But I am trying to consolidate all my funds to Bofa/Merrill and close out my Ally, Vanguard, and Treasury Direct accounts at some point so my kids don't have to deal with so many accounts when the time comes.

Thanks again, zie!

[zie]

What is a CC? I feel like I should already know this!

CC = Credit Card. If you visit the BOA homepage (bankofamerica.com) you will see the $200 bonus offer on credit cards staring you in the face(at least it does for me).

It turns out I was wrong on the $100k bonus level, according to a recent comment, but it couldn't have been much of a bonus, since I didn't remember it. $200 per CC today vs who knows when they might turn on transfer bonuses again. I'd take the $200/CC and the start of great cash back today. In fact once a year now I wander over and get a new CC and get a new $200 free!

As for the PD, maybe it depends on how energetic the ME rep is? I know they can do it, but maybe your rep was feeling overwhelmed that day? Hopefully your rep is nice and energetic whenever you show up! I guess worst case you have to wander over again or call a few days later.

YAY for Bitwarden! Just think of all those other logins you get to get rid of!

Glad to be of help!

[need403bhelp]

What is a CC? I feel like I should already know this!

CC = Credit Card. If you visit the BOA homepage (bankofamerica.com) you will see the $200 bonus offer on credit cards staring you in the face(at least it does for me).

It turns out I was wrong on the $100k bonus level, according to a recent comment, but it couldn't have been much of a bonus, since I didn't remember it. $200 per CC today vs who knows when they might turn on transfer bonuses again. I'd take the $200/CC and the start of great cash back today. In fact once a year now I wander over and get a new CC and get a new $200 free!

As for the PD, maybe it depends on how energetic the ME rep is? I know they can do it, but maybe your rep was feeling overwhelmed that day? Hopefully your rep is nice and energetic whenever you show up! I guess worst case you have to wander over again or call a few days later.

YAY for Bitwarden! Just think of all those other logins you get to get rid of!

Glad to be of help!

Top bonus is $400 on $100k with the up to $1000 offer. I might personally wait a few months before moving to see if bonus comes back but that is me and I am more in bonus chasing stage of life now.

[Lyrrad]

I am planning to go ahead with setting up a Merrill Edge CMA and then Preferred Deposit (100k). I already have BofA checking and savings accounts.

1. My Merrill rep says there are no bonuses available right now. Do you think it's worth waiting for a bonus? How often are they available?

If you open now, you could try asking for a retention bonus if they start having bonus offers again. The choice could depend on how much you value having a Preferred Rewards/Deposit.

3. I realize we have to call a Merrill rep when we want to set up the Preferred Deposit. That seems so dumb. Even my Merrill rep couldn't explain the rationale for this. Why do we have to do that? What does the Merrill rep do when we call?

You should be able to set up Preferred Deposit online. I posted how to do so a week ago in this thread.

I see we have to open a personal checking account in order to set up Preferred Rewards. I already have a business checking, personal savings, will have the CMA account, and now yet another account required for Preferred Rewards. Egads. So many usernames and passwords.

My personal checking accounts are all under the same login. I can also use my BoA checking login to access my Merrill Edge account.

[WapelloHawk]

Used a CCR card set to online to pay for my ATT internet. Got the 5.25%.

[evelynmanley]

What is a CC? I feel like I should already know this!

CC = Credit Card. If you visit the BOA homepage (bankofamerica.com) you will see the $200 bonus offer on credit cards staring you in the face(at least it does for me).

It turns out I was wrong on the $100k bonus level, according to a recent comment, but it couldn't have been much of a bonus, since I didn't remember it. $200 per CC today vs who knows when they might turn on transfer bonuses again. I'd take the $200/CC and the start of great cash back today. In fact once a year now I wander over and get a new CC and get a new $200 free!

As for the PD, maybe it depends on how energetic the ME rep is? I know they can do it, but maybe your rep was feeling overwhelmed that day? Hopefully your rep is nice and energetic whenever you show up! I guess worst case you have to wander over again or call a few days later.

YAY for Bitwarden! Just think of all those other logins you get to get rid of!

