Barclays Blue Rewards offers a compelling suite of benefits that can provide significant value, making it a worthwhile consideration for customers who can fully utilize its features. The program bundles various advantages, from enhanced savings opportunities to entertainment subscriptions, potentially offsetting its associated monthly fee, though the exact "worth" ultimately depends on your individual usage and the program's cost.
Key Benefits of Barclays Blue Rewards
Understanding the specific advantages is crucial for assessing if Blue Rewards aligns with your financial habits and needs. The program provides a diverse range of benefits designed to reward loyal Barclays customers:
- Higher Savings Rates: Members gain access to improved interest rates on specific Barclays savings accounts, potentially allowing your money to grow faster than standard accounts. This can be particularly beneficial for those with significant savings.
- Cashback at Selected Retailers: Blue Rewards includes opportunities to earn cashback when shopping at a variety of participating retailers. This can lead to tangible savings on everyday purchases and larger expenditures alike, depending on where you typically spend your money.
- Premium Entertainment Subscriptions: A standout benefit is the inclusion of a subscription to Apple TV Plus, which normally costs £8.99 a month. This also comes complete with the MLS Season Pass, typically priced at £14.99 a month or £99 for a full season. For individuals who already pay for these services, or who would consider subscribing, this benefit alone can represent a substantial saving.
Illustrative Monthly Value of Entertainment Subscriptions:
| Benefit | Standard Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Apple TV Plus | £8.99 |
| MLS Season Pass | £14.99 |
| Combined Potential Value | £23.98 |
This table highlights a direct, quantifiable saving if you were otherwise paying for these entertainment services.
Making Your Decision
To determine if keeping Barclays Blue Rewards is worth it for you, consider the monetary value of the benefits you will actually use against the monthly fee charged for the service.
Practical Steps to Assess Value:
- Calculate Your Potential Savings and Earnings:
- Estimate how much more interest you could earn on your savings with the higher rates.
- Review the participating retailers for cashback and estimate your potential earnings based on your typical spending.
- Factor in the direct savings from the Apple TV Plus and MLS Season Pass subscriptions if you would use or otherwise pay for them.
- Compare Benefits to Cost:
- Sum up the total estimated monetary value of the benefits you expect to utilize each month.
- Compare this total against the monthly fee for Barclays Blue Rewards.
- If your calculated value consistently exceeds the fee, then the program is likely worth keeping for you.
For example, if the monthly fee for Blue Rewards is less than the combined £23.98 value of the Apple TV Plus and MLS Season Pass subscriptions, and you plan to use both, the program could immediately offer significant savings, even before considering the benefits of higher savings rates or cashback. Regularly reviewing your usage of the benefits ensures that the program continues to provide value tailored to your financial activities and lifestyle.
