Barclays Launches New AARP Credit Cards, Taking Over for Chase
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Barclays is introducing new co-branded AARP credit cards, taking over for Chase as the issuer of that portfolio. The new rewards-earning cards are:
The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays.
The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays.
Here’s how the new cards compare with each other and the outgoing AARP® Credit Card from Chase:
AARP® Credit Card from Chase | The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays | The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee: $0. | Annual fee: $0. | Annual fee: $0. |
Sign-up bonus: $100 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening*. | Sign-up bonus: Earn a $100 intro bonus with $500 spend within first 90 days. | Sign-up bonus: Earn a $100 intro bonus with $500 spend within first 90 days. |
Ongoing rewards: • 3% cash back rewards at restaurants and gas stations. • 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Ongoing rewards: • 3% cash back at gas stations and drug stores. • 2% cash back on medical expenses. • 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Ongoing rewards: • 3% cash back on airfare, hotel stays and car rentals. • 2% cash back at restaurants. • 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
Introductory APR: None. The ongoing APR is 16.24% - 22.99% Variable APR. | Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. | Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. |
A third card, the AARP® Mastercard from Barclays, won't be available for direct applications and doesn't earn rewards, but might be offered to existing Chase customers when they convert. More on the conversion process below.
In short, while the new Barclays-issued AARP cards are both less generous than the Chase-issued card when it comes to dining, they have rewards structures that are much more varied and, possibly, more useful.
Note, for example, that the AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays will earn bonus rewards on "medical expenses." That's a highly unusual but potentially highly valuable spending category, and it covers a broad range of eligible expenses: dentists, orthodontists, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, optical goods and eyeglasses, chiropodists, podiatrists, hospitals, medical and dental labs, hearing aids, ambulance services, orthopedic goods, prosthetic devices, nursing and personal care facilities, and other medical services.
As with the existing AARP® Credit Card from Chase, you don't have to be an AARP member to apply for the new Barclays-issued cards.
What if you currently have the AARP® Credit Card from Chase?
If you have the AARP® Credit Card from Chase, you can continue to use your existing card and make payments to Chase for now. You’ll receive mail and email communications this summer about next steps.
In September, your AARP® Credit Card from Chase will automatically be converted to one of the new Barclays-issued cards. Here are some other changes to look out for:
Your account number will change. Be sure to update any payment information that uses your old credit card number. If you have authorized users, know that their account numbers will change as well.
Your balance will transfer over. If you have an unpaid balance when your account converts, it will move onto your new Barclays card. There will be no change to your credit limit.
Your rewards points will transfer over. If you earned rewards on the AARP® Credit Card from Chase, they will move to your new account and you’ll begin to earn rewards on your purchases with the new card.
You can eventually switch to a different Barclays AARP card. Your AARP® Credit Card from Chase will be replaced with one of the new Barclays cards. After the transfer is complete, you can request a switch to a different Barclays AARP card if you would like.
The information related to the AARP® Credit Card from Chase has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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