Barclay Arrival+ versus Chase Sapphire Preferred
 

After taking a few days to look over the advantages of both cards, it honestly appears to me as Chase Sapphire is the better card. That being said there's a ton of hype around the Arrival +.

Am I missing something?

Barclay Arrival + vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred
 

I have both but when abroad I use the Barclay arrival card because it is chip and PIN versus chip and signature for the chase card so if that has any value you should consider it.

An effective 2.2% earning rate compared to 1 UR per $ (2x at limited travel and dining categories). Neither card is superior; for different people there is a different choice. I would guess most people (everyone, not just FTers) would be better off with Arrival of the two.

I have the Arrival + and will probably be dropping it when the fee comes due. Unless you need the chip and PIN functionality, you can get 2% cash back with the citi double cash card which doesn't have an annual fee compared with the A+ which is $89 after the first year free. To think another way, you'd have to spend $4000 on the card just to break even on the annual fee. That said, I'd probably get the A+ for the sign up bonus and call it a day. I'm not really sure why there is so much hype about that card.

The Chip+PIN feature really should have little value. There are very few places that won't work with chip+signature, so I find this "feature" to be completely overblown for the Arrival+. In my experience traveling Europe, there was one instance (out of dozens of swipes) that chip+signature didn't work. In that case, it was fine to pay cash. You realistically have to carry cash anyways, for the occasional shop that doesn't accept plastic at all.

Seems pretty clear that Barclay's affiliate commissions are on the high side. I'm happy to benefit from their generosity on the US cards, but A+ and HA are a long way down my priority list. Even if you're only redeeming your UR points at 1.25 cents through the portal, SP for bonus categories and the Citi 2% card for everything else is going to beat A+.

That is just your opinion. Each person needs to do their own math. If you spend a lot in the travel/dining categories, the CSP may be a better card. Otherwise, I would have to give it to the Arrival Plus.

For my personal spending, I spend $12k each month on non bonus categories (including MS). That's $144k per year.

On the CSP, I would get 144000 UR points worth about $2160 to me (at 1.5 cpp).
On the Arrival Plus, I would get $3168 towards travel expenses.

Plus, Barclay's is more likely to waive the annual fee for the Arrival given my spend. I have never heard of Chase waiving the annual fee on the CSP. If Barclay's refuses to waive the annual fee, I would use the Citi Double cash or Fidelity Amex instead.

I have both cards, but just canceled the Barclay's Arrival and kept the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Two reasons. First, Sapphire has superior benefits such as Primary car rental insurance and $10k trip cancellation insurance. Double points on travel and ability to transfer to Singapore for a suite, which I just did, is also a plus. YMMV

If you redeem miles for international premium travel then CSP, if not, then its hard to get more than 2 cent per point value out of chase points (not impossible though).

I have two Arrival+s and one BOA travel (2.625%, no annual fee , w/ platinum honor). I might ditch one arrival+ next month if I cannot waive AF. One Arrival+ and one BOA travel are good enough for everything I need. I charges about 25-30K a month.

I might apply for AAA membership card (no annual fee platinum honor) later for 3.75% cash back travel, 2.75% cash back gas, grocery, drugstore, 1.75% back everything else.

I don't have CSP. I also might apply for one later if 50K signon bonus + 5K co-applicant bonus surface again. And I will keep it for one year only until AF hit. I have Ink Plus, I don't want to pay for another Chase AF card.

Exactly. That's the best way to put it. Arrival + is best for domestic economy travel IMO.

This. In fact, in a couple of years it's likely that the unattended kiosks will work fine with a chip and signature only card. I posted a comment here that should give you an idea whether you need chip and PIN or not: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24276265-post9453.html

BTW, I consider the Arrival+ chip and signature just like the CSP; it just has a PIN as well for those few (and declining) kiosks that don't take signature-only cards. Actual chip and PIN cards that pretty much always ask for PIN even at attended locations are extremely rare in the US--you pretty much have to either be eligible for Navy Federal, do the insane UNFCU app process or hope BMO reopens Diners Club apps some time soon.

I have both cards and the BofA travel rewards with platinum honor bonus (2.65%)

The arrival + has a permanent spot in my wallet as long as Amex Serve lives. But thats the only reason I have it. (because BofA goes as cash advance)

Other than that I use most of the time my CSP.

Better is always highly subjective. Clarify your criteria and priorities.

I accept the logic of the Arrival+ card being better for most users, because it's essentially a cash-back card with travel benefits, but I find the redemption experience lacks the emotional satisfaction of accruing points and transferring them to partners. It's not logical, it just feels more rewarding.

Nevertheless, I use both these cards and plan to keep both. The Chase card I prefer for dining and other bonus categories, which makes up a big chunk of my spending, and the Barclay card for non-bonus expenses. If I plan to buy something online, I look for an affiliated vendor that will earn the best bonus. The Ultimate Rewards shopping portal has some vendors the Barclays portal does not, and vice versa.