Frequently Asked Questions

Credit card benefits

• How can I find the best rewards card for me?
• How can I spend or redeem my rewards points?
• What is the minimum number of points I need before redeeming?
• Where can I find more information on the WorldPoints® program?
• What are my benefits for MasterCard® and Visa® card?
• What are my benefits for American Express®, commercial and small business cards?
• What is The Benefit Information Center?
• Who is servicing my credit card benefits?
• How do I reach someone to discuss my credit card benefits?
• What is a benefits claim?
• How can I file a benefits claim?
• Who has access to The Benefit Information Center?

Credit card payments and statements

• How can I make a payment to my credit card from a Bank of America account or another financial institution?
• If I make my credit card payment online, when will my payment post to my account?
• How can I get a copy of my credit card statement?
• How can I check my credit card account balance?
• How can I pay bills with my credit card?
• How can I change my address, phone number, and email address?
• How can I stop receiving my paper statement?
• What are e-Bills?
• How will I know my e-Bill is ready for viewing?
• If I've chosen to receive e-Bills, how can I get convenience checks?
• How can I cancel my e-Bill?
• How long will my statement be available for viewing?

Credit card security features

• Is my credit card information safe and secure on the Internet?
• Can anyone else see my account information?
• What can I do to protect my account information?
• What if I think my credit card number is being fraudulently used?
• What do I do if I don't recognize the merchant listed on my statement?
• What is a credit card dispute?
• What should I do before I submit a credit card dispute?
• How do I submit a credit card dispute?
• What happens after I submit my dispute?
• What happens once my dispute is resolved?
• How do I check the status of my dispute?
• What if my credit card is lost or stolen?
• If my card is lost or stolen, am I responsible for $50 of the unauthorized charges?
• How long must I wait for reimbursement of unauthorized charges?
• What is Credit Protection Plus?
• What is Photo Security?
• What is Total Security Protection?
• What is ShopSafe?

Credit card fees

• What is a Late Fee?
• What is an Overlimit Fee?
• What is a Cash Advance Fee?
• What happens when my credit card is charged with a Returned Access Check Fee?
• What happens when my credit card is charged with a Returned Payment Fee?
• What is a finance charge and when does it occur?
• What late fees are charged to my accounts?

Can I access my Bank of America credit card account information online?

Yes. With this service, you can perform the following tasks at no additional charge:

• Get a summary of your current account status, including balance, available credit, and information on when your next payment is due
• Request up to 12 months of detailed transaction information
• View and print up to 18 months of credit card statements beginning with your November 2006 statement
• Download transactions for use with financial management software
• Make a payment online
• Contact customer service

If you applied for a Bank of America credit card online, check your application status online. You can also check the status of your application by calling us at 1.800.242.5722.

You'll receive your card within 10 business days upon approval.

The annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of credit on a yearly basis expressed as a percentage. It reflects interest rate plus any finance charges.

The periodic rate is a rate of finance charge that may be imposed by a creditor on a balance for a day, week, month, or any subdivision of a year.

The prime rate is a fluctuating rate of interest determined by an individual bank to use in pricing short-term loans. The Wall Street Journal's published prime rate is often used as the index in a variable credit line.

As a federally regulated bank, we are required to know our customers.  We ask for your country of citizenship as part of this requirement.

The Mini Card is a durable 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" companion card to your full-size Bank of America credit card. It works just like your full-size card and has the same account number, expiration date, and benefits as your full-size card. Learn more about the Mini Card

• You can pay off another account or consolidate your bills by completing an online balance transfer. It's fast, easy, and secure to do it online.

  If you are cash eligible there will be a Balance Transfer link on the 'Account Details' page. The link is located under the 'Special Offers' section. This will take you to the balance transfer request form where you can submit up to 3 balance transfers. You will get a confirmation page once you have completed the form.

  Please remember that it can take up to 10 business days for an online balance transfer to post to your account. Do not resubmit your request online. Please remember that the available credit amount may not include recent purchases, advances, or transfers. Transfer amount cannot exceed your available credit, so be sure to plan for applicable fees and finance charges when determining your transfer amount.

• You can also go to EasyBT.com to securely submit up to 3 balance transfers if you are not enrolled in Online Banking.

Yes, you can make transfers from your personal credit card to your linked checking or savings account. Transfers from your credit card will be treated as a cash advance and may incur transaction fees. Please see your Credit Card Agreement for more details.

For more information go to the Transferring Funds link under the Online Banking FAQ section.

