Following the launch of Apple Pay in the US last month, Apple and Barclaycard have introduced a new co-branded credit card with EMV chip-and-pin support and revised rewards and financing options.
Apple has long advertised the Barclaycard “iTunes Rewards Visa Card” through its online store for financing purchases of Macs in the US, but it’s now offering a new Barclaycard Visa with Apple Rewards that offers Apple Store gift cards opposed to the old iTunes store credit. Rather than a $25 iTunes store credit, earning 2,500 points with the new Visa will earn customers a $25 Apple Store gift card.
Apple is continuing to offer financing options with no interest for purchases made in the first 30 days of activating the card, but price requirements have been lowered. The new card offers 6 month no interest for purchases under $498, 12 months for $499 – $998, and 18 months for purchases $999 and over. 18 month financing used to require purchases over $1999.
As for rewards, Apple explains customers with the new card will “get 3 points for every $1 spent at the Apple Store, 2 points at restaurants, and 1 point on all other purchases.” That compares to two points for iTunes purchases and one point for every dollar spent elsewhere offered by the old iTunes rewards card.
Barclaycard has a new FAQ on its website detailing the specifics of earning and claiming rewards.
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Better program that before, but there are plenty of CCs that offer much better Cash Back Bonus terms, and have way longer Zero percent introductory rates.
Great for the Americans… So how about us Canadians? We still only get a 3-month financing option from TD Bank on purchases! C’mon , give us up in the True North some love ;)
Note that this is a real chip and PIN card and will work in European ticket machines. But, it defaults to Signature if the terminal has that capability. Signature only not PIN in the US.
Do the reward changes apply to old card holder too? or do they have to close their account and apply for a new one?
I’ve read elsewhere that people have been able to switch over by calling up.