topic Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it? in Credit Cards

Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

QueenBeeOC — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:33:51 GMT

Anyone have the Barclay arrival card? I wanna know more about it and if you are able to get trips off its miles. Just assssking for my own reference - if I apply for anything it will be Chase Sapphire Preffered or Citi AA - a girls got Maui on the brain!

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

wHiTeSoL — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:53:04 GMT

I received the no AF one when i applied for the AF one, so....I don't like it. I used up the 20k bonus and SDed it. It's not a bad card but I rather be using my CSP for the bonus categories.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

B335is — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:11:21 GMT

I have the AF version. I like Barclays website and phone app - both simple, but well laid out. Barclays also credits points within a day or so, unlike Chase. I actually use it a lot more than my CSP or Freedom. With a low profile and heavy usage, I think Barclays may be better with auto-CLI than Chase also.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

Open123 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:15:10 GMT

It's an excellent card, if you prefer cashback type redemptions need a no FTF card. The miles/rewards you earn aren't directly transferrable to actual airline or hotel programs, but instead can only be redeemed for full credit against travel related charges.

Along with the 10% bonus on redemptions, it's essentially a 2.2% cashback card with no FTF. An excellent card, and certainly better than most; however, those who prefer actual travel program redemptions would likely find better value elsewhere.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

budugu — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:50:42 GMT

I had it some time last year. The initial bonus was credited very fast. used the points to get to SF but cancelled it before AF. 2% is nice but if that is what you want then Fid Amex is better (0.2% ~ should easily off set the 90$ annual fee). I guess the main issue is that in generic cash back game it is tough to beat the Fidelity Amex.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

Open123 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:59:26 GMT

@budugu wrote:
I had it some time last year. The initial bonus was credited very fast. used the points to get to SF but cancelled it before AF. 2% is nice but if that is what you want then Fid Amex is better (0.2% ~ should easily off set the 90$ annual fee). I guess the main issue is that in generic cash back game it is tough to beat the Fidelity Amex.

Right, for general domestic spending, 2% pure cashback (no redemption category restriction) with no annual fee is best in class.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

lhcole77 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 21:42:17 GMT

@QueenBeeOC wrote:
Anyone have the Barclay arrival card? I wanna know more about it and if you are able to get trips off its miles. Just assssking for my own reference - if I apply for anything it will be Chase Sapphire Preffered or Citi AA - a girls got Maui on the brain!

I have the AF WMC and love it. Started with 5k and got an auto CLI to 8K after 6 months. LOVE THIS CARD!

Awesome website. Free TU FICO (whenever they do an AR). Double points (that add up fast). Payments post quickly. Great website. Great app. Very easy to redeem miles for credit. Used 30,000 for $300 credit and got 3,000 refunded to me. Already have another 30,000 racked up and am going to grow it.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

lexrjSD — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:04:16 GMT

I have the AF version and I LOVE IT!

It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF.

Way better than the CSP! (I have both btw)

Points post right away.

Clean fast website.

2% on everything

Book whatever you want and use your points to "erase" the charge. No need to deal with retarded redeeming websites and restrictions.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

hot4u — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:26:26 GMT

Just remember theres a time limt after a Travel purchase if it's travel relative to get the max benefit of your rewards. And I believe you get 1 shot at it each travel purchase.

I am impressed Said I would never get a Barclay's Card..

They proven me Wrong

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:37:27 GMT

@lexrjSD wrote:
I have the AF version and I LOVE IT!
It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF.
Way better than the CSP! (I have both btw)
Points post right away.
Clean fast website.
2% on everything
Book whatever you want and use your points to "erase" the charge. No need to deal with retarded redeeming websites and restrictions.

Except for the tiny little restriction that you have to redeem against travel. Unlike say Fidelity.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

lexrjSD — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:26:44 GMT

Fidelity could be the best 2% card, except that it's an AMEX. Even though I love my BCP, AMEX is less and less accepted, specially in Europe which I like to go whenever I can.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

tonyric — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:34:12 GMT

With the cost of flights and hotels, it is easy to use it all for travel.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

barbaralee — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:59:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@lexrjSD wrote:
I have the AF version and I LOVE IT!
It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF.
Way better than the CSP! (I have both btw)
Points post right away.
Clean fast website.
2% on everything
Book whatever you want and use your points to "erase" the charge. No need to deal with retarded redeeming websites and restrictions.

Except for the tiny little restriction that you have to redeem against travel. Unlike say Fidelity.