Glad to be of help!

Thank you, zie. Good to know about the credit card offers. I'll keep my eyes on that. I emailed my Merrill rep about when ME might have another bonus, and he wrote: "Usually when you go on to the website and begin the process of opening an account or researching the account, bonuses are there. If I had to guess, the next time they might bring something back would be to start off 2024." I think it might be worth waiting 2.5 months just in case, since I'm earning 5.5% on Treasury bills in the meantime.

[evelynmanley]

What is a CC? I feel like I should already know this!

CC = Credit Card. If you visit the BOA homepage (bankofamerica.com) you will see the $200 bonus offer on credit cards staring you in the face(at least it does for me).

It turns out I was wrong on the $100k bonus level, according to a recent comment, but it couldn't have been much of a bonus, since I didn't remember it. $200 per CC today vs who knows when they might turn on transfer bonuses again. I'd take the $200/CC and the start of great cash back today. In fact once a year now I wander over and get a new CC and get a new $200 free!

As for the PD, maybe it depends on how energetic the ME rep is? I know they can do it, but maybe your rep was feeling overwhelmed that day? Hopefully your rep is nice and energetic whenever you show up! I guess worst case you have to wander over again or call a few days later.

YAY for Bitwarden! Just think of all those other logins you get to get rid of!

Glad to be of help!

Top bonus is $400 on $100k with the up to $1000 offer. I might personally wait a few months before moving to see if bonus comes back but that is me and I am more in bonus chasing stage of life now.

I agree with you. I mentioned above that I later emailed my ME rep about a bonus, and he wrote: "Usually when you go on to the website and begin the process of opening an account or researching the account, bonuses are there. If I had to guess, the next time they might bring something back would be to start off 2024." My funds are in Treasury bills right now, so I feel fine about waiting a while for a bonus.

[evelynmanley]

I am planning to go ahead with setting up a Merrill Edge CMA and then Preferred Deposit (100k). I already have BofA checking and savings accounts.

1. My Merrill rep says there are no bonuses available right now. Do you think it's worth waiting for a bonus? How often are they available?

If you open now, you could try asking for a retention bonus if they start having bonus offers again. The choice could depend on how much you value having a Preferred Rewards/Deposit.

3. I realize we have to call a Merrill rep when we want to set up the Preferred Deposit. That seems so dumb. Even my Merrill rep couldn't explain the rationale for this. Why do we have to do that? What does the Merrill rep do when we call?

You should be able to set up Preferred Deposit online. I posted how to do so a week ago in this thread.

I see we have to open a personal checking account in order to set up Preferred Rewards. I already have a business checking, personal savings, will have the CMA account, and now yet another account required for Preferred Rewards. Egads. So many usernames and passwords.

My personal checking accounts are all under the same login. I can also use my BoA checking login to access my Merrill Edge account.

That's a good idea about asking for a retention bonus. I'll ask my ME rep. And thank you for the other info!

[evelynmanley]

Used a CCR card set to online to pay for my ATT internet. Got the 5.25%.

Did you previously pay the ATT bill through BofA bill pay? All my bills are set up for payment via BofA bill pay. I suppose I would cancel that, then set up bill pay through ATT in order to put the charge on the credit card? Is it that simple? My only hesitation is that I've had my BofA credit card hacked twice over the years and it was such a hassle to have to change the card number for all the vendors I had set up for auto withdrawal.

[WapelloHawk]

Used a CCR card set to online to pay for my ATT internet. Got the 5.25%.

Did you previously pay the ATT bill through BofA bill pay? All my bills are set up for payment via BofA bill pay. I suppose I would cancel that, then set up bill pay through ATT in order to put the charge on the credit card? Is it that simple? My only hesitation is that I've had my BofA credit card hacked twice over the years and it was such a hassle to have to change the card number for all the vendors I had set up for auto withdrawal.

I have never used BoA bill pay, other than to pay the monthly credit card bill for our 4 BoA credit cards.