You won't receive a confirmation number, but you'll know your balance transfer request has been successfully submitted by the confirmation page that displays once you complete the form.

Remember that it can take up to 10 business days for an online balance transfer to post to your account. Please do not resubmit your request online. Your available credit amount may not include recent purchases, advances or transfers. Your balance transfer amount cannot exceed your available credit, so be sure to plan for applicable fees and finance charges when determining your transfer amount.

You can make payments from your Bank of America credit card to a limited group of merchants in Bill Pay. You cannot use your Bank of America credit card to make payments on your Bank of America loans or lines of credit. Bill payment transactions made with your Bank of America credit card will not earn rewards or points and have limited dispute rights, such as whether the payment was actually made. You cannot dispute the goods or services already purchased.

How can I find the best rewards card for me?

Choose directly from our rewards credit cards designed to meet a variety of needs. Or select the features you want by using our Credit Card Finder.

You may redeem your rewards points online or by phone. Easily check your rewards points balance and cash in or redeem your rewards points online when you sign in to Online Banking and select:

1. Your credit card account
2. Rewards tab
3. enroll nowin Online Banking, if you haven't already used the Online Banking service

Begin redeeming your points with a minimum of 2,500 points. To check your balance and redeem your points, sign in to our sign in toOnline Banking Service and select:

1. Your credit card account
2. Rewards tab

Visit bankofamerica.com/worldpoints to learn more about the WorldPoints® program, including additional benefits, participating merchandisers and easy steps for redeeming rewards.

Bank of America has worked with our credit card benefits partner, Affinion, to develop and implement the following self-servicing tool that customers can use to view all their credit card benefit information:

The Benefit Information Center
www.benefitinformationcenter.comAccess The Benefit Information Center

Please have your credit card account number handy, as you will need to enter the first 10 digits to access this site. Benefits can be displayed in either English or Spanish.

Refer to the terms and conditions of the agreement that you received with your credit card. Alternatively, you can call the number on the back of your credit card.

The Benefit Information Center is a central location for information about your MasterCard and Visa card benefits. All benefits are displayed, including contact information (phone numbers, hours of operation, etc.). All benefits provided by Affinion will display the terms and conditions, as well as a printable claim form.

We have a Bank of America approved, third party benefit provider who will service your credit card benefits directly.

You can call 1.800.678.0768, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, or Saturday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, to confirm all benefits, speak to someone regarding a specific benefit or file a benefits claim.

You can file a benefits claim for lost luggage, travel, purchase replacement, price protection and purchase guard.

Call 1.800.678.0768 to file a claim.

Only MasterCard and Visa consumer credit card customers have access to The Benefit Information Center. American Express, commercial and small business card benefit information is not provided on this site. Please contact your credit card benefit provider for the benefit information.

How can I make a payment to my credit card from a Bank of America account or another financial institution?

You have 4 options to pay your Bank of America credit card:

1. Drop Off Payment

   You can make payments at any Bank of America banking center. Find the banking center most convenient to you.
   
   

2. Pay By Phone

   If you elect to pay by phone, please call 1.800.236.6497.
   

   Note: There is no fee to make a payment by phone using a Bank of America account. However, there is a $15.00 fee if you use an account from another financial institution to make a payment by phone.

3. Online

   There are several easy ways to make payments to your Bank of America credit card in Online Banking.
   You can go to the Bill Pay tab and fund payments from your Bank of America checking account, or a checking or money market account you have at another bank.
   You can also go to the Transfers tab and transfer money from your Bank of America checking or savings account to your credit card.

4. Mail Payment

   To mail us a payment, please use one of the mailing addresses listed below:
   
   

   Consumer Card payments:

   
     Up-to-date payments:   Bank of America
                                        P.O. Box 15019
                                        Wilmington, DE 19850–5019
   
     Late payments:             Bank of America
                                        P.O. Box 15137
                                        Wilmington, DE 19850–5137
   
     Overnight delivery:       Bank of America
                                        Attn: Payment Processing
                                        1000 Samoset Drive
                                        Wilmington, DE 19884–2332
   
   

   Business Card Payments:

   
     All payments:                Bank of America Business Card
                                         P.O. Box 15710
                                         Wilmington, DE 19886–5710
   
   

• If you pay your personal Bank of America credit card account from a Bank of America checking or savings account any funds transferred as a payment to the credit card account before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, including weekends and holidays, will be credited with the date the payment is made. However, updates to account balances and funds availability may take up to 2 bank business days.
• If you pay your personal Bank of America credit card from a checking or savings account with another financial institution, your payment will be requested as an electronic transfer within 24 hours from the time you submit it online. A debit will appear on your checking account and on your credit card statement online within 2 business days.

