Bank of America Stopping Product Changes for Better Balance Rewards - Phasing out BBR Cards?

Recently, I've been trying to product change a couple of my Bank of America credit cards to Better Balance Rewards cards.  It's on my list of my favorite pajama money tools.



I've done it a few times in the past.  Normally, even if one rep tells you it can't be done, you just hang up and call again.  I've collected 4 of them for myself and another 3 for my wife in this way.  I didn't apply directly for the BBR card since it has no sign up bonus.  I apply for a card with a sign up bonus, earn the bonus and then product change.

This last round has not gone well for me.

850 Points from BBVA Compass (NBA card) in 2 Minutes (Worth $8.50) - Pajama Money

HT - DC via email

There are two promotions that BBVA Compass is running right now.  If you have a credit card with them you should be eligible.  Many people have the NBA credit card.



The first promotion earns you 100 points for completing a five question multiple choice survey (click 4 times on one page).  Points are posted immediately.

The second promotion earns you 750 points for signing up for eStatements.  Points do not post immediately.





Here is how to do it:
Login to your BBVA Compass rewards account from here (it won't work if you log in to the regular NBA rewards website - go figure)


The survey promotion should pop up immediately.

This is what the actual survey looks like:

Not exactly difficult.


The eStatements promotion requires you to click on "My Profile" in the top right corner. This is what you will see:

850 points are worth a statement credit of $8.50, all for 2 minutes of work.  Easy Pajama Money! Not too shabby!






If you don't have an NBA card, now is the time to sign up since they have a $100 sign up bonus and if you sign up before the end of August the annual fee is waived forever, not just the first year.  The card is another AMEX that can be used for promotions like Small Business Saturday.




They also have times where you can earn 5% cashback on every purchase (the week of the NBA finals and All Star Game).

The card also has nice promotions, including $50 for spending $250 on gas/groceries (expired) and a current targeted travel promotion that are lucrative if you can take advantage of them.

Time for Me to Close My Santander Extra20 Accounts - No More Pajama Money :(

I recently signed up for a Santander Extra 20 savings and checking account.  The account offers $20 a month for free that can be automated via ACH Bank Transfers as laid out by Doctor of Credit.

I noticed that last month there was a change in what ACH bank transfers looked like and I hypothesized that Santander might stop paying account bonuses for ACH transfers instead of real direct deposits.  Unfortunately, it seems like I am correct, at least on my account.

I didn't change anything for last month.  My transfers from my Schwab account went through normally, my bill pays went through, but I never got my $20 bonus.  Argh!

Here is a picture of my online account from tonight:

Pajama Money - Free Money Without Leaving Your Home

I love pajama money.  I hate leaving my house if I don't need to so if I can make money without leaving my computer, even better.  I mean, look at the guy in the picture.   He looks so happy and relaxed!



Here are some of the easier ways to make some extra money at home.  So far, this will equal a minimum of $50 a month per person in your household.  I hope to add to this over time.

• Serve - $20 a month.   
• Really easy and simple.  All you need is a Serve card and Fidelity American Express.
• You can automate loading the credit card, but you need to log in once a month to liquidate the money from Serve.
• Santander Bank - $20 a month
• A big pain, but once it is set up, everything is automatic.
• Bank of America Better Balance Rewards - Up to $10 a month per card
• Requires a Bank of America checking or savings account to get the full $10 a month of value.  Otherwise it is $8.33 a month
• Completely automatic once set up.
• Multiple Better Balance Rewards cards are possible (I currently have 4 and I hope to get more) which can add to your month rewards.

Any other ideas?  You can email me or post a comment