I haven’t seen much publicity about this one, but Apple and Barclaycard recently launched a new card. It’s officially called the “Barclaycard Visa with Apple Rewards“, (not, you know, the Apple Card or something sensible like that) and the awkward name reminds you that this is a half-assed card that does not have the consumer in mind.
The target demographic for this card is poorly-educated Apple fanboys, as I can’t imagine who else could possibly want this thing. Here’s the rewards scheme:
Get 3 points for every $1 spent at the Apple Store, 2 points at restaurants, and 1 point on all other purchases. Earn 2,500 points, get a $25 Apple Store Gift Card.
So in addition to the lousy rewards scheme–really, who settles for a cent per dollar spent anymore?–you can only use your points for stuff at the Apple Store.
You know how every now and then you’ll see a “worst credit cards” list that showcases cards with egregiously high rates and fees? Since low rewards can end up costing you a lot, this card should be on those lists too.
DECEMBER SURPRISES: Every December we see a few increased credit card offers. The 50,000 mile offer for the USAir card isn’t too surprising, since that card’s been at 50,000 before, but the Hilton Surpass Amex bonus being moved to 80,000 points is a mildly pleasant surprise. I can’t recall seeing an 80K bonus for that card before. Freequent Flyer wondered earlier in the year if Amex was cannibalizing its other product lines with its new Everyday cards, and an 80K bonus makes me wonder.
I’m still hoping for something better than an 80K HHilton CCard though. Citibank sometimes comes through in December with a decent TYP offer. Citi, where are you?
Higher credit card offers typically come at the end or start of a quarter. That’s why the offers typically come in such a flurry, scared marketing executives not meeting their new customer acquisition quotas. With American Express it’s all about targeted offers.
The Apple card exists for special financing (18 months same as cash for most Macs). No one will use it as their day to day card.
If they’d said iCard…. everyone would’ve been all over it.
Apple is very selective about who can use their logo. This card does not have it. Indicative, I think, of their view of it.