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Update 2/21/14: This post was about a rumor that the spending requirement on the Arrival card would go to $3,000. It has gone to $3,000. The minimum spending requirement is now $3,000 in the first 90 days to unlock the 40,000 bonus miles. Full offer details:

  • Earn 40,000 bonus miles if you make $3,000 or more in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. 40,000 bonus miles equates to $400 off your next trip!
  • Earn 2X miles on all purchases
  • No mileage caps or foreign transaction fees
  • Get 10% miles back when you redeem for travel (i.e. redeem 25,000 miles for travel and get 2,500 miles back)
  • Use miles for a statement credit toward any airline purchase to any destination with no seat restrictions and no blackout dates
  • Easily redeem your miles for statement credits toward flights, cruises, car rentals, hotels and more
  • Complimentary subscription to TripIt Pro mobile travel organizer – a $49 annual value!
  • Complimentary FICO® Scores as a benefit to active cardmembers. Opt-in to have instant and convenient access to FICO® Scores from your Barclaycard online account.

Application Link: Barclaycard Arrival(TM) World MasterCard® – Earn 2x on All Purchases

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One of my favorite travel credit cards is the Barclaycard Arrival(TM) World MasterCard® – Earn 2x on All Purchases.

I just got the card for myself for the reasons explained in this post. And my brother got the card at my suggestion this weekend.

Since April 2013, the Arrival card had offered 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days, though the spending requirement is now $3,000.

That offer looks like it will end soon. According to The Points Guy: “my contacts at Barclaycard have confirmed that the minimum spending requirement is going to increase to $3,000 within 90 days very soon (exact date TBD).”

If minimum spending requirements are an issue for you, don’t wait to get the Arrival card.

The Arrival card has three big pluses for points collectors:

  • A sign up bonus worth $456 in free travel.
  • 2x miles on all purchases, so it’s a great card for spending where none of your cards have a category bonus
  • Miles redeemable for any travel expense including any flight on any airline, award ticket fees, trains, bed and breakfasts, hostels, car rentals, and cruises

Application Link: Barclaycard Arrival(TM) World MasterCard® – Earn 2x on All Purchases

Let’s look at the three big reasons to get the card:

1. $456 Sign Up Bonus

Spend $1,000 on the card in the first 90 days and get 40,000 bonus miles. Arrival miles can be used for 1 cent off any travel expense including:

  • any flight on any airline
  • award ticket fees
  • trains
  • bed and breakfasts
  • hostels
  • car rentals
  • cruises

The way to redeem for any of those expenses is to pay for the expense on your Arrival card, then sign into your account, select the charge, and remove it completely or in $25 increments.

After the card’s famous 10% rebate on all travel redemptions and the 2 miles per dollar you get for the original purchase, redemptions cost a net of 88 miles per dollar for a value of 1.14 cents per mile.

2. 2.28% Back Toward Travel on All Purchases

I just covered how Arrival miles are worth 1.14 cents each. You get 2 Arrival miles per dollar on all purchases. That means you get 2.28% back toward travel on all purchases.

That makes the Arrival card one of the three best cards for spending in non-bonus categories.

3. Miles Redeemable for Any Travel Expense (Not Just Flights with Saver Award Space)

All serious miles collectors need to diversify their miles collection strategies. I collect American Airlines miles and United miles for luxury trips. I collect Arrival miles for the less glamorous costs that add up when I travel like trains, independent hotels, and cheap economy flights.

For further info on the Arrival card:

The rumor is that the Arrival card’s generous sign up bonus will soon have a higher minimum spending requirement attached. If you’re thinking about getting the card, getting it now may be your best move.

 

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!


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