What is a Barclays credit card?

Barclays credit cards are issued by the British bank Barclays, which is responsible for issuing co-branded cards from partners including JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.

Is Barclaycard owned by Chase?

Barclaycard is not owned by Chase. Instead, Barclaycard is owned by Barclays, a direct competitor to Chase.

What bank is Barclaycard?

Barclaycard belongs to Barclays, a U.K.-based bank and financial services company.

Are Barclays cards hard to get?

Barclays credit cards are significantly harder to get than other cards from banks like Amex, Chase, or Capital One. The approval criteria for Barclays cards are much stricter. You probably need to have 6 or fewer recently opened accounts in the last 2 years, in addition to other factors.

What credit score is needed for a Barclaycard?

In general, you need excellent credit to be approved for a Barclays credit card. That usually translates to a FICO score of 760 or above. We’ve seen applicants with worse credit scores get approved and applicants with better credit scores get declined, so this threshold is more of a guideline than a hard rule.

How do you get approved for Barclaycard?

You can get approved for Barclays credit cards by submitting an application. However, each credit card has different criteria for approvals, so you’ll need to keep that in mind.

Is Barclaycard a debit or credit card?

Barclaycard is the U.K. card division of Barclays, a bank located in the U.K. Barclays cards can be either debit or credit cards.

Does Barclays have pre-approval?

Barclays doesn’t offer a pre-approval landing page or website. However, it does offer pre-approved credit card offers that’ll be sent to you via mail.

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The Best Barclays Credit Cards – Comparing Benefits & Perks [2024]

Updated: September 30, 2024, 10:04am CDT

Edited by:

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Best Card for General Travel
Best Cards for International Travel
Best Cards for Domestic Travel
Best Hotel Credit Cards
Best Card for Cash-back
Best Cards for Business
Final Thoughts

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Barclays is a publicly traded banking and financial services company headquartered in London.

Its history traces back to the late 17th century as a goldsmith banking business, but it has grown to include segments such as retail banking, investment banking, wealth management, and so much more.

One of Barclays’ more well-known consumer segments in the U.S. is its credit card business.

Barclays is the issuer of lots of different credit cards — primarily airline, hotel, and cruise line products — and in this guide, we’ll walk you through the A to Z of Barclays’ best credit cards.

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The Best Barclays Credit Cards — Overview

AARP^® Essential Rewards Mastercard^® from Barclays — Best for Cash-back
AARP^® Travel Rewards Mastercard^® from Barclays — Best for General Travel
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^® — Best for American Airlines Flyers
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® World Elite Business Mastercard^® — Best Business Card for American Airlines Flyers
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard^® — Best for Emirates Flyers & Lounge Access
Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard^® — Best for Emirates Flyers
Hawaiian Airlines^® World Elite Mastercard^® — Best for Hawaiian Airlines Flyers
Miles & More^® World Elite Mastercard^® — Best for Lufthansa Group Flyers
The JetBlue Plus Card — Best for JetBlue Flyers
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card — Best Business Card for Wyndham Loyalists
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card — Best for Wyndham Loyalists

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Name	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Earning Rates
AARP^® Travel Rewards Mastercard^® from Barclays	Earn $100 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days $0 annual fee	3% cash back on airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals 2% on restaurant purchases
Miles & More^® World Elite Mastercard^®	Earn 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee, both within the first 90 days $89 annual fee	2x miles spent on ticket purchases directly from Miles & More integrated airline partners
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard^®	Earn 60,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days $499 annual fee	3x miles on eligible Emirates purchases 2x miles on eligible travel purchases
Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard^®	Earn 30,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days $99 annual fee	3x miles on eligible Emirates purchases 2x miles on eligible travel purchases
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^®	Earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days $99 annual fee	2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
Hawaiian Airlines^® World Elite Mastercard^®	Earn 60,000 bonus HawaiianMiles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 90 days $99 annual fee	3x miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases 2x miles on gas, dining, and eligible grocery store purchases
The JetBlue Plus Card	Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days $99 annual fee	6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card	100,000 points Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card Earn 100,000 bonus points, enough for up to 13 free nights at participating properties, after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. $75 annual fee	1x-6x points Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card Earn 6 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels By Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases. Earn 4 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target^® and Walmart^®). Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resorts down payments). That means paying bills, buying home office supplies, car repairs, and more are earning you your next great vacation!
AARP^® Essential Rewards Mastercard^® from Barclays	Earn $100 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days $0 annual fee	3% cash-back on gas and drugstore purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) 2% cash-back on eligible medical expenses
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® World Elite Business Mastercard^®	Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days, and earn 10,000 bonus miles after a purchase is made on an employee card $95 annual fee	2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases 2x miles at eligible office supply, telecom, and car rental merchants
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card	100,000 points Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 12 months. $95 annual fee	1x-8x points Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card Earn 8 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels By Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible marketing, advertising services, and utilities. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resorts down payments). That means paying bills, buying office supplies, purchasing inventory, and other business expenses can help you earn your next great vacation!

