AARP Credit Card Rewards booked through AARP Travel

[lingberg]

I recently found that a hotel booked through the Expedia AARP travel center receives only 1% travel points instead of 3%. Barclays says this is because the "code" is for a travel agency not travel. Really? The travel is booked through using the AARP name and the card has the AARP name too. Can't this be coordinated better by AARP?

[jeffrholmquist]

I agree! I just had a similar experience after getting the Barclays AARP "Travel" Rewards Mastercard. Rather than getting 3% rewards for booking a few hotels through the AARP Expedia site, I only received 1% because travel agencies are not considered travel-- unbelievable!

All travel cards I have had in the past include travel agencies. Why would AARP not at least include the AARP Expedia site for travel rewards when negotiating the agreement with Barclays? Now not only do you not receive the discounts by booking through the AARP Expedia site, but you have to contact each car rental, hotel, and airline provider separately to book your travel to get the 3% cash back. Very inconvenient and not at all customer-focused. 

I'm glad I found this out before booking a big trip. I've given AARP two weeks to change this, or I am canceling the card and looking for another travel card without the travel agency restriction. Very disappointing.  

[AARPBrittanyS]

Hi there! We certainly understand your concerns regarding travel agencies not being included in the "travel" category when it comes to the Barclays cashback rewards. We have noted your concerns for review within AARP as well as Barclays and want to thank you for your feedback. We hope you will continue to share your ideas, concerns and opinions with us as this assists AARP in our future course to better serve our members. 

[jeffrholmquist]

Have you heard back from Barclays? When do you anticipate travel agencies being included in the travel category for rewards?

[lingberg]

Yes. I heard back from Barclays that they will adhere to their stated policy and not count anything booked through the AARP travel agency as travel. They also did not count a recent tour booking as travel. When I contacted AARP they did not seem to be concerned about their reputation as it is administered through Barclays. It looks like our best option is to vote with our wallets and not use the card. PayPal and Citibank offer cards with 2% back on all purchases.

[jeffrholmquist]

Having not heard anything more from AARP, I will be canceling the card.

[AARPBrittanyS]

There have been no changes to Barclay's rewards policy, nor is there an anticipated date of changes. Your concerns were noted within AARP as well as Barclays and if you choose to cancel your credit card, you will have to contact Barclays directly at 1-866-755-8704. If you experience difficulties with cancelation, you are welcome to send me a private message or reply to our previous correspondence via email and I will be happy to assist further by reaching out to Barclays on your behalf.