You will be able to view your credit card statements online beginning with your November 2006 statement. Go to Account Details, then My Statements to view them. You can also suppress your paper statement if you like.

For fast and convenient self-service, view your account balance online at no additional charge. With this service, you can:

• Get a summary of your current account status, including balance, available credit and information on when your next payment is due
• Request up to 12 months of detailed transaction information
• Download transactions for use with financial management software
• Make a payment online
• Contact customer service

You can change your address, phone number and e-mail address online through the customer service menu in Online Banking. To change your address, phone number, or e-mail address by mail, follow the instructions on the back of your statement. Generally, you can expect to have your information updated within 24 hours from the time you submit your request.

If you're enrolled in Online Banking, choose Stop/Start Receiving Paper Statements from the Customer Service page. You will be able to view your statements online beginning with your November 2006 statement.

e-Bills are electronic versions of your paper bills you can receive through Online Banking.

Every time an e-Bill is presented on your account, you'll receive an e-mail notice that your e-Bill is available to view online. The notice will be sent to the external e-mail address you provided during enrollment and includes a "Sign In to Online Banking" button. After clicking that button, enter your ID and passcode to view and pay your bill online.

Sign in to Online Banking and choose the Customer Service tab to order convenience checks.

Sign in to Online Banking and follow the instructions to cancel e-Bill service. You can also contact customer service at one of the numbers below.

• Within the U.S., call 1.800.732.9194
• If you're calling from outside the U.S., dial the AT&T Direct access code for the country you're in and dial 1.888.801.3723. You can also call us collect at 1.757.677.4701.

You can view e-Bill statements in Online Banking for six months.

Is my credit card information safe and secure on the Internet?

Yes.your credit card information is safe and secure online. Learn more about security.

No, nobody else can see your account information. Only you can access it using your personal ID and passcode. Unless you share your ID and passcode, no one can access your account information online.

It is extremely important that you treat your online passcode with the same level of protection as you treat your ATM PIN. Do not share your passcode with anyone unless you want them to have access to your accounts. Memorize your passcode; do not write it down.

Protect your ID and passcode. Make sure no one can see your passcode as you sign on and sign off. Total Security Protection® represents a new standard in credit and Check Card security.You can also request a Photo Security Check Card or Photo Security Credit Card.

These few tips can help ensure the privacy of your account information:

• Do not write your ID or passcode in the same place or leave those numbers where someone sitting at your computer can see them.
• You should never reveal your online Passcode to anyone. No Bank of America representative will ever ask you for your online passcode.
• Notify Bank of America immediately if you notice any unusual account activity.
• Keep all documents that include your account information in a secure location, including monthly account statements and especially your online passcode.

Many times a single unauthorized charge is found to be a merchant error. Simply contacting the merchant might resolve the error quickly. However, if you think your credit card number is being fraudulently used, call customer service at 1.800.427.2449 as soon as possible. If you're calling from outside the U.S., call us collect at 1.302.738.5719.

Some merchants may bill under a name other than their operating name or bill from a state different from where you made your purchase. If you still have questions about the transaction, please contact the merchant directly.

If you believe that a credit card transaction has been posted to your account in error, you may submit a credit card dispute. You must write to us within 60 days of the statement date on which the transaction appears. On your behalf, we will research the transaction with the merchant and their bank and contact you with the results. We will do everything we can to help resolve a dispute in a timely and thorough manner.

When you submit a written dispute of a credit card transaction, you do not have to pay any questioned amount. If the transaction was posted in error, we will correct your account. If the transaction was not posted in error, we will inform you of the amount you owe including any interest or fees occurring during the disputed period of time.

Before you submit your dispute, always check first with the merchant you made the transaction with. Often times, disputes can be resolved by contacting the merchant directly. If the merchant is able to resolve the matter, you will normally see your account credited the charge within 30 days. However, if this is not resolved, you may want to initiate a dispute.

To dspute a credit card transaction, please use the form provided on the back of your credit card billing statement or write us on a separate sheet of paper at:

Attn: Billing Inquiries
P.O. Box 15026
Wilmington, DE 19805

Write to us as soon as possible. Do not send the notice on or with your payment. We must hear from you no later than 60 days after we sent you the first bill on which the transaction or error appeared. You can call us, but doing so will not preserve your rights. In your letter give us the following information:

• Your name and account number
• The dollar amount of the suspected error
• The posting date of the transaction
• A description of the error and an explanation of why you believe there is an error.