Best Card for General Travel

Even though Barclays is responsible for issuing tons of co-branded credit cards for airlines, hotels, and even cruise lines that often excel for travel with specified brands, these cards fall short on general travel. However, Barclays does have a general travel card.

Let’s take a look at the best credit card we recommend for Barclays clients looking to get rewarded on general travel.

AARP Travel Rewards Card (Best for General Travel)

Offered in partnership with AARP, the AARP Travel Rewards card is a terrific travel-oriented credit card for Barclays clients.

Although AARP is marketed towards people who are over the age of 50, you don’t need to meet any specific requirements to qualify for an AARP membership.

Currently, the AARP Travel Rewards card offers a welcome bonus to new cardholders, plus unlimited cash-back rewards as follows:

3% cash-back on airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals
2% cash-back at restaurants
1% cash-back on other purchases

Right now, the welcome bonus includes a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Barclays will also donate $10 to the AARP Foundation for every new account opened, as well as 1% of eligible purchases to the AARP Foundation on an ongoing basis.

This credit card earns cash-back rewards that can be redeemed for cash-back, AARP membership, and much more.

The AARP Travel Rewards card also includes zero fraud liability protection, no foreign transaction fees, and no additional annual fees for authorized users.

Best Cards for International Travel

If you’re a frequent traveler flying to far-away places, Barclays excels in offering a respectable list of credit cards suited for international travel.

Let’s take a look at our options.

Lufthansa Miles & More Card (Best for Lufthansa Group Flyers)

The Lufthansa Miles & More card is the best bet if you’re frequently traveling to Europe and often book flights on Lufthansa Group airlines, including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss Air.

At the moment, there’s a welcome bonus you can qualify for, plus a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within the first 45 days of account opening.

Using this card earns you up to 2 miles per dollar spent:

2x miles on ticket purchases directly from Miles & More integrated airline partners
1x miles on other purchases

There are 3 major airline-specific perks you’ll get from this card:

2 complimentary Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers after each account anniversary year
A companion ticket after each account anniversary year (valid only for 1 economy class ticket, taxes and fees apply)
The ability to convert up to 25,000 award miles to status miles at 5:1 ratio once per calendar year (earn up to 5,000 status miles per calendar year)

Uniquely, this credit card earns Miles & More miles, allowing you to book award flights and upgrades on Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss Air. Miles & More does not have any mainstream transfer partners.

You can also get a 15% discount on eligible hotel stays or car rentals when booking through Miles & More.

No foreign transaction fees apply with this card, and you’ll get World Elite Mastercard benefits such as cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Also, authorized user cards come with no additional annual fees.

Emirates Premium World Elite Card (Best for Emirates Flyers & Lounge Access)

Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard

U.P. Rating

The Emirates Premium World Elite card is a premium card with premium perks and a premium price tag.

Learn More(at Barclay's secure site)

Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard

The Emirates Premium World Elite card is a premium card with premium perks and a premium price tag.

Welcome OfferEarn 40,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
40,000 miles

Annual Fee

$499

APR

21.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Emirates is widely considered to be one of the most luxurious airlines in the world, so it is no wonder why the airline offers its own luxury credit card with an annual fee of $499, as well.

