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.
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.
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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
Sep 1, 2019, 10:03 am
#4291
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 61
Despite what the wiki says, I'm getting no where calling in trying to get the points applied to a purchase for Universal Studios Tickets. Tickets were purchased from an agent inside a Universal Studios Resort (even says Universal Studios Resort on the receipt), but are coded as "AMUSEMENT PARKS, CIRCUSES, CARNIVALS, FORTUNE TELLERS".
Wiki should probably be updated to add YMMV
Wiki should probably be updated to add YMMV
Sep 10, 2019, 2:00 pm
#4292
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
I've been having an issue getting my 500 miles for completing a profile in the Barclays Travel Community. It's been over a month, and my profile there still shows 0 Community Miles, and no miles have been posted to my linked Barclays Travel+ account. I read there was a longstanding bug preventing miles from being displayed in the Community page, but they still should have been posted to my linked account after the 1st of September.
When I messaged Barclays customer service, they replied:
...and asked for documentation that I was offered this "promotion". But AFAIK this is procedure is just outlined on the respective sites (barclaycardus.com and barclaycardtravel.com) shown to all users, not a targeted promotion.
Anyone else have trouble getting 500 miles? Any pointers?
When I messaged Barclays customer service, they replied:
Upon review, our records do not show that your account was offered to receive this promotion. Please know that benefits will vary depending upon the card for which you are approved.
Anyone else have trouble getting 500 miles? Any pointers?
Sep 10, 2019, 6:59 pm
#4293
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 47
I've been having an issue getting my 500 miles for completing a profile in the Barclays Travel Community. It's been over a month, and my profile there still shows 0 Community Miles, and no miles have been posted to my linked Barclays Travel+ account. I read there was a longstanding bug preventing miles from being displayed in the Community page, but they still should have been posted to my linked account after the 1st of September.
When I messaged Barclays customer service, they replied: ...and asked for documentation that I was offered this "promotion". But AFAIK this is procedure is just outlined on the respective sites (barclaycardus.com and barclaycardtravel.com) shown to all users, not a targeted promotion.
Anyone else have trouble getting 500 miles? Any pointers?
When I messaged Barclays customer service, they replied: ...and asked for documentation that I was offered this "promotion". But AFAIK this is procedure is just outlined on the respective sites (barclaycardus.com and barclaycardtravel.com) shown to all users, not a targeted promotion.
Anyone else have trouble getting 500 miles? Any pointers?
I find it strange the CSR says it is a targeted offer; the terms read as if the opportunity to earn bonus points via the travel community is a feature of the card. Hope you can get them to grant you those points.
Sep 11, 2019, 2:09 pm
#4294
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
No luck, but I'm having the same issue. I've had the card since 2013 and never bothered to sign up for the travel community. Now, I'm hoping to receive the 500 bonus miles in order to hit the minimum redemption threshold more quickly (only use the card for my spotify subscription).
I find it strange the CSR says it is a targeted offer; the terms read as if the opportunity to earn bonus points via the travel community is a feature of the card. Hope you can get them to grant you those points.
I find it strange the CSR says it is a targeted offer; the terms read as if the opportunity to earn bonus points via the travel community is a feature of the card. Hope you can get them to grant you those points.
To resolve your concern, please email our [email protected] directly with your Community User name and email which was used to register for the Barclaycard Travel Community and one of our Community Managers will be happy to assist you.
Dec 25, 2019, 11:50 am
#4296
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 132
Barclays Arrival cards - gone for good?
With AF coming up in the next billing cycle, I thought I'd downgrade my Arrival+ to no AF Arrival. But that card is nowhere to be found on the Barclays web site, nor do I see any recent mention of a similar downgrade here.
Can someone confirm if Barclays Arrival cards are now history? If so, any other options for keeping the points w/o the AF?
Can someone confirm if Barclays Arrival cards are now history? If so, any other options for keeping the points w/o the AF?
Dec 25, 2019, 9:33 pm
#4297
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
With AF coming up in the next billing cycle, I thought I'd downgrade my Arrival+ to no AF Arrival. But that card is nowhere to be found on the Barclays web site, nor do I see any recent mention of a similar downgrade here.
Can someone confirm if Barclays Arrival cards are now history? If so, any other options for keeping the points w/o the AF?
Can someone confirm if Barclays Arrival cards are now history? If so, any other options for keeping the points w/o the AF?
Dec 25, 2019, 10:31 pm
#4298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,854
My A+ card is about to post the annual fee, and I’ll be calling about an AF waiver. But if they don’t offer one, I will simply apply my accumulated points to some travel expenses I have built up and call it a day, i.e., cancel the card. It’s not one I am emotionally attached to, There will be a few leftover points, but it doesn’t seem worth worrying about those.
Dec 26, 2019, 12:04 pm
#4299
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 132
I fully expect to be offered no options and will apply the remaining points to some travel expenses I had in the last 120 days, and then close the card.
Dec 26, 2019, 12:18 pm
#4300
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
With AF coming up in the next billing cycle, I thought I'd downgrade my Arrival+ to no AF Arrival. But that card is nowhere to be found on the Barclays web site, nor do I see any recent mention of a similar downgrade here.
Can someone confirm if Barclays Arrival cards are now history? If so, any other options for keeping the points w/o the AF?
Can someone confirm if Barclays Arrival cards are now history? If so, any other options for keeping the points w/o the AF?
Dec 26, 2019, 5:46 pm
#4301
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LAX/JFK/SFO
Programs: Amex Plat, Hyatt, IHG cards
Posts: 120
My no-AF Arrival still works.
I got an Aviator Red around August 2018 and was unable to PC after the second year's AF hit (admittedly, I only called once to inquire). So PCs are not guaranteed even for card families with more life in them.
I got an Aviator Red around August 2018 and was unable to PC after the second year's AF hit (admittedly, I only called once to inquire). So PCs are not guaranteed even for card families with more life in them.
Dec 27, 2019, 11:21 am
#4302
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,946
With my AF hitting in Jan, looks like canceling is best option now that's there's no AF-free Barclays option. Anyone get the AF waived / credited?
Dec 28, 2019, 12:39 am
#4303
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Rumor has it that they're only going to do cobranded cards from here on out. The fact that those appear to be all of the ones on their website seems to bear that out, but it's possible you can still downgrade to the no-AF version. Guess one will need to call in to confirm either way.
Jan 1, 2020, 7:52 pm
#4304
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 77
So I just called A+ number on the back of the card and was told that this card is now invitation only. Also, there are no downgrades, upgrades, or product changes. If you have this card, you either pay the AF, or cancel. I only talked to one CSR. Would be interested to see if anyone else has other input.
I did ask if I could product change to the Premier, and was told no.
I did ask if I could product change to the Premier, and was told no.