Word has leaked that the Barclays Arrival Plus credit card will soon be available online. This credit card offers 2.1% in travel rewards on all purchases when you include the 5% rebate on redemptions. Combined with the strong sign-up bonus, this is a valuable addition to any traveler’s wallet.
Where Did the Barclays Arrival Plus Credit Card Go?
The Barclays Arrival Plus credit card was pulled when Barclays launched the Arrival Premier card in April 2018. The bank didn’t want the competition for good reason.
The Arrival Premier has:
- A higher annual fee ($150 vs. $89)
- No sign-up bonus
- A more complicated earning structure
Can I Apply for the Barclays Arrival Plus Now?
Now that the Barclays Arrival Premier has launched, Barclays has started releasing the Barclays Arrival Plus back into the wild with mailers to potential customers and rumors that online applications will be available starting July 1, 2018.
If you don’t currently have this credit card, you should be able to apply online beginning next month.
What Are the Benefits of the Barclays Arrival Plus?
When the Barclays Arrival Plus is released it should have the biggest bonus ever. The 60,000 bonus points will be worth $630 in travel when you include the 5% rebate on travel redemptions.
For every dollar that you spend on the Arrival Plus, you’ll earn 2 Arrival points. Add in the 5% rebate on redemptions and now you’re earning 2.1% on every purchase.
If you travel internationally, you want a Barclays credit card in your wallet. First off, there are no foreign transaction fees. But most importantly, Barclays credit cards use chip and pin technology.
In the U.S., almost every major credit card issuer has transitioned to chip technology to encrypt credit card numbers, but they still rely on signatures to verify identity. In Europe, chip and pin is the norm and if you try to use a vending machine or pay for parking in an unattended garage, for example, your chip and signature card may not work.
My buddy David and I were literally stuck in an Amsterdam parking garage for two hours in 2014 because our U.S.-based credit cards wouldn’t work, and we couldn’t understand the message printed on the receipt that was declining our transaction!
Although the signing bonus is larger this time around, the $89 annual fee is not waived the first year. When compared to the previous offer of 50,000 points and first-year fee waiver, the offers are comparable.
Should You Consider the Barclays Arrival Premier?
Since the Barclays Arrival Premier is new, maybe you haven’t heard about it. Should you consider applying for the Barclays Arrival Premier?
Although the Arrival Premier has a $150 annual fee and no sign-up bonus, it does offer some benefits for big spenders and travelers who want airport lounge access.
Similar to the Barclays Arrival Plus, the Arrival Premier offers:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Chip and pin technology
- Complimentary FICO score access
- 2x miles on every purchase
- Ability to earn extra points in Barclays Travel Community
But, the Arrival Premier offers some additional benefits that could make it a worthwhile addition to your wallet:
- 25,000-mile bonus when spending $25,000 each year
- Global Entry reimbursement every 5 years
- Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by Lounge Key for $27 each visit (similar to Priority Pass)
- Transfer your miles to 9 airline transfer partners
If you can spend $25,000 on your credit card each year, you’ll be earning 3x miles with the Arrival Premier when you count the bonus. That’s enough for $787 worth of travel including the 5% rebate.
Which Barclays Arrival Credit Card Is Best?
For consumers who will be spending less than $25,000 per year on the credit card, the Arrival Plus is a better deal with its 60,000-mile sign-up bonus. If you plan to consistently spend at least $25,000 on your credit card each year and can benefit from the $100 Global Entry reimbursement, the Barclays Arrival Premier is the choice for you.
No matter which card is right for you, if you plan to travel to Europe, you’ll want a credit card from Barclays to have the chip and pin technology available.