Barclaycard Arrival Plus Miles
At a Glance
Barclays Arrival Miles are a flexible, fixed-value currency that can be redeemed for statement credits against almost any travel purchase. Unlike transferable points programs, Arrival miles cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners, but they offer unmatched simplicity—any seat on any airline, any room at any hotel, as long as the purchase codes as travel. The program shines for travelers who value flexibility over premium cabin aspirations, and for covering travel expenses that fall outside traditional loyalty programs like vacation rentals, cruises, trains, and theme park packages.
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Award Ticket Taxes & Fuel Surcharges | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Vacation Rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Cruise Onboard Expenses | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Train Travel | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Theme Park Packages | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Car Rentals | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Boutique & Non-Chain Hotels | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Hotel Incidental Charges | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Tours & Excursions | 10,000 | — | — | — |
| Last-Minute Domestic Economy Flights | 10,000 | — | — | — |
Recent Changes & News
Barclays discontinued AAdvantage co-brand cards, transitioning portfolio to Citi. Arrival Plus remains available.
Arrival Plus reduced minimum redemption from 10,000 miles ($100) to 5,000 miles ($50) for travel purchases of $100+.
Temporary promotion allowing 1¢/mile redemptions for gas, grocery, and restaurant purchases ended.
FAQs
What's the minimum redemption for Arrival miles?
For Arrival Plus, travel statement credit redemptions start at 5,000 miles for $50 toward qualifying travel purchases of $100 or more (updated from previous 10,000 mile minimum). Annual fee redemptions start at 2,500 miles for $25. Check your specific card terms as minimums vary.
Do Arrival miles expire?
Miles expire after 24 months of account inactivity. As long as you make at least one purchase or redemption every 2 years, your miles remain active. There's no limit on how long miles can stay in your account if the account remains active.
Can I transfer Arrival miles to airline or hotel partners?
No, Arrival miles are not transferable to airline or hotel loyalty programs. The program rules explicitly state miles may not be assigned, transferred, or pledged. Redemption is limited to statement credits for travel purchases, cash back, gift cards, or merchandise.
What counts as a travel purchase for Arrival mile redemptions?
Qualifying travel purchases include airlines, hotels/motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies (online and traditional), discount travel sites, trains, buses, taxis, limousines, and ferries. The purchase must be coded in Barclays' travel merchant category—specific merchant coding may vary.
How does the 5% miles rebate work?
When you redeem Arrival miles for travel statement credits, you automatically receive 5% of the redeemed miles back into your account. For example, redeem 10,000 miles for a $100 flight credit, and you'll get 500 miles back. This effectively boosts your earning rate from 2x to 2.1x miles per dollar.
Can I redeem Arrival miles for partial travel purchases?
Yes, you can use Arrival miles to offset part of a travel purchase rather than covering the full cost. For example, if you have a $300 hotel stay, you can redeem 10,000 miles to take $100 off, paying the remaining $200 out of pocket.
Is the Barclays Arrival Plus card still available?
The Arrival Plus has been closed to new applicants at various times historically. Check current availability on Barclays' website or through card comparison sites. Existing cardholders can continue earning and redeeming Arrival miles even when the card is not open to new applications.