Originally published April 4, 2021
The Barclaycard Financing Visa is no longer available for new applicants. That card previously provided special financing terms for select purchases. However, Barclays began notifying existing Financing Visa cardholders in April that their current card will convert into a new product called the Barclays View Mastercard in May. Two months on from the news of the new View Mastercard announcement, what should we make up the newest addition to the Barclays credit card lineup?
Barclays Converting Existing Barclaycard Financing Visa to New View Mastercard
Existing Barclaycard Financing Visa cardholders will have their existing card converted into the Barclays View Mastercard. The product change will occur on May 7, 2021, according to letters mailed to cardholders.
The new Barclays View Mastercard will differ significantly from the previous Financing Visa. The View card will earn rewards in the following categories:
- 3X points per dollar on dining
- 2X points per dollar on streaming services as well as internet service provider, phone, and TV bills
- 2X points per dollar on groceries
- 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Barclays Offers Updates on Reward Categories
Since the ordinal article, Barclays has provided several updates on the rewards the new View Mastercard will provide. The largest bonus category, dining, for example, will include both take out and delivery services like UberEATS, GrubHub, DoorDash, and others. Like other cards that earn points on grocery store purchases, the View card also excludes groceries from “box stores,” such as Target and Walmart.
Perhaps the biggest update regarding rewards, however, is the list of streaming services that qualify for the 2X points category. Most issuers hide behind vague language and only list a few major names, like Netflix, YouTube TV, or Spotify. the fact that Barclays unveiled its entire streaming lineup is a great benefit for existing Barclaycard Financing Visa cardholders – and new applicants. Here’s the full streaming service lineup that earns 2X points per dollar spent:
- Apple TV
- Apple Music
- CBS All Access
- Direct TV
- ESPN Plus
- Fubo TV
- Hulu
- Netflix
- NFL Game Pass
- NFL Sunday Ticket
- NHL TV
- Pandora
- Showtime
- Sirius XM
- Sling TV
- Spotify
- Starz
- Vudu
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube TV
Given the high costs of services from the NFL, plus TV services like Hulu, Fubo, and others, getting 2X points on these plans is a great perk that can provide exceptional value for cardholders.
Special Financing
The Barclaycard Financing Visa (also known as the Barclaycard Visa with Apple Rewards) was, at its heart, a card that provided special interest rates on select purchases. With the shift to a new rewards card, many feared that their new View Mastercard would lose what they initially sought in the Barclaycard in the first place. Fortunately, Barclays has listened to these concerns and is keeping some features of the old Financing Visa. The Barclays View Mastercard will offer accountholders limited-time offers to enjoy deferred interest financing on purchases at select electronics retailers, like Apple, Best Buy® and more, based on their account eligibility
Barclays Branching Out from Co-Branded Cards?
The Barclays View Mastercard launch appears to signal the British banking giant’s return to issuing its own credit cards. Barclays previously issued its own cards – notably the popular Arrival cards – before their withdrawal some years ago.
The bank now issues co-branded cards from leading airlines, cruise lines, and brands. These cards include the Carnival® World Mastercard®, JetBlue Card, and the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® Recently, the bank issued two new cards from AARP, the AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® and the AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard®.
Related Article: Big Banks May Offer Credit Cards to Those with No Credit History
