Just like Capital One and Chase, Barclays has partnered with various brands to deliver you a plethora of co-branded card choices. Whether you need a credit card for travel, hotels, or even for college education savings and medical expenses, Barclays has the card for you. With this, our financial experts rounded up the top 5 best Barclays credit cards of 2022 that will surely appeal to the general public.
1 JetBlue Plus Card
Best Barclays Credit Card for Flyers
Intro Bonus: 70,000 points
Regular APR: 15.99%, 19.99%, or 24.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: 740 to 850 (Excellent)
Annual Fee: $99
Highlights:
- It comes with a $0 fraud liability protection.
- The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The card requires an annual fee of $99.
- New card users can get 70K points after spending $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening.
- It can earn 6x points every time you use the card on eligible JetBlue purchases and 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Receive $100 statement credit and 5,000 bonus points annually.
Best Barclays Credit Card for Flyers
The JetBlue Plus Card is packed with an overwhelming set of benefits to please JetBlue flyers. It starts with the 70,000 bonus points (limited-time offer) you can earn after spending $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. However, unlike other cards in the market, JetBlue Plus Card requires an annual fee of $99. You can pay it partially, but we suggest paying it in full to get hold of the welcome bonus much faster. After this, you’ll be able to enjoy the other perks and benefits of the card all year round.
Besides the 70K points, cardholders will also receive 5,000 bonus points every time their cards reach their account opening anniversary. There is also an annual $100 statement credit for you to enjoy after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more using the card. Other incredible benefits aimed at flyers include $0 foreign transaction fees, 50% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases, a free first checked bag, and more.
JetBlue Plus can provide a generous rewards rate at 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1x points on all other purchases. This makes it a good alternative for most general rewards cards, especially if you always purchase JetBlue products. Frequently using the card (after spending $50,000 or more) can also help you elevate your card to the highest tier: Mosaic. This will let you experience the best perks possible such as complimentary inflight alcoholic beverages, early boarding, expedited security lane, free first two checked bags, and more.
Despite not having a 0% intro APR for purchases, the card has a low introductory APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening, which comes at 0% for 12 months. After this, a variable APR will apply (15.99%, 19.99%, or 24.99%), depending on one’s creditworthiness. On the other hand, keep in mind that the APR for cash advances is at 25.24% while the late payment is up to $40, so make sure to pay your entire balance by the due date each month to avoid interest charges.
2 Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
Best Barclays Credit Card for Wyndham Hotel Expenses
Intro Bonus: 30,000 points
Regular APR: 15.74%, 19.99% or 24.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: 670 to 850 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- There is no limit to the number of points one can earn.
- You can redeem your points for free nights at participating Wyndham Rewards properties, online shopping, gift cards, and more.
- The card offers a $0 fraud liability protection.
- There are no foreign transaction fees.
- The APR for cash advances is 25.24% variable.
- One can receive 30,000 bonus points as a welcome bonus.
- It offers 0% APR on all Wyndham Timeshare Purchases for six billing cycles.
- The card can earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible Wyndham purchases, 2 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery store purchases, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Best Barclays Credit Card for Wyndham Hotel Expenses
The Wyndham Rewards Earner card can help you earn free nights of stay at Wyndham hotel in the future, making it an excellent tool for patrons of the hotel company. It charges no annual fees, and new card owners will automatically be considered Wyndham Rewards GOLD members, allowing them to take advantage of free WiFi, preferred room selection, late checkout, and more. Most of all, cardholders can receive 30,000 bonus points right after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. This should be enough to give you up to four free nights at participating properties. You can also earn 7,500 bonus points (enough for up to one free night at participating properties!) for each account anniversary once you’ve reached the $15,000 requirement in purchases within a year. As a plus, the card features a Go Free capability, which allows you to book free nights starting at just 6,750 points.
Earning points is relatively easy, thanks to the generous rewards rate of the card. The highest rate comes at 5 points per $1 spent on Hotels by Wyndham and qualifying gas purchases. You can also use the card for other purchases outside the hotel, with 2 points per $1 spent on dining and grocery store purchases (except Target and Walmart) and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
The card also comes with a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening (then, a variable APR will apply at 15.74%, 19.99%, or 24.99%, depending on your creditworthiness). Nonetheless, remember that there is a fee for balance transfers that is either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. The APR for purchases comes at 15.74%, 19.99%, or 24.99% variable, depending on your creditworthiness. However, if you use the card on all Wyndham Timeshare Purchases, you’ll receive a 0% promotional APR for 6 billing cycles. After that, the APR will be 15.74%, 19.99%, or 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
3 AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard
Best Barclays Credit Card for Medical Expenses
Intro Bonus: $100
Regular APR: 16.74%, 20.74%, or 25.74% (Variable)
Credit Score: 670 to 850 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The card has $0 annual fees and accepts applicants who are not senior citizens and non-members of AARP.
- The amount of rewards you can earn has no limit, and they don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
- It is perfect for individuals who usually spend on medical purchases or services.
- You can redeem the rewards for an AARP membership or bank deposits to a U.S. checking or savings account, statement credits, gift cards/eGift cards/certificates, or merchandise.