You might be wondering how an airline credit card alone could be worth such a high annual fee, especially one that is not a major U.S. airline. But for those who actually do fly with Emirates often, the Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard^® can be the perfect option thanks to all of the benefits that the card provides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Earn 3x miles per $1 spent on Emirates purchases
Earn 2x miles per $1 spent on travel purchases, including airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals
Earn 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

$499 annual fee
Does not earn transferable points

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 40,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Enjoy Emirates Gold tier membership during your first year, and retain your tier status by spending $40,000 each cardmembership year.
Earn 3 Skywards Miles on eligible Emirates purchases. Earn 2 Skywards Miles on eligible travel purchases and earn 1 Skywards Mile on all other purchases.
Earn 10,000 anniversary bonus Skywards Miles after spending $30,000 on purchases each cardmembership year.
The Skywards Miles you earn will not expire as long as your cardmembership account remains open.
There is no limit to the number of Skywards Miles you can earn as long as your account remains open, active, and in good standing.
Receive 25% savings when you Buy or Gift Miles. Receive a 25% savings when you Buy Skywards Miles for yourself or Gift Miles.
Priority Pass Select lounge access provides unlimited access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide for the primary cardmember and their guest(s).
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. Receive an automatic statement credit for the cost of one Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every 5 years – up to $120, as of October 1, 2024.
No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Complimentary online access to your FICO Credit Score lets you keep an eye on your credit score and get alerts when we learn that your score has changed.
$0 Fraud Liability protection means you’re not responsible for charges you did not authorize.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Our runner-up international travel credit card is one of Barclays’s only ultra-premium cards: the Emirates Premium World Elite card.

This card currently earns a welcome bonus and up to 3x Skywards Miles:

3x miles on eligible Emirates purchases
2x miles on eligible travel purchases
1x miles on other purchases

Most importantly, this credit card offers you the ability to earn Emirates Skywards elite status with credit cards — you’ll enjoy Emirates Gold status during your first year and the ability to retain your tier status by spending $40,000 each cardmember year.

Every cardmember year, you’ll also get 10,000 Skywards Miles as a cardmember anniversary bonus. And as long as you hold this card, your Skywards Miles will not expire, and whenever you buy or gift Emirates Skywards Miles, you’ll get a 25% discount.

To make the value proposition even stronger, this card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 5 years (as of October 1, 2024).

Other purchase-related credit card benefits are included, such as no foreign transaction fees, free FICO score access, zero fraud liability protection, and authorized users for no additional annual fees.

Emirates World Elite Card (Best for Emirates Flyers)

Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard

U.P. Rating

A great option for occasional Emirates flyers!

Learn More(at Barclay's secure site)

Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard

A great option for occasional Emirates flyers!

Welcome OfferEarn 30,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
30,000 miles

Annual Fee

$99

APR

21.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard^® might seem a bit unconventional, especially to U.S.-based flyers. But for those who fly often with the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, or who are trying to earn as many points as possible towards an Emirates first class redemption, the Emirates World Elite card might make sense for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Earn 3x miles per $1 spent on Emirates purchases
Earn 2x miles per $1 spent on travel purchases, including airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals
Earn 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

$99 annual fee
Does not earn transferable points

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Enjoy Emirates Silver tier membership during your first year, and retain your tier status by spending $20,000 each card membership year.
Earn 30,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Earn 3 Skywards Miles for every $1 spent on emirates.com or at the Emirates Sales office.
Earn 2 Skywards Miles on eligible travel purchases and earn 1 Skywards Mile on all other purchases.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

The last Barclays credit card we recommend for international travelers is the Emirates World Elite card, which is the lower-annual-fee version of the Emirates Premium World Elite card.

It offers a sizable welcome bonus and the same earning structure as the Emirates Premium World Elite card:

3x miles on eligible Emirates purchases
2x miles on eligible travel purchases
1x miles on other purchases

Instead of getting Emirates Gold membership, though, you’ll get Emirates Silver membership during your first year (with the ability to retain status by spending $20,000 each cardmember year).

Your miles will still be expiration-free as long as your card account remains open, and you’ll also get 25% savings when buying or gifting miles if you have the Emirates World Elite card.

This card also offers complimentary online access to your FICO credit score, plus zero liability fraud protection.

There are no foreign transaction fees or additional annual fees for authorized users.

Best Cards for Domestic Travel

If you primarily travel domestically, Barclays has a series of awesome credit card partners that’ll help you achieve these goals.

