Attending Super Bowl LI With Barclaycard NFL Extra Points
Every month, TPG updates his points and miles valuations to give you an idea of how much each currency is worth toward travel and other redemptions. But the NFL Extra Points credit card from Barclaycard turns this equation upside down by letting you redeem your points for experiences that you just can't buy at any price.
For the last four days, I've been in Houston, experiencing the Super Bowl and many of its surrounding events, along with some of Barclaycard's NFL Extra Points cardholders. Last night, the experience culminated when we witnessed the New England Patriots become the first Super Bowl champions to win in overtime.
How the NFL Extra Points Credit Card Works
While the NFL Extra Points card is not a travel rewards credit card, its rewards program will be familiar to you if you use airline and hotel credit cards. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on most purchases, and double points on all NFL purchases including eligible NFL tickets and in-stadium purchases, as well as charges made at NFLShop.com and at team pro shops. In addition, new applicants can earn 10,000 bonus points when they spend $500 within 90 days of account opening. Other benefits include 20% off NFL Shop purchases and six months of 0% APR financing on ticket purchases from the NFL. There's no annual fee for this card.
So far, this sounds like a standard rewards card, but the unique awards that you can redeem your points for make this particular product really special. The Extra Points rewards program allows each of the 32 NFL teams to offer their own unique experiences that are customized for their own fans. Awards include merchandise, pre-game sideline passes, admission to post-game press conferences and tickets to watch your team practice.
Furthermore, each team makes a variety of game tickets available to cardholders, starting at 25,000 points for two regular-season tickets. Finally, Barclaycard and the NFL make a limited number of tickets available for playoff games and the Super Bowl to cardholders every year. These tickets sell out quickly, but I met many cardholders who have been able to redeem their points for Super Bowl tickets for several years.
This year, cardmembers were offered the chance to redeem their points for three different Super Bowl ticket packages:
- 175,000 points for two upper-level tickets
- 225,000 points for two mid-level tickets
- 275,000 points for two premium-level tickets
In addition, cardmembers could redeem another 150,000 points for a three-night stay at the Marriott Houston Medical Center. This was a good option for those coming from out of town, since most hotels in the Houston area had been reserved by the NFL and its sponsors long ago.
Points can also be redeemed for 1 cent each as cash back, but as you'll see, the real value of this rewards program is the access to exclusive events.
How NFL Extra Points Cardholders Experienced Super Bowl LI
When Barclaycard invited me to experience the Super Bowl from the perspective of its cardholders, I was understandably excited. I would have been happy to receive a ticket to a "nose-bleed" seat, and nothing else. Instead, I was invited to cover a full range of events, along with 106 cardholders who redeemed their points for tickets to the Super Bowl and other experiences.
The NFL Players Association VIP Party
On the Thursday before the Super Bowl, the NFL Players Association gathered at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts for a VIP party. Dozens of players were in attendance, as well as every variety of distinguished guests. NFL Extra Points cardholders in attendance redeemed 50,000 points for this exclusive party.
Cardholders were invited to attend an even more exclusive reception where they could mingle with featured guests such as San Francisco 49ers receiver Torrey Smith, Texans defensive back Kareem Jackson, NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks and Team USA women's soccer star Ali Krieger.
Following the cardholder reception, we proceeded to the main party, where I felt like a midget among the numerous current and former NFL players who dwarfed me in size. Notable players attending the event included Barry Sanders, Ezekiel Elliot, Carson Wentz, Adam Vinatieri, Travis Kelce and Jerome Bettis. I met not just former players, but NFLPA employees, and guests who had worked with charity foundations related to the NFL.
I was even fortunate enough to spend 15 minutes chatting with astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly, who attended along with Mark Kelly's wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. These identical twins are the only two brothers who have ever traveled into space, and both now travel around the world (within earth's atmosphere) as part of their career as public speakers. And to my surprise, they were more interested in discussing credit cards with me than either aviation or space travel.