For those who are restless and like to travel this is hardly a restriction. That 2% on everything was going to be used for travel, anyway.

The refunded miles when you spend miles makes the Arrival pretty sweet.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 03:02:11 GMT

@barbaralee wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lexrjSD wrote:
I have the AF version and I LOVE IT!
It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF.
Way better than the CSP! (I have both btw)
Points post right away.
Clean fast website.
2% on everything
Book whatever you want and use your points to "erase" the charge. No need to deal with retarded redeeming websites and restrictions.

Except for the tiny little restriction that you have to redeem against travel. Unlike say Fidelity.
For those who are restless and like to travel this is hardly a restriction. That 2% on everything was going to be used for travel, anyway.

The refunded miles when you spend miles makes the Arrival pretty sweet.

It is still a restriction. I agree some redemption sites are stupid, but others, such as Fidelity (and Cap One,1.5% everywhere) give full value redemption for cash and that is worth something.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

improvingmycredit — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 04:23:04 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@barbaralee wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lexrjSD wrote:
I have the AF version and I LOVE IT!
It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF.
Way better than the CSP! (I have both btw)
Points post right away.
Clean fast website.
2% on everything
Book whatever you want and use your points to "erase" the charge. No need to deal with retarded redeeming websites and restrictions.

Except for the tiny little restriction that you have to redeem against travel. Unlike say Fidelity.
For those who are restless and like to travel this is hardly a restriction. That 2% on everything was going to be used for travel, anyway.

The refunded miles when you spend miles makes the Arrival pretty sweet.
It is still a restriction. I agree some redemption sites are stupid, but others, such as Fidelity (and Cap One,1.5% everywhere) give full value redemption for cash and that is worth something.

The Arrival, when used as is intended, reimbursement for travel purposes is in my estimation one of the better travel cards out their. I wish the redemption could be transferred 1:1 for partner programs like the CSP- but then, I suppose one couldn't get the 2Pts per $1 on ALL spend. Still the redemption when used for travel is an effective 2.2% back with the 10% kickback on travel. But to compare the Arrival to a straight up cash back card isn't in my opinion apples to apples. It's not marketed as a cash back card. Still, I get your point...

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 04:28:21 GMT

@improvingmycredit wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@barbaralee wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lexrjSD wrote:
I have the AF version and I LOVE IT!
It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF.
Way better than the CSP! (I have both btw)
Points post right away.
Clean fast website.
2% on everything
Book whatever you want and use your points to "erase" the charge. No need to deal with retarded redeeming websites and restrictions.

Except for the tiny little restriction that you have to redeem against travel. Unlike say Fidelity.
For those who are restless and like to travel this is hardly a restriction. That 2% on everything was going to be used for travel, anyway.

The refunded miles when you spend miles makes the Arrival pretty sweet.
It is still a restriction. I agree some redemption sites are stupid, but others, such as Fidelity (and Cap One,1.5% everywhere) give full value redemption for cash and that is worth something.
The Arrival, when used as is intended, reimbursement for travel purposes is in my estimation one of the better travel cards out their. I wish the redemption could be transferred 1:1 for partner programs like the CSP- but then, I suppose one couldn't get the 2Pts per $1 on ALL spend. Still the redemption when used for travel is an effective 2.2% back with the 10% kickback on travel. But to compare the Arrival to a straight up cash back card isn't in my opinion apples to apples. It's not marketed as a cash back card. Still, I get your point...

Right, but the quote was: It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF. so I compared it to the (rather small) universe of 2% cards rather than travel cards.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

improvingmycredit — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 04:46:00 GMT

My bad. I missed that on first read. Still after reading it again, I'm pretty sure the poster meant within the realm of travel based cards... At least I took it that way on second read. Still, you always make very insightful valid points. If the card was a strict cash back card, it'd be a 1% card unless one made heavy use of the bonus promo award spend. Not very enticing as a CB card indeed.

Re: Barclay Arrival - You got it, you like it?

lhcole77 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:59:38 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@lexrjSD wrote:
I have the AF version and I LOVE IT!
It's the best 2% card out there if you can justify the AF.
Way better than the CSP! (I have both btw)
Points post right away.
Clean fast website.
2% on everything
Book whatever you want and use your points to "erase" the charge. No need to deal with retarded redeeming websites and restrictions.

Except for the tiny little restriction that you have to redeem against travel. Unlike say Fidelity.

But that's the purpose of this card.