Bank of America Sonesta Credit Card Review and Benefits

The Bank of America Sonesta Credit Card is a great option for travelers and hotel enthusiasts. The card offers 3 points per dollar spent at Sonesta hotels and resorts, plus 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

With a 50,000-point bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, you can start redeeming your points for free nights or other rewards right away. You'll also get a $100 statement credit after your first purchase.

The card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel. You'll also get travel insurance and assistance, which can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong on your trip.

The card's annual fee is $95, which is relatively low considering the benefits and rewards you'll receive.

The Sonesta credit card offered by Bank of America is a great option for those who frequent Sonesta properties. The card earns points at the following rates: Sonesta purchases, airfare, car rental, and dining earn 3x, 2x, and 1x points respectively, while everything else earns 1x point.

The card offers a generous bonus of 60,000 points after spending at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. You'll also get 5,000 additional points after adding an authorized user within the same time frame.

The points can be redeemed for stays at Sonesta properties, with a value of 0.75¢ – 1.5¢ per point, depending on the location and date. Properties cost between 10,000 and 50,000 points per night, with most costing between 10,000-30,000 points.

Here's a breakdown of the card's benefits:

Note that the card's offer has changed over time, with some versions offering 120,000 points after $2,000 in spend within the first 90 days.

The Bank of America Sonesta credit card offers a rewards program that's worth exploring. You can earn Sonesta TravelPass Rewards at a rate of 3x points on eligible Sonesta purchases.

To maximize your earnings, consider making purchases that fall into the 3x points category, such as booking a room at a Sonesta hotel. This can help you accumulate points quickly.

Here's a breakdown of the earning rates:

If you're new to the card, you can take advantage of a welcome bonus: earn 60,000 points after spending at least $1,000 within your first 90 days.

The welcome bonus is a great way to kickstart your points earning journey. To earn the welcome bonus, you typically need to spend a certain amount within a specific timeframe, like with the Sonesta Mastercard, which requires spending at least $1,000 within 90 days.

With some credit cards, like the Sonesta Mastercard, you can earn even more points by adding an authorized user within your first 90 days, netting you an additional 5,000 points.

The Sonesta Mastercard is a good example of a card that offers a significant welcome bonus, with 60,000 points up for grabs after meeting the spending requirement.

Earning points with the Sonesta Mastercard is a great way to rack up rewards. You can earn 3x points on eligible Sonesta purchases.

The card also offers 2x points on eligible airfare, car rental, and dining purchases. This is a great way to earn points on everyday expenses.

You'll earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. This means you can earn points on everything from gas to groceries.

Here's a breakdown of the earning rates:

You can earn Sonesta Gold elite status automatically upon credit approval, which comes with benefits like early check-in and late check-out, a welcome gift, complimentary room upgrades (if available), complimentary breakfast, and a 75% points bonus on hotel stays.

Cardmembers also get exclusive member-only offers, choice of welcome amenity, and more. However, some perks are based on availability, which may not be as exciting.

If you already have top-tier status in another hotel loyalty program, you can actually bypass the credit card and get matched to Sonesta's Elite status through their status match program.

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You can automatically receive Sonesta Gold elite status with the Sonesta credit card, which gets you benefits like early check-in and late checkout, a welcome gift, complimentary room upgrades (if available), complimentary breakfast, and a 75% points bonus on hotel stays.

Gold elite status is a great perk, but be aware that some benefits are based on availability, which can be a letdown.

If you're already a member of another hotel loyalty program, you can actually get Gold elite status without the credit card through Sonesta's status match program.

To get status matched, simply enroll in Sonesta Travel Pass and email their customer care with your Travel Pass Member ID and a copy of your current membership card or statement.

Here's a quick rundown of the benefits you'll get with Gold elite status:

Program stability is a concern for many loyalty program members.

The Sonesta program may experience devaluation due to the recent influx of new members, causing a flood of points redemptions and potentially leading to higher award prices at popular locations.

Not all properties will increase in award price, but the most popular ones will likely be targeted first.

It's impossible to predict exactly when a devaluation will happen, but waiting too long may increase the chances of missing out on benefits.

You can request a credit limit increase with Bank of America online, through the Bank of America mobile app, or by calling customer service at (800) 732-9194.

To increase your chances of being approved for a higher credit limit, pay your bill on time for at least six straight months.

Reducing your outstanding debt will also make a positive impact on your credit limit increase request.

Bank of America will update the income they have on file, so make sure to provide them with any changes to your income.

Paying your bill on time for at least six straight months is a crucial step in demonstrating responsible credit behavior.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to potentially increasing your credit limit with Bank of America.

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The Bank of America Sonesta Credit Card has a straightforward fee structure. The annual fee is $75, but don't worry, it's waived for the first year. This can give you a chance to try out the card before committing to the annual fee.

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The annual fee is a significant cost to consider when choosing a credit card. The Sonesta Mastercard has a $75 annual fee.

If you're planning to keep the card for more than a year, the annual fee is something to factor into your decision. The good news is that the fee is waived for the first year, so you can try out the card without incurring the cost.

Getting the Sonesta credit card can be a challenge. Unfortunately, Bank of America has strict rules about new card applications, limiting you to 2 personal cards within 2 months, 3 new cards within 12 months, and 4 new cards within 24 months.

You also need to be mindful of the number of open accounts, as this can affect your chances of getting approved. And, if you've had the same card within the last 24 months, you might not be eligible for some cards, including the Sonesta card.

However, since the Sonesta card is relatively new, this shouldn't be a problem for you. You can check out a Reddit thread for some experiences of applying for the Sonesta credit card to see how others have fared.