The Barclays Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard is a new credit card designed to offer a yearly incentive that encourages long-term use. Credit card users sometimes open new cards just for the sign-up bonus and introductory offer. After meeting the terms and collecting the rewards, they either cancel the card or stop using it.
While opening new credit card accounts can bring FICO scores down a few points, the rewards outweigh the risks for people who are organized and disciplined enough to meet the terms of the card. Sign up bonuses for high-end credit cards, often worth $1,000 or more, require users to meet spending requirements within a certain amount of time. Rewards come in the form of cash back, points or miles.
After fulfilling the terms during the introductory period and collecting the bonus, there may be little incentive for customers to keep the card. Often, they simply close the account and open a new credit card so they can start working toward another sign-up bonus.
In an attempt to retain customers and create loyalty to their product, Barclay recently introduced the Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard. This is currently the only credit card available with year-over-year loyalty bonuses in addition to the unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.
The company offers cardmembers a 25,000-mile bonus each year when they spend a minimum of $25,000 with the Arrival Premier card. Combined with the 2x miles on every purchase, spending $25,000 with the card plus the loyalty bonus earns the cardholder enough miles for a $750 statement credit for travel-related expenses.
This card offers the most sought-after type of reward miles. They are transferable to nine airline programs. Barclays says they’ll soon add even more airlines to their lineup. Miles earned with this card are currently transferable to Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Aeromexico, Flying Blue, Etihad, EVA Air, Jet Privilege, Japan Airlines, and Air France/KLM. Cardholders can book flights on any of these airlines and their partners.
For example, Air France/KLM Flying Blue is currently a transfer partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards, so miles earned with the Arrival Premier card are also transferrable to Chase Ultimate Rewards. It’s worth noting that many participating airlines don’t offer an even transfer. Between 1.4 and 1.7 Barclay miles equal one airline mile with any of the nine current participating airlines.
For people who want one main credit card with a decent ongoing rewards program, the Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard may be a perfect choice. Frequent travelers will appreciate the statement credit that covers the cost of enrollment in Global Entry. The card also has chip and PIN capabilities which makes it useful when traveling abroad, where automated kiosks don’t accept other types of cards.
The $150 annual fee isn’t waived the first year, but the potential for $750 per year in ongoing rewards more than makes up for it. For people who spend $25,000 per year on credit cards and travel frequently, this simple and straightforward new credit card from Barclay could be a perfect fit.