topic Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular? in Credit Cards

Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:35:11 GMT

Since joining the forums, i've noticed many people here have the BarclayCard or are actively trying to get it. I don't know alot about it, and haven't even heard of it until I started reading these forums. I have researched it a little bit, and it seems to have alot of the same type of reward, travel, etc. deals as the other credit card companies.

Just wondering if there's anything i've missed that makes it more popular. Please school me, myFICO community! Lol..

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

GetTheFico — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:51:44 GMT

If you're referring to their Arrival card it could be because of the:

signup bonus points (40,000 or 20,000)

Free FICO score with statement

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

B335is — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:00:59 GMT

Barclays is generally more lenient with past negs, has a fairly significant product offering, good with auto CLI and even their rewards card for average credit has good rewards.

In my case they are 1 of VERY few that doesn't pull my EX report and they add to my lender mix. As mentioned the 40k Arrival bonus is good, but once the AF kicks in its kind of a standard travel card.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:05:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Since joining the forums, i've noticed many people here have the BarclayCard or are actively trying to get it. I don't know alot about it, and haven't even heard of it until I started reading these forums. I have researched it a little bit, and it seems to have alot of the same type of reward, travel, etc. deals as the other credit card companies.

Just wondering if there's anything i've missed that makes it more popular. Please school me, myFICO community! Lol..

Which BarclayCard are you referring to?

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:07:26 GMT

Ahh, I see. Thank you guys for the response. Much appreciated. I learn a little bit more each day on these forums.

Any of the Barclay cards, really. I just ...see ALOT of people with them, or talking about them. Again, I just thought it was weird, because before I started reading these forums, I had never heard of it.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:15:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Ahh, I see. Thank you guys for the response. Much appreciated. I learn a little bit more each day on these forums.

Any of the Barclay cards, really. I just ...see ALOT of people with them, or talking about them. Again, I just thought it was weird, because before I started reading these forums, I had never heard of it.

The Arrival is a great travel card for people whom travel on a budget, or just don't spend enough to accumulate enough points for premium redemptions. Chase UR and Amex MR points are worth more in terms of ccp value, but a decent redemption often requires 100k+ points, which means a lot of spending is required to rack up that many points. There's really no point in having enough UR points to just redeem for 1 night at a hotel either, unless you are bothered enough to pack your luggage every night to hotel hop during travel. Another problem with points redemption is that you need to be flexible with your travel dates, especially for flights. On the plus side, you could get a lot more bang for your buck with UR / MR.

Barclays Arrival gives you 2.2% back on travel redemption, and you basically book your own flights / hotels without having to worry about blackout dates. And for more budget conscious travelers, this card may make more sense if all they want is a decent hotel / flight, rather than staying at a top tier hotel or flying premium cabin.

There's pros and cons and it all depends on what you need and what you can afford.

As for the Barclay Rewards card, it gives you 2% on utilities, groceries and something else. That's not too shabby, though there are better options. The card isn't too hard to qualify though so it works out for people whom are establishing credit.

The Sallie Mae and US Airway cards are great too. One has 5% categories for gas, groceries and bookstores (amazon.com counts as a bookstore), while the other is giving out bonuses before the card gets turned into AA in a 3 years.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Stralem — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:15:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Again, I just thought it was weird, because before I started reading these forums, I had never heard of it.

Most people have the same experience. I had no idea who the f*** these guys were before finding myFico. That they've been around for hundreds of years and flown so far under the radar (at least here in the States) says something.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

bigblue7722 — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:19:00 GMT

Barclaycard is the most willing big bank to give out credit cards. They were the first to give me a pre-approval via their website during my rebuild. The free fico score is worth it for me and no other credit card offers 2% back on ultilties. When I first started my rebuild I wanted the walmart card to get the free fico score but if you can get approved for walmart u can probably get the barclaycard like me and this way you can use the card anywhere. Anyways, Ive had my boa secured card for ten months always paid in full and have my checking account with them for 6 years with thousands of dollars in them and they still wont unsecure my card. Cap one would not pre approve me for their QS card even after ten months of a secured card so I went and applied and got denied. I had to recon thru the EO to get my approval. I will always be grateful to barclaycard for giving me my first real card. Just make sure you treat barclaycard right or else they will take the card away from you if you scare them with opeing lots of new accounts or carrying large balances.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

colinstu — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:19:08 GMT

Fairly easy to get.
Mastercard (good for those who want a variety. almost anyone who accepts MC will accept Visa but you never know!)
Their Rewards card is actually pretty nice. 2x points on gas, groceries, utilities, 1x on everything else. Good for those who only have a 1% card or no rewards
Only need 1000 points to begin redeeming them for a $10 statement credit. (1 point always == 1 cent). Better than some other cards that require $25-50+
Free TU FICO score (just like Discover).
Their website is decent. Better than Chase's IMO.

I guess that's it ... for me anyways.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

gdale6 — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:27:08 GMT

Its a good credit rebuilders card, they issue to people who have checkered credit pasts, BK being the big one.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:48:40 GMT

@Stralem wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Again, I just thought it was weird, because before I started reading these forums, I had never heard of it.
Most people have the same experience. I had no idea who the f*** these guys were before finding myFico. That they've been around for hundreds of years and flown so far under the radar (at least here in the States) says something.