AAdvantage Aviator Red Card (Best for American Airlines Flyers)

If you’ve ever flown on an American Airlines flight, you’ve probably seen advertisements, either inflight or around the airport, for the AAdvantage Aviator Red card, which is issued by Barclays.

The AAdvantage Aviator Red card is Barclays’ flagship American Airlines-branded credit card, and it offers tremendous value to the frequent American Airlines flyer.

There’s a welcome bonus that you can achieve as a new cardmember incentive, and you’ll earn up to 2x AAdvantage miles on your purchases:

2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
1x miles on other purchases

The welcome bonus includes a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers to sweeten the deal even further.

But there are a ton of American Airlines-specific perks that’ll make it a no-brainer if you fly the airline often:

First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardholder and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation
Preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to 4 companions on all American Airlines-operated flights
Anniversary companion certificate good for 1 guest at $99 plus taxes and fees when you spend $20,000 on purchases and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date
25% statement credit on inflight food and beverages aboard American Airlines-operated flights
$25 in statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases every anniversary year on American Airlines-operated flights

Wrapping up, you’ll also enjoy trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage delay insurance, rental car insurance, travel accident insurance, zero liability fraud protection, no foreign transaction fees, and no additional fee for authorized user cards.

Hot Tip: Compare the benefits and perks of the best American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards in our detailed guide.

Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Card (Best for Hawaiian Airlines Flyers)

Another great credit card you should consider adding to your wallet if you’re a Barclays loyalist and frequently travel to Hawaii is the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite card.

This credit card earns a HawaiianMiles welcome bonus, and you can qualify for up to 3x HawaiianMiles on purchases:

3x miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases
2x miles on gas, dining, and eligible grocery store purchases
1x miles on other purchases

Check 2 eligible bags for free as the primary cardholder when using the card to purchase eligible tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines. You’ll also get a one-time 50% off companion discount for round-trip travel between North America and Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines flights, as well as an annual $100 anniversary companion discount for round-trip travel between Hawaii and North America after each account anniversary.

Notably, you can also enjoy no expiration dates for HawaiianMiles with this card, discounted award flights, and the ability to share miles with family and friends without a fee.

Beyond that, the card offers contactless payments and no foreign transaction fees. As usual, you can add authorized users for no additional annual fee.

The JetBlue Plus Card (Best for JetBlue Flyers)

The JetBlue Plus Card

U.P. Rating

Earn major points to redeem for JetBlue flights and more! Earn up to 6x points in various categories and a yearly point bonus.

Learn More(at Barclays' secure site)

The JetBlue Plus Card

Earn major points to redeem for JetBlue flights and more! Earn up to 6x points in various categories and a yearly point bonus.

Welcome OfferEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
50,000 points

Annual Fee

$99

APR

21.24 to 29.99% variable

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the JetBlue Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The JetBlue Plus card is a must-have for frequent JetBlue flyers. Not only does it help you earn more points on all of your JetBlue flights, but also offers perks like a rebate on award tickets, free checked bags, discounts on inflight purchases, and more.

Plus, The JetBlue Plus card can help you qualify for JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic elite status, making your future flights with JetBlue even more rewarding.

Pros & Cons

Pros

6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases
2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 eligible travel companions on JetBlue-operated flights

Cons

Charges an annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
Earn 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases.
Earn 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.
Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Earn 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary.
Enjoy Mosaic benefits if you spend $50,000 or more on purchases each calendar year with your card.
Enjoy an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card.
50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24 to 29.99% variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

JetBlue TrueBlue Frequent Flyer Program

The JetBlue Plus card is a great choice if you find yourself frequently booking flights on JetBlue.

There’s a limited-time welcome bonus available, which also includes a 12-month 0% introductory APR promotion on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening.

When you use this card, you can earn up to 6x TrueBlue points:

6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases
2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
1x points on other purchases

Every year, you will also earn 5,000 points as an account anniversary bonus, as well as a 10% redemption rebate when you use points for a JetBlue-operated award flight. Additionally, cardholders will be able to spend towards Mosaic elite status — earn 1 tile for every $1,000 spent.

