Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card Review

By: Heather Hanks Apr. 08, 2020

The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card gives you one point for every dollar you earn. There is no annual fee and your points never expire. Plus, you can cash in on 5x the points on select categories every quarter. This can help you save big on qualified purchases, such as grocery, gas, travel, and retail purchases. You’ll also like that this card comes with Mastercard benefits. This includes a zero liability policy for unauthorized charges, excellent customer service, and an extended warranty on items you buy.

Other notable features include an introductory APR of 0% for the first 12 months. After that, you can expect to see your APR increase to 12.90%-22.90%. This number is based on your creditworthiness and the prime rate. This card comes with a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Check out our Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card review below.

Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard Credit Card Review

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What is the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card?

The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card is one of two cards offered by the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago. The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago (ABOC) is a full-service bank headquartered in Chicago dedicated to union workers. According to the website, the company focuses on building relationships. They have been in business for 100 years and have deep ties to the community. ABOC serves businesses, individuals, and institutions. They provide a deep understanding of finances and deliver services and products that you can trust. This includes cash management, trust services, checking and savings accounts, loans and credit cards.

ABOC states that they work with you to service your individual needs. They will create a tailor-made solution that’s just for you. The bank provides banking needs for major institutions to mom and pop shops, and everything in between. They currently service real estate lending customers, government entities, commercial clients, unions, small businesses, and corporate institutions. They are dedicated to serving unions and America’s working people. They pride themselves on being one of the only banks in the United States that are devoted to labor companies. ABOC also provides educational material and programs to the community on money management.

Here are some highlights of the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card:

0% Introductory APR on Purchases for 12 months. After that, your APR will be 12.90% to 22.90% based on your credit worthiness*. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Your rewards include travel, cash (in the form of a statement credit), gift cards, and merchandise
Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,200 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening †
$0 Annual Fee*
Earn 5x rewards on up to $1500 in combined purchases each quarter in popular categories such as dining, groceries, travel, and gas.

Use the card outside the U.S. in more than 200 countries (including online merchants based outside the U.S) and enjoy no surcharge on your purchases.
When you use your ABOC Platinum Rewards Mastercard, you have peace of mind knowing that you will not be held responsible for unauthorized transactions.
No upper limit on the points you can accumulate, and since points never expire, you can save up for a big award!
Late payments will not result in a higher interest rate
Earn Points on Every Purchase, Every Time, It's simple: $1 = 1 Point

How Does ABOC Credit Card Work?

Expect to earn points back every time you use your Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card. It features great rates and several welcome offers. This includes a 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months. You also get a $150 credit statement when you spend $1,200 on purchases within the first 90 after opening an account. Your ongoing APR is influenced by your creditworthiness and the prime rate.

Here is what you need to know about the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card:

Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months and then 12.90% to 22.90% after that

APR for cash advances: 26.49% (depending on prime rate)

No annual fee or foreign transaction fee

Transaction fees: cash advance is 5% or $10 minimum; Quasi cash advance is 5% or $10 minimum;

Late payments are up to $25 (your APR will not increase because of a late payment)

Returned payments are $15

You can avoid interest payments by paying your balance in full each month on your due date. Billing cycles are 25 days long. ABOC will charge you interest on cash advances and balance transfers on the days you use these services. When compared to other cards, the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card offers low rates. They also offer a 25 day grace period and a generous rewards program.

What Does ABOC Credit Card Offer?

The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card allows you to earn points every time you use it. You’ll get one point for every dollar you spend. The ABOC rewards points can be redeemed through the rewards website. You can use them to shop online or redeem them for promotions that the company offers from time to time.

Points can also be redeemed in the form of cash or statement credit, merchandise, cruise tickets, airfare, or gift cards. These terms may vary. Check with ABOC to learn more about what your points qualify for. Points never expire and there is no cap on them. However, you can lose your points if your account is not in good standing. This means you will need to pay your balance on time every month.

Here is a complete list of items that you can redeem your points for:

01.

Statement credit

You can automatically qualify for statement credit in the form of reward points anytime you use your card

02.

Travel rewards

These include airfare, cruise tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more

03.

Gift cards

You can redeem your points for gift cards that can be used at hotels, restaurants, and retailers nationwide

04.

Get extra points

You can earn extra points when you shop online through the ABOC Get Extra Points website (you can also shop special offers to get the most out of your reward points)

The ABOC rewards program also allows you to earn 5x the points throughout the year on your favorite purchases. You’ll get an extra 4 points on your first $1,500 in combined purchases on select categories each quarter. This is a unique spin on a traditional rewards program and a creative way to earn your points. Reward benefits rotate quarterly and are best utilized when you spend the most during one of four categories.

Here is a breakdown of the 2020 5x points rewards calendar:

January, February, and March (Monthly Bills)

Health & Wellness

Earn 5x points on qualifying groceries, fitness clubs, hospitals, and pharmacies. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.

Valid 1/1/21 – 3/31/21

Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Personal Credit Cards

April, May, and June (Dining and Transportation)

Spring Spruce-Up

Earn 5x points on qualifying home improvement, gardening, Amazon.com, and other major online retailers. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.