After we create your case, we may need to contact the merchant and their bank regarding the disputed transaction. In some cases, we may contact you again via U.S. Mail if more information is needed. We process disputes according to billing error procedures that are governed by federal law and outlined in your credit card agreement. You can expect your case to be acknowledged in no later than 30 days. Your case should be resolved within 90 days, if not sooner.

After we have finished thoroughly researching your dispute, we will contact you with the details via U.S. Mail. If the transaction was posted in error, we will remove the charge, interest or any fees that may have occurred. If the transaction was not made in error, we will notify you in writing why the transaction is valid and inform you of the amount you owe.

For personal credit card accounts, call Credit Card Customer Service at 1.866.266.0212 within the U.S., or 1.302.738.5719 if you are outside of the U.S.

For business credit card accounts, call 1.888.449.2273 within the U.S., or 1.602.597.4438 if you are outside of the U.S.

If your card is lost or stolen, you should immediately report this to Bank of America and notify all of the participating merchants with whom you've set up automatic bill payments. Once Bank of America issues you a new card, you'll need to reestablish automatic bill payments with your new card at the participating merchants.

• Credit cards: Please call us at 1.800.732.9194 as soon as you discover your credit card is missing. If you're calling from outside the U.S., call us collect at 1.757.677.4701.
• Check Cards: Please call us at 1.800.848.6090 as soon as you discover your check card is missing. If you're calling from outside the U.S., call us collect at 1.315.724.4022.
  

We'll cancel your card and issue a replacement immediately. You won't be liable for any fraudulent purchases or withdrawals from your account when you notify us promptly.

No, you will not be responsible for unauthorized card transactions if they're reported promptly. Bank of America offers Zero Liability if your card is ever lost or stolen

If your card is lost or stolen, your account will be credited promptly, often as soon as the end of the next day, for unauthorized transactions if your card is used fraudulently. (Claim is subject to verification and dollar limit.)

Credit Protection Plus¹™ plan is an optional feature that can credit your Bank of America credit card account up to 18 Monthly Benefit Amounts² in the event of:

• Involuntary Unemployment
• Disability
• Hospitalization
• Unpaid Family Leave of Absence
• Or up to $25,000, in the event of Death

Learn more about Credit Protection Plus.

The free Photo Security feature lets you put your photo on your credit card for identification purposes that provide even more protection. Learn more about Photo Security

Total Security Protection represents a new standard in credit and Check Card security, giving you greater defense against theft, loss or unauthorized use, even if you use your card online. It's automatically available for free on all Bank of America consumer credit and Check Cards.

The ShopSafe® service allows you to create a unique, temporary card number each time you're ready to make an online purchase. This number links directly to your real credit card account number but keeps your card number completely private and completely protected. The ShopSafe number is used just like a credit card account number - a merchant never knows it's not your real credit card account number. To get the ShopSafe service, sign in to Online Banking and choose "Use ShopSafe" from your Account Activity screen.

What is a Late Fee?

A late fee is assessed if the Total Minimum Payment Due is not received by the Payment Due Date shown on your statement.

An overlimit fee is assessed if your account balance exceeds your credit line at any time during your billing cycle.

A transaction fee may be assessed when making certain cash advance or balance transfer transactions. For example:

• Bank Cash Advance
• ATM Cash Advance
• Access Check
• Balance Transfer
• Direct Deposits

A transaction fee will also be charged if you have overdraft protection on a deposit account that is tied to your credit card.

For fee amounts please refer to your credit account agreement.

A Returned Access Check Fee may be charged if we return an Access Check unpaid for any reason such as if you exceed your available credit.

A Returned Payment Fee is assessed if a payment on your account is returned for insufficient funds or for any other reason, even if it is paid upon subsequent presentment.

Finance charges include interest and transaction fees on your credit card account. If your credit card account has a grace period on purchases and you pay the balance in full every month by the payment due date, then you will not pay interest on those purchases. By paying the entire balance due, not just a part of it, you'll be taking advantage of the grace period on purchases. If you pay less than the full balance, or your credit card account has no grace period, then there is no grace period at all and your entire credit card balance accrues interest. Please note, cash advances and balance transfers have no grace period, so even if you pay your balance in full every month, you will pay interest on outstanding cash advances and balance transfers.

To avoid any late fees, please review this summary of fees to learn which fees may apply to your accounts.