May 14, 2014, 1:15 pm
Last edit by: rrgg
This thread is a continuation of the discussion posted here from 12.08.2012 - 5.13.2014: Barclays Arrival/Arrival Cards (1.05%/2.1% travel credits)
Current offer for Arrival Plus is 70K pts w/$5K spend & AF waived 1st year.
Barclays says that you earn “miles” but you’re actually earning cash back with the card since you can’t transfer your Barclays miles to airlines. But you can redeem them for statement credits at 0.5 cents per mile (poor value) or 1.05 cent per mile if you redeem for travel.
You get 5% of your miles back if you redeem for travel, so 40,000 miles gets you $400 towards travel and 2,000 miles back (5% of your miles back). You must have at least 10K 'miles' in your acct if you wish to redeem as a travel credit. 2500 'miles' can be redeemed for a stmt credit though.
If you want, you can redeem miles to cover a portion of a travel charge instead of the full amount. For example, if you have 80k miles and a $740 airline charge, you can choose to redeem just 70k to cover $700 of the charge.
You earn 2X miles on all purchases, so you’re effectively getting 2% cash back for each purchase. But since you get 5% of your miles back when you redeem for travel, this is effectively a 2.1% cash back card when miles are redeemed for travel.
This makes the Barclaycard Arrival PlusTM World Elite MasterCard® (with 2.1% cash back for travel) better than the Capital One Venture card which offers only 2 miles per $1 or 2% cash back, only if you spend $30k+ per year after first year, because Arrival Plus AF is $30 more than Venture.
If you receive a call from 302-255-8000 after applying for this or any other Barclay's card, it is a legit number! You can also call them back directly at 866-951-1437.
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Let's crowd source things that have counted towards travel redemptions that are not so obvious
="3"%Successful
Don't forget travel purchase needs to be > $100 charge for 10K mile redemption
Airlines that post purchases of multiple tickets as one amount or split them:
One Amount
BA (USD based award ticket)
Multiple Transactions
UA (award)
DL (award)
Current offer for Arrival Plus is 70K pts w/$5K spend & AF waived 1st year.
Barclays says that you earn “miles” but you’re actually earning cash back with the card since you can’t transfer your Barclays miles to airlines. But you can redeem them for statement credits at 0.5 cents per mile (poor value) or 1.05 cent per mile if you redeem for travel.
You get 5% of your miles back if you redeem for travel, so 40,000 miles gets you $400 towards travel and 2,000 miles back (5% of your miles back). You must have at least 10K 'miles' in your acct if you wish to redeem as a travel credit. 2500 'miles' can be redeemed for a stmt credit though.
If you want, you can redeem miles to cover a portion of a travel charge instead of the full amount. For example, if you have 80k miles and a $740 airline charge, you can choose to redeem just 70k to cover $700 of the charge.
You earn 2X miles on all purchases, so you’re effectively getting 2% cash back for each purchase. But since you get 5% of your miles back when you redeem for travel, this is effectively a 2.1% cash back card when miles are redeemed for travel.
This makes the Barclaycard Arrival PlusTM World Elite MasterCard® (with 2.1% cash back for travel) better than the Capital One Venture card which offers only 2 miles per $1 or 2% cash back, only if you spend $30k+ per year after first year, because Arrival Plus AF is $30 more than Venture.
If you receive a call from 302-255-8000 after applying for this or any other Barclay's card, it is a legit number! You can also call them back directly at 866-951-1437.
Very Old Wiki Info ---
Regarding official company representatives
Note that there is an official procedure for company representatives to register themselves with the FlyerTalk Community Director and verify their credentials. When that process is completed, the username will turn green in posts, rather than the standard blue.
Anyone who does not appear in green has not followed this procedure. Those posts should be considered the same as any other user's posts. It is important to remember that the moderation team does not generally monitor the veracity of any posts; it is up to you to judge a poster's content and history yourself.
Let's crowd source things that have counted towards travel redemptions that are not so obvious
="3"%Successful
Don't forget travel purchase needs to be > $100 charge for 10K mile redemption
- 9/11 Museum and Memorial - NYC
- Accuracy Limo (via Square, Salt Lake City, UT limo service)
- ACE Adventures (West Virginia White Water Rafting), had to call in to get it processed manually
- agoda.com
- AirAsia Flights (airasia.com)
- airbnb bookings
- airbnb GC purchased on United MPX site
- Alaska Airlines checked baggage fee $25 charge
- Amazing Bike Tours Thailand
- AA Gift Card
- American Airlines telephone booking (including booking fee)
- Amtrak train ticket >$25 (ALB-NYP)
- Amtrak train ticket >$25 (unknown destinations)
- Arrival+ Annual Fee
- Argosy Cruises (SEA, classified as RECREATION)
- Autoeurope.com
- BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) San Francisco
- Balloons over Bagan
- Bieber bus tickets
- Boston MBTA Charlie Card reload & Commuter Rail passes & tickets
- Burj Khalifa observation decks
- Buying Lifemiles from Avianca
- Capitaine Train Tickets (capitaine.com)
- Carmel Limo (NYC car service)
- carrentals.com
- cheaptickets.com hotel
- Chinese Visa Application Fees (had to call in. Credit showed up in account in 2 business days. See Post 912 and 921 for details)
- City Taxi (Tampa)
- CostcoTravel
- Cotai Waterjet (Hong Kong)
- CT Limo
- Daily Getaways purchase of HHonors points
- DB Bahn Trains Germany (bahn.de)
- Disneyland Hong Kong (Manual redemption required)
- DriveNow - all locations in EU/US
- Dublin Bus Tours Hop on, Hop off (Green)
- Eiffel Tower (manual redemption by phone allowed)
- Empire State Building tickets
- Enterprise rent-a-car, paid at the counter when returning the car (used Chase United Visa initially for primary coverage, but asked to pay with a different card when returning the car)
- Eurostar Train Tickets (eurostar.com)
- Europcar.com
- Expedia.com
- Hertz Rent-a-Car (booked on hertz.com)
- Hong Kong Airport Express Pass
- Hotel bookings through Rocketmiles (even refundable bookings or those tied to other promotions)
- Hotels.com
- Hotwire
- ItaliaRail (online booking agency for TrenItalia)
- LA Swamp Tours, Steamboat cruise, Haunted History Tours (New Orleans)
- Lahaina-Maui Ferry Tickets - booked online at www.go-lanai.com
- Las Vegas Show Booked through hotel
Las Vegas show tickets booked online (Mandalay Bay Box office) - Limo Charges - Two limo charges that I made in March PRIOR the the recent changes to what qualifies as "Travel" showed up as eligible travel charges. I guess with the changes to what's covered, and for how long, these got pulled back in.
- Lyft
- M-Life advance reservation deposit
- Montway Auto Transport (deposit)
- New York City MTA Subway Cards
- New York Waterways Ferry (between NJ and NYC)
- Ngong Ping 360 (Hong Kong)
- Norwegian Cruise Line purchase made from telephone order from vacationstogo.com
- Norwegian Cruise Line (deposits and payments)
- NS Hispeed Train Tickets (nshispeed.com)
- NYC Taxi
- Orbitz.com purchase
- ORCA card for Seattle area tolls (considered the very typical GOVERNMENT SERVICES NOT ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED)
- Paris RATP Metro/VATP (buy 10-ticket pack for >$25 and save cost)
- PeruRail (Machu Picchu train)
- PMRF Beach Cottages (Kauai)
- Priceline
- Primetime Shuttle (Worked from LAX-SNA)
- rail europe on Travelocity
- rail JR Rail in Japan, load as tourist attraction, call in to get it credit (Post#938)
- Safari Helicopter Tour (Kauai)
- Sandals.com resort booking (unique vacations) was not redeemable last year. Is redeemable online now
- SEASTREAK LLC - NYC (Commuter Ferri)
- Singapore Cable Car
- Southwest $100 gift card
- Southwest Early Bird Check-in (billed separately from airfare charges)
- Spirit of NY Dinner Cruises - www.spiritcruises.com, which have cruises in several other cities as well.
- Starwood Vacation Ownership (SPG Timeshare) Westin Princeville Kauai (coded as Timeshare).
- St Pauls Cathedral (manual redemption by phone allowed)
- Super Shuttle (mixed, worked in SF when (billed SUPERSHUTTLE EXECUCARS), worked in Boston (SUPERSHUTTLE BOSTON), failed in LA (SUPERSHUTTLE), Worked in Cancun.
- Taxi in Zürich
- Top of the Rock tickets - NYC
- Trenitalia Online
- Trimet (Portland OR public transportation)
- Trip Advisor Rental
- TurboJET (Hong Kong)
- Uber
- Uber GC through MPX $100 (re-confirmed 11/1/2018, using Arrival Premier)
- United Baggage Fee
- Universal Studio Orlando tickets (had to call in)
- Viator (sightseeing/tours)
- Victoria Clipper (passenger ferry)
- Wedding at the Stratosphere's Chapel in the Clouds (billed as stratosphere)
- Windsor Castle (manual redemption by phone allowed)
- Wine purchases from different wine tasting rooms
- WMATA (Washington DC Metro) - [[COLOR="Red"]reconfirmed 10/5/15]
- Zipcar
="3"%Unsuccessful (please mention the amount redeemed - important as anything under$25$100 cannot be reimbursed)
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. - www.b-europe.com (SNCB rail)
- Amtrak (possibly due <$25 charge)
- Blue Water Rafting. Merchant category "Recreation Services -- Not elsewhere classified"
- Brazil airline GOL booked online codes as DIRECT MARKETING/DIRECT MARKETERS--NOT ELESWH ..
- Broadmoor Hotel Food and Beverage (Colorado Spring, CO)
- budgetair.co.uk (charged >$200)
- Car2go
- De Palm Tours, Aruba (classified as Recreation. Called Barclay twice.)
- Description: ZERVE *CA WHALES Merchant Category: THEATRICAL PRODUCERS (EXCEPT MOTION PICTURES), TICKET AGENCIES...Tickets to whale watching tour purchased over the phone.
- Evan Evans Sightseeing tours (UK based)- http://www.evanevanstours.co.uk
- Fastrak tag autoload for San Francisco bridge tolls ($25)
- Global Entry
- Gotobus.com Long Distance Buses, ~$100
- Homeaway.com, posts as real estate. Barclays said they'd make a one-time exception but future purchases won't count as travel.
- Hostelbookers.com deposit (maybe the charge which is >$25 will count?)
- Hotels.com Gift Card
- IHG points and cash hotel redemption
- Malaysian Overnight Train KUL-SIN (ktmb.com.my)
- Monterey Aquarium
- Parking at DCA - $136 (7/9/19)
- Parking at HSV ($96 in parking at Huntsville International Airport)
- Parking at IAH (Houston Intercontinental - on airport) -$76 (PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES)
- Parking at LAS
- Parking at LGA $204
- Parking at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ
- Parking at SNA (John Wayne Airport)
- San Francisco Clipper Card public transit (autoload from website)
- Skyjump at Stratosphere Hotel LV $150 (01/14) - not charged by hotel.
- Space Needle and Chihuly Garden Tickets
- Starwood points purchase (BUSINESS SERVICES NOT ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED)
- Taxi Magic /Curb- Taxi service
- Thello train (France-Italy night train, codes as rail-freight)
- Trenitalia (both online and in stations, posts as rail-freight)
- UBER eGift Card (bought through the UBER app) for $100 - Not coded as "travel," so couldn't redeem online and they wouldn't do it over the phone, either.
Airlines that post purchases of multiple tickets as one amount or split them:
One Amount
BA (USD based award ticket)
Multiple Transactions
UA (award)
DL (award)
Barclays Arrival Plus, now 70K w/$5k spend
Feb 26, 2016, 11:15 am
#3181
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
Sometimes if you look at your account around midnight or late evening there may be a half-way posted charge but the changes haven't propagated to redemption site yet. By next morning should be ok. Usually takes 2 days for hotels.com charges to post. After you redeem against this charge go back to hotels.com and cancel the reservation. The $500 will be refunded and of course you'll lose $10 worth of points due to the refund.
Feb 27, 2016, 6:37 pm
#3182
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Michigan
Programs: AA, UA, DL, UR, IHG platnium, AirAsia
Posts: 323
I have a large travel purchase (over $200) that I'm about to redeem with my points once the rest of my TC miles post next month, but my current balance is only ~$10. Once I redeem I'll have a large negative balance. Will Barclays send me a check?
Mar 2, 2016, 5:28 pm
#3183
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Programs: HiltonH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, Hyatt-Diamond,SPG-newbie
Posts: 301
Crap I just got approved for the Plus., I got 1st + two years ago, and wife just cancel hers, so I just going to get it for me this time for our upcoming trip to Asia. But just notice the new rule in place. $100 redeem instead of the $25 :banghead: damn
I was also thinking if it was possible to get the normal arrival card for the extra 20k pts.
this is not good, most travel expense in Asia dont get that much over $100.
I was also thinking if it was possible to get the normal arrival card for the extra 20k pts.
this is not good, most travel expense in Asia dont get that much over $100.
Mar 3, 2016, 12:02 am
#3184
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 329
Crap I just got approved for the Plus., I got 1st + two years ago, and wife just cancel hers, so I just going to get it for me this time for our upcoming trip to Asia. But just notice the new rule in place. $100 redeem instead of the $25 :banghead: damn
I was also thinking if it was possible to get the normal arrival card for the extra 20k pts.
this is not good, most travel expense in Asia dont get that much over $100.
I was also thinking if it was possible to get the normal arrival card for the extra 20k pts.
this is not good, most travel expense in Asia dont get that much over $100.
