Mar 8, 2014, 8:10 pm
Last edit by: mia
Thread closed. Click HERE to read the new thread.
Let's crowd source things that have counted towards travel redemptions that are not so obvious
Successful
Successful - Plus Only
Unsuccessful (please mention the amount redeemed - important as anything under $25 cannot be reimbursed)
Don't forget travel purchase needs to be > $25 charge for 2,500 mile redemption
Partial redemptions are possible - however you cannot redeem against that charge again. So if you have a $500 charge and you spend 40K points against it, you cannot redeem 10K points for the remaining $100 of that charge.
Let's crowd source things that have counted towards travel redemptions that are not so obvious
Successful
- NS Hispeed Train Tickets (nshispeed.com)
- Capitaine Train Tickets (capitaine.com)
- Eurostar Train Tickets (eurostar.com)
- DB Bahn Trains Germany (bahn.de)
- Super Shuttle (mixed, worked in SF when (billed SUPERSHUTTLE EXECUCARS), worked in Boston (SUPERSHUTTLE BOSTON), failed in LA (SUPERSHUTTLE)
- rail europe on travelocity
- New York City MTA Subway Cards
- Boston MBTA Charlie Card reload & Commuter Rail passes & tickets
- San Francisco Clipper Card public transit (autoload from website)
- Norwegian Cruise Line purchase made from telephone order from vacationstogo.com
- rail JR Rail in Japan, load as tourist attraction, call in to get it credit (Post#938)
- Alaska Airlines checked baggage fee $25 charge
- Southwest Early Bird Check-in (billed separately from airfare charges)
- cheaptickets.com hotel
- Amtrak train ticket >$25 (ALB-NYP)
- Amtrak train ticket >$25 (unknown destinations)
- Buying Lifemiles from Avianca
- Primetime Shuttle (Worked from LAX-SNA)
- Orbitz.com purchase
- Priceline
- Las Vegas Show Booked through hotel
- Hotels.com
- WMATA (Washington DC Metro) Weekly pass
Successful - Plus Only
- Uber
- NYC Taxi
- Empire State Building tickets
- SF Taxi (coded as "YELLOW CARD SERVICES I")
Unsuccessful (please mention the amount redeemed - important as anything under $25 cannot be reimbursed)
- Amtrak (possibly due <$25 charge)
- IHG points and cash hotel redemption
- www.b-europe.com (SNCB rail)
- Description: ZERVE *CA WHALES Merchant Category: THEATRICAL PRODUCERS (EXCEPT MOTION PICTURES), TICKET AGENCIES...Tickets to whale watching tour purchased over the phone.
- Car2go
- Hostelbookers.com deposit (maybe the charge which is >$25 will count?)
- Thello train (France-Italy night train, codes as rail-freight)
- Trenitalia (both online and in stations, posts as rail-freight)
- Brazil airline GOL booked online codes as DIRECT MARKETING/DIRECT MARKETERS--NOT ELESWH ..
- Blue Water Rafting. Merchant category "Recreation Services -- Not elsewhere classified"
- Parking at IAH (Houston Intercontinental - on airport) -$76 (PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES)
- Parking at SNA (John Wayne Airport)
- Skyjump at Stratosphere Hotel LV $150 (01/14) - not charged by hotel.
- Gotobus.com Long Distance Buses, ~$100
- Global Entry
Don't forget travel purchase needs to be > $25 charge for 2,500 mile redemption
Partial redemptions are possible - however you cannot redeem against that charge again. So if you have a $500 charge and you spend 40K points against it, you cannot redeem 10K points for the remaining $100 of that charge.
Barclays Arrival/Arrival Cards (1.1%/2.2% travel credits)
Apr 23, 2013, 11:44 pm
#76
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA Citi Visa and Amex, Citi AA Biz, SPG, Amex Green, Zync, Discover It (Starbucks Gold) HHonors Gold
Posts: 268
Apr 24, 2013, 11:25 am
#77
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 290
I wasn't able to buy a $3K AMEX gift card. My card got frozen and I had to call to verify my account. They said I would have to call before I make a big purchase like that again. Too much hassle. My Amazon Payments went through, which met my minimum spend 
Apr 24, 2013, 12:34 pm
#78
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BOS
Posts: 588
I just applied for this card, and received a pending status. I called recon, but they said too many new accounts (they didn't specify over what time period, but I have 1 new account within the last 3 months, and 2 more just over 3 months old, and 2 more that are just over 6 months old.
