topic Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs in Credit Cards

Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 03:49:16 GMT

So I was looking at the Chase Sapphire (non preferred) for the 2x points on dining with no annual fee and the ability to redeem points on travel as well as gift cards. I don't travel very often so it would be nice to be able to cash in my points for gift cards regularly but also have a good travel program available when I need it. I have since learned that Chase is no longer offering the regular Sapphire card however, and I've started looking into the Barclaycard Arrival.

On the surface, its rewards seem equal to the CSP (2x dining and travel) plus there is no annual fee so there obviously must be something about Chase's rewards program that sets it apart from Barclaycard's. I'm wondering exactly what these differences are (better point conversion rate, better travel partners, etc.) that make Chase's program better and also if Barclaycard offers point redemption for gift cards like Chase. Any help is appreciated!

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 03:56:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So I was looking at the Chase Sapphire (non preferred) for the 2x points on dining with no annual fee and the ability to redeem points on travel as well as gift cards. I don't travel very often so it would be nice to be able to cash in my points for gift cards regularly but also have a good travel program available when I need it. I have since learned that Chase is no longer offering the regular Sapphire card however, and I've started looking into the Barclaycard Arrival.

On the surface, its rewards seem equal to the CSP (2x dining and travel) plus there is no annual fee so there obviously must be something about Chase's rewards program that sets it apart from Barclaycard's. I'm wondering exactly what these differences are (better point conversion rate, better travel partners, etc.) that make Chase's program better and also if Barclaycard offers point redemption for gift cards like Chase. Any help is appreciated!

What sets Chase's reward program apart from Barclays is the ability to transfer those points to airline and hotel partners. Barclays rewards program is a reimbursement where you use your rewards ponts to offset the cost of travel. People that are good with the Chase UR points can make use of their points so that they are more valuable than the Barclays program. 40,000 points with Barclays is worth $400 in travel reimbursement while 40,000 Chase points can be worth twice that much in the right hands.

Afaik you can use Barclays points to buy gift cards

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

kdm31091 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:00:56 GMT

You could theoretically apply for a CSP, and before a year elapses PC it to the no-AF Sapphire but there's no guarantee how long the option will remain (right now they are still allowing PC, just no new apps).

You could look into the non-AF Arrival. Still 2x on dining and travel, so if you aren't travelling much it may be a better option. As the other poster said you use your points to offset travel but you can also get gift cards etc.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:23:48 GMT

Not having either Arrival, don't know for sure but thought you couldn't get non-travel gift cards at the 1c=1pt rate, isn't the non-travel rate half of that?

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

kdm31091 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:31:58 GMT

You're right, I forgot that. So the 2x categories are really not 2x if you are redeeming for gift cards. I guess OP's best option is the regular Sapphire, but who knows if they can obtain it

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

takeshi74 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:13:33 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't travel very often so it would be nice to be able to cash in my points for gift cards regularly but also have a good travel program available when I need it.

Don't assume that travel automatically means that a travel card is a good fit. You still have to crunch the numbers, though valuing points can be tricky. Depending on specifics a cash back card can be a better fit for a given individual. You might want to consider that best point value with the Arrival is for travel statement credits.

@Anonymous wrote:
On the surface, its rewards seem equal to the CSP (2x dining and travel)

Always read the details:

http://www.barclaycardarrival.com/arrival-travel/?campaignId=2044&cellNumber=1&referrerid=BCSBA1014PRD#faq

https://www.chase.com/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/shared/assets/page/Online_Rewards_FAQ

@Anonymous wrote:
and also if Barclaycard offers point redemption for gift cards like Chase. Any help is appreciated!

Again, read the details on any card you're considering:

https://www.juniper.com/app/japply/lp/TnCs.jsp?prodidreq=CCMWC61394

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

heyitsyeh — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 17:51:26 GMT

Also keep in mind that using Arrival points for travel credit reimburses you 10% of the amount, so you have effectively a 2.2% base accrual rate.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

kdm31091 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:04:36 GMT

That's true. Maybe you wouldn't want to use Arrival as your main card, since you say you don't travel much, but you could use it for travel expenses and get 2.2% at least. Just consider it a category card, since redeeming for non-travel is really not a good deal.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:34:56 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
Just consider it a category card, since redeeming for non-travel is really not a good deal.

My plan was essentially to use it as a dining card and just hold onto the rewards for when I need to travel but it seems like I may be better off with some sort of 2% cash back dining card instead. Ideally, I'd like to get the US Bank Cash+ for the 5% fast food and 2% restaurants but I don't think my scores would warrant an approval so I was just considering other options.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

kdm31091 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:35:59 GMT

I'd be careful with the Cash+, only because they have been nerfing it like crazy, I wouldn't be surprised if fast food gets downgraded to 2%. Even still, 2% fast food and restaurants is not bad.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

skigirl916 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 19:35:41 GMT

I have CSP and Arrival+ (and the Venture). The rewards programs are night and day different. CS(P) involves points you can transfer to several partners. Arrival(+) (like Venture) is a reimbursement program. The value of each depends on too many factors, you have to crunch the numbers.

