Barclays Credit Cards Mobile App Review
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The Barclays app offers many helpful features that allow cardholders to manage accounts with ease.
Once you log in, the app offers an overview of recent activity, a statement summary and rewards balances. Or you can enable a handy tool that allows a quick glance at your account without even having to log in. And with its easy-to-navigate layout, you can redeem rewards, pay your monthly bill and check your FICO credit score all in the app.
» MORE: The best Barclays credit cards
Features
With its clean design and user-friendly interface, the Barclays app is easy to navigate. Here’s a look at what it can do:
Login and security
To log in to the app, enter your username and password.
Then, you'll be taken to an account summary page. (If you have multiple Barclays cards, you'll be asked to tap on the card you would like information about.) The summary page highlights your credit card balance, payment status and recent transactions. From this page, you can also tap to lock your card.
The app logs you out after a period of inactivity.
FACE ID and Peek
From the main summary page, you can also tap the icon made up of four horizontal lines at the top left of the screen for a menu of other options, including the app's "Face ID" and "Peek" features.
Select "Face ID" and you won't have to manually enter your username and password next time.
By activating "Peek," you'll be able to avoid logging in at all — at least if you're seeking a few quick details only. When you enable this feature, then log out, the next time you tap on the Barclays app, you'll see the account balance, available credit, payment due date and statement balance underneath the main login screen, no credentials required.
Payments and budgeting
Navigate to the "Services" subhead from the horizontal lines icon, and you’ll see multiple options, including:
Payments: Self-explanatory, but this also allows you to set up recurring payments if you choose.
Manage my wallet: Allows you to add your Barclays card to Apple Pay.
Easy Pay: If you’re eligible, you can enroll in this promotional financing option that allows you to make or pay off large purchases. The app has a handy payment planner tool to see your payment options.
Rewards and redemptions
Also from the "Services" subhead, you can tap the "Rewards" option.
If you have a rewards-earning card like the Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®, this lets you view and redeem those rewards right in the app.
If you have a co-branded credit card from Barclays — for example, one that earns rewards in an airline or hotel rewards currency — you’ll be able to view those rewards in the app. But in order to redeem them, you'll need to visit that partner’s website.
Credit score monitoring
In the "Tools" subhead, you’ll be able to view your current FICO score, plus a brief explanation of factors that could be affecting your score. This option also allows you to see your score history, in chart form.
Alerts
Scroll down to the "Communications" subhead and select "Manage Alerts." From there, you can set various account alerts for things like:
Payment due reminders.
Whether you’re approaching the credit limit.
When your payment posts.
Weekly account snapshots and more.
You can choose to receive alerts in different forms, such as email or text.
On the other hand, you can sometimes be the one sending alerts. For example, if you're traveling and might be using your card in an unusual place, you can notify Barclays through the app. Click the horizontal lines icon and look under the "Tools" subhead.
Drawbacks
The app’s most noteworthy shortcoming: It doesn’t offer live chat with customer service, or a way to send a secure message about your account, as similar apps do. Instead, it tells cardholders to contact Barclays by phone, Twitter or snail mail — snail mail! — if they have questions.
Some users complain in online reviews about the app’s tendency to load slowly at times. The app also lacks a search button, which can make the experience clunky for some users.
Desktop vs. mobile
Accessing your Barclays accounts via the app doesn’t stray far from the experience of using the website. But using a desktop browser will give you the option to send a secure message with a question about your account, which the app doesn't have.
Ratings
Ranked No. 7 out of 11 major credit card issuers — J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Credit Card Mobile App Satisfaction Study
4.8 / 5 — Apple's App Store (rating as of April 2021)
4.1 / 5 — Google Play Store (rating as of April 2021)
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