Bank Of America Cash rewards credit card benefits and limitation

Those who are planning to get Bank Of America Cash rewards card which has  1% cash back on every purchase, 2% at grocery stores and now at wholesale clubs and 3% on gas for the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club/gas purchases each quarter.


Following are unsaid facts which bank official will not tell
1. This card has $100 bonus if you apply online. Bank official will not tell you about it. So always apply it online.
2. The cash back can be redeemed to your saving / checking account, credit card account or through check. Check takes 14 days to reach your address. Now unsaid fact which might be written in terms and conditions somewhere is redeem can be done when cash back amount reaches $25 So basically you have to use credit card to spend minimum $2500 monthly to get $25.


All the best.

New Credit card and banking account bonuses - How to check them and how to redeem it

Every account or new credit card you open there will be always bonus offer on it. Earlier it used to referral bonuses but have not seen that happening nowadays.
If you apply to get credit card online or open new checking or saving account through bank site which has offer listed. Usually it works out if you qualify to spend mentioned amounts in particular time period. Usually Bank of America it's 90 days to satisfy all conditions.
I have missed to apply it online and went through bank for all new account's opening because of which I lose around $500 different type of bonuses. So here are thumb rules to follow for opening new accounts.

• Always apply online from banking site which has bonuses mentioned
• If you apply from bank then tell bank official to apply the bonus code or show the online offer
• Always research for bonus before applying and plan accordingly
• If bank official unable to you bonus which you see online then don't apply from bank. Go online and apply it.
• Follow up with bank for redeeming or cashing the bonus after conditional period.

All the best. Share your experiences. 

How to get your Indian passport renewed in USA?

If you are in USA and wanted to renew your passport then follow these simple steps to get it.

1. Access Cox and Kings Global Services and first check menu Passport -> Passport - How to apply. Go through process explained. Download all the necessary sample pdf given in webpage. E.g. Sample application form, Common mistake to avoid etc. Also go through next link under Passport -> Passport Application Guide
2. Now when you are read all of it then keep following documents ready before you start submitting your passport renewal application. 

• Applicant old passport
• Spouse passport
• Child passport
• USA entry date and number of years stayed and VISA details.

3. Access Passport -> Passport Application Get Started and  scroll down to start the Cox and Kings application process. When you start filling your form you will get Web Reference Number or Temporary Id. Please note it somewhere.You can save your session with filled details and with the help of Web Reference Number and passport number you can get back to same place from Cox and Kings Global Services site bottom details. Continue filling all details till step of shipping. Do not generate shipping label immediately as it remains valid for 2 weeks only. First gather  all documents required to ship , notarize them and then generate shipping label.

4. After shipping choice , next step you will redirect you to Indian NRI Passport Application Site. Before start filling details get ready with required information as below. Fill all details again carefully and submit the application. You can save the session and continue later with Web File Number using NRI Passport Application Site

• Old passport
• Spouse passport
• VISA information
• Child passport
• Current residence in USA proof e.g. Driving license
• India residence proof e.g. Indian driving license
• Any 2 India contacts with their address
• Details of arrival in USA and how long you are in USA. 

You will get following pages after submitting form. You can skip submitting photo online. Once all steps are done, you will receive email of acknowledgment. At the end save the application form and print it. There is additional information needs to be filled after printing by Pen. Fill all information in capital letters. You can choose payment method by credit card and can put all amount of payment receipt.

5. Shipping can be done through personal choice or through using Cox and Kings Choice which is FedEx. In personal choice shipping you can not choose FedEx as that options did not come in Cox and kings options. Also Cox and Kings don't take responsibility for pick and drop in case you go by personal choice shipping. If you really have time then while shipping from home to Cox and Kings office choose personal shipping ( USPS ) and prefer to get shipping back from Cox and Kings Fedex option.

This is how your total bill will look like 

Usually 4 text messages are free if you don't choose text messages service.

6. Following documents will require for adult to get ready and notarize if required. If you send extra photo or document , don't worry it gets return after processing renewal process. Give good photo of 2" X 2" as it will stay in your passport for next 10 years. I have provided cheap passport printing options in next point. India passport renewal documents can be notarized in public library of your city or at UPS. UPS would be costly option and you will have to take appointment.  

