Best Barclays Credit Cards

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Barclays is a British bank that provides not only different types of accounts but also a handful of top-notch credit cards. Around the world, Barclays makes available two proprietary credit cards as well as a number of co-branded cards in partnership with popular brands. Barclays has been in operation since 1690 and is currently headquartered in London.

Barclays’ credit card offerings are fairly popular, helping the company achieve a high ranking as a credit card issuer in the United States. The bank serves more than 24 million customers worldwide, many of whom carry a Barclays credit card in their wallet. Each of its card options offers quality security features, including mobile alerts and $0 fraud liability protection, and each has its own advantages and costs. Read more to find out which Barclays card is best for you. 

Best Barclays Credit Cards:

• Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard
• Uber Visa Card
• AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
• Barnes & Noble Mastercard
• NFL Extra Points Card
• Priceline Rewards Visa Card

6 Best Barclays Credit Cards

1. Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

While the name of this card is a bit of a mouthful, the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard is one you’ll want to get right. This travel rewards credit card has some impressive benefits, including the ability to earn two miles for every $1 spent. There is also a hefty sign-up bonus available to new cardholders, and bonus rewards are earned when miles are redeemed. Cardmembers do not have access to an intro APR on purchases, but balance transfers come with a promotional 0% APR for the first 12 months.

Card Highlights

This Barclays travel credit card has some built-in perks that are hard to overlook. The most valuable is the ability to earn unlimited 2x miles for every $1 spent. These rewards can be redeemed for travel, cash-back statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. The earned rewards do not expire, and new cardmembers have a chance to earn 70,000 in bonus miles when spending at least $5,000 in the first three months. There are no blackout dates or restrictions on booking travel, and the annual fee is waived the first year.

Rates & Fees

• Annual fee: $89 (waived the first year)
• APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 45 days; 18.24% to 25.24% variable APR after that 
• Balance transfer fee: 3% or $5, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Benefits: Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent and 5% miles back as a redemption bonus. New cardmembers can earn 70,000 bonus miles when spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

The Verdict

This Barclays travel rewards credit card is a great option for those who want flexibility in how they earn miles toward travel purchases and how they redeem those points. The card offers more options than comparable travel rewards credit cards when it comes to redeeming miles, making it a better choice for many. Although there is an annual fee, no foreign transaction fees combined with a significant sign-up bonus for new cardmembers is worth it.

2. Barclays Uber Visa Card

If you find yourself calling an Uber nearly every day, the Uber Visa Card from Barclays may be right for you. This rewards credit card offers 2% cash back on Uber purchases and online shopping, as well as music and video streaming sites. Meanwhile, you’ll earn 3% cash back for airfare and travel accommodations, and 4% on restaurants and UberEATS. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. These rewards make this a valuable cash back credit card.

Card Highlights

The Uber Visa Card from Barclays is a bonus cash back rewards credit card of sorts. The cash back categories have no limit as far as how many points can be earned, and new cardmembers have an opportunity to earn an additional $100 when spending at least $500 in the first three months. Cardmembers also receive a $50 statement credit toward net purchases from eligible digital music, video, and shopping subscription services so long as $5,000 is spent during the year. There are exclusive benefits offers as well, including entertainment experiences, mobile phone protection, and in-app redemptions for Uber purchases.

Rates & Fees

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: Variable rate for purchases and balance transfers of 17.24% to 25.99%
• Balance transfer fee: $10 or 3%, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Benefits: Earn 4% cash back on certain purchases, 3% cash back on travel purchases, and 2% cash back on Uber and online shopping. New cardmembers also earn $100 if they spend $500 in the first 90 days.

The Verdict

The Uber Visa Card is a great fit for those who want to earn extra cash back on purchases made in certain categories. The most bang for the buck comes from the 4% category, so cardmembers should consider if they spend heavily here. Because there is no annual fee, the card is an easy option for cash-back rewards tied to Uber and other digital and online purchases. If Uber rewards are specifically what you’re interested in, you should also check out the $200 Uber Credit from the Amex Platinum Card.

3. AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard

If American Airlines is your go-to airline for flying the open sky, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is your choice for a rewards credit card. This card offers AAdvantage miles on all purchases — two for every $1 spent on American Airlines purchases and one mile for $1 spent on all other purchases. The card also offers added perks, including free checked bags on American Airlines flights, preferred boarding, and travel insurance.

Card Highlights

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard from Barclays is a travel rewards credit card for those who frequently fly on American Airlines. The card offers 2 points per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for $1 spent on all other purchases, without earnings limits. The card also offers a sign-up bonus to new cardmembers of 50,000 miles when at least one purchase is made on the card within the first 90 days. Cardholders also receive 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases, access to World Elite Travel Services, and travel and fraud liability protection insurance.

Rates & Fees

• Annual fee: $95
• APR: 0% intro APR for balance transfers (made within the first 45 days) for the first 15 months; variable rate for purchases of 18.24% to 27.24% after that
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Benefits: Earn 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on American Airlines purchases; earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

The Verdict

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard from Barclays is a smart option for those who frequently fly with American Airlines. The combination of free checked bags, preferred boarding, and in-flight savings offset the annual fee. New cardmembers can benefit from an intro APR balance transfer option, too. The ability to earn miles on American Airlines purchases, as well as all other purchases, makes this card a good value for the cost. But if you don’t want to maintain loyalty to American Airlines, consider a few of the other best airline credit cards before signing up.

