This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Residential Knowledge Community and Committee on the Environment .
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Dear colleagues,
Does it bother anyone else to get offers for AIA-branded credit cards? They are such bad deals ("12.99% to 19.99%" vs. 8.75% at my local credit union) that they seem predatory -- designed to get us struggling architects deeper in hock. They are offensive on a couple of other levels as well:
1. Of particular interest to the Residential Knowledge Community:
The latest offer is made by the Bank of America, one of those "too-big-to-fail" banks that got us into the mortgage mess that caused so many of us to lose our livelihoods. We need to do business instead with local credit unions and local banks that invest prudently in our own communities.
2. Of particular interest to the Committee on the Environment:
Another AIA-branded card offer touted extra rewards for buying gasoline. That's the last thing the AIA should be rewarding its members for doing. Instead, why aren't they offering extra rewards for buying solar panels or insulation with the card?
Far from being a member benefit, these credit cards do a great disservice to AIA members. Whatever BoA kicks back to the AIA ain't worth it.
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Don Argus AIA
Seattle WA
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