Sr No.	Document	Number of Documents	Original/Copy
1	First and Last Page of Spouse Valid Passport	01	Copy - Notarized
2	Marriage Certificate	01	Copy - Notarized
3	Address Proof Aadhar Card OR Recent Bank Statement from Government bank OR Drivers license OR Utility bill not older than 3 months	01	Copy - Notarized
4	Valid US residence proof within the jurisdiction of application Driver’s License OR State ID OR Utility bill such as gas, electric or water must not be older than 3 months. OR Rental Lease agreement or Home Mortgage bill. Important Note * For applicants above 60 years of age who do not have any such documents, a notarized copy of their State ID may be enclosed. * A landline phone bill is acceptable as Proof of Residence.	01	Color Copy - Notarized
5	Passport copies First five and last two pages	01	Copy
6	Online Passport Application Form	01	Original - Notarized
7	Nationality Verification Form	03	Original
8	CKGS Online Payment Receipt	01	Original
9	US Legal Status Valid Visa OR Green Card OR  EAD OR I-797 Valid Approval Notice OR Valid I-20	01	Color Copy - Notarized
10	Photographs View Photo Specifications	06

7. If you have recent passport photo scanned copy then you can use epassportphoto.com to print 4" X 6" print. That will give you 4 copies as some space site takes for own marketing advertisement. You can use same site order print or take in portable USB and print it from walmart for $0.29. Cut then right way and send it. If you don't have scanned photo then either choose Walmart or Sams Club to take print of passport photos and ask them additional copies. Printing 2 photos takes between $5-$9 and additional copies will be cheaper. 

8. Shipping instructions of Cox and Kings Shipping FedEx

Use this convenient single-use fedex label to submit your documents to CKGS.

·         Verify that your documents and payment are as per the checklist and are complete and signed.

·         Check that the number of copies of documents are correct.

·         Make sure that you have enclosed your payment receipt.

·         Enclose your documents in a fedex envelope or your own secure envelope of 24.1 cm x 31.8 cm dimension. Maximum weight of the package cannot exceed 225 grams / 8oz / 0.5 pounds .

·         Ensure that Only ONE application is placed in One envelope.

·         Attach the fedex label to the package

·         Drop your package at the nearest authorized fedex listed on the right.

·         Track your fedex number at www.fedex.com/

As per fedex policy, all packages have a Declared Value of$100. In case your package is lost / misplaced, fedex may refund you as per fedex policy.

Please call 1 - 1800 - GO-FEDEX(46-3339) directly for Claims & Claim related questions.

This shipping label is for one-time use only and is valid for 15 days after the date printed on the label. Do not duplicate or distribute. Duplication and use of a photocopied label may result in your package being returned or severely delayed in delivery to CKGS.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Customers should go to a FedEx Office location to send documents.
• Use this link to locate the closest FedEx Office location - www.fedex.com/locate/index.html?#start
• At FedEx Office, you will receive a free envelope (see picture) to send with the shipping label provided by CKGS.
• DO NOT request a pickup by FedEx.
• DO NOT ship using any other packaging using the shipping label provided by CKGS.
• Applications that are received with additional pick-up requests will be KEPT ON HOLD.
• Applications sent in any other packaging except FedEx envelopes will be KEPT ON HOLD.
• Weight of the package should not exceed 0.5Lbs.
• Applicants must drop-off the package at FedEx location and not make any pick up requests.

Once you buy the Return Shipping from CKGS, DO NOT PRINT the label.  The fedex label will be generated by CKGS when we dispatch your passport. fedex will not be sending you a copy of the return courier label.

9. After documents are shipped you can track status through your Cox and Kings site account. To access details you will require Web reference number and passport number. You will see status like this when it moved to in process.It takes 2-4 weeks usually to get your new passport.

 Application is 'Under Process' at Consulate for decision making.

Please continue tracking your application status online.

10. Additional documents if required for processing your application.

To complete your application you are required to send these documents to CKGS.

