Why Barclay's AF version of Arrival Better/Preferred by most?

[newUser0]

Except 2X on everything, is there any advantages with AF version of Arrival VS Non -AF Version?

[myjourney]

Bigger bonus being one 

Other than that the 2X points you mentioned 

[yudeology101]

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@myjourney wrote:

Bigger bonus being one 

Other than that the 2X points you mentioned 

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+1,  and the AF is waived for the first year why not take it...one can PC it to Non AF version when their AF is about to hit.

[newUser0]

This card is for MS only.

Can any one please give me information about how the Barclays Points worth?

I have heard that If I get 30K Points, is it NOT redeemable for 300$ Cash Back (Any Purchase )

[Anonymous]

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@newUser0 wrote:

This card is for MS only.

Can any one please give me information about how the Barclays Points worth?

I have heard that If I get 30K Points, is it NOT redeemable for 300$ Cash Back (Any Purchase )

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Definitely not the card for MS, at least not without some tricks that might reduce earn.  Arrival and similar cards, like Venture, give the advertized 2% only on "travel" redemptions.  While the definition is broad, it certainly isn't "cash back" or statement credit.

[newUser0]

So, I am still confused.

Are you saying that 30K points can't be redeemed for statement credit at all? If YES, how much it will be?

I am NOT able to see this info on their website.

[Anonymous]

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@newUser0 wrote:

So, I am still confused.

Are you saying that 30K points can't be redeemed for statement credit at all? If YES, how much it will be?

I am NOT able to see this info on their website.

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I don't have the Arrival, but according to this:

http://travelsort.com/blog/barclays-arrival-card-top-10-tips-to-maximize-rewards-from-the-40000-bonu...

non travel redemptions are only 50%.  Other sites seem to suggest it is the same ratio as travel, but no 10% bonus.   That would be really good (effective 2% min on everything) but not sure it is true.   Can someone with the Arrival answer!

[B335is]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@newUser0 wrote:

So, I am still confused.

Are you saying that 30K points can't be redeemed for statement credit at all? If YES, how much it will be?

I am NOT able to see this info on their website.

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I don't have the Arrival, but according to this:

http://travelsort.com/blog/barclays-arrival-card-top-10-tips-to-maximize-rewards-from-the-40000-bonus

non travel redemptions are only 50%.  Other sites seem to suggest it is the same ratio as travel, but no 10% bonus.   That would be really good (effective 2% min on everything) but not sure it is true.   Can someone with the Arrival answer!

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Correct, you can redeem for statement credit but for 40,000 points = $200 credit (roughly 1/2 the rate of travel related expenses).  2 points for every purchase sounds wonderful, but if you redeem it for cash you're using this card for the wrong purpose.  When my AF posts, I'm either downgrading or chucking mine completely.

[eddie84]

Yup, I only redeem mine for travel related expense only.  Here's an article/review from TPG.

http://thepointsguy.com/2013/04/barclaycard-arrival-world-mastercard-bonus-hits-40000-points

"You can also redeem miles for cash back statement credits, gift cards and merchandise but at the rate of between 0.5-1% depending on which card you have. Cash back statement credits start at 2,500 miles but for just $12.50 in value. Gift card redemptions start at 5,000 miles for $25, so you’re getting a value of 0.5 cents per mile and bringing your return on spending to just 1% with the annual fee card and potentially just 0.5% on the no annual fee card."

[DaveSignal]

I have the no-AF Arrival, which I picked up before I knew that a PC could be done with Barclays. I only use it for travel or dining and haven't redeemed points yet, but if I did, it would be for statement credit against travel expenses. AFAIK, restaraunts and airlines don't sell cash equivalents, and even if they did, 2x is not going to go very far. But these forums are not the place to recommend MS procedures and best cards. Please take further MS discussion elsewhere.