4. Barnes and Noble Mastercard

If you’re an avid reader, you’re in luck with the Barnes & Noble Mastercard from Barclay. This rewards credit card is designed for those who love the bookstore, offering 2 points per $1 spent on all Barnes & Noble purchases. All other spending on the card earns 1 point per $1, with no limits to the rewards you can earn. Cardmembers who are new to the credit card can earn a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after making at least one purchase in the first 90 days.

Card Highlights

The Barnes & Noble Mastercard from Barclays is a simple rewards credit card that offers points for purchases made at the bookstore (2 points per $1) as well as all other purchases (1 point per $1). There are no limits to the rewards you can earn, and with each 2,500-point balance, you automatically receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. Cardmembers also receive 5% back on all Barnes & Noble purchases when using the card, and 12 months of Barnes & Noble membership is offered after spending $7,500 each year. The credit card also provides access to free online FICO credit scores and $0 fraud liability protection.

Rates & Fees

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within the first 45 days; variable 16.24% or 27.24% after that
• Balance transfer fee: ​​​​$5 or 3%, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: 3%
• Benefits: Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases, earn 2 points per $1 spent at Barnes and Noble

The Verdict

The Barnes & Noble Mastercard from Barclays is a niche rewards credit card designed specifically for those who make frequent purchases at the bookstore. The rewards can only be redeemed for Barnes & Noble gift cards, making this a less attractive rewards card than comparable cash back or travel rewards options. However, the balance transfer intro APR and the $0 annual fee may make this an option for book lovers.

5. NFL Extra Points Card

Are you a football fan? If so, there’s a Barclays credit card designed just for you. The NFL Extra Points Card allows you to support your team and get great credit card benefits in the process. This cash back card lets you earn 2 points per $1 spent on NFL and team purchases and 1 point per $1 for all other purchases. New cardmembers also have a promotional APR for NFL tickets, as well as the chance to earn 10,000 bonus points when they spend at least $500 in the first 90 days.

Card Highlights

The NFL Extra Points Credit Card from Barclays offers several benefits to football fans, including the ability to earn bonus points on NFL and team purchases. Cardmembers also receive 20% off purchases made at NFLShop.com and exclusive NFL rewards and team experiences. Points can be redeemed for cash back or statement credit, and there is no limit to how many points can be earned over time. The credit card also offers a sign-up bonus of 10,000 points to new cardmembers so long as spending requirements are met.

Rates & Fees

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: Intro APR of 0% for six months on NFL ticket purchases; variable rate of 17.24% to 27.24% otherwise; Balance transfer intro APR of 0% for 15 months if the transfer is made within the first 45 days, then a variable APR of 17.24% to 27.27%
• Balance transfer fee: ​​​​$5 or 3%, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: 3%
• Benefits: Earn 2 points per $1 on NFL and team purchases and 1 point per $1 for all other purchases

The Verdict

The NFL Extra Points Credit Card is a great choice for football fans who want to show support for their team while also earning rewards. Because the credit card allows redemption of earned points as either statement credits or cash back, this is a better rewards card choice for those who spend a good amount on NFL or team purchases.

6. Priceline Rewards Visa Card

Like to travel but don’t always use the same airline? One of the drawbacks of airline travel cards is limited redemption options. The Priceline Rewards Visa credit card from Barclays is an answer to this problem, as cardmembers earn 5 points for every $1 spent on the website booking travel. You also earn One point per $1 for all other purchases, and new cardmembers have a sign-up bonus opportunity and balance transfer intro APR to sweeten the deal.

Card Highlights

The Priceline Rewards Visa credit card is a travel rewards credit card that offers high points potential for Priceline.com purchases. In addition, cardmembers earn one point for all other purchases made on the card and 10% back in points when rewards are redeemed for statement credits toward eligible Priceline.com or travel purchases. New cardmembers also have a chance to earn 5,000 bonus points when at least one purchase is made in the first three months.

Rates & Fees

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made in the first 45 days; variable purchase APR of 17.24% to 27.24% after that; no intro APR for purchases
• Balance transfer fee: ​​​​$5 or 3%, whichever is greater
  
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Benefits: Earn five points per $1 spent on all priceline.com purchases; earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases made with the card

The Verdict

The Priceline Rewards Visa card from Barclays is a smart option for those who like flexibility in how they book their travel and the option to earn rewards along the way. Because there is no annual fee and cardmembers have no restrictions on how their points can be redeemed, this card is a better value than similar co-branded travel rewards credit cards.

Other Barclays Credit Card Reviews

• Wyndham Rewards Credit Card review

Which Card is Right for You?

Which Barclaycard is right for you will depend on how you plan to use your card and your personal credit situation. If you are looking for a card that will help you pay off other debt, you’ll want to get a card with a great introductory interest rate. But if you’re just looking to earn points, you’ll have to think about what you spend most of your money on to figure out which card will likely help you earn the most cash back, points, or miles.