The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard Review
Editor's Note
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
As much as we like to think that points and miles are the be all end all for traveling for free, they're not. It often takes a lot of time, organization and flexibility to maximize how you earn and redeem points and miles. And even once you master the ins and outs of each rewards program, you may still find yourself stuck in situations where you'll have no choice but to fork over hefty fees and surcharges to book your “free” trip.
To prevent situations like these, it's a good idea to have a fixed-value point credit card in your arsenal. There's been a lot of activity in the fixed-value credit card space recently, so today I want to take a closer look at one of our longtime favorites, the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard, and see how it stacks up. The Arrival Plus isn't a glamorous card by any means, but it offers a good return on your everyday spending and allows you to redeem miles for any travel expense without jumping through hoops. It also has several less-common, useful benefits for traveling internationally.
Who Is This Card For?
While just about anyone should be able to get value from the Arrival Plus, it's best for those who like simplicity. The card earns the same amount of miles for every dollar you spend, everywhere, everyday, so you won't be needing to swap credit cards in and out for different types of purchases. And since miles have a fixed value, meaning you'll get the same value per mile no matter what travel purchase you use them toward, it's also great for economy-cabin travelers who don’t want to deal with the hassle of transferring miles and scouring for saver award availability.
Barclays doesn't have any hard-and-fast rules or restrictions like Chase's 5/24 when it comes to applying for new cards, though there are still some general guidelines you should follow. For instance, if you already have the Arrival Plus, but are thinking about reapplying in order to get the welcome bonus again, you need to cancel your existing card and then wait for a period of time (the recommendation is six months) before doing so. Also, Barclays has been known to look at prior spending on existing cards to determine approval for a new card. So, if you’re looking at applying for the Arrival Plus and already have another card with the issuer, such as the JetBlue Plus Card, and haven’t spent much (or anything) with it, wipe the dust off and use it for a few months before applying.
Welcome Bonus
The Arrival Plus is currently available with a best-ever welcome bonus of 70,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in the first 90 days. Miles are worth a flat 1 cent apiece when redeemed toward travel expenses, meaning this sign-up bonus worth $700. In reality, though, it's slightly better than that as the card offers a 5% rebate on redeemed miles, making the 70,000 miles worth $735. That's the highest bonus of any fixed-value point credit card. Plus, since the card's $89 annual fee is waived the first year, you can effectively try out the card for a year and get the bonus without paying anything at all.
Earning
Earning miles on the Arrival Plus is very straightforward, ideal for those who like to have as few credit cards in their wallet as possible. You’ll earn 2 miles for every dollar you spend with the card on every transaction with no annual cap. This gives you a 2% return on all your spending, but when you factor in the card’s 5% rebate on redeemed miles, the return on your purchases effectively jumps to 2.11%.
Redeeming
Arrival miles can be redeemed at a fixed value of 1 cent apiece as a statement credit against travel purchases of at least $100 made within the last 120 days. This includes many expenses that traditional miles won’t cover, including purchases made with airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, trains, buses, taxis, limousines and ferries. Unlike traditional airline miles or hotel points, when you redeem Arrival miles for airfare and hotels, you generally still earn miles and points on flights and stays as you’re paying for them with your card and then getting reimbursed using miles after the fact.
Alternatively, you can use your miles to cover the card’s annual fee and maintain the same value of 1 cent per mile, which is a nice option to have. Miles can also be redeemed for straight cash back or gift cards, but you wouldn't want to go that route as the value of your miles will drop to half a cent apiece when doing so.
Perks
The Arrival Plus offers valuable, though fairly modest, benefits that are geared primarily toward international travelers. The card has no foreign transaction fees, meaning you can make purchases overseas without accumulating extra charges. More interestingly, the Arrival Plus is one of very few US-issued credit cards to have chip and PIN capability, making it an excellent choice to use overseas where chip and PIN cards are the standard. As a point of comparison, the Chase Sapphire Reserve will allow you to enter a random four-digit PIN in some credit card terminals, but the Arrival Plus is one of the few that will work in any of these terminals. This benefit is especially useful at unmanned kiosks in train stations.
The card also comes with the standard suite of World Elite Mastercard benefits. This includes travel benefits such as baggage delay protection for when your baggage is delayed by 12 hours, trip cancellation and interruption protection, travel accident insurance and secondary rental car collision damage waivers, as well as several travel-related perks that many consumers might not know about like discounts on certain international airfares and luxury hotel benefits similar to the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts Program when booking through Mastercard.
For everyday purchases, the Arrival Plus offers a selection of shopping benefits like extended warranty, purchase protection, return protection and most notably, price protection, a valuable benefit that issuers have been eliminating from many credit cards, including all but one set of Chase cards.
Which Cards Compete With the Arrival Plus Card?
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has long been the most direct competitor of the Arrival Plus due to the similar annual fee ($95 and waived the first year vs. $89 and waived the first year for the Arrival Plus) and same earning rate, but that's no longer the case now that Capital One added airline transfer partners.
Now, a much closer comparison to the Arrival Plus is the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. It earns 2 points per dollar on travel/dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else (plus 25-75% bonuses for Bank of America Preferred Rewards customers), but points are worth the same no matter what you redeem for, so you have slightly more flexibility with them. The card comes with more perks than the Arrival Plus, including a $100 airline incidental statement credit and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, but its $95 annual fee isn't waived the first year.
There's also the no annual fee Citi® Double Cash Card, which basically earns 2% back on all purchases (1% when you make purchases, 1% when you pay your bill), but I don't see it as a competitor because it doesn't offer any travel-related benefits.
Bottom Line
The Arrival Plus isn't the best mid-tier credit card on the market — depending on how much money you have in your Bank of America or Merrill account, it might not even be the best fixed-value card. However, if that doesn't apply to you and you're looking for a simple product that'll help you diversify your points and miles, the Arrival Plus' 2.11% return on spending and increased sign-up bonus is quite attractive. Plus, having chip and PIN capability and no foreign transaction fees can be very useful for travelers.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.