Frequently Asked Questions

You can request your card online or call us at:

California 1.800.622.8731
Idaho/Washington 1.800.442.6680
Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island,
New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Connecticut: 1.800.841.4000
All other states 1.800.432.1000

Yes. You can convert your existing ATM card to a Check Card at no charge. Simply request your card online or call us at 1.800.622.8731.

Please contact us immediately at:

California 1.800.622.8731
Idaho/Washington 1.800.442.6680
Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island,
New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Connecticut: 1.800.841.4000
All other states 1.800.432.1000

Adding additional accounts to your card is easy. Please call us:

California 1.800.622.8731
Idaho/Washington 1.800.442.6680
Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island,
New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Connecticut: 1.800.841.4000
All other states 1.800.432.1000

To activate your Check Card, just use your card with your current PIN at any Bank of America ATM. Your card will activate automatically.

Your Bank of America Check Card does everything an ATM card can do and more. It's accepted at all Bank of America ATM locations, and you can also use it to purchase goods and services everywhere that Visa® Check cards are accepted. If you have a Check Card, you don't need to carry your ATM card.

You can use your Check Card everywhere Visa® Check cards are accepted, just like a credit card. However, your Check Card is not a credit card, so you don't pay finance charges. We deduct each purchase amount from your Bank of America checking account and list the details on your monthly statement.

Please contact us immediately if you realize that your card is missing or if you notice any unauthorized transactions. This is the best way to minimize your potential losses. You may not be responsible for unauthorized card transactions that are reported promptly. Please call:

Within the United States 1.800.848.6090 Internationally Use the International 800 Access code from your country of origin

Your options may differ depending on the merchant. Some merchants may require a signature (such as many restaurants), while others may offer you the option of 'Credit' or 'Debit/ATM' when processing your purchase. Usually, if you select 'Credit', you will sign a receipt to authorize your purchase. If you select 'Debit/ATM', you will use your PIN.

Whether you select 'Credit' or 'Debit/ATM', the purchase amount will be deducted from your Bank of America checking account. Generally, there is no transaction fee for either type of transaction. (Merchants may charge a fee)

There are no transaction fees for using your Check Card to make purchases. However, fees may still apply when used at a non-Bank of America ATM. (Merchants may charge a fee)

You can get these services at any Bank of America ATM across the country and at many ATM networks worldwide. Fees may apply for these services at non-Bank of America ATMs.

When you use your check card for a purchase and do not enter a PIN, the merchant will request an approval or an "authorization" for the transaction. This authorization generally confirms that an account is open and the purchase amount is acceptable at the time of the request. The purchase amount sent by the merchant for authorization varies by merchant type. Many merchants request an authorization for the exact purchase amount. However, some merchants may send a nominal amount such as $1 or an estimate that is more or less than the actual purchase amount. Each authorization will show as a pending transaction. When the transaction is presented to the bank, the actual purchase amount is deducted from your account, usually within two to three business days. If the authorization is not matched with an actual purchase within three business days, the transaction will no longer be displayed as pending on your account.

An authorization may vary from the final purchase amount in situations where there is an estimated authorization amount or a tip is involved.
Example: At a restaurant, an authorization is requested prior to a tip being added. The final purchase amount will include the tip. Some restaurants will estimate a tip amount in the authorization dollar amount; thus your purchase and authorization amount would vary only slightly.
Example: At the gas pump, an initial authorization is requested prior to dispensing fuel and determining the final amount of the purchase. Many pay-at-the-pump gas purchases are initially authorized for $1 no matter the final purchase amount.
Example: At a hotel, an authorization in the amount equal to the entire stay plus an estimated amount for incidentals may be made. This can also be true of cruise lines and car rental companies.

A PIN-based transaction requires you to enter your PIN (Personal Identification Number) into the merchant keypad at the point of sale. Signature transactions generally require your signature. A signature may not be required for a certain pinless transactions, such as Internet purchases, mail order purchases and pay-at-the-pump gas purchases.

It may take several business days for the actual purchase amount to replace the pending transaction amount on your account. The pending transaction reduces your available balance. The pending transaction is generally replaced when the final purchase amount is deducted from your account within three business days. If the pending amount is not matched with an actual purchase amount within three business days, the pending transaction will be removed from your account.

If you see that there appears to be an error on your pending transaction history, please contact us.

When you swipe your card at the gas pump, the station generally requests an authorization to confirm that your account is open and active. Many authorization amounts for pay-at-the-pump gas purchases are set at $1.

Restaurants and styling hair salons may add an estimated tip to the transaction total when requesting an authorization. Because of this practice, your final purchase amount may vary from the authorized pending amount.

Hotels are allowed to request an authorization for an amount based on your length of stay, applicable taxes, plus additional expected dollar amount(s). Cruise lines and car rental companies may also follow this practice. Upon making your reservation, you may want to ask for the total amount of the authorization.

Yes, you can order an airline Check Card while applying for a checking account. Choose from US Airways and Alaska Airlines Check Cards and earn miles when you use the card.

Yes. Each airline Check Card has an annual fee of only $30.

No. There are no credit requirements. All you need is a Bank of America checking account to get an airline Check Card and start earning miles.

You'll earn one mile for every $2 spent on purchases (not including ATM transactions, over the counter cash transactions, or cash back amounts at point of sale). Depending on the card you choose, you can earn bonus miles for your first purchase, extra miles on airline ticket purchases, and anniversary miles.

You'll receive a statement from the airline on a monthly or quarterly basis. Please contact the airline for details:

Alaska Airlines 1.800.654.5669
US Airways 1.800.428.4322

You can review all of your transactions online with Online Banking and can contact us by e-mail. If you have a particular question regarding a transaction and would like to speak to us directly, please call the number on the back of your airline Check Card.

All you need to do is contact the airline:

Alaska Airlines 1.800.654.5669
US Airways 1.800.428.4322

Currently, the airline Check Card is not available for business accounts. However, the miles you earn can be redeemed for business or personal travel.