Barclays Arrival has one of the best sign up bonuses currently on the market, unfortunately Barclays can be pretty picky when it comes to who they approve for this card. Below we’ve listed a few tips on what to do to get approved:
- Pay off as much debt as you can. Barclays looks closely at the amount of debt you have divided by the total amount of credit you have (known as a credit utilization ratio), the lower this ratio is the better. This’ll help you increase your FICO score, but if you need to do a reconsideration request they’ll also look at this manually. You’ll also want to pay your credit cards off early the month before you apply, as your credit utilization ratio is based on the amount owed as reported to the credit bureaus. In general credit card issuers will report the same balance they show on your monthly account statement.
- Avoid applications for other credit before your Barclays application. If you’re doing an app-o-rama (AoR), then Barclays should be one of the first credit card issuers you apply for in that AoR. If you’re not instantly approved then call reconsideration before applying for more cards.
- Call reconsideration if you’re rejected. If you’re not instantly approved or flat out denied, make sure you call the reconsideration line (click here to find Barclays and read our tips for nailing your reconsideration line phone call).
- If you have any other Barclays cards, put as much credit card spend as you can through them before you apply. One of the reasons Barclays gives for denying people is that they consider them “bonus hogs” (they don’t actually use this terminology and will never directly say it) as they receive the minimum spend requirement for the sign up bonus and then never use the card again. So if you have an existing Barclays card, make sure you use it for regular expenses in the months leading to your Arrival application.
Thanks for this. Have low credit utilization (below 10%), 4-7 inquiries in last two years, 2-4 in last six months (varies per reporting agency), excellent credit, applied and was sent to “app is being reviewed.” Called the number above and spoke with a rep, very friendly. Put me on hold for a few, asked me some questions about my current non cc debt (mortgage and other non-auto), I answered truthfully, and he commended me for my payment history and approved the card for $10k. 8 min call. Thanks!
Do you know if you can churn Barclay Arrival cards? I’ve read conflicting information- one site said no, you cannot. Another said once every twelve months. Another said every 90 days!
Arrival cards you can’t churn, you may be able to receive the sign up bonus from both the annual fee and non annual fee version though.
You might be confusing this with other Barclays cards though, as US Airways is churnable.