Consumer complaint received 2025-01-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I applied for the Bank of America XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX card to take advantage of a very significant inflight promotion where spending {$1000.00} in the first 90 days would qualify me for free airline tickets and other significant perks. I was approved for the card. After activating the card, I attempted to make XXXX large dollar transactions. The first was {$330.00} at Fresh Thyme ( grocery store ) and this was declined. Later that day, I attempted to make a transaction at XXXX ( automotive repair ) for approx. {$550.00}. This was declined as well. However, in the middle of those XXXX transactions, I did get approval on a {$59.00} transaction at XXXX XXXX XXXX restaurant ). So in summary, the middle small dollar transaction was approved but not the XXXX large transactions that I attempted before the small dollar transaction. As a result, I don't have any other planned large dollar transactions to qualify for the promotional offers. This was a bait and switch and I have officially been denied the opportunity to qualify for the promotional offer. 

Additionally, I was never contacted to indicate there was suspected fraud on my account ( as evidenced by the fact that the middle transaction of {$59.00} was approved ). When I was at the point of sale for the {$550.00} car x transaction, I called Bank of America to inquire why my card was being declined sporadically, and was then told it was suspected fraud. They would not clear the fraud alert real time and I was told I needed to go into a local branch to present 2 forms of IDs. They explained that was because they could not send a authorization text to me because my mobile phone listed on the new account had to go through additional verification given the suspected fraud. At that time, I reminded Bank of America that I also have a checking, savings, and 2nd credit card all with the exact same contact information. They still would not clear the fraud and my 2nd large dollar transaction was declined.

After paying with another credit card ( non Bank of America ), I called in to ask specifically that Bank of America honor my qualified purchases so that I would earn the promotional benefits that were due to me, particularly since that was the only reason I opened up the Allways rewards card. I have more than {$10000.00} open line of credit on my other Bank of America card, however, I did not want to use that card because my sole reason was to qualify for the promotional offer. They would not help me. I then asked, if they could waive or credit my account for the cost of the annual card fee ( {$59.00} ) given this scenario. Bank of America would not do that either. 

I respectfully ask that Bank of America honor the details of the Allways Rewards Visa promotion since they declined my transactions in error. I attempted in good faith to learn any fraud alerts but they would not use available information from my other accounts to remove the fraud alert while I was at the point of sale. I also request a removal of the {$59.00} fee. I've asked Bank of America to acknowledge my complaint and resolution in writing since neither the rep, supervisor or manager would assist me via phone. Currently, Bank of America still will not clear the use of my phone number ( XXXX ) for authentication on this new account, although they can clearly see it is the exact same number on my other Bank of America accounts ( checking, savings, 2nd credit card ).

In short, I would like to be made whole for Bank of America erroneously denying me the use of this new account- which appears to be a ploy to not allow me to qualify for the new account promotions that are due to me. I would also like the inquiry removed off my credit bureau. 

Thank you for reviewing my compliant. Please contact me if you need any additional information or have questions about my summary description. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation