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
Apr 4, 2016, 4:45 pm
#3211
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Programs: HiltonH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, Hyatt-Diamond,SPG-newbie
Posts: 301
whats a good refundable travel hotel?
Apr 9, 2016, 4:21 pm
#3212
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 88
Quick question.
I made a $800 purchase for a flight from US to Australia a few months ago. I immediately redeemed the flight and was credited $800 from my points. Due to certain circumstances, I may have to cancel this flight and book another airline. There is no cancellation fee (surprising!), I confirmed with United AIrlines as well. Thing is, if I cancel and go with a refund, what will happen to my account in regards to my rewards? United with refund me the full $800, but that will put me at a credit balance of $800 since I haven't used my Arrival+ in over six months for regular purchases.
I made a $800 purchase for a flight from US to Australia a few months ago. I immediately redeemed the flight and was credited $800 from my points. Due to certain circumstances, I may have to cancel this flight and book another airline. There is no cancellation fee (surprising!), I confirmed with United AIrlines as well. Thing is, if I cancel and go with a refund, what will happen to my account in regards to my rewards? United with refund me the full $800, but that will put me at a credit balance of $800 since I haven't used my Arrival+ in over six months for regular purchases.
Apr 9, 2016, 5:59 pm
#3213
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
Any hotel booked via Hotels.com that specifically allows you to charge the room now, but can be cancelled prior to a certain date, will work. With a bit of search you can find one that's almost equal in price to the value of points you need to clear out.
Apr 15, 2016, 2:49 pm
#3214
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: UA, A3, TK, Marriott, IHG, Hertz
Posts: 280
Hi,
I applied for the MC Arrival card (non-fee card) about 4.5 months ago.
I just found the Arrival plus card gives you 2 miles(points) for all purchases vs. 2 points for travel & dining and 1 point for everything else.
So I decided it would be a good idea to apply for the plus card, and so I did.
Barclays declined my application (I have excellent credit and don't open a lot of cards 2-3 a year) when I called in, they told me that I already have the product so they declined it.
I don't why they think it's the same but the application guys (called twice) said it's the same and the customer care told me it's not. they redirect me to the agreement:
"This offer is available only to applicants who are residents of the United States, with the exception of Iowa, Puerto Rico and the US territories, and may not be available if you already have or have had an account with us. "
I think it would be wise to add this to the wiki.
If anyone knows how I can get the plus card if I have the regular card, please let me know. (cancelling and re-applying is the only solution?)
Thanks guys
I applied for the MC Arrival card (non-fee card) about 4.5 months ago.
I just found the Arrival plus card gives you 2 miles(points) for all purchases vs. 2 points for travel & dining and 1 point for everything else.
So I decided it would be a good idea to apply for the plus card, and so I did.
Barclays declined my application (I have excellent credit and don't open a lot of cards 2-3 a year) when I called in, they told me that I already have the product so they declined it.
I don't why they think it's the same but the application guys (called twice) said it's the same and the customer care told me it's not. they redirect me to the agreement:
"This offer is available only to applicants who are residents of the United States, with the exception of Iowa, Puerto Rico and the US territories, and may not be available if you already have or have had an account with us. "
I think it would be wise to add this to the wiki.
If anyone knows how I can get the plus card if I have the regular card, please let me know. (cancelling and re-applying is the only solution?)
Thanks guys
Apr 15, 2016, 7:13 pm
#3215
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Maui
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 199
Per Doctor of Credit (which prompted me to check my email), it looks like Barclay's is getting rid of the Rewards fan zone. My email said "We've heard your feedback, and we realize the program hasn't met your standards – or ours. As a result, we've decided to discontinue the program to focus on rewards and benefits that you find valuable."
I guess "we" told them we don't want to have a way to earn free miles?
I just got the card, so I may not know a whole lot about it, but this along with the other recent cuts kinda sucks...
I guess "we" told them we don't want to have a way to earn free miles?
I just got the card, so I may not know a whole lot about it, but this along with the other recent cuts kinda sucks...
Apr 18, 2016, 8:00 am
#3216
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA BA CO DL UA US
Posts: 814
I know this card is supposed to be churnable, but when I was about to hit submit today, I show the terms below. (I had a Arrival Plus card closed about 15 months ago.) So, were these wordings always there?
