As with all card, the value is a subjectively measured. For me, it has been a good value. They have two versions of the card: one for excellent credit and one for average credit. I had reeived many offers from them but always passed. I finally apped when they offered 10K bonus points (standard for them is 5K),since I had no need for the bal transfer feature. Only needed to make a single purchase to receive bonus award, which was credied almost immediately. The simplicity of non-rotating categories I enjoy. They also make it very easy to track points as they itemize points for each purchase made rather than a lump sum at the end of the month. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Target, CVS and Walgreen's are all coded as grocery stores, so for me the points amass quickly. When my 6th statement cut, I received a $2,200 auto CLI.
It really comes down to how you spend and what you need. What works for me may not be right for you.
@gdale6 wrote:Not in my opinion, some love them others don't like them. I am bombarded constantly with offers from Barclays they all get circular filed, the main reason for me is I don't like being told that I have to use a card every 90 days or face possible closure. The score that they offer I already get from Discover & Walmart so I see no advantage to a crad from them.
Barclays Rewards card, and Barclays Sallie Mae card, require you to use them at least once every 13 billing cycles. So, about 13 months. That really isn't much of a burden.
Priceline.com requires once every 6 months. Still not that big a deal.
The thing that concerns me about the Rewards card, is that it used to be somewhat unique in offering 2% cash back on Utilities. Of course, you can get the Fidelity Amex for 2% on everything, but not everyone accepts an amex, etc. So, it was a reasonable alternative. However, now that its possible to get a Huntington Voice and assign it to give 3% cash back on Utilities, i see much less reason to consider that card.
The Sallie Mae is still a very useful card for many people.
If I could do it over again, I'd app for the Sallie Mae instead of the Arrival. However, the sign up bonus for the Arrival was pretty good. I think I'll keep it for the obligatory year and then try to PC it to something.. if they won't let me PC it to Sallie Mae then I'll probably close it for sure.
@370Z wrote:I got the exact same offer today for the third time. Also, got the Discover IT offer with 10.99% APR after intro period again. Neither are tempting, especially since I always PIF, so they were shredded up for recycling.
I personally would have been all over that Discover offer. A low APR is always good to have just in case.
I personaltly don't find the Barclaycard Rewards card to be particularly compelling. I like my Ring (great APR, fair fees). I think I'm going to app for the Arrival at the end of the year, too. Other than the Ring, Arrival and Sallie Mae cards, none of their other cards interest me.