Also, when you use The JetBlue Plus card to book JetBlue flights, you’ll get your first checked bag free for yourself and up to 3 companions on the same reservation. Inflight food and drink purchases receive a 50% savings when you use your card to pay.

And when you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your card, you’ll enjoy an annual $100 statement credit.

Expiration dates are halted, and you can even pool your points easily. There aren’t any foreign transaction fees, and authorized users are free, too.

Best Hotel Credit Cards

If you like the idea of being able to earn and redeem points for free hotel stays using your Barclays credit card, this section is for you!

Wyndham Rewards Earner+ Card (Best for Wyndham Loyalists)

Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card

U.P. Rating

The Wyndham Rewards Earner+ card is a great option for travelers looking to earn more Wyndham points and get automatic Platinum elite status.

Learn More(at Barclays' secure site)

Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card

The Wyndham Rewards Earner+ card is a great option for travelers looking to earn more Wyndham points and get automatic Platinum elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 100,000 bonus points, enough for up to 13 free nights at participating properties, after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
100,000 points

Annual Fee

$75

APR

20.99% to 29.99% variable

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Adding co-branded hotel credit cards to your wallet can be a great idea for casual and frequent travelers alike. These cards can help you earn more points on each stay, give you elite status with the hotel chain, and give you a free night just for holding on to the card each year.

If you’re someone that likes to visit Wyndham hotels, then the Wyndham Rewards Earner+ card is one that you should consider adding to your wallet. Let’s take a look at all of the ways that this card can upgrade your Wyndham stays.

Pros & Cons

Pros

6x points per $1 spent at Wyndham hotels and gas stations
4x points per $1 on dining and grocery store purchases
Automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum elite status

Cons

$75 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months. Free nights can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
Earn 6 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels By Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases.
Earn 4 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target^® and Walmart^®).
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resorts down payments). That means paying bills, buying home office supplies, car repairs, and more are earning you your next great vacation!
Annual Bonus. Receive 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year—that’s enough for up to one free night at participating properties.
Automatic PLATINUM Level Benefits! Automatically receive a Wyndham Rewards PLATINUM member level and enjoy perks like early check-in, car rental upgrades, and more.
Enjoy a Cardmember Booking Discount. Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Cardmembers can save even more on our Best Available Rate at participating Hotels By Wyndham.
Unlimited Earning. There is no limit to the number of points you can earn.
go free^® Faster. Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for go free^® awards.
Redeem your points for free nights at participating Wyndham Rewards properties, online shopping, gift cards and so much more.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% to 29.99% variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

The Wyndham Rewards Earner+ card is one of the best hotel credit cards you can hold if you’re a Wyndham loyalist. Right now, there’s a welcome bonus, plus a 0% introductory APR on purchases.

You can enjoy the ability to earn up to 6x Wyndham Rewards points:

6x points on eligible purchases made at hotels by Wyndham
6x points on qualifying gas purchases
4x points on eligible dining and grocery store purchases, excluding Target and Walmart
1x points per dollar spent on other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments)

With this card, you can automatically get Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, in addition to these further Wyndham perks:

Annual account anniversary year bonus of 7,500 points
The ability to redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for go free awards
Cardmember booking discount

Also, you can maximize the other auxiliary benefits, like no foreign transaction fees, zero liability fraud protection, chip technology, and contactless payments.

Best Card for Cash-back

So what if you’re looking to optimize your credit card portfolio for cash-back? Well, Barclays has something for you, too!

AARP Essential Rewards Card (Best for Cash-back)

The AARP Essential Rewards card is a fantastic tool for cash-back, not only because of its welcome bonus, but also because of its ability to earn up to 3% cash-back:

3% cash-back on gas and drugstore purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
2% cash-back on eligible medical expenses
1% cash-back on other purchases

You’ll get an introductory 0% APR promotion on balance transfers, as well as a free FICO credit score and zero liability fraud protection.

Barclays will donate $10 to the AARP Foundation for every new account. Barclays will also donate 1% of eligible purchases to the AARP Foundation.

Best Cards for Business

Let’s take a look at the best Barclays credit cards for businesses and business owners.

