ABOC Platinum Rewards Credit Card Review – 5X Rewards on Rotating Categories

Update: It appears that this credit card is no longer taking any new applications.

Thank you for your interest in an ABOC Platinum Rewards Card! We have temporarily stopped taking applications while we work on an exciting new set of benefits and features. Stay tuned!

The ABOC Platinum Rewards Credit Card just got revamped to include 5X rewards on rotating categories each quarter. This card is a Mastercard issued by the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago (ABoC), a 100+ year-old commercial bank. Right now, it is offering a $150 sign-up bonus to new cardholders (see requirements below). There are a few quirks, so read on for the details.

• $150 statement credit after making $1,200 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Your account must be open and in good standing to get the bonus.
• Earn 5x rewards on up to $1500 in combined purchases each quarter in popular categories such as dining, groceries, travel, and automotive.
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months. After that, your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
• Late payments will not result in a higher interest rate.
• No annual fee.

2020 ABoC Platinum Rewards Calendar

Earn 5x rewards on up to $1500 in combined purchases each quarter. From January 1st through March 31st, 2021 you can earn 5x rewards on up to $1500 in combined purchases this quarter in the following categories:

• Groceries
• Fitness clubs
• Hospitals, vision services, pharmacies
• See full list of eligible MCC codes on their site.

You must first register each quarter at ABOCRewards.com or in your online account before you can start earning the 5X rewards.

Points redemption. You’ll note that it says 5X rewards, not 5% cash back. That is because you technically earn points, and the points can be transferred to travel, cash (in the form of a statement credit), gift cards, and merchandise at different ratios.

The best redemption rate is redeeming towards their travel portal at 1 point = $0.01 in value. There are limited details about this on their website. The key question is whether an airfare ticket or hotel night costs the same on the ABOC travel portal as on Expedia, Travelocity, etc. The cash back option is 1 point = $0.0075, which would turn the 5X rewards into 3.75% straight cash back in the form of a statement credit. The gift card redemption value is in between cash and travel credit, and may be worthwhile if its a merchant you shop at anyway.

Similar cards. I will be adding this card to my list of 5% back cards with rotating categories, including:

• Chase Freedom card
• Discover it card

I would personally get the Chase Freedom and Discover it ahead of this card, if only because they offer a straight 5% cash back on their rotating categories without having to go through a travel portal. However, if you already have those cards, this card would make a nice addition as the category calendars are not exactly the same, and you will get increased spending limits even if they do happen to match up.

Bottom line. The ABOC Platinum Rewards Credit Card offers a sign-up bonus and 5X rewards on rotating categories each quarter. The 5X points can be redeemed for an effective 3.75% cash back, or 5% back through their travel portal. If you already have similar rewards in your purse or wallet, this card can be a great addition as you can achieve higher spending limits and also possibly different categories in any given quarter.