This onetime 40,000 miles bonus offer is valid for first-time Cardmembers with new accounts only. Existing Cardmembers and existing accounts are not eligible for this offer.
This onetime 40,000 miles bonus offer is valid for first-time Cardmembers with new accounts only. Existing Cardmembers and existing accounts are not eligible for this offer.
Apr 18, 2016, 9:05 am
#3217
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 89
I saw the same question asked elsewhere and a poster linked to a person asking the same question well over a year ago. So yes, its been there a while at least and people have churned the card with that language and have gotten the bonus again.
Of course, that could change at any time and is no guarantee you will but until there are data points otherwise, I'd think you're fine. I plan on finding out myself soon enough.
Of course, that could change at any time and is no guarantee you will but until there are data points otherwise, I'd think you're fine. I plan on finding out myself soon enough.
Apr 18, 2016, 9:39 am
#3218
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA BA CO DL UA US
Posts: 814
I saw the same question asked elsewhere and a poster linked to a person asking the same question well over a year ago. So yes, its been there a while at least and people have churned the card with that language and have gotten the bonus again.
Of course, that could change at any time and is no guarantee you will but until there are data points otherwise, I'd think you're fine. I plan on finding out myself soon enough.
Of course, that could change at any time and is no guarantee you will but until there are data points otherwise, I'd think you're fine. I plan on finding out myself soon enough.
Apr 18, 2016, 3:06 pm
#3220
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 61
E.g., 10000 points but $0 balance, book a $100 hotel, redeem the credit, then cancel it, you end up with a negative balance of $100.
Apr 18, 2016, 5:25 pm
#3221
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
If this ends you up with a negative credit balance on your account will they cut you a check? Or do you need to spend more or make sure you do this before you've paid your prior month's balance?
E.g., 10000 points but $0 balance, book a $100 hotel, redeem the credit, then cancel it, you end up with a negative balance of $100.
E.g., 10000 points but $0 balance, book a $100 hotel, redeem the credit, then cancel it, you end up with a negative balance of $100.
Apr 19, 2016, 6:30 am
#3222
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 61
I realize I can always just make non-travel charges in an amount equal to the credit. I'm just wondering if that's unnecessary.
Apr 19, 2016, 12:12 pm
#3223
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 34
If this ends you up with a negative credit balance on your account will they cut you a check? Or do you need to spend more or make sure you do this before you've paid your prior month's balance?
E.g., 10000 points but $0 balance, book a $100 hotel, redeem the credit, then cancel it, you end up with a negative balance of $100.
E.g., 10000 points but $0 balance, book a $100 hotel, redeem the credit, then cancel it, you end up with a negative balance of $100.
Apr 19, 2016, 9:49 pm
#3224
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36
Quick question.
I made a $800 purchase for a flight from US to Australia a few months ago. I immediately redeemed the flight and was credited $800 from my points. Due to certain circumstances, I may have to cancel this flight and book another airline. There is no cancellation fee (surprising!), I confirmed with United AIrlines as well. Thing is, if I cancel and go with a refund, what will happen to my account in regards to my rewards? United with refund me the full $800, but that will put me at a credit balance of $800 since I haven't used my Arrival+ in over six months for regular purchases.
I made a $800 purchase for a flight from US to Australia a few months ago. I immediately redeemed the flight and was credited $800 from my points. Due to certain circumstances, I may have to cancel this flight and book another airline. There is no cancellation fee (surprising!), I confirmed with United AIrlines as well. Thing is, if I cancel and go with a refund, what will happen to my account in regards to my rewards? United with refund me the full $800, but that will put me at a credit balance of $800 since I haven't used my Arrival+ in over six months for regular purchases.
Apr 19, 2016, 10:50 pm
#3225
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 265
If this ends you up with a negative credit balance on your account will they cut you a check? Or do you need to spend more or make sure you do this before you've paid your prior month's balance?
E.g., 10000 points but $0 balance, book a $100 hotel, redeem the credit, then cancel it, you end up with a negative balance of $100.
E.g., 10000 points but $0 balance, book a $100 hotel, redeem the credit, then cancel it, you end up with a negative balance of $100.