Valid 4/1/21 – 6/30/21

July, August, and September (Travel)

Travel

Earn 5x points on qualifying airline, cruise, car rental, hotel, travel agency purchases, gas, tolls, and ride share. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.

Valid 7/1/21 – 9/30/21

October, November, and December (Department Stores)

Enjoy The Holidays

Earn 5x points on qualifying dining and groceries, food delivery services, liquor stores, and Amazon.com. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.

Valid 10/1/21 – 12/31/21

If you utilize your card properly, you can save big during these incentives. However, if you need to earn the most cash back on certain rewards throughout the year (such as grocery or gas), then you may be disappointed when your quarterly incentive is up. The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card is a great everyday card. You’ll earn rewards for things you already buy. Use these points to pay for bills, redeem gift cards to stores, or book a trip.

You’ll enjoy how versatile this rewards card is. It can be used anywhere in the world that Mastercard is accepted. It comes with various Mastercard perks, such as a zero liability policy and excellent customer service care. You won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges and you can call their toll-free number anytime to get in touch with a representative. You must monitor your account and report this information in a timely manner to be eligible for the zero liability policy.

Managing your account online is easy and can be done anytime of day or night. You can use your account to make payments or redeem points. Your Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card works with your digital wallet to make life easier. You can pair it with your MasterPass, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay accounts. Plus, you can use your card to get money from ATMs all over the world. Your card can be used to make payments on your bills. This includes utilities, cable, television, and health club memberships.

Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card: Pros and Cons

The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card comes from a trusted bank that has been in business for over 100 years. For many people, this is more reassuring than taking out a line of credit from a newer bank. The card offers a wide range of various perks. This includes no annual or foreign transaction fee. Plus, your APR won’t go up if you miss a payment. However, you will still need to pay a late fee.

ABOC encourages potential customers to sign up by offering welcome benefits. You’ll get a $150 statement credit when you spend $1,200 within the first three months of membership. Plus, you’ll get 0% APR on purchases for 12 months. After that, your APR will largely depend on your credit history. For this reason, we recommend having good credit before applying. Your rates will range from 12.90% to 22.90%, depending on several factors.

Here are some pros and cons to consider before applying:

ABOC Credit Card PROS

You’ll get one reward point for every dollar you spend
Earn 5x the reward points each quarter when you use your card on qualifying purchases
Enjoy a 0% APR for 12 months on purchases (APR is 12.90% to 22.90% after that)
You can redeem your reward points for merchandise, statement credit or cash, gift cards, and travel benefits
Earn $150 in statement credit when you spend $1,200 within the first three months of membership
There are no annual or foreign transaction fees
Your APR will not increase if you miss a payment (However, you will still be charged a late fee)
You can avoid paying interest by paying your balance in full each month on your due date
Your points never expire and there is no cap
Enjoy Mastercard’s zero liability policy (you can’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges) and excellent customer service
Your card is accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted
Manage your account online 24/7 to pay bills, redeem points, and more
Your card works with MasterPass, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Android Pay (you can make payments or transfer money from these sources)
The card comes with a 25-day grace period
You can use your card to get cash at ATMs worldwide
Functions as a great everyday rewards card
Travel perks include airfare, cruise tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more

ABOC Credit Card CONS

If you don’t have good credit, then you may have to pay a high interest rate. ABOC will base your APR on the prime rate and your creditworthiness. They will look at your credit history, income, and other financial information to determine your APR. Someone with bad credit may need to look elsewhere for a rewards card. This card may not be ideal for a first time credit card holder. You will likely need to have established credit to apply.
Other cards may offer better cash back rewards, such as 1.5% or 2% back. Keep in mind that the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card offers 5x the points at certain points in the year. You will need to maximize your spending during these times, but they won’t help you if you continue to rack up in these areas after the quarter is up. For example, you may be able to get 5x the points on gas purchases for three months of the year, but you’ll only get 1 point for the remaining months.

How To Apply ABOC Credit Card

The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card is best suited for new card holders. This is because you’ll become eligible for the maximum amount of benefits. When you’re ready to apply, gather your documents and visit the website. You will need to provide your personal information, such as your full name, physical address, email and phone number. You may also be asked for your bank account information, social security number, and job information.

ABOC will likely need to check your credit score before approving you. This may result in a hard inquiry on your credit. Having too many of these on your report can hurt your credit. For this reason, you will need to make sure you’re certain about applying before handing over your information. You will likely need to have good credit to secure the best rate and make sure this card is worth your time. It would be well suited for someone with a large balance from another card who hopes to save on interest for 18 months.

Conclusion

The above review on the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card is based solely on the opinion of Creditnervana. This card offers several welcome incentives, including a 0% APR on transfer balances for 18 months and purchases for 12 months. You’ll also get a $150 statement credit when you spend $1,200 within the first 90 days of membership. After that, your APR will range between 12.90% and 22.90%. This number varies depending on your credit and the prime rate.

The Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card offers one reward point for every dollar you spend. You can earn 5x the reward points when you make qualified purchases on quarterly incentives. Points are redeemable for gift cards, merchandise, statement credit, and travel benefits. Other notable features include no annual or foreign transaction fees. The card is accepted around the world wherever Mastercard is. For more information, check out the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago Platinum Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card website to find out how to apply.