Update: this is now expired; the application link was taken down around 5 PM on March 31.
We have covered the Merrill+ extensively here, so I won’t go into detail about the offer again. If you would like to read more about this offer, please consult our original article about the offer and a followup article about the offer. If you would like to read a review of the card, you can view that here, and a guide to maximizing Merrill points by redeeming for flights can be found here.
Contents
The Offer
Direct link to offer. Nota bene: reddit user polisk confirmed this link will submit an application, but reddit user brainvictim ran into the usual problem of the application erroring out. You may need to try in multiple browsers, in incognito mode, or other options (such as sharing or not sharing your information with Merrill Lynch). YMMV.
- Earn 50,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
Our Verdict
There’s a reason we’ve covered this bonus an absurd number of times–it’s really, really good, and a new online link was highly anticipated. As a reminder, applications almost universally go to pending at first, so I would wait one business day before calling in to reconsideration. Within a few hours you should be able to review your application status online at this link.
Before applying, please read one of our other articles about this offer, as well as things everybody should know about Bank of America credit cards. Remember that you do not need a relationship with Merrill to get this card, Bank of America does combine hard pulls, and Bank of America may use an existing credit file to evaluate your application.
Do take appropriate caution if you have many Bank of America credit cards open, as Bank of America has been closing the cards of some customers if they have more than four. You may find it difficult to be approved if you have 6 Bank of America credit cards, or you may find it a breeze. YMMV.
h/t u/seigav on r/churning
I already have a Merrill + card, planning to call in to apply for one more. Is this card churnable? any data?
Why is NOBODY talking about how BOA charges $1.50 “minimum interest charge” for this card? I paid my bill ahead of the payment date and didnt use the card for the month. sounds like its time to throw this card away… pretty pissed even though its only a buck 50
Well of course they will try to get you and it’s your job to be disciplined. If you paid your entire bill in full in any month, then the next month’s charges will incur no interest, they will give you a grace period of 20+ days to pay it off after the statement date. However, if you are carrying a balance over beyond the due date, you start accruing interest and at that time the next month’s charges will incur interest as well.
I did miss one bill for a Merrill+ Edge card after a big App-o-Rama; I thought I had scheduled the full payment online but I was wrong. They charged a $27 late fee on the day after the due date, I paid it all off in the next day or so. I think I didn’t incur any interest which was pleasantly surprising. I was able to get the fee waived later. You can try calling for a waiver of that interest charge but $1.50 is probably not worth the hassle.
Dp: frozen Experian. Called to apply for the Merrill+ and was quoted the 50k offer. App went to pending and I called recon to let them pull Equifax. Was questioned about the 12 or so cards I’ve gotten in the past year or so. Approved for 5k.
Applied for Alaska later and called recon expecting to tell them to pull Equifax again but they said it was already at a secondary reviewer. No questions asked, approved for 18k (?)
No history with BoA.
Does this card’s rewards points quality for the 10% bonus escalator (or 25%+ if BOA Preferred Rewards) when redeemed into a BOA bank account? I know personal BOA card points do, but not BOA biz cards.
Since anyone can still apply via phone, and they read the 50,000 point bonus terms on the recorded call as long as you provide offer code BAABZX, is there a reason this is marked as expired in the title? Only the link is dead. The offer is very much still active.
Damn, worst experience ever. Applied online, got declined, called in twice for recon, got approved the second time after closing all but 4 credit cards and moving credit lines; then even before I got the new card, it got closed. Called in again, the guy told me the compliance team made the final call and wouldn’t budge at all. I have a fico score of 805 …
DP. I applied for Alaska on 3/28 and got approved right on spot then I saw Merrill card deal on 3/31 before it pulled down so I applied it. My application was pending until yesterday so I went to local bank to pull my “muscle” with Platinum Honor member and it took about 20-30 minutes after 2 transfer and got approval with expedite deliver for free.
By the way, last time as soon I spent $1K with Alaska credit card I got points in my account right away but this time I did not. Anyone has similar situations?
Thank you everyone.
If anyone is still interested. I received my card 4/8, activated it today and so far have done one approved tranaction.
2ndbofa card in 12 months. 3rd in 24. Have 3 others opened right now. Have a 30 year relationship with bofa.
I know this might be a stupid question but why isn’t this card’s application public? Does anyone know how often the application opens up? I would like to apply for this card but didn’t see this in time.
I assume it’s because they want to mostly target it towards their own deposit account customers and Merrill Edge customers.
DP – applied online on March 29 and went to Pending Review. I waited it out (wanted to be a data point) and this morning saw I was approved. I am 4/24 for BoA cards, with one open.