Credit cards are an essential part of financial planning in the lives of everyday Americans. And the stress of getting a new credit card is completely unnecessary. So, Bank of America is offering a new way to apply for credit cards where you can quickly get started with everything you need right at home. It's as simple as possible, with the click of a button.
Officially, Bank of America is committed to a digital-first future. However, as it turns out, not many people know how to apply for a Bank of America credit card on the mobile app. With the app, it doesn't really matter where you are or what time it is as long as you have the Bank of America app on your phone.
This makes things much easier since you don't have to be on your computer to complete an application. Let me walk you through the features of the Bank of America app and how to apply for a credit card via this app.
- About the Bank of America Mobile Banking App
- Bank of America Credit Cards and How You Can Apply for Them
- How Can You Apply for Bank of America Credit Cards With the App?
- Security Pitfalls That Need Improvement
About the Bank of America Mobile Banking App
Bank of America is one of the largest commercial banks in the United States of America. It offers commercial banking services to the public for individuals, businesses, and corporate entities. Their personal banking services include savings and current accounts, debit and credit cards, mortgages, loans, auto loans, and investments.
The Bank of America mobile banking app is the bank's way of taking the banks within the bricks and placing them in their customer's hands. The mobile banking app sports basic features every customer needs to perform everyday transactions.
With this app, you can check your balance, review your recent debit card activity and find a branch or ATM near you.
Before the mobile app, customers had to visit the bank to deposit money. Now that the app is available, customers no longer have to go through all that stress to access pertinent banking services. It's all at the tip of my fingers, literally.
Main Features of the BOA Mobile Banking App
The first thing I noticed upon launching the app was that I could use fingerprint and face ID to log in instead of the manual username and password login. This means no more fumbling around with your password on a tiny keypad trying to log in to your bank. And that's something a lot of users appreciate. If you are like me, you also don't have to worry about forgetting your password.
Still speaking of security, the app lets you set alerts for different account-related activities. These include alerts for transactions over a certain amount, foreign transactions, and when your daily transaction limit is about to be exceeded.
Furthermore, I particularly enjoy the budgeting and spending tools that enable me to make more intelligent financial plans. Using my spending history, the app shows me where my money goes and allows me to set budgetary limits on each spending category. Other banking activities available include depositing cheques, making balance transfers, checking balances, and lots more.
Bank of America Credit Cards and How You Can Apply for Them
A quick click and scroll on the website revealed that Bank of America currently has twenty credit card products available to the public. They're categorized under cashback, travel rewards, airline rewards, lower interest rates, build credit, points rewards, and cards for students.
Customers can apply for any of them on the official website by clicking on the apply now buttons under each credit card section. However, as I scrolled through the list that seemed endless, it got daunting trying to read through all the information before making a decision.
I later found a preliminary credit card checker that could let me know which cards I was eligible for. Unfortunately, the option is placed at the bottom of the page, so it somewhat defeats the purpose at the time. Still, it's a useful feature that provides personalized credit card suggestions based on the answers to certain questions it'll ask you.
I tried this method and was pleased to find personalized offers within seconds of submitting the form. It's also noteworthy that using this tool to check my eligibility for the cards did not affect my credit score, so that's a plus.
Brief Comparison of Popular Bank of America Credit Cards
The Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a common, no-annual-fee card with 3% rewards on preferred shopping categories and a $220 bonus when you spend up to a certain amount.
On the other hand, the Travel Rewards credit card only gives you rewards on travel expenses and has a no-annual fee and no international transaction fee on eligible transactions.
Then there's the Premium Rewards Elite card with an annual fee of $550, the costliest card at Bank of America. The regular version of the Premium Rewards card charges $95 for annual fees. The difference between both cards is that Airline Incidental and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Statement Credits for the regular card is $200, while for the Elite, it's $500 and includes lifestyle statement credits.
How Can You Apply for the Bank of America Credit Cards With the App?
The website isn't the only route to apply for a Bank of America credit card. The bank also allows existing customers to apply for replacement and new credit cards on the app. If you have an account, the mobile app already has your basic information, so it's much easier to apply on the app than on the website.
First, download the Bank of America mobile banking app from your Apple or Google store. Then register as a user or log in with your details. Next, select the account you need for the credit card and scroll to the card management section.
There, you'll find an option that says "replace credit card." Select this option and follow the on-screen prompt. This route is for an already existing account for card replacements.
If you want to open a new credit card account, log into the app, and on the home page, select the "create new account" option and follow the on-screen instructions. Once approved, you should receive your new cards with the pin and instructions within seven to 10 business days.
Features of the Bank of America Credit Card
All Bank of America credit cards have the same basic features in addition to their unique offers and card benefits. For example, these credit cards give you access to online and mobile banking, contactless chip technology for on-the-go shopping, and account alerts for numerous situations.
Also, you receive a $0 liability guarantee that ensures that you aren't liable for any loss to your account resulting from fraudulent transactions that aren't your fault. When you'd like to make payments online, users can connect their credit cards to digital wallets belonging to Apple, Samsung, and Google.
When connected to your app, the credit card allows you to view your account transaction history as a bank statement. In addition, the app enables you to request your bank statements within the app. What's more is that it's completely paperless, as you're able to access the statement in the app and from your email.
Security Pitfalls That Need Improvement
As mentioned earlier, the mobile app has three main ways of logging in. First, there's the manual login option with a username and password. Then there's the less stressful option of fingerprint login and facial recognition login.
However, I noticed that two-factor authentication was conveniently missing from the login process. Two-factor authentication adds another layer of security by asking you to provide additional information to which only you would have access.
I understand that customers may complain that the process would be too stressful if two-factor authentication is included in the login process, but it is an important security measure.
Unsatisfactory Communication Channels Within the App
The Bank of America app has all the main features required of mobile banking apps in the modern age, except that there's no way to contact customer service within the app. If you have a security problem or would like to report a problem with your account or the app itself, you'll have to call the bank directly.
Other mobile banking apps from other banks have an in-app option, like 24/7 chat support, that allows customers to chat with a representative. The Bank of America app has a virtual financial assistant called Erica that suggests solutions.
If you're like me and like human interaction where my money is concerned with serious issues, then you may not enjoy dealing with Erica much. However, it's essential to point out that the virtual financial assistant is helpful for finding solutions to simple tasks and helping you fulfill transactions using voice commands.
Conclusion
At Bank of America, technology has made banking super convenient. This includes paying bills, making credit card payments, paying in cheques, and requesting a new credit card, all from the mobile banking app. To apply for a new card, you'll have to log in, select the account you want the card for, and scroll and select the "request a new card" option.
If all goes well, you should have your new credit card within seven to 10 business days. So, if you want free and convenient remote banking and credit card services, it's no longer out of reach. Head on to your app store, download the Bank of America mobile banking application and experience seamless banking from one of America's largest banks.
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