Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
Credit Rating
0% Intro
Annual Fee
APR
- 0% Introductory APR
- Flexible Redemptions
- Foreign Transaction Fees
- Limited Rewards
Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
0% Intro
PROS
- 0% Introductory APR
- Flexible Redemptions
CONS
- Foreign Transaction Fees
- Limited Rewards
APR
21.99% - 29.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
5% or $5, whichever is greater
Credit Requirements
Good - Excellent
The AARP Essentials Rewards Mastercard is a credit card designed specifically for AARP members, offering a range of benefits and rewards. This card provides cardholders with a variety of features to enhance their financial management and reward their spending.
One of the main advantages of the AARP Essentials Rewards Mastercard is its rewards program. Cardholders earn rewards on every purchase they make, allowing them to accumulate points that can be redeemed for a wide selection of rewards, including travel, gift cards, merchandise, and cash back.
Additionally, this credit card provides AARP members with exclusive benefits. These include access to special discounts and offers from various retailers, as well as travel perks such as travel insurance, car rental discounts, and emergency assistance services.
The AARP Essentials Rewards Mastercard is potentially a good card for those who want to support a good cause and earn rewards. However, there are limited rewards and redemptions, which some customers may find frustrating.
- 0% Introductory APR
- Flexible Redemptions
- $0 Fraud Liability Protection
- Free Access to Your FICO Score
- Charitable Contributions
- Foreign Transaction Fees
- Limited Rewards
- No 0% Introductory APR for Purchases
What are card income requirements?
There are no published income requirements for this card, but you do need to have good to excellent credit. Although Barclays will evaluate your income, it is not the only factor that will be considered when making an approval decision.
Can I get pre-approved?
There is no option for pre approval on the Barclays website, but Barclays may occasionally send out mailers offering pre approval to select customers.
How do I redeem rewards?
When you’re ready to redeem your rewards, you’ll need to log into your account and then you can explore the redemption options. There are redemptions available from $16, including AARP memberships that you can use for yourself or gift to someone else.
In this Review
Estimating Your Rewards: A Practical Simulation
Check out the table below to see the potential rewards you could earn with the AARP Essential Rewards card. This simulation estimates the benefits based on your typical spending in different categories.
Keep in mind that the table is just an estimate, and your actual rewards may vary depending on your spending habits and other factors. Still, it provides a helpful overview of the potential perks this card offers.
| |
|---|---|
Spend Per Category | The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard from Barclays
|
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 miles |
$3,000 – Restaurants
| 9,000 miles |
$5,000 – Airline | 25,000 miles |
$4,000 – Hotels | 8,000 miles |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 miles |
Estimated Annual Avios | 56,000 Miles |
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and special member-only perks.
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and special member-only perks.
Pros and Cons
Just like any other credit card, the The AARP Rewards Mastercard has some advantages and disadvantages:
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
0% Introductory APR | Foreign Transaction Fees |
Flexible Redemptions | Limited Rewards |
$0 Fraud Liability Protection | No 0% Introductory APR for Purchases |
Free Access to Your FICO Score | |
Charitable Contributions | |
- 0% Introductory APR
Cardholdres earn 0% intro for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After the promotional period, the regular APR of 21.99% – 29.99% applies.
- Flexible Redemptions
You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, and AARP memberships for either yourself or to gift to a family member or friend. The reward redemption options start at just $16.
However, rewards are unlimited and do not expire. Providing your account remains open and in good standing, you will continue to accumulate rewards.
- $0 Fraud Liability Protection
This is fairly standard, but it is nice to know that you won’t be responsible for any unauthorized transactions or fraudulent charges.
- Free Access to Your FICO Score
As a cardholder, you can receive complimentary access online to your FICO score. This will help you to keep track of any changes in your score, if you’re looking to give your credit a boost with better financial habits.
- Charitable Contributions
Barclays will make donations on your behalf as a cardholder. There is a $10 donation to the AARP Foundation for opening a new account and then a further 1% of eligible purchases made with your card.
- Foreign Transaction Fees
Unlike many of the Barclays co-branded cards, the AARP Essentials Rewards Mastercard has foreign transaction fees.
Although this is the fairly standard 3%, this small charge can quickly add up if you’re using your card abroad. If you spend $1,000 on vacation, you’ll get hit with a $30 charge!
- Limited Rewards For Youngers
Although it is nice to be supporting the AARP, the rewards for this card are quite limited, if you're under 50. There are other rewards cards that have no annual fee and offer far greater rewards for youngers.
- No 0% Introductory APR for Purchases
While you can benefit from a 0% introductory APR for balance transfers made, there is no promotional rate for purchases.
Who Should Consider The AARP Rewards Mastercard?
This card is perfect for those who want to earn rewards while supporting a good cause. It can also be a simple way to get AARP membership for you or a family member. You’ll earn solid rewards on everyday purchases, plus you can feel good knowing that Barclays will make donations based on your spending.
The card could also be a good option if you’re interested in paying down a credit card balance. Providing that you arrange the balance transfer within 45 days of opening your account, you can benefit from 0% APR.
If you would like to check more options for a reward card, here are some alternatives:
Card | 0% Intro | Rewards | Annual Fee |
| 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Go to APR after that will be 19.99 – 28.74% variable
| 1.5% – 5%
5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery), 3% on drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases
| $0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
G o to APR after that will be 18.74% – 27.74% Variable APR
| 1-5%
5% cashback on up to $1,500 in rotating category purchases each quarter when you activate the bonus category (then 1%), as well 1% percent cash back on all other purchases
| $0 | |
 | 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
G o to APR after that will be 18.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
| 1-5%
5% cash back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle up to the first $500 spent and 1% cash back thereafter
| $0 | |
| 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
G o to APR after that will be 19.49% – 29.49% Variable APR
| 2%
2% cash rewards on purchases (unlimited)
| $0 | |
 | 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Go to APR after that will be 19.99% – 28.74% variable
| 1-5%
| $0 | |
 | 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening
Go to APR after that will be 18.49% – 29.49% Variable
| 1-3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%
|
$0 (Rates & Fees) | |
| 15 billing cycles on purchases
Go to APR after that will be 18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
| 1-3%
3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% cash back available on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter (then 1%)
| $0 |
Tips for Using the AARP Card
As a gas credit card, here are the main ways to leverage it maximize your benefits:
-
Consider Alternative Cards For Traveling
If you’re planning a vacation or business trip abroad, try to avoid using this card. Many cards don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which has the potential to save you a great deal.
-
Arrange Your Balance Transfers Immediately
We’ve already touched on this, but it is important to reiterate. Your balance transfers need to have been posted to your account within 45 days of opening the account.
So, don’t delay and ensure that you arrange your balance transfers as soon as you receive confirmation that your new account is opened.
-
Set Up Your FICO Score Alerts
Since you have free access online to your FICO scores, be sure to set up alerts. This will provide a notification when any changes to your FICO score occur.
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FAQs
How hard is it to get an AARP Essentials Rewards card?
You do need to have good to excellent credit to qualify for the AARP Essentials Rewards card, but if you have decent credit, you shouldn’t find it too hard to get this card.
When it may not be a good idea?
This card is not a good idea if your main focus is on maximizing rewards. There are a number of $0 annual fee cards that offer higher rewards rates and could provide a better option for you.
Does the card provide car rental insurance?
Unfortunately, car rental insurance is not included in the AARP Essentials Rewards Mastercard benefits package.
