The MERRILL + Visa Signature Credit Card has a great sign up bonus available. The offer language makes it sound like it was intended to be targeted, but there’s already plenty of data points in the comments below (mine included) showing approvals, even without a relationship with Merril Lynch. The card is issued by Bank of America that completed the acquisition of Merrill Lynch in January 2009.
This offer will give you 50,000 points after $3,000 in spend within the first 90 days. The points are worth anywhere between $500 and $1,000 depending on the redemption. The card has no fee, which makes this bonus even better.
Lots of application are going into pending, and this is the number you would need to call BofA’s recon line at (866) 811-4108. The message you will see is “We’re sorry but we’re unable to give a decision at this time” but check the status of your application here to see if it’s pending.
Besides the sign up bonus, is doesn’t make much sense to keep this card in your wallet since it only earns one points per dollar. If maximized, that could be 2% back, but you could have guaranteed return of 2% or more with other cards.
Redeeming Points
You can always redeem your points for statement credit at 1 cent a piece, but that would be the lowest valuation for your points, making this bonus just $500.
You can also redeem your points for air travel with no restrictions. Redeem 25,000 Merrill Points for a ticket up to $500 in value (includes all taxes and destination fees including the September 11th Security Fee), but anything over that price would be paid with points at a value of 1 cent. So you maximum value would be on tickets that cost as close to $500 as possible.
That rate is available on American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Airlines & United Airlines. On all other airlines you need to redeem 30,000 Merrill Points for a ticket up to $500 in value.
Offer Details
- Apply here or here
- 50,000 points after $3,000 in spend within the first 90 days
- Earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases
- Spend $50,000 or more a year in purchases and receive your choice of a
- $200 Travel Credit that can be used on travel incidentals OR
- Complimentary Executive Delta Sky Club membership ($695 value)
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- No Annual Fee
HT: DoC & r/churning
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