Back in 2019, I wrote a post that declared Barclays had just ruined my favorite credit card. Well, this week, they officially killed it dead. As U.S. News reports, the Uber Credit Card is officially being discontinued and current cardholders will be moved to the new Barclays View Mastercard sometime in October.
Not to rehash the past too much but the Uber Visa card started off as one of the best no annual fee credit cards when it debuted in 2017. In addition to offering 4% back on dining, it also earned 3% on travel expenses, 2% on online purchases, and more. Sadly, the card underwent a significant revamp in 2019, which erased some perks and, most notably, turned the card into one that earned Uber Cash instead of regular cashback. At the time, I was pretty livid about the changes, but I’ve since settled down — only for this latest announcement to raise fresh hell.
So what does this Barclays View Mastercard offer? Like the current Uber Credit Card, it earns 3% back at restaurants. Next, the card will earn 2% on Internet, select streaming, phone, and TV services as well as 2% back on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart, of course). Finally, all other purchases will earn 1% back.
At first glance, I thought that this card was completely useless to me. Between my Amex Gold and Savor One cards, I’ve already got dining and groceries covered. Plus, thanks to this week’s moves by Chase, my wife’s Sapphire Preferred card will earn 3x on select streaming services. However, I then took a closer look at that 2x category and noticed that it also includes phone, TV, and Internet services. Although my Internet and TV are included in our rent at our new apartment, we do still have a cell phone bill to pay each month. Thus, it seems as though that recurring payment will become this card’s only job (and even then it’s not that great since there are plenty of 2% flat rate cards we could get if we wanted).
By the way, apparently the Uber Credit Card isn’t the only co-branded product Barclays is cutting loose and pushing customers to the View card in the process. Those who previously had the Apple Rewards card were moved to the View card (which, I should mention, is not co-branded with the ABC talk show) in May. Funny enough, the website for the Barclays View Mastercard still notes that May transition exclusively, so I suppose the product isn’t available to new applicants.
Personally, I already said “farewell” to the Uber Visa two years ago so this week’s news isn’t that Earth-shattering. Nevertheless, the change over to the View will make the card even less useable in my mix, with the aforementioned cell phone bill likely being the only changes I’ll put on it just to keep it open — although other cards may actually be a better option when insurance coverage is considered. Meanwhile, it is ironic that Barclays is making this overhaul while other issuers such as American Express, Chase, and Capital One have all recently positively revamped cards my wife and I hold. I guess that’s a sign as to where we should take our business in the future.