• Acceptable formats include - Pdf, JPG, GIF and PNG.
• Each scanned document should not be larger than 1 MB.
• CKGS will verify the documents and print them for Submission to the Consulate. There will be One copy per document for the Consulate.
• The cost of printing per copy is $0.10 as per the Government guidelines

How to delete iPhone IOS "Photo Stream" or "My Photo Stream"
After lots of attempts and checking Apple forums , I was able to delete my iPhone 5s "My Photo Stream". Following process will delete everything in your photos of iOS i.e. Panaroma photos , Videos and photo streams. So Just make sure you backup your photos before delete.

1. In Iphone Go to iCloud -> Photos -> My photo Stream. Turn this on.
2. Login to Apple iCloud site from PC browser. iCloud site opens only from desktop not from mobile. Click here -> https://www.icloud.com/     After login check the photos. Here now either you will see library photos or not.
3. If you have iCloud Photo Library enabled already then turn it off. It will prompt that all photos will be deleted. Say yes and you are done.
4. If you have iCloud Photo Library disabled then follow same navigation in Iphone Go to iCloud -> Photos -> iCloud Photo Library and turn it on. It will prompt that all photos will be deleted. Say yes and you are done.
5. Check your iPhone photos and you will see all photos removed. Now turn off "iCloud Photo Library" and "My Photo Stream" again to save memory and turning off iCloud backup.

Hope this helps to you as well.

How to get your L2 EAD? Employment Authorization Document ,Work Permit

How to get your L2 EAD?

It took long time to get my EAD but finally I received it after 150 days. Here is what I have done to get it.

There are two ways to get EAD , online or through paper.

Detail process explained in following links

http://www.path2usa.com/employment-authorization-document-ead

https://www.uscis.gov/i-765

http://www.immihelp.com/immigration/employment-authorization-document.html

I preferred through mailing paper.

August 2015: Mailed following documents to USCIS Nebraska Office.

1. Cover Letter with details of documents attached
2. Copy of signed and complete information I-765 form
3. Copy of complete G-1145. This is free form to get e-notification that includes SMS notification on your cellphone.
4. Copy of Marriage Certificate
5. Check of $380 payable to USCIS PHOENIX.
6. 2 photographs according to measurement ( I have taken from Walmart , costs $8)
7. Copy of EAD applicant I94
8. Copy of EAD applicant passport pages which has USA in and out entries.
9. Copy of EAD applicant passport first and last pages and VISA page.
10. Copy of EAD applicant spouse L1 VISA page.

Mailing address – USPS standard mail - $2

USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

 

9/14/2015: Received mailed and message Acknowledgment that USCIS received forms and case is being processed

9/16/2015: $380 check cashed by USCIS

Long wait

In December – Contacted USCIS 2 times using submit query page and calling helpdesk. But got same response from both that case is being processed and they have mailed to USCIS office to get status.

https://egov.uscis.gov/e-Request/Intro.do

1/4/2016 – emailed to cisombudsman@hq.dhs.gov and cisombudsman@dhs.gov about

1/6/2016 – got response from cisombudsman that to follow online case assistance portal to follow up on case. Given following link to submit DHS-7001 form online. Submitted the form.

https://cisomb.dhs.gov/oca/form7001.aspx

1/7/2016 – Got response from cisombudsman that new case # generated to follow up and to wait for next 60 days for response.

January – Again called USCIS help desk to check status but they have generated case # to track my queries. Provided option to directly contact Phoenix office through letter mail for possible causes of delay. I did not do it.

1/13/2016 – Submitted online query to my local congressman.

1/14/2016 – got response from congressman’s office to submit privacy release form attached in mail. Filled and submitted on same day.

2/9/2016 – ombudusman responded that USCIS has been contacted and to wait for response.

2/11/2016 – EAD I-765 online status changed to approved EAD.

2/13/2016 – Status changed to card is being in production

2/17/2016 – Card is been dispatched USPS express mail with tracking #.

2/19/2016 – Received card.

I am not sure which action accelerated my EAD process or any of it helped or not. But this was story. I hope your waits also get over in time.