Apr 24, 2013, 12:47 pm
#79
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: columbus,ohio, USA
Posts: 103
I was turned down because I have a huge business expense on my AMEX card(40K).......
It was paid yesterday and it has posted to zero balance.....how soon will Barclays know this info and reconsider me ??
tia
It was paid yesterday and it has posted to zero balance.....how soon will Barclays know this info and reconsider me ??
tia
Apr 25, 2013, 12:19 am
#80
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
When the statement closes AMEX will report the new balance and it should show up in your credit report soon after that. BUT, you can call AMEX and ask them to fax you a "current statement balance" (which should be zero now or close to zero...as you say you just paid off the 40k). You can then send that to Barclays and they may be able to approve you. Cheers.
Apr 25, 2013, 1:19 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA Citi Visa and Amex, Citi AA Biz, SPG, Amex Green, Zync, Discover It (Starbucks Gold) HHonors Gold
Posts: 268
I just applied for this card, and received a pending status. I called recon, but they said too many new accounts (they didn't specify over what time period, but I have 1 new account within the last 3 months, and 2 more just over 3 months old, and 2 more that are just over 6 months old.
You might have to hold off for up to a year and try to APP again.
Apr 25, 2013, 3:10 pm
#82
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BOS
Posts: 588
The recon agent never mentioned inquiries only new accounts, both with Barclay's and other accounts.
Apr 25, 2013, 3:45 pm
#83
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: KSTP KSPG
Programs: AOPA
Posts: 974
HUCA
I just applied for this card, and received a pending status. I called recon, but they said too many new accounts (they didn't specify over what time period, but I have 1 new account within the last 3 months, and 2 more just over 3 months old, and 2 more that are just over 6 months old.
HUCA,
Apr 26, 2013, 2:00 pm
#84
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BOS
Posts: 588
Thanks!
Apr 26, 2013, 11:32 pm
#85
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA Citi Visa and Amex, Citi AA Biz, SPG, Amex Green, Zync, Discover It (Starbucks Gold) HHonors Gold
Posts: 268
Based on your experience, I called recon again today. The agent asked pretty much the same questions, checked my credit report, and pretty much said the same thing, too many new accounts in the last year. I asked to split my existing credit line (which I unsuccessfully asked for last time), and the agent agreed.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Apr 29, 2013, 8:53 am
#86
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 290
I received my 40K points instantly after spending $1,000. Did not have to wait for statement to close. I even redeemed points for a hotel stay on booking.com. I am very impressed with this card so far. Seems like Barclaycard is really stepping it up. I posted a step-by-step process on how to redeem Barclaycard points if anyone is interested.
May 1, 2013, 10:57 am
#87
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CLT
Programs: US Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 62
Has anyone tried to purchase travel gift cards with these points? I was wondering if I could use the sign up bonus to buy gift cards to mariott for use at a later date, and then cancel before the annual fee comes up.
May 1, 2013, 4:52 pm
#88
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 290
You should have no problems buying gift cards and requesting for statement credit.
May 1, 2013, 6:05 pm
#89
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: RDU
Programs: Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist, AA, Delta, Southwest CP, Citi Prestige, MLife Platinum
Posts: 103
Just got my card - Barclays took their sweet time, about 10-12 days to approve and another week or more to get the card. So different than Amex instant approval and card overnighted in one day....
May 2, 2013, 1:37 am
#90
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 25
Based on your experience, I called recon again today. The agent asked pretty much the same questions, checked my credit report, and pretty much said the same thing, too many new accounts in the last year. I asked to split my existing credit line (which I unsuccessfully asked for last time), and the agent agreed.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Unfortunately, no.
Reason given: Too may cc applications in the past few months. Wait until a few US Airways CC statements are paid.
Here's the time line:
Applied for Arrival's card April 13th. Was in a pending status. Called on Apr 23rd and was declined. Called again May 1st and was declined again. Reasons stated above.
Apart from this card I applied for and got approved for a US Air cc on 04/05, Chase Priority Club Visa and Citi HHonors CC in Feb, Club Carlson Visa in Mar, Chase Marriott rewards last Nov.
Excellent credit and all debt paid on time, in full, on a monthly basis.
Should I make a 3rd call to the reconsideration line or give it a rest? Any suggestions on what I can say if I were to make that call ?