The NFL Experience
The NFL Experience is an enormous attraction for football fans that took place within the Houston convention center. There, fans could learn about the history of professional football and the Super Bowl, while having a chance to practice catching a pass, or take a picture that appears to be in the uniform of their favorite team. And appropriately enough, holders of the Barclaycard NFL Extra Points card were invited to take turns kicking a field goal through uprights set up in the convention center, an experience that was free for cardholders.
On the Friday before the Super Bowl, cardmembers got to view famed place-kicker Adam Vinatieri attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the number of field goals kicked in a minute. Cardmembers who had redeemed their points for Super Bowl tickets were allowed onto the field before the event to receive a quick lesson on field goal kicking from the master himself. Vinatieri has been on the winning side of four of the five Super Bowls he's appeared in and scored game-winning kicks in the final seconds of two of them. And at 44, he's the oldest active player in the NFL.
In the end, Vinatieri was able to kick 28 field goals in 60 seconds, and his record-breaking performance earned a $15,000 donation from Barclaycard to the Pat Tillman Foundation, which offers college scholarships to military veterans. Barclaycard even went beyond its commitment to this effort by surprising US Air Force veteran and Pat Tillman scholar John Van Horn with a ticket to the Super Bowl.
Cardmember Brunch With Warren Moon
On the Saturday before the Super Bowl, Barclaycard NFL Extra Points cardmembers were treated to a brunch at the Houston Marriott Medical Center, with guest of honor NFL Hall of Fame member Warren Moon.
And if that wasn't enough, the brunch was over-the-top, featuring crab legs and claws, shrimp, crawfish and other delicacies. Again, this wasn't an award that you have to redeem more points for; it was just another way for Barclaycard to say thank you to customers who redeemed points for the Super Bowl.
Taste of the NFL
On the night before the Super Bowl, I was invited to cover the Taste of the NFL, which is billed as "A Party With A Purpose." The purpose of the event was to raise money to fight hunger in the United States. And although this event was not sponsored by Barclaycard, it's a great example of the kind of festivities that occur all over the city in the week before the big game.
Each NFL city was represented with both a top local chef and a former NFL player. For example, Denver was represented Broncos great Karl Mecklenburg and by Chef Troy Guard of the TAG Restaurant group. The entertainment for the evening was The Band Perry.
Taste of the NFL's Party with a Purpose claims to be the single most successful charitable event at the Super Bowl, with 100% of the proceeds going to support food banks and food pantries in the 32 NFL cities. To date, the organization has raised over 25 million dollars, which has provided over 200 million meals.
Super Bowl LI
At Saturday's brunch, we received our "golden ticket" to the Super Bowl, and treated it like it was made of gold. In the spirit of the entire week, cardmembers were not on their own to get to the game, rather they were provided a bus that even had a police escort.
We boarded the bus at 2:00pm on Sunday for the game that started at 6:30pm. We arrived in plenty of time to take in all of the sights and sounds that make the Super Bowl an incredible event. I was fortunate enough to have a seat in the end zone just behind the Fox Sports set, next to cardmembers who had redeemed 275,000 points for the premium seat package. All of us had an amazing time, even those whose team didn't come away victorious. Regardless of which side you were rooting for, it was unbelievable to watch both the first overtime and the greatest comeback win in Super Bowl history.
Bottom Line
There are two ways to value a rewards credit card. One is to place a value (usually in cents) on each point or mile redeemed relative to the worth of the of the goods or services received, as determined by its sales price.
But every NFL Extra Points cardholder I spoke to last week had a different way of calculating the value of their credit card rewards. These football fans were thrilled to redeem their credit card rewards not for something that was valuable, but for something that's invaluable. Like the cardholders I met at the Emmys last year, these are individuals who value a once-in-a-lifetime experience more than a business-class airline ticket or an award night in a luxury hotel. In fact, many had redeemed their points to attend multiple Super Bowls and other unique NFL experiences. Some were even reluctant to have me share the value of this card, as they felt like it was their own well-kept secret.
I know many travel rewards enthusiasts who have flown around the world in business and first class, and stayed in the finest hotels. But if you're a football fan, there's no greater reward than a ticket to the Super Bowl and the chance to attend some of its surrounding events.
Have you ever redeemed Extra Points rewards to attend the Super Bowl?
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.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.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.