Fidelity AMEX 2% Rewards [NOT] converting from FIA to BoA [Updated]

I searched the forum and didn't see anything on this yet. I tried calling the number on the back of my Fidelity Investments AMEX card and the system didn't recognize my card number or zip code. Same thing once it rolled over to the (Bank of America) CSR, who was clearly confused. Instead of having him look into it, I said I'd go to the FIA Card Services website and call an alternative number. Same story with that number. This CSR knew exactly what was going on though.

Our Fidelity 2% AMEX cards (much like the dearly departed Schwab/FIA 2% card) are moving from FIA to BoA. The CSR sounded confident that the rewards structure is not changing but that new BoA cards will be sent to cardholders "some time next week". We shall see, I guess. BoA is obviously all about Merrill Lynch, so this is a bit odd, but I know that card servicing makes for strange bedfellows.

*****EDIT****:
As a follow-up, this appears to have only been some sort of random internal and temporary CS shift. They were using BoA's direct CS at the time (including a satisfaction survey from BoA after the call) but a call this morning again went directly to FIA's customer service. So, it appears the card is staying on that side of the house (and in 2% land!) and this was some sort of strange temporary phenomenon for them. Sorry about the false alarm!

Dangit.. I hate BoA.. Time to find another 2% card..

No kidding. As an introduction to what we're in for, I was calling them to give them a heads up about a large charge I was putting through, to be sure the fraud department didn't hold it up. He put a note on the account specifically for the fraud department and said it would be no problem. Not a minute after I hung up, guess who had put a hold on the charge and was calling! In their defense though, that may have all happened WHILE I was on the phone with the CSR. Either way, I can't believe both my 2% cards have gone over to BoA (and we all know what happened with the Schwab/FIA flavor).

Fia card has been owned by boa for some time. Look at the sites. It's basically the mbna site that boa bought and now uses for its cards including the Fia AMEX. Google "Fia boa" and you'll find more information. Nothing is necessarily changing yet imo.

When my Schwab/FIA converted over to BoA, it wasn't what I wanted but I thought I'd stick with it as it had the quarterly rotating 5% Cash Back program. So they sent an email for me to sign up for 5% off gas, grocery and drug stores. I signed up and used it on mostly those items for 3 months. Then I noticed I wasn't getting the 5%. Called them up and they said yup, you're signed up, made valid purchases, and don't know why you didn't get it. Then they said they would "open a request order for me to get the missing Cash Back". I've been waiting another 2 months now and still nothing. Don't know if I want to use this card anymore.

I just got out of an abusive relationship with Bank of America. I thought they said they wanted out of the co-branded business.

Fidelity AMEX is serviced by FIA Card Services which is owned by Bank of America.

tjguitar85 said:   Fidelity AMEX is serviced by FIA Card Services which is owned by Bank of America.

True (I forgot about that relationship from the Schwab conversion discussions), but there are definite changes afoot. Instead of being serviced at the FIA Card Services level/group, it's directly BoA now, hence the confusion when you call the number on the card or on FIA's website. Will know more when I/we get the new card (again, supposedly next week) but the CSR made it sound like a rebrand too. Admittedly, that part makes little sense.

MoneyOCD said:   HouseofG said:   dyam45 said:   Fia card has been owned by boa for some time. Look at the sites. It's basically the mbna site that boa bought and now uses for its cards including the Fia AMEX. Google "Fia boa" and you'll find more information. Nothing is necessarily changing yet imo.

We're not talking about the FIA (ex-Schwab) card. This is the Fidelity Rewards AMEX which has had no connection to BoA whatsoever up to this point. Try calling the number on the back of your Fidelity AMEX and see where that currently leads you (a confused automated system that won't recognize your number or zip).

I am not sure what are you are talking about (see in bold)
I opened my Fido 2% AMEX in January through Fidelity site and they gave me number to call for some verifications.
When I called, CSR said that I have 2 BoA cards that are idle and asked why I want another one. Said because of 2% Cash Back, they offered to close one of the cards and get full 10k limit applied to this new one - I agreed.
So point is that in January CSR have been already able to look at all my BoA accounts and even close one in order to open new one.

Yes, sorry, I corrected myself on there being no relation between the two in a later post, but I still believe there's some sort of fundamental change going on. If it were just the CSR's statement about these changes (since we know what happens when you rely on one CSR's comments!) or just the phone number/automated system changes I wouldn't think anything of it, but they seem to add up to something being afoot. Perhaps it has slowly been going on since beginning of the year. Don't know.

