“What’s the most valuable travel point currency?” This question can cause a strong debate among points enthusiasts, as everyone can point to a specific use where a specific point has oversized value. But no matter if you think that Hyatt or Singapore points are worth more, there’s an advantage in not keeping points tied up in any one program. That’s why it’s almost always better to have transferrable points than to collect points in a specific loyalty program.
It’s usually better to earn transferrable points from credit cards, which allow you to transfer points to a list of partner programs. Here are banks that offer cards that earn transferrable points:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Citi ThankYou Rewards
- Capital One
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Bilt Rewards
- Barclays Arrival
Yep, that’s right. Points earned with the no-longer-available Barclays Arrival Plus card can now be transferred to seven different loyalty programs. I found this out when I went to redeem Arrival points to cancel the charge for our Amtrak tickets.
On the website to redeem miles, I found this banner. I’d never heard about being able to transfer Barclays points except from the discontinued Arrival Premier.
Apparently, this change went into effect in 2022. The mile transfer rates aren’t very good but cardholders earn 2 Arrival miles per dollar spent (in addition to the frequent bonus offers.)
The starting amounts are how many Arrival miles you’ll need to spend to get 5,000 miles in each program:
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue – 7,000
- Etihad Guest – 7,000
- Japan Airlines – 11,500
- Qantas – 7,000
- EVA Air – 7,000
- Aeromexico – 7,000
- Air Canada Aeroplan – 8,500
The only program that is exclusively a transfer partner of Barclays is Japan Airlines. Barclays is running a 30% bonus on transfers to JAL Mileage Bank where you’ll get 6,500 miles for 11,500 Arrival miles.
Barclays has been hinting about getting back into the award travel market. They even sent out a survey not long ago about which benefits would be the most appealing. I believe that we’re more likely to see a new credit card with transferable points and travel perks now that they have allowed point transfers on one of their discontinued travel cards.
Final Thought
Barclays now allows cardholders of the Arrival Plus card to transfer points to airline partners. Although the transfer ratios aren’t as favorable compared to other programs, interesting opportunities, such as JAL Mileage Bank, arise as it has no other transfer partners.
Barclays has several arrangements with travel loyalty programs through its co-brand credit card offerings. If they launch a credit card that earns transferrable points, it could be a unique offering. By expanding the ability to transfer points rather than shutting it down, they’re only fueling the rumors.
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2 comments
Transfers began in 2022. https://frequentmiler.com/barclays-arrival-plus-adds-transfer-partners-are-more-changes-in-the-offing/
I did mention that in the post, including a link to the FM article.