Barclays Upromise Credit Card [All-Time High $300 Bonus; Up to 1.529% Cash Back]

【2025.11 Updated】This card comes with a $300 sign-up bonus, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fee, which is a pretty solid combo. Long term, 1.25%-1.529% cash back on all purchases is also decent.

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This card is also pretty suitable for lazy people who like cash back, so I’ve added it to the ranking.

• Pure cash-back credit card ranking: the best option for lazy people

Barclays Upromise Credit Card Introduction

Benefits

• Up to 1.529% cash back: If you link your Upromise account with an eligible college savings account, all purchases will earn 1.529% cash back. Without the link, it is only 1.25%.
• Round-up cash back: The rules are complicated, and even if you max it out each month, it is only $8. For example, if you spend $1.01, it will automatically be charged $2, and you will earn cash back on the $2 purchase, i.e. 2*1.25%/1.529%. Then you will get $0.99 back, so in the end you still only spent $1.01. Simplified, your spending earns cash back rounded up to the next whole dollar. This round-up feature has a $1-$500 range, and the monthly round-up amount can total up to $500. This feature is actually similar to Citi Rewards+'s cash back. Not sure why Americans are so obsessed with round up...
• No foreign transaction fees: As a card with no foreign transaction fees, this is pretty good
• Free monthly FICO score: You can keep track of your credit score; see: comparison of free credit scores

Cons

• You need a college savings account, and 1.529% cash back is not especially high

About Upromise

Upromise is a company headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, that offers a loyalty program of the same name, where members can earn points through eligible purchases (similar to a cash-back website). These points can be used for college savings plans or to pay down student loans. Upromise members can accumulate account points from eligible purchases at grocery stores, online retailers, travel providers, and restaurants. Members can deposit points directly into a high-yield savings account or a tax-deferred 529 plan, use them to repay eligible student loans, or cash them out by check.

My Take

A $300 sign-up bonus, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fee make for a pretty good combo. Long term, 1.25%-1.529% cash back is also decent.

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Barclays Application Guide

• Check Barclays credit card application status
• Barclays credit card applications generally pull TransUnion (TU), and HPs on the same day can be combined
• If you already have another Barclays card and your new application is not approved, there will usually be no hard pull
• You can call the reconsideration line (866-408-4064) to speed up credit card approval or request another review of a denied application. They may verify your identity and address, ask why you want the card, and review your employment and repayment situation, so be prepared. You may need to move credit limit from an existing card to get approved.
• More on applying for Barclays credit cards

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