The ex-Schwab card never came up, so that wasn't it. I understand and somewhat share your skepticism. Wish I had another FIA card to see what happens if I call the number for that one.

You can still apply for those cards through Fidelity web site: Link

You think BoA CSR knows something Fidelity doesn't know about?

Why not contact Fidelity with your concern and see what they say?

Please please don't take away my Fidelity 2% AMEX. It's one of the few products/services out there that I'm happy with. That, and ING, which was taken over by Cap One -- I'm dreading the day that all goes to crap too.

HouseofG said:   tjguitar85 said:   Fidelity AMEX is serviced by FIA Card Services which is owned by Bank of America.
True (I forgot about that relationship from the Schwab conversion discussions), but there are definite changes afoot. Instead of being serviced at the FIA Card Services level/group, it's directly BoA now, hence the confusion when you call the number on the card or on FIA's website. Will know more when I/we get the new card (again, supposedly next week) but the CSR made it sound like a rebrand too. Admittedly, that part makes little sense.
BofA is selling their branded credit card business (FIA) to US Bank (story). I figured that the Fidelity card would move with it, but apparently there is something special about the Fidelity card (or Fidelity does not want to do business with US Bank) so they are staying with BofA. That is my combination of fact/theory.

As others have said, if/when Fidelity stops issuing the card, then we should be concerned about the 2% rebate. As it stands now, this is NOTHING like the Schwab situation.

JTFH said:   *FIA FIDELITY AMEX website looks like an FIA site, just like the old Schwab. Tell me again why people think it's a BoA site?
1) Because we're right?
2) Ever looked at the quarterly rewards signup sites for FIA and BofA? They are identical.

And the Fidelity and Schwab sites were the same FIA site.

billrubin said:   2) Ever looked at the quarterly rewards signup sites for FIA and BofA? They are identical. See that and we all know FIA is a subsidiary of BOA. That said, FIA good, BOA suck.

Cautiously optimistic at this point, probably wait until Fid quits promoting the AMEX before start hunting down another 2% or no fee AMEX.

JTFH said:   See that and we all know FIA is a subsidiary of BOA. That said, FIA good, BOA suck.
But they are the same. I agree that the Fidelity and Schwab cards had better service than your normal BofA card. Hopefully the level of service remains the same. Presumably Fidelity can do something like insist on US-based customer service as part of their contract with BofA.

I hope they redesign the look of the card. It looks so boring and bohemian.

This news could be very good for some. If Fidelity 2% goes to BoA, perhaps we can convert existing sock drawered cards to the Fidelity 2%.... Hoping!

billrubin said:   NEDeals said:   That story just says that FirstBank (actually its First BanCorp holding company) is buying the FirstBank credit card porfolio, which has been been owned by FIA (the ex-MBNA BoA subsidiary that BoA has used for branded cards).

It also says that FIA will continue to service the cards after the sale until 2013, to give First BanCorp time to get their stuff together, e.g. customer service center/loan officers/fraud department/etc.

It does *not* say that BoA/FIA is selling any other branded/unbranded cards to anyone. Just FirstBank.
You're right, I found the wrong story when I was looking earlier.

Here's the one that talks about US Bank buying FIA. As you noted, the one I posted today simply states that FirstBank took back their cards from FIA.

http://www.startribune.com/business/136024838.html

That article does not say that US bank is "buying FIA." Rather, it is purchasing a $700M porfolio of credit cards from FIA. FIA will remain a BoA subsidiary.

From the article:

[Branding and marketing cards with the names of other banks] is a business that Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America, looking to raise money, wants out of. Its card-issuing arm, FIA Card Services, plans to exit the agent bank credit card business by the end of 2012, although it will continue to issue other sorts of cards.

DaveHanson said:   NEDeals said:    But BoA brand --> FIA is a no go. I tried several times just to be sure. BoA is where my past great MBNA/FIA/BoA cards have gone to rest, but there is no escape back to FIA.

I was just now able to convert a BofA Merryl Lynch Accolades American Express card to a FIA Fidelity card (2% rewards, the "investment" flavor. The online chat person had me call 1.800.732.9194, and a the friendly, professional "Jessica" had it done within a few minutes.

Just got a letter saying that the product conversion would not go through after all...have to apply for a new card instead. Sigh.