Best Barclays Credit Card for Medical Expenses
This AARP co-branded card from Barclays is one of the most unique credit cards focusing on a very rare category: medical expenses. It charges $0 annual fees, and despite the brand, it accepts non-AARP members and young applicants who have good to excellent credit points.
Once you have passed the application, you will be eligible for a $100 welcome bonus after spending $500 within 90 days of account opening. As a new cardholder, you can also enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. After that, the variable APR of 16.74%, 20.74%, or 25.74% will apply based on your creditworthiness. It also comes with other benefits such as $0 fraud liability protection and complimentary online access to your FICO Credit Score.
On the other hand, the AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard categories are perfect for those who frequently spend on their medical needs. It earns 3% cashback on gas and drug store purchase, 2% cashback on medical expenses, and 1% cashback on all other purchases. Collecting points is unlimited, and it can serve as a little charitable contribution since Barclays donates 1% of eligible purchases to the AARP Foundation.
The card will undoubtedly serve as an incredible tool for specific individuals since its “medical purchase category” has broad coverage. Some services it covers are those from:
- dentists
- orthodontists
- osteopathic physicians
- chiropractors
- optometrists
- ophthalmologists
- opticians
- optical goods & eyeglasses
- chiropodists
- podiatrists
- hospitals, medical and dental laboratories
- hearing aids
- ambulance services
- orthopedic goods
- prosthetic devices
- nursing and personal care facilities
- medical services and health practitioners
Redeeming the rewards is easy to do, whether by phone or logging in to your account online. You can redeem as low as $16 in rewards for an AARP membership, while most redemptions need $25 in rewards. Some of them are bank deposits to a U.S. checking or savings account, statement credits, gift cards/eGift cards/certificates, or merchandise.
4 Upromise Mastercard
Best Barclays Credit Card for Future College Expenses
Intro Bonus: $150
Regular APR: 14.99%, 19.99%, or 24.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: 740-850 (Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- It is the best Barclays credit card for parents preparing for their children’s college education.
- The card can earn 1.529% cashback rewards on your purchases when your Upromise Program account is linked to an eligible college savings plan.
- There is a $150 bonus cash back reward after spending $500 on purchases within the first 90 days of the card account open date.
- It lets you have free online access to your FICO Credit Score.
Best Barclays Credit Card for Future College Expenses
It is no doubt that preparing for your child’s college expenses needs a considerable load of effort and time. Most of us choose to have a 529 college savings plan to prepare for the future. If you need an additional tool to help you save for such a purpose, Barclays now offers an extraordinary credit card that will help you transform your cashback rewards into college savings.
Upromise Mastercard is a special card that is perfect for parents. It has $0 annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, and $0 fraud liability protection. It even offers access to your FICO Credit Score. Most of all, it helps you earn 1.529% cashback rewards on your purchases when your Upromise Program account is linked to an eligible college savings plan or 529 plan (1.25% cashback reward on purchases if the Upromise program account is not connected). As a plus, the card also features the “Upromise Round-Up,” which rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar to help you get more cashback rewards.
New cardholders will also earn a $150 bonus cashback rewards after spending $500 on purchases within the first 90 days of the card account open date. You will see it along with all other cashback rewards on your billing statement, and it will be automatically transferred to your Upromise Program after the close of the billing cycle in which it was earned.
The card will also benefit those who need it for balance transfers. It has a 0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. After the said period, APR will be 14.99%, 19.99%, or 24.99% based on your creditworthiness. Nonetheless, keep in mind that it has a relatively high APR of 25.24% for cash advances.
5 Choice Privileges Visa Signature
Best Barclays Credit Card for Choice Hotel Expenses
Intro Bonus: 32,000 points
Regular APR: 15.74%, 19.99%, or 24.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: 670 to 850 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- New card owners can earn 32,000 intro bonus points, enough for up to 4 free nights at Choice Hotels.
- The points do not expire.
- The APR for cash advances comes at a 25.24% variable.
- The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The card has 0% intro APR for 15 months for each balance transfer made within 45 days of account opening (then a variable of 15.74%, 19.99%, or 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness).
- It offers $0 fraud liability protection.
Best Barclays Credit Card for Choice Hotel Expenses
Besides the Wyndham Rewards Earner card, the Choice Privileges Visa Signature is an excellent addition to your wallet, especially if you often spend on hotels. It has a $0 annual fee and only requires the same credit score requirement (good to excellent) as the other card mentioned.
Once you have qualified for the card, you’ll get the chance to earn a total of 32,000 bonus points by spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. You can also get another 8,000 bonus points every year by spending $10,000 or more on purchases. Moreover, you will be automatically upgraded to Choice Privileges Elite Gold status. This will give you 10% in bonus points on qualifying stays made at eligible Choice Hotels locations, access to dedicated reservations and customer service numbers, and other exclusive Elite member offers. Using the card can also help you secure exclusive rates when booking directly on ChoiceHotels.com or the Choice Hotels mobile app.
On the other hand, the card can earn 5 points per $1 spent at eligible Choice hotels and 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. That said, utilizing the card for other purchases will also benefit you due to the higher base rewards rate. Lastly, there are many options for redemptions of rewards, and this can be in the form of Choice hotels, luxurious all-inclusive resorts, gift cards, and more.
