Arrival vs. CSP Reward Programs

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

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@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!

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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

[kdm31091]

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.

[Anonymous]

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?

[kdm31091]

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

[takeshi74]

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@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.

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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.

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@Anonymous wrote:

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

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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

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@Anonymous wrote:

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

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

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

[heyitsyeh]

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.

[kdm31091]

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.

[Anonymous]

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@kdm31091 wrote:

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

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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. 

[kdm31091]

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.