I previously paid ATT fiber internet through a US Bank credit card with one of the 5% categories set to "TV, internet, and streaming". With the CCR card now paying 5.25% for internet, I can change that US Bank category to cover another repeating expense. Changing a credit card on the ATT site isn't perfectly straightforward, but only takes a few minutes.

We used to have cards get hacked frequently too. But with advent of chips and tap, the hacking has all but disappeared.

[evelynmanley]

Used a CCR card set to online to pay for my ATT internet. Got the 5.25%.

Did you previously pay the ATT bill through BofA bill pay? All my bills are set up for payment via BofA bill pay. I suppose I would cancel that, then set up bill pay through ATT in order to put the charge on the credit card? Is it that simple? My only hesitation is that I've had my BofA credit card hacked twice over the years and it was such a hassle to have to change the card number for all the vendors I had set up for auto withdrawal.

I have never used BoA bill pay, other than to pay the monthly credit card bill for our 4 BoA credit cards.

I previously paid ATT fiber internet through a US Bank credit card with one of the 5% categories set to "TV, internet, and streaming". With the CCR card now paying 5.25% for internet, I can change that US Bank category to cover another repeating expense. Changing a credit card on the ATT site isn't perfectly straightforward, but only takes a few minutes.

We used to have cards get hacked frequently too. But with advent of chips and tap, the hacking has all but disappeared.

Good point about the advent of chips and tap. Thanks for all your info!

[tj]

Used a CCR card set to online to pay for my ATT internet. Got the 5.25%.

Did you previously pay the ATT bill through BofA bill pay? All my bills are set up for payment via BofA bill pay. I suppose I would cancel that, then set up bill pay through ATT in order to put the charge on the credit card? Is it that simple? My only hesitation is that I've had my BofA credit card hacked twice over the years and it was such a hassle to have to change the card number for all the vendors I had set up for auto withdrawal.

I have never used BoA bill pay, other than to pay the monthly credit card bill for our 4 BoA credit cards.

I previously paid ATT fiber internet through a US Bank credit card with one of the 5% categories set to "TV, internet, and streaming". With the CCR card now paying 5.25% for internet, I can change that US Bank category to cover another repeating expense. Changing a credit card on the ATT site isn't perfectly straightforward, but only takes a few minutes.

We used to have cards get hacked frequently too. But with advent of chips and tap, the hacking has all but disappeared.

What changed with the ccr for internet?

[sycamore]

What changed with the ccr for internet?

See this Aug. 26 post:

Good news for the CCR folks. More categories.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releas ... 06735.html

Interesting, will "Online Shopping, Cable, Streaming, Internet & Phone Plans" all be one catagory? That would be amazing!

Cable, streaming, internet and phone plans are now included in the "online shopping" category. Choose the category appropriate to your spending patterns.

[LadyGeek]

I merged SavingsHelp192837 's thread into the ongoing discussion. There were no replies as of today.

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

An individual's BofA Preferred Rewards balance is the average daily balance over 3-month period computed monthly. I was wondering if anyone knew what day of the month Bank of America does this computation and updates an individual'as balance?

(Thanks to the member who reported the post and provided a link to this thread.)

[lstone19]

I merged SavingsHelp192837 's thread into the ongoing discussion. There were no replies as of today.

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

An individual's BofA Preferred Rewards balance is the average daily balance over 3-month period computed monthly. I was wondering if anyone knew what day of the month Bank of America does this computation and updates an individual'as balance?

(Thanks to the member who reported the post and provided a link to this thread.)

It is calculated shortly after the start of the month. An average is calculated for each calendar month and then the last three are averaged without regard to length of month which overvalues days in February and undervalues days in 31-day months.

[Hyperchicken]

Average balance usually recalculates on the 3rd day of a month at 9 PM PST. On some months the update is delayed to the 6th day.

[moneywise3]

How do you find out when does the "new" quarter for rewards begins? Is it always Oct 1, Jan 1 etc? I think I'm missing out on rewards because I'm not timing my purchases correctly

[sailaway]

How do you find out when does the "new" quarter for rewards begins? Is it always Oct 1, Jan 1 etc? I think I'm missing out on rewards because I'm not timing my purchases correctly

It is true quarters: Jan 1, April 1, July 1, Oct 1. Unfortunately, there is no way to track it automatically, unless your statement period miraculously coincides with the beginning of the month.

