BBVA Compass NBA Amex Experience
A few weeks ago I wrote about the BBVA Compass NBA credit card. The bonus on this no annual fee card has doubled to 20K points ($200) after $1K in spend. That is an amazing bonus for a no annual fee card, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. This card also earns 2X at supermarkets and gas stations and 5X on all purchases during NBA All Star Weekend and the NBA Finals.
My Approval
My initial application for the card was not approved automatically, so I had to wait. I did call in to BBVA Compass the day after applying and was told it could take a couple of weeks until a decision was made. Thankfully, my patience paid off and a week later I received the following email:
This was good news. Unfortunately the email didn’t say my credit line, but BBVA Compass is known to be fairly generous in the department, so I wasn’t worried. One thing did stick out in the email though. The bonus amount was wrong.
SHAWN, nice job – you’re approved and on your way!
You can rack up valuable points and score great rewards with your new BBVA Compass NBA American Express® Card. We’re super excited and you should be too!
Once your card arrives, activate it as soon as possible and start scoring TripleDouble Rewards. Don’t forget, you will enjoy 10,000 bonus points for your first $500 of qualifying transactions made within the first 90 days of account opening.
Confirming the Bonus
Fortunately I decided to wait until I received the card before contacting BBVA regarding the bonus. I have screenshots showing the higher 20K bonus and their site still reflects it. My guess is that email was a form letter that hasn’t been updated.
Thankfully I received the card today and it does indeed contain the following language:
Activate your card now to start earning rewards. The BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card rewards you with an introductory offer of 20,000 bonus points for just $1,000 of qualifying transactions made within the first 90 days of account opening.
Getting Ready for 5X
While not as generous as some other people have reported, BBVA Compass gave me a credit line of $17,000 which should be a good start. NBA All Star Weekend is in the middle of February, so I think this is a perfect time to get the card. My spending to hit the $1K minimum should establish the card’s use, so hopefully I don’t end up with the fraud alerts others have reported when using this card in the past.
Registering Amex Offers
This card is eligible for Amex Offers, so I have already linked my Twitter account and setup my sync recipe with IFTTT. Right now there is no auto-syncing due to issues caused by Twitter, but I have the mechanism setup so this card will work the same as my others if the ability to auto-sync returns.
Conclusion
If you applied for the NBA credit card and have received an email with the wrong bonus amount, then don’t worry. It seems to be fixed when you get the card. Overall, I am excited to have been approved for this card not only for the bonus, but for the potential 5% back opportunities. I will start using it now and plan to ramp up its use in February for All Star Weekend and then again during the NBA Finals.
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[…] Day and President’s Day, this past weekend also was NBA All Star Weekend. What did that mean? 5X everywhere on my NBA American Express card. Getting 5X everywhere during All Star Weekend and the NBA Finals is why I got the card. Certainly […]
Hi,
I am trying to get this card, however, I just did an app o’rama 2 days ago that included 5 different credit applications. Do you know the “rules” for applying for a BBVA compass credit card? Will the fact that I have 5 new inquires on my credit report keep them from approving me? I have a credit score in the high 700’s with an income just over $100k. Thanks for your help!
In my experience they are fairly liberal with approvals and credit lines. I am not aware of any hard rule against 5 inquiries, but of course approvals have to do with a lot of factors. I personally had more than 5 inquiries when I was approved.
I got the extra $100.00. This credit card company is run atrociously. You have to hound them constantly, please see my comments above for phone numbers to contact them. Eventually you’ll get your money. But I’m not inclined to even use the CC during NBA weekend for all the hassle that it brings. Now I am trying to get them to set “auto pay my balance in full on due date” from my bank act that I have previously selected even after I have completed their form and faxed it to them 3 weeks ago, per their request. What other CC company does this???? They are a mess. So I won’t use this card til it is completed. Waiting on phone call back which prob won’t take place.
a) NBA All Star weekend is coming up this week, so wanted to check in and see if anyone knew/confirmed any “spending limits” on the BBVA cards?
I heard a “$4000” a day, but will need to confirm this with BBVA.
b) Anyone else manage to get the “Extra” $100 in bonus points that the put (for a few hours) into our Rewards accounts, yesterday? I cashed out both Hubby and myself but since it takes a few days for a redemption to hit, I dont know iif BBVA will claw those points back (since they were deposited apparently in error).
I haven’t heard of a limit, but I haven’t really been paying close attention. Where did you hear that?
As for the extra $100, I heard others had it, but my account was sadly still the same.
Ok, so we both got our cards in the mail today, and registered for BBVA online banking..
BUT the package we got seems to indicate, and the online banking screens we are seeing also seem to indicate, that we need to “register” for their Compass Rewards/TripleDoubleRewards SEPERATELY, or we wont get any points.
Not having much luck “registering” here:
https://bbvacompasspointsrewards.com/TripleDoubleRewards/RewardsLoggedOut.aspx
Anyone else seeing this, and anyone else facing the same issues???
Oh yes. I met my $1000.00 spent last Wed for 20k points. Today I got congratulations email for earning 10k points. Called credit card (holding forever) she agreed it should be 20k for EVERYONE APPLYING after 12/1/15. Told me I had to speak to BBVA compass rewards directly & have them submit a ticket to correct…their phone is (866) 246-2924. While I was on hold, again forever, I was instructed to register @ rewards website http://www.BBVAcompass.com/tripleDoubleRewards….you‘ll need last (6) six digits [not usual 5] of credit card, select user name & password…I used same as for credit card. Was told I would get phone call back when it’s correct ?week? And then I can go to rewards website hopefully to request cash, either credit to card or check in mail, but keep in mind that it’s now supposed to tally more than $200…in my case I spent $1001.00…therefore $210.01. Good Luck
as an fyi, bonus categories stack during nba promo weekends. So more than 5X is possible.
I’m sorry but, I don’t understand. How do I stack for >5%? Can you just give me an example? Thanks
Only 9500 CL !!!!!! why so low ?? have 780+ score across all three bureaus and good balance to limit ratios. Can I call then next month to do soft inquiry and see if they can increase the limit?
[…] today I wrote about my experience getting the NBA Amex card with its 20K ($200) bonus and no annual fee. That card has some amazing benefits like 5X everywhere […]
We got 3 approvals yesterday via e-mail after 12/9 apps. No mention of c limit. Same $100 error.
How long did it take you to get the card after getting the e-mail?
Was unable to set up alerts to my email and after speaking to them numerous times they admitted that this card is NEW and was not supposed to be brought out til Jan. 2016. Problems with website. I am told that these are the dates for 5% 2/12-14/16 and 6/2-16/16 NBA weekend and finals. Tried to use card last evening for $1001.00 to qualify for PROMO in one purchase and it was denied, called them and tried again this AM…denied again “since charge was on phone and vendor over 50 Miles from me” which was not true, eventually got email to that effect and while on phone with Vendor and AMEX got a telephone call from Amex fraud/security unit. Eventually, got pmt approved and posted this AM. Not really ready for prime time & I told them so. Hope PROMO Pmt $200 goes more smoothly!!!! Amex still never called me back as promised to get alerts to my email as promised and I don’t expect it so prob will not use it anymore!
I hate to call you a loser on Christmas Eve. But what do you expect with your team choice?!
But thanks for the info. Still waiting for an email from them after 10 days.
I just couldn’t get myself to choose the Trailblazers. Too much bad blood between me and them. 🙂