You can use the phone or visit a branch, but Bank of America does not publish a phone-versus-branch review comparison or promise its $200 online bonus in person.
“I am a Non-Resident Alien and was pre-approved for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card online, but the system asked me to call or visit a branch to finish the application. If I apply over the phone, will my application require further review compared to applying in person? Also, is the in-person sign-up bonus the same as the online offer?”
Summary
Being sent to call or visit does not, by itself, tell you that the phone route is worse. The important unknowns are how the bank will finish *your* referral and which bonus will be recorded before you submit.
Because your online screen directed you to call or visit, your choice is how to finish the application—not a documented choice between a stricter and an easier approval process.
Bank of America's credit-card application says applying by phone is possible. Use the number in your referral or the **888-368-5746** number printed on the bank's public Customized Cash Rewards promotion; explain that you already received an online referral. Before submitting, establish which bonus the representative is attaching: the bank warns that its online offer may not be available elsewhere. Its published material does not say phone completion automatically requires more review than a branch visit. [Bank application](https://secure.bankofamerica.com/apply-credit-cards/public/icai) · [Bank promotion](https://promo.bankofamerica.com/customizedrewards)
You can arrange a Bank of America appointment under its **Credit Cards** topic and bring your online referral and offer details. Ask which bonus would appear on the application before it is submitted; the bank's $200 public promotion is labeled online, not promised for branch applications. [Bank appointments](https://secure.bankofamerica.com/secure-mycommunications/public/appointments/) · [Bank promotion](https://promo.bankofamerica.com/customizedrewards)
Your is not final approval, and neither route is documented as preserving the public online bonus. [CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-information-is-a-card-issuer-not-allowed-to-base-decisions-on-when-i-apply-for-credit-en-19) · [Bank of America promotion](https://promo.bankofamerica.com/customizedrewards)
Read the full explanationHide the full explanation
Watch out for
Next steps
These steps help you preserve the offer you saw, choose a completion route, and separate a submitted application from a preapproval.
Before changing channels
Save the offer you were shown
Keep a copy of the bonus amount, spending terms, and any reference or offer code shown to you. Bank of America's [public promotion](https://promo.bankofamerica.com/customizedrewards) advertises **$200 online after at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening**, but warns the offer may not be available elsewhere; your own displayed offer is the one to compare.
Requirements
To continue the application
Call or book a credit-card appointment
Use the number on your referral, or the **888-368-5746** number printed on Bank of America's [public promotion](https://promo.bankofamerica.com/customizedrewards). For an in-person conversation, use the bank's [appointment page](https://secure.bankofamerica.com/secure-mycommunications/public/appointments/) and select **Credit Cards**. Its general [card application](https://secure.bankofamerica.com/apply-credit-cards/public/icai) lists an SSN; if you do not have one, explain that before submission rather than assuming an ITIN is accepted.
Requirements
Before accepting either route
Identify the bonus before submitting
Have the representative identify whether the bank is continuing your referral or taking a separate application, what further information it needs, and the bonus recorded for that application. There is no published branch-bonus match or phone-versus-branch review rule to substitute for those individual details; the bank expressly warns its [online offer](https://promo.bankofamerica.com/customizedrewards) may not be available elsewhere.
Requirements
Once submitted
Track the application after submission
Use Bank of America's [application-status page](https://secure.bankofamerica.com/apply-credit-cards/public/application-status) for an application submitted within the last **90 days**, or call its application-status number, **866-422-8089**. A preapproval alone is not the submitted application covered by that status page.
Requirements
Legal sources
The answer relies on Bank of America's application and promotion pages and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's credit-decision guidance.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards promotion
The bank's public offer states the online bonus, purchase threshold, and deadline.
Plus a **$200 online cash rewards bonus** after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards promotion
The bank cautions that its displayed promotion might not follow someone to another application route.
**This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page.** You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of America credit-card application
Bank of America permits credit-card applications by phone generally; this does not establish the outcome or bonus for this referral.
Can I apply over the phone?
Can I apply over the phone? Yes, and we look forward to helping you.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards promotion
The bank's public promotion supplies a phone number.
Call 888-368-5746.
Bank of America appointment page
The bank offers appointments and lists Credit Cards among its appointment topics.
Credit Cards appointment topic
you can make an appointment for guidance about your goals.
CFPB Ask CFPB: credit-card application decisions
An application still needs a credit decision despite the earlier online indication.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act does not guarantee that your credit card application will be approved. You must meet the card issuer’s standards for your credit score and history.
CFPB Ask CFPB: credit-card application decisions
Nonresident status can be relevant to an issuer's decision; the label alone does not disclose the outcome.
A lender is allowed to consider immigration and residency information, and other information that could affect the lender's ability under the law to make sure the loan is repaid.
CFPB Ask CFPB: credit-card application decisions
Considering residency does not permit discrimination based on national origin or other protected characteristics.
But they cannot use immigration status to justify discriminating against you based on your national origin, race, or other protected characteristics.
Bank of America credit-card application
The bank's general card-application text names information it requests, without specifying an ITIN alternative.
What do I need to apply?
To apply for a Bank of America credit card, you'll need your personal information, including Social Security number and total gross annual income.
Bank of America credit-card application status
The bank's online status service is for applications already submitted within its stated window.
Check the status of a Bank of America credit card application you've submitted within the last 90 days.
Bank of America credit-card contact page
The bank gives an alternative phone number for checking a submitted application's status.
You can also check the status by calling us at 866.422.8089.
These are the official bank and CFPB materials available on the dates shown or reviewed October 10, 2026; offers and rules can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
Related answers
Join the SettleKit newsletter
We research the hard parts of settling in the US and write articles you will not find anywhere else. Subscribe to get each new article by email.