[peke9898]

I am sure it is covered in this thread but sorry I cannot find ti easily. I am wondering if you can help. I received UCR and CCR credit cards yesterday and activated them. I want to set up to autopay from my Cash Managed account at Fidelity. How do I do that? TY!

[stilllurking]

I am sure it is covered in this thread but sorry I cannot find ti easily. I am wondering if you can help. I received UCR and CCR credit cards yesterday and activated them. I want to set up to autopay from my Cash Managed account at Fidelity. How do I do that? TY!

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

[peke9898]

I am sure it is covered in this thread but sorry I cannot find ti easily. I am wondering if you can help. I received UCR and CCR credit cards yesterday and activated them. I want to set up to autopay from my Cash Managed account at Fidelity. How do I do that? TY!

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

Very helpful. Thanks,

[spammagnet]

Slightly off topic but B of A now shows the ability to lock (and unlock) your credit card account directly on the details page. That's new, and good.

[KarlJ]

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

I also have two BOA CCs that could not be added after repeated attempts to the automatic bill pay of the Fidelity accounts. The resolution for me was the same as above that finally came after establishing the automatic bill pay within BoA to pull payments from the Fidelity accounts where I had previously established the links to pull from the Fidelity accounts.

[anon_investor]

Slightly off topic but B of A now shows the ability to lock (and unlock) your credit card account directly on the details page. That's new, and good.

I see this option now too on all 4 of my BoA CCs, very nice to have.

I also see the ability to lock/unlock CCs now in the BoA mobile app under the Menu "Manage Debit/Credit Card".

[vaylie]

Has anyone locked their CCs? I see that it doesn't affect digital wallet transactions and recurring transactions, so it shouldn't bounce my monthly comcast or t-mobile bills right? Is there a way to check whether a transaction is marked as recurring or not? What about paypal purchases?

[plmd]

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

I also have two BOA CCs that could not be added after repeated attempts to the automatic bill pay of the Fidelity accounts. The resolution for me was the same as above that finally came after establishing the automatic bill pay within BoA to pull payments from the Fidelity accounts where I had previously established the links to pull from the Fidelity accounts.

With interest rates so high, one good thing about pulling from Fidelity is that BofA (or just about any bank) considers the credit card bill paid on time as long as the payment is submitted on the due date, so if the due date is a Friday, and you pay the bill that day, the Fidelity account won’t show the debit until Monday at the earliest, which means you will receive an extra few days of interest.

The interest might not be all that substantial if your credit card bill isn’t very high, but I pay my estimated taxes using my BofA Premium Rewards, since I earn 2.625% cash back but only pay payusatax.com 1.85% in fees. I also try to time it so the charge posts right after the statement cycle closes, which allows me to keep earning interest in FZDXX for the entire statement cycle, for the entire grace period, and then for a few extra days before the actual debit from Fidelity.

[SteveInNJ]

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

I also have two BOA CCs that could not be added after repeated attempts to the automatic bill pay of the Fidelity accounts. The resolution for me was the same as above that finally came after establishing the automatic bill pay within BoA to pull payments from the Fidelity accounts where I had previously established the links to pull from the Fidelity accounts.

With interest rates so high, one good thing about pulling from Fidelity is that BofA (or just about any bank) considers the credit card bill paid on time as long as the payment is submitted on the due date, so if the due date is a Friday, and you pay the bill that day, the Fidelity account won’t show the debit until Monday at the earliest, which means you will receive an extra few days of interest.

The interest might not be all that substantial if your credit card bill isn’t very high, but I pay my estimated taxes using my BofA Premium Rewards, since I earn 2.625% cash back but only pay payusatax.com 1.85% in fees. I also try to time it so the charge posts right after the statement cycle closes, which allows me to keep earning interest in FZDXX for the entire statement cycle, for the entire grace period, and then for a few extra days before the actual debit from Fidelity.