AAdvantage Aviator Business Card (Best Business Card for American Airlines Flyers)

The AAdvantage Aviator Business card is one of the best business credit cards to have if you’re an American Airlines loyalist.

This card has an attractive welcome bonus and a handful of American Airlines perks that can’t be ignored:

First checked bag free for yourself and up to 4 companions when traveling on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines
Preferred boarding for yourself and up to 4 companions when traveling on itineraries operated by American Airlines
25% inflight savings on food and beverage when you use your card on American Airlines-operated flights
Companion certificate good for 1 guest at $99 (taxes and fees apply) after each account anniversary if you spend $30,000 or more on eligible purchases
5% AAdvantage miles bonus every year based on the total of miles earned after each account anniversary

In terms of earning points, you can earn up to 2x AAdvantage miles:

2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
2x miles at eligible office supply, telecom, and car rental merchants
1x miles on other purchases

You can also add complimentary employee cards, and there are no foreign transaction fees. Zero fraud liability protection is included with this card.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card (Best Business Card for Wyndham Loyalists)

Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card

U.P. Rating

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card is the best card on the market for Wyndham stays thanks to its 8x earnings and automatic Diamond status.

Learn More(at Barclays' secure site)

Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card is the best card on the market for Wyndham stays thanks to its 8x earnings and automatic Diamond status.

Welcome OfferEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 12 months.
100,000 points

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24% to 29.99% variable

Why We Like This Card

For frequent traveling business owners who regularly stay at Wyndham hotels, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card is quite the compelling card option that will allow you to get the most out of each Wyndham stay.

Not only will the card help supercharge the number of Wyndham points you’ll earn, but the automatic elite status, annual bonus points, and business protections really make the card a must-have for any Wyndham business traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points per $1 spent at Wyndham hotels and gas stations
5x points per $1 spent on eligible marketing, advertising services, and utilities
Automatic Wyndham Rewards Diamond elite status

Cons

$95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 12 months. Free nights can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
Earn 8 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels By Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases.
Earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible marketing, advertising services, and utilities.
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resorts down payments). That means paying bills, buying office supplies, purchasing inventory, and other business expenses can help you earn your next great vacation!
Annual Bonus. Receive 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year–that’s enough for up to two free nights at participating properties.

Automatic DIAMOND Level Benefits! Automatically receive a Wyndham Rewards DIAMOND member level and enjoy perks like suite upgrades, welcome amenity at check-in, and more.
Enjoy a Cardmember Booking Discount. Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Cardmembers can save even more on our Best Available Rate at participating Hotels By Wyndham.
Unlimited Earning. There is no limit to the number of points you can earn.
go free^® Faster. Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for go free^® awards.
Redeem your points for free nights at participating Wyndham Rewards properties, online shopping, gift cards and so much more.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24% to 29.99% variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 0% of the U.S. Dollar amount

The last credit card in our guide is an absolute sleeper because of its elite status benefits.

Before we get into that, though, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card currently offers a welcome bonus for new cardholders, as well as up to 8x points on purchases:

8x points on eligible purchases made at hotels by Wyndham and gas stations
5x points on eligible marketing, advertising, and utility purchases
1x points on other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments)

With the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card, you will receive automatic top-tier Wyndham Rewards Diamond status, which includes benefits such as suite upgrades, welcome amenities, and much more!

This particular credit card also enjoys a 15,000-point annual account anniversary bonus, as well as the ability to get cardmember booking discounts and 10% fewer points redeemed for go free awards.

Lastly, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card has cell phone insurance, no foreign transaction fees, zero liability fraud protection, extended warranty, no additional fee for employee cards, and contactless payments.

Final Thoughts

Barclays is a U.K.-based financial services and banking company with substantial operations in the U.S.

This well-established bank offers primarily co-branded credit cards across airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and even associations like AARP.

And even though we generally wouldn’t recommend using Barclays as your first financial partner for your credit card needs, there are still a number of useful cards that could be useful to have.

We hope that you’ve found this comprehensive guide to the best Barclays credit cards helpful!

The information regarding the AARP^® Travel Rewards Mastercard^® from Barclays and AARP^® Essential Rewards Mastercard^® from Barclays was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Miles & More^® World Elite Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The JetBlue Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding AAdvantage^® Aviator^® World Elite Business Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.