That said, I was able to get a free flight to China on Arrival+ that would have taken me over a year to get with CSP (from travel credit reimbursement). On the other hand, CSP allows me to upgrade the ticket I purchased with the Arrival+. So, between the two, I have a free first class ticket.

I think they're both worth having.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 19:46:39 GMT

The Arrival is basically a cashback on travel card. It has a fixed reimbursement value. The CSP is more of a traditional points or miles card. The points have the added benefit of a fixed value on redemption, but using it as a cash back card is silly. The CSP shines due to its transfer partners and the ability to leverage the miles at high redemption rates.

Simply put, the Arrival is a straight up flat return card much like most cash cards. If you have the arrival plus with the redemption bonuses you are looking at 2.2% back. Due to the AF it is worse than a 2% cash back card unless you have high overall spend and some travel spend. The card makes a lot of sense for 1 year for the bonus and then I would cancel it. The regular arrival is ok, but not something I would bother with.

The CSP on the other hand is an awesome card (personal opinion). It is only a 2x dining/travel and 1x everything else card but on average I get around 3 cents per point in redemption value from the CSP. This would make it effectively a 3% everything and 6% dining/travel card for me, but I value it a bit less (as a 2%/4% card) because my future redemptions might be worse especially with Korean Air removed (temporary per Chase but who knows).

Both are good cards for the sign up bonus. The Arrival+ is a better choice as a cash back card due to the extra miles on redemption (though the Fidelity Amex or Citi DoubleCash are better IMO). The CSP is a better "points" card if you are willing to save the miles and use them for high value redemptions.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:26:50 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
I'd be careful with the Cash+, only because they have been nerfing it like crazy, I wouldn't be surprised if fast food gets downgraded to 2%. Even still, 2% fast food and restaurants is not bad.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Luscher — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 23:35:34 GMT

UR points are the best

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Imperfectfuture — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:20:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
I'd be careful with the Cash+, only because they have been nerfing it like crazy, I wouldn't be surprised if fast food gets downgraded to 2%. Even still, 2% fast food and restaurants is not bad.
+1

But there's lots of 2% dining! fast food cards. I just got one of them. If you don't travel a lot, then just use cash back cards. Arrival, though I kinda like for sign up bonus, is basically dedicated to traveling. I don't do so much, ergo travel card way in the future for me. Just personal opinion.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

red259 — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:29:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So I was looking at the Chase Sapphire (non preferred) for the 2x points on dining with no annual fee and the ability to redeem points on travel as well as gift cards. I don't travel very often so it would be nice to be able to cash in my points for gift cards regularly but also have a good travel program available when I need it. I have since learned that Chase is no longer offering the regular Sapphire card however, and I've started looking into the Barclaycard Arrival.

On the surface, its rewards seem equal to the CSP (2x dining and travel) plus there is no annual fee so there obviously must be something about Chase's rewards program that sets it apart from Barclaycard's. I'm wondering exactly what these differences are (better point conversion rate, better travel partners, etc.) that make Chase's program better and also if Barclaycard offers point redemption for gift cards like Chase. Any help is appreciated!

Don't bother with travel cards if your going to cash out for gift cards. Its a total waste. Look at straight cashback cards in that situation.There is an AF for the CSP but it is waived the first year. The AF on the arrival+ is waived the first year as well. With the CSP you can move points into different travel partners and redeem for flights/hotels/etc. With the arrival+ you are paying cash and redeeming as statement credit (and getting 10% back on travel). You should not cash out for giftcards on either of these cards. They are not similiar at all. I have both and they get used for different things. The CSP I will use to redeem for flights and/or hotels and the Arrival+ I use for things I can not get for points (or get for points at a decent rate), a good example would be rental cars or maybe fueld surcharges, taxes on freward flights etc. Again I do not think these cards fit your needs and a straight cash back car will give you a better return.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

kdm31091 — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:31:50 GMT

I agree, OP your best bet is probably a regular cashback card like Quicksilver or Double Cash with 1.5 or 2% flat cash back on everything. If you want, just save your cash back up during the year, then redeem it against your statement when you travel. That's basically using it for travel without it being a true travel card. I'm an infrequent traveller, but plan to use some of QS cash back to credit my beach trip in the summer, for example.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:33:37 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
I agree, OP your best bet is probably a regular cashback card like Quicksilver or Double Cash with 1.5 or 2% flat cash back on everything. If you want, just save your cash back up during the year, then redeem it against your statement when you travel. That's basically using it for travel without it being a true travel card. I'm an infrequent traveller, but plan to use some of QS cash back to credit my beach trip in the summer, for example.

DoubleCash and a pair of SallieMae cards are the best combo for cashback rewards.

Re: Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:48:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
I agree, OP your best bet is probably a regular cashback card like Quicksilver or Double Cash with 1.5 or 2% flat cash back on everything. If you want, just save your cash back up during the year, then redeem it against your statement when you travel. That's basically using it for travel without it being a true travel card. I'm an infrequent traveller, but plan to use some of QS cash back to credit my beach trip in the summer, for example.
DoubleCash and a pair of SallieMae cards are the best combo for cashback rewards.

For some. yes. But if you major spending is outside SM categories (such as restaurants) or exceeds the cap on two, not so much