You'll now have a credit on your account for $400 to spend on whatever you'd like!
I saw someone post this trick over on the BOA Travel Rewards card thread.
Mar 3, 2016, 12:09 am
#3185
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,112
Crap I just got approved for the Plus., I got 1st + two years ago, and wife just cancel hers, so I just going to get it for me this time for our upcoming trip to Asia. But just notice the new rule in place. $100 redeem instead of the $25 :banghead: damn
I was also thinking if it was possible to get the normal arrival card for the extra 20k pts.
this is not good, most travel expense in Asia dont get that much over $100.
I was also thinking if it was possible to get the normal arrival card for the extra 20k pts.
this is not good, most travel expense in Asia dont get that much over $100.
Mar 3, 2016, 12:57 am
#3186
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,607
Do purchase that can be redeemed using miles show up right away after the purchase has posted ?
I have a ~$300 bill from the Luxor Hotel, When I go to redeem I don't show any eligible purchases to use miles for.
Thanks
I have a ~$300 bill from the Luxor Hotel, When I go to redeem I don't show any eligible purchases to use miles for.
Thanks
Last edited by flyer4512; Mar 3, 2016 at 1:02 am
Mar 3, 2016, 9:38 am
#3187
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
If I book a $500 hotel room, redeem the points, I'll get about $50 back (still under old rules). I could then book another $100 hotel room (all before cancelling the first), use those points to pay for 1/2, then once it's redeemed, cancel both. I'd lose out on the $5 or so from the second redemption of course, but that's nothing compared to the $50.
Viable?
Mar 3, 2016, 10:25 am
#3188
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
When you've done this, have you utilized the % of point back as well? For instance, I have about $500 worth of points and I'd like to close this card before the AF hits.
If I book a $500 hotel room, redeem the points, I'll get about $50 back (still under old rules). I could then book another $100 hotel room (all before cancelling the first), use those points to pay for 1/2, then once it's redeemed, cancel both. I'd lose out on the $5 or so from the second redemption of course, but that's nothing compared to the $50.
Viable?
If I book a $500 hotel room, redeem the points, I'll get about $50 back (still under old rules). I could then book another $100 hotel room (all before cancelling the first), use those points to pay for 1/2, then once it's redeemed, cancel both. I'd lose out on the $5 or so from the second redemption of course, but that's nothing compared to the $50.
Viable?
If you're under the $25 min redemption rule still, then at some point you'll need to have just over $25 worth of points, do one final redemption and you'll lose about $2.5. If you now have to redeem for $100+ charges, then you'll get stuck with ~$10 loss.
Mar 3, 2016, 12:48 pm
#3190
Mar 3, 2016, 1:25 pm
#3191
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
Yes, I have a 10% refund always so if you plan to close the card you have to do some tricky math to see what combination of redemptions will leave you with the least points.
If you're under the $25 min redemption rule still, then at some point you'll need to have just over $25 worth of points, do one final redemption and you'll lose about $2.5. If you now have to redeem for $100+ charges, then you'll get stuck with ~$10 loss.
If you're under the $25 min redemption rule still, then at some point you'll need to have just over $25 worth of points, do one final redemption and you'll lose about $2.5. If you now have to redeem for $100+ charges, then you'll get stuck with ~$10 loss.
Mar 4, 2016, 2:12 pm
#3193
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Programs: HiltonH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, Hyatt-Diamond,SPG-newbie
Posts: 301
What about charging a refundable hotel to your card. Redeem your miles for a statement credit, and then cancel the hotel and get a refund.
You'll now have a credit on your account for $400 to spend on whatever you'd like!
I saw someone post this trick over on the BOA Travel Rewards card thread.
You'll now have a credit on your account for $400 to spend on whatever you'd like!
I saw someone post this trick over on the BOA Travel Rewards card thread.
Possible?
Mar 4, 2016, 2:16 pm
#3194
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Maine, USA
Programs: Delta PM Elite Plus, Aegean
Posts: 132
I booked a hotel room a refundable room on hotels.com and chose the pay now option. The charge has posted to my account but the travel statement credit page is not showing the charge as redeemable. The charge was for ~$500. The charge shows up as HOTELS.COM127939944438 and category is travel agency. Do I need to wait a few days for the charge to show up on the travel statement redemption page?
Ironically since I travel mostly to Greece, Italy, Egypt and France, all of the fraudulent charges happened in Italy. (Even the Sapphire ones.)
I'd just wait it out then call.
Mar 4, 2016, 2:18 pm
#3195
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Maine, USA
Programs: Delta PM Elite Plus, Aegean
Posts: 132