I know Barclay's Bank has been a staple in the UK since the dawn of time, but I thought they only recently came over to the States.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:59:59 GMT

Again, thanks so much for the replys and info! It does seem like a great CC company. I almost wish I would have app'd with Barclay when I first started, rather than CapOne as my credit seems to be so stagnant when it comes to them.

The Arrival card seems more down my block for regular traveling (visiting family members mainly, since they all live far away!). And keeping my Sapphire for the more exclusive/private vacay stuff that I will only be able to rack up over a long period of time.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 02:30:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Stralem wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Again, I just thought it was weird, because before I started reading these forums, I had never heard of it.
Most people have the same experience. I had no idea who the f*** these guys were before finding myFico. That they've been around for hundreds of years and flown so far under the radar (at least here in the States) says something.
I know Barclay's Bank has been a staple in the UK since the dawn of time, but I thought they only recently came over to the States.

+1. They acquired the US credit card division in 2003, and Leehman in 2008. They are one of the biggest banks in the world, bigger than any US bank by total assets (but not by market capitalization.)

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

injustifiiable — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 04:33:37 GMT

Barclaycard was known as Juniper back in the day...I remember that much.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

elpo9 — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 05:50:48 GMT

I got the Finance card to upgrade my MacBook for 18 months at 0%. As others have said, their cards are fairly easy to get as long as you have history.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

chwebb1 — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 06:04:40 GMT

I have mine because of the APR. I also like their customer service (US Based for the Ring and I've heard the Arrival). They are also generally considered recon friendly. Some of their cards aren't particularly easy to get approved for (such as the Ring).

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

vwgrrc — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 06:24:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Ahh, I see. Thank you guys for the response. Much appreciated. I learn a little bit more each day on these forums.

Any of the Barclay cards, really. I just ...see ALOT of people with them, or talking about them. Again, I just thought it was weird, because before I started reading these forums, I had never heard of it.
The Arrival is a great travel card for people whom travel on a budget, or just don't spend enough to accumulate enough points for premium redemptions. Chase UR and Amex MR points are worth more in terms of ccp value, but a decent redemption often requires 100k+ points, which means a lot of spending is required to rack up that many points. There's really no point in having enough UR points to just redeem for 1 night at a hotel either, unless you are bothered enough to pack your luggage every night to hotel hop during travel. Another problem with points redemption is that you need to be flexible with your travel dates, especially for flights. On the plus side, you could get a lot more bang for your buck with UR / MR.

Barclays Arrival gives you 2.2% back on travel redemption, and you basically book your own flights / hotels without having to worry about blackout dates. And for more budget conscious travelers, this card may make more sense if all they want is a decent hotel / flight, rather than staying at a top tier hotel or flying premium cabin.

There's pros and cons and it all depends on what you need and what you can afford.

As for the Barclay Rewards card, it gives you 2% on utilities, groceries and something else. That's not too shabby, though there are better options. The card isn't too hard to qualify though so it works out for people whom are establishing credit.

The Sallie Mae and US Airway cards are great too. One has 5% categories for gas, groceries and bookstores (amazon.com counts as a bookstore), while the other is giving out bonuses before the card gets turned into AA in a 3 years.

This^

I'm thinking about getting a Sallie Mae since the 5% looks really good to me! But is it hassle-free to redeem the 5% into actual cash or at least statement credit? All the website says is sth.like "you can pay down your student loan with the CB". I don't have any loan to pay, just interest in real cash back!

Any card user here? Thanks

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 06:27:53 GMT

@vwgrrc wrote:
This^

I'm thinking about getting a Sallie Mae since the 5% looks really good to me! But is it hassle-free to redeem the 5% into actual cash or at least statement credit? All the website says is sth.like "you can pay down your student loan with the CB". I don't have any loan to pay, just interest in real cash back!

Any card user here? Thanks

If I am not wrong, there are 2 sallie mae cards. One is the Upromise, the other is the 5% card.

This is the link for it: https://www.salliemae.com/credit-cards/sallie-mae-card/

The cashback seems to be pretty straightforward. It is easy to redeem as statement credit. I am not sure if you can redeem it as actual cash though.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

Swapmeet — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 06:35:53 GMT

@colinstu wrote:
Fairly easy to get.
Mastercard (good for those who want a variety. almost anyone who accepts MC will accept Visa but you never know!)
Their Rewards card is actually pretty nice. 2x points on gas, groceries, utilities, 1x on everything else. Good for those who only have a 1% card or no rewards
Only need 1000 points to begin redeeming them for a $10 statement credit. (1 point always == 1 cent). Better than some other cards that require $25-50+
Free TU FICO score (just like Discover). (and Wal Mart)
Their website is decent. Better than Chase's IMO.
I guess that's it ... for me anyways.

Re: Why is the BarclayCard so popular?

maksimfa — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 09:19:05 GMT

Barclays is huge world wide. They came to the states via acquisition of former Lehman Brothers assets during 2008. They also acquired Juniper issued cards.

If you know investments, the Lehman Brothers Bond Index.... now the Barclays Bond Index. =)