BB&T has discontinued the old version of their Spectrum card which earned 3% or 4.05% everywhere for 90 days. A few weeks ago, they released two new Spectrum credit cards to replace the the old version, the Spectrum Cash Rewards credit card and the Spectrum Travel Rewards credit card.
Like all BB&T products, these cards are only available for those in the following states: AL, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV.
Spectrum Cash Rewards
- No annual fee
- No signup bonus
- Get 3% cash back on gas, 2% cash back on groceries and utilities, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. 2% and 3% Cash Back is earned for the first $1,000 of total monthly spend on qualifying Merchant Category Code purchases. After that, you earn 1% on everything.
- Get 10% bonus cash when you redeem rewards into your BB&T checking or savings account
Spectrum Travel Rewards
- $89 annual fee, waived the first year
- 20,000 bonus miles signup bonus (worth $200) when you spend $2,000 within 90 days
- Earn 2x miles on air/hotel/car rentals and 1x miles on all other purchases (unlimited miles available)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Get an $85 credit for TSA Pre✓ or Global Entry once every 4 years
- Annual $50 airline incidental credit each calendar year toward check bag fees, in flight purchases, and more
I can’t seem to find many details on redeeming rewards, but it’s probably similar to the Arrival+ and Venture cards with the miles being redeemable to offset any travel purchase shown on the statement.
“Enjoy flexible rewards you can use for travel, gift cards, statement credits and more. Plus, your miles are worth 75% more in value when redeemed for hotel stays.” Maybe hotel stays yield a value of more than 1 cent-per-point?
Our Verdict
The Spectrum Cash card doesn’t come with any signup bonus and doesn’t look too too interesting for regular spend.
The Spectrum Travel card isn’t particularly exciting, but I think a lot of people will find it interesting for it’s $200 signup bonus, and hopefully the $50 airline incidental credit can be useful as well. Doubtful the card will be worth keeping after the first year since there’s an annual fee beginning the second year.
Big thanks to reader Mark for sharing this
FYI Airline incidental credit works with United Travelbank cash. Charged $50 on 7/29, credited 8/1.
Was it automatic?
Did anyone use the $50 airline incidental credit? Did it work for gift cards?
I got this card because of the sign up bonus, and for the first time tried to use the points, it is not enjoyable. You can’t really redeem them online, or if you can I have no idea how. Also, I was on the phone for 30 minutes to try and book a hotel. I didn’t really have a choice of the hotel, more so I told them the city I wanted to stay in, and they told me who they were partnered with there (only had one option). The point redemption is about 1 point to 1 cent, which is fine, but they do not make using the points very easy.
Has anyone opened this card and found out the details of the “75% more in value when redeemed for hotel stays.” ? I would like to know what is required to get this extra 75%. Thank you!!
How easy is to get approved the card? Only $200 + $50 in value, but better than nothing I guess.
Honestly, it seems like BB&T just copied the BOA Cash Rewards card, and subbed out Wholesale Clubs in favor of Utilities. Also, FWIW, the BOA Cash Rewards card offers a $200.00 signup bonus right now v no signup bonus with the BB&T card. There’s a ton of great cards out there, but if we’re comparing apples to apples, I think BOA wins this one.
Has anyone used the $50 airline incidental credit? Does it work on any gift cards?
Thanks,
If not I will try soon
Did you have success?
i have a BBT regular spectrum 1% credit card and want to know if anyone knows if my card will automatically be converted to 3,2,1% card? i don’t want to close my card as it is my 2nd oldest open acc. thanks a lot. even though i am commenting as a guest ill check back for responses
FYI, there are no PC with these cards.
Anyone know what bureau they typically pull?
Equifax for me