Thank you for making me feel less like a psycho for doing the same

[anon_investor]

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

I also have two BOA CCs that could not be added after repeated attempts to the automatic bill pay of the Fidelity accounts. The resolution for me was the same as above that finally came after establishing the automatic bill pay within BoA to pull payments from the Fidelity accounts where I had previously established the links to pull from the Fidelity accounts.

With interest rates so high, one good thing about pulling from Fidelity is that BofA (or just about any bank) considers the credit card bill paid on time as long as the payment is submitted on the due date, so if the due date is a Friday, and you pay the bill that day, the Fidelity account won’t show the debit until Monday at the earliest, which means you will receive an extra few days of interest.

The interest might not be all that substantial if your credit card bill isn’t very high, but I pay my estimated taxes using my BofA Premium Rewards, since I earn 2.625% cash back but only pay payusatax.com 1.85% in fees. I also try to time it so the charge posts right after the statement cycle closes, which allows me to keep earning interest in FZDXX for the entire statement cycle, for the entire grace period, and then for a few extra days before the actual debit from Fidelity.

Thank you for making me feel less like a psycho for doing the same

I do the same, but I know I am a psycho!

[unmesh]

I am sure it is covered in this thread but sorry I cannot find ti easily. I am wondering if you can help. I received UCR and CCR credit cards yesterday and activated them. I want to set up to autopay from my Cash Managed account at Fidelity. How do I do that? TY!

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

Does adding Fidelity CMA to the BoA profile also help transfer money from ML to Fidelity? So far, I've only been bringing money into ML (using wire transfers) but will need to withdraw funds some day

[stilllurking]

I am sure it is covered in this thread but sorry I cannot find ti easily. I am wondering if you can help. I received UCR and CCR credit cards yesterday and activated them. I want to set up to autopay from my Cash Managed account at Fidelity. How do I do that? TY!

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

Does adding Fidelity CMA to the BoA profile also help transfer money from ML to Fidelity? So far, I've only been bringing money into ML (using wire transfers) but will need to withdraw funds some day

I think I had to set up the CMA in Merrill as well. You could also transfer from Merrill to BoA account too.

[bbrock]

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.

I also have two BOA CCs that could not be added after repeated attempts to the automatic bill pay of the Fidelity accounts. The resolution for me was the same as above that finally came after establishing the automatic bill pay within BoA to pull payments from the Fidelity accounts where I had previously established the links to pull from the Fidelity accounts.

With interest rates so high, one good thing about pulling from Fidelity is that BofA (or just about any bank) considers the credit card bill paid on time as long as the payment is submitted on the due date, so if the due date is a Friday, and you pay the bill that day, the Fidelity account won’t show the debit until Monday at the earliest, which means you will receive an extra few days of interest.

The interest might not be all that substantial if your credit card bill isn’t very high, but I pay my estimated taxes using my BofA Premium Rewards, since I earn 2.625% cash back but only pay payusatax.com 1.85% in fees. I also try to time it so the charge posts right after the statement cycle closes, which allows me to keep earning interest in FZDXX for the entire statement cycle, for the entire grace period, and then for a few extra days before the actual debit from Fidelity.

Thank you for making me feel less like a psycho for doing the same

I do the same, but I know I am a psycho!

I think DW classifies me as a psycho either way

[peke9898]

Does anyone knows how to pay estimated taxes using CCR? I want to use up $200 bonus on this card,

[tj]

Does anyone knows how to pay estimated taxes using CCR? I want to use up $200 bonus on this card,

Wouldn't it just be irs.gov/payments pay by credit card ?

[peke9898]

Does anyone knows how to pay estimated taxes using CCR? I want to use up $200 bonus on this card,

Wouldn't it just be irs.gov/payments pay by credit card ?

I do not know how the categories will work on CCR.

[tj]

Does anyone knows how to pay estimated taxes using CCR? I want to use up $200 bonus on this card,

Wouldn't it just be irs.gov/payments pay by credit card ?

I do not know how the categories will work on CCR.

I would not expect paying taxes to be a special category. I thought you just wanted to generate spend to trigger a bonus?

[peke9898]

Does anyone knows how to pay estimated taxes using CCR? I want to use up $200 bonus on this card,

Wouldn't it just be irs.gov/payments pay by credit card ?

I do not know how the categories will work on CCR.

I would not expect paying taxes to be a special category. I thought you just wanted to generate spend to trigger a bonus?

OK. Thanks. At least I will get my bonus.

[djheini]

Does anyone knows how to pay estimated taxes using CCR? I want to use up $200 bonus on this card,

Wouldn't it just be irs.gov/payments pay by credit card ?

I do not know how the categories will work on CCR.

I would not expect paying taxes to be a special category. I thought you just wanted to generate spend to trigger a bonus?

OK. Thanks. At least I will get my bonus.

Taxes won't get a category bonus (they're specifically excluded from the online shopping category, and don't fit into any of the other CCR categories). Best bet if you have one is to use one of the cards that earn a 1.5% base rate (Premium Rewards, Travel Rewards, Unlimited Cash Rewards) that gets boosted up as high as 2.62% based on preferred rewards tier.

edit: There is a possible workaround if you can buy "gift cards" that have a Visa/MC/Amex logo from a category-bonus earning merchant that you can then use to pay your taxes, though that's definitely more a YMMV proposition that involves more hoops to jump through

[anon_investor]

Does anyone know what happens with their affinity variant CCR is discontinued? I have a National Trust for Historic Preservation CCR variant, but I think BoA's partnership has ended, as my card appears to have been renamed in my BoA account to "Bank of America Visa Signature". Does it just become another plain red BoA CCR? The rewards section in my account still lists the 3%/2%/1% catagories and the ability to select my catagory.

[bbrock]

Wouldn't it just be irs.gov/payments pay by credit card ?

I do not know how the categories will work on CCR.

I would not expect paying taxes to be a special category. I thought you just wanted to generate spend to trigger a bonus?

OK. Thanks. At least I will get my bonus.

Taxes won't get a category bonus (they're specifically excluded from the online shopping category, and don't fit into any of the other CCR categories). Best bet if you have one is to use one of the cards that earn a 1.5% base rate (Premium Rewards, Travel Rewards, Unlimited Cash Rewards) that gets boosted up as high as 2.62% based on preferred rewards tier.

edit: There is a possible workaround if you can buy "gift cards" that have a Visa/MC/Amex logo from a category-bonus earning merchant that you can then use to pay your taxes, though that's definitely more a YMMV proposition that involves more hoops to jump through

3rd install $17k with the UCR.

[Eno Deb]

Does anyone know what happens with their affinity variant CCR is discontinued? I have a National Trust for Historic Preservation CCR variant, but I think BoA's partnership has ended, as my card appears to have been renamed in my BoA account to "Bank of America Visa Signature". Does it just become another plain red BoA CCR?

Yes. That's what happened with my WWF version some time ago. A little sad, because I liked the tiger on the front.

[bbrock]

Does anyone know what happens with their affinity variant CCR is discontinued? I have a National Trust for Historic Preservation CCR variant, but I think BoA's partnership has ended, as my card appears to have been renamed in my BoA account to "Bank of America Visa Signature". Does it just become another plain red BoA CCR?

Yes. That's what happened with my WWF version some time ago. A little sad, because I liked the tiger on the front.

It’s on my to do list to apply for a CCR affinity card, I think it was the Cal Berkeley one, but is it safe to they r doing away with all of them?

[anon_investor]

Does anyone know what happens with their affinity variant CCR is discontinued? I have a National Trust for Historic Preservation CCR variant, but I think BoA's partnership has ended, as my card appears to have been renamed in my BoA account to "Bank of America Visa Signature". Does it just become another plain red BoA CCR?

Yes. That's what happened with my WWF version some time ago. A little sad, because I liked the tiger on the front.

When your card expires do they just send you a plain red one? As long as it still gets the CCR cash back catagories it is no big deal, I can always find a nice sticker to put on my card.