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Barclaycard Arrival adds new ways to redeem miles through Jan. 31

Dec. 22, 2020
3 min read
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Barclaycard Arrival adds new ways to redeem miles through Jan. 31
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It's no secret that many credit cardholders didn't travel much, if at all, in 2020, and thus may be approaching a full year of not using their reward points as expected. As a result, we've seen travel-focused rewards credit cards work to find new ways to continue to add value to cardholders during this strange, difficult year.

For 2020, American Express added several new monthly statement credits to The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase added new ways to redeem Ultimate Rewards points while not traveling at a value equal to travel redemptions, and now Barclays has introduced new, temporary options to redeem miles earned with the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard.

The information for the Barclaycard Arrival Plus card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

This card has closed to new applicants but remains a popular option held tightly in many wallets -- mine included.

Normally, the miles earned with this card can be redeemed at a rate of 1 point equals 1 cent toward travel charges of $100+ made on the card within the last 120 days.

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But, as reported by Doctor of Credit, until Jan. 31, you can also redeem miles at that same rate toward qualifying gas, grocery and restaurant purchases made in the last 120 days with a minimum of 5,000 miles for a $50 credit. This is great because typically non-travel redemptions on the card (such as gift cards or other statement credits) only were possible at a decreased value of rate of 1/2 cent value per mile redeemed.

Screenshot courtesy of Barclays

Additionally, the minimum threshold to redeem against a travel charge has been reduced from $100 to $50.

Screenshot courtesy of Barclays

As usual, you'll also earn 5% of redeemed miles back to use on a future redemption. This means an eligible $50 (5,000 mile) redemption will net you 250 miles back into your account to use next time.

So, if you are sitting on some Arrival miles you'd like to redeem, it's time to use the card for some gas, grocery or restaurant charges and then redeem the miles against those eligible charges by Jan. 31, 2021.

TPG featured card

4 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
1XChoose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee
2XEarn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status + $300 of Bilt Cash
Annual fee
$495
Regular APR
26.74 - 34.74% variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Good Credit, Excellent Credit

Pros

  • Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
  • Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
  • $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
  • $200 Bilt Cash annually
  • Priority Pass membership
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Moderate annual fee
  • Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
  • Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
  • Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
  • 2X points on everyday spend
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
  • Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.