Life Well Rewarded: Barclays Launches New Credit Cards for AARP Members

WILMINGTON, Del., March 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --  Barclays US Consumer Bank announced today the launch of a new suite of co-branded credit cards for AARP members. The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays and the AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays make it easy to earn cash back and travel rewards for everyday spend in categories that are important to AARP members related to health and wellness as well as travel, medical expenses, drug store purchases, gas, restaurants, hotel, airfare and more.

With nearly 38 million members, AARP states that its mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age. The new suite of AARP Mastercard products from Barclays provides even more options for cardmembers to enjoy valuable rewards on every purchase.

The introduction of the new credit cards from Barclays also provides added value to the collection of AARP member benefits. With insights gained from in-depth research commissioned by Barclays on the interests and needs of self-identified AARP members, Barclays developed two card programs with a custom-tailored set of rewards and benefits that are designed to appeal to different segments of the expansive AARP membership base.

The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard from Barclays is the ideal card for everyday use, while also providing benefits to support health and wellness offering:

• 3% cash back on gas and drug store purchases
• 2% cash back on medical expenses

From the road warrior to the international traveler, anyone passionate about travel will enjoy the AARP Travel Rewards Mastercard from Barclays with:

• 3% cash back on airfare, hotel stays and car rentals
• 2% cash back on restaurant purchases, including food delivery services
• 0% foreign transaction fee

Both cards receive

• No annual fee
• 1% cash back rewards on all purchases
• 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening
• Earn a $100 intro bonus with $500 spend within first 90 days
• Easy rewards redemption for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, and AARP memberships starting at $16 in rewards
• No limit to the rewards that cardmembers can earn and rewards never expire as long as the account is open and in good standing
• $0 Fraud Liability Protection

"AARP members told us they were looking for more in a credit card," said John Larew, President and CEO of AARP Services (ASI). "We heard them talk about needs like wellness benefits, prescription purchases and caregiving needs. We knew we wanted to work with an issuer that would innovate with the 50+ consumer in mind, and Barclays has done that."

With each new account and every eligible purchase, Barclays has committed to support AARP charitable affiliate, AARP Foundation, through a cause marketing program that will help fight social isolation across the United States. With a focus on building social connections, Essential Connections Powered by Barclays will support AARP Foundation's efforts to equip low-income older adults with the tools they need to stay socially connected to their communities.

"Barclays' support for AARP Foundation's Essential Connections program to increase vulnerable older adults' social connections to their communities will improve their physical and emotional health and well-being, not just during the pandemic but long after it ends," said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President, AARP Foundation. "We must do all we can to help older adults, who have suffered greatly during COVID-19, to strengthen the social connections that are so essential to their ability to lead longer, healthier lives."

Through Essential Connections Powered by Barclays, the company will donate $10 per new account opened and 1% of all eligible electronic and telecommunications purchases to AARP Foundation to support social connections work, up to $1 million annually.

"For nearly 20 years, Barclays has teamed-up with some of America's best-known brands to offer co-branded credit cards and financial solutions that help people thrive," said Nichelle Evans, Managing Director, Travel and Affinity Programs at Barclays. "With these new credit cards for AARP members from Barclays, we are offering a suite of products designed to help Americans live life to its fullest, offering valuable cash back and exciting travel reward benefits, while also helping those facing social isolation become active members of their community."

Current AARP® Credit Card from Chase cardholders can continue to use their card as usual and will receive communications from Barclays later this summer with information about the conversion to the new AARP Mastercards from Barclays. Learn more at AARPcreditcard.com/Barclays.

To apply for the new cards or to learn more about the benefits listed above, visit AARPcreditcard.com.

About Barclays
Barclays US Consumer Bank is a leading co-branded credit card issuer and financial services partner in the United States that creates highly customized programs to drive customer loyalty and engagement for some of the country's most successful travel, entertainment, retail and affinity institutions. The bank offers co-branded credit cards, small business credit cards, installment loans, online savings accounts, and CDs. For more information, please visit www.BarclaysUS.com. 

Barclays is a British universal bank.  We are diversified by business, by different types of customer and client, and geography. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as a top-tier, full service, global corporate and investment bank, all of which are supported by our service company which provides technology, operations and functional services across the Group. For further information about Barclays, please visit www.Barclays.com.

About AARP Services Inc.
AARP Services Inc., founded in 1999, is a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the provider relationships for and performs quality control oversight of the wide range of products and services that carry the AARP name and are made available by independent providers as benefits to AARP's millions of members. The provider offers currently span health products, financial products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; credit cards; auto, home, mobile home and motorcycle insurance; life insurance and annuities; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts; and pharmacy services. AARP Services also engages in new product development activities for AARP and provides certain consulting services to outside companies.

About Mastercard
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. www.mastercard.com

About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connections. As AARP's charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope. To learn more, visit www.aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media.

About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.

SOURCE Barclays