Adam, I believe I did it through the fidelity page first, not on the FIA Card Services website. I could be mistaken since it was a while ago, but if it is not available as an option on the FIA Card Services website, try checking your mySmart Cash Management account’s portfolio summary. At the very bottom of mine is a Credit Cards tab which you can usually use to set up those auto transfers. If not, here is the customer service number for FIA Card Services I have used with much luck in the past.

FIA Card Services Customer Support
1-800-655-1491

Doug A: Yes, when we had AmEx-branded cards (Costco + Delta Skypoints), we got good customer service from AmEx — that is, until we didn’t. When we REALLY needed AmEx dispute resolution to protect us from an ethically-challenged merchant, they didn’t. Even tho’ we appealed, AmEx said, “As this is a contract between you and the merchant, AmEx can neither nullify nor negotiate the contract on your behalf.” My magical thinking that the AmEx brand will protect me is GONE. We have swtiched to the Fidelity AmEx through FIA. The rebate is easy to dump into our Fidelity account.

Can anyone explain in plain detail how depositing the rewards into a Roth IRA vs. a Regular IRA will affect my taxes? (I am not rich enough to have a reduced contribution limit, and can’t manage to contribute the full $5000 ($10000 if you include my wife) to either in a year) Also, please refer to where you get your information.

My confusion is: if I put it in a Roth, do I have to pay income tax now on the rewards?

Or maybe I have it wrong, and there would be no tax penalty for putting it in the Roth, but if I put it in the regular IRA, I could deduct that amount from my income?

If the 2nd case is correct, then I think getting this card is a no brainer (as long as you pay the balance in full every month). If the 1st case is correct, then it still is a good deal, but it might make more sense for me to put it into a regular IRA, so I can keep my taxes straight.

My only fear is that the reward will be cut or the card discontinued. The closing to new apps for the Schwab is not a good sign. Has anyone heard anything?

I just returned from Puerto Rico and was surprised at the number of places that did take AmEx there – there were signs pretty much everywhere saying “AmEx cards welcomed here”. I would say I had about 80% success using the card in the continental US.

One more thing to consider – Fido Visa (1.5% rebate) allows you to use ShopSafe to generate a one-time use (sort of) number to shop online, etc. You cannot do it with Fido AmEx.

I applied and was accepted for the Schwab VISA right before they closed the application. My limit on my existing Fidelity VISA did not change.

While I agree American Express rocks the customer service, I’ve also received excellent customer service from FIA Card Services every time I’ve called about my Fidelity Rewards VISA. It is, however, annoying that the only way to set up automatic payment of the balance every month is to call and request a paper form to fill out and mail back. AMEX was late to the game here, too, but they’ve had an online form for this for 1.5 years.

It would be a long while before I put $2500 on the Fido so I think after I hti that first redemption I might switch to Penfed and take the instant 1%….but I love the Fido for it’s billapy whcih lets me pay virtually everything but my mortgage (no points, but extra month, and all conveniently in one login…)

Also got the Fidelity Visa version of this card that earns 1.5% back for places that don’t take Amex.

Highly recommend.