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AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard®

Card Value & Cash Back Calculator
card
Fees
Earning Rates
  • Earn Unlimited 3% Cash Back on Gas and Drug Store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart).
  • Earn Unlimited 2% Cash Back on eligible Medical expenses.
  • Earn Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
Main Benefits
  • Barclays will donate $10 to AARP Foundation for every new account and 1% of eligible purchases to AARP Foundation.
Rewards Details
  • Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, AARP membership, and more at BarclaysUS.com.
  • Redeem rewards for an AARP membership for yourself or as a gift. Options start at $16 in rewards.
Our Take
The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard is a decent cash back credit card that can be great for earning rewards on gas and drugstore purchases at no annual fee. The Medical expenses category is unique, but there are 2% cash back credit cards in the market that offer better overall benefits.

AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard earning rate

The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard earns cash back at the following rates:

  • 3% Cash Back on Gas and Drug Store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart).
  • 2% Cash Back on eligible Medical expenses.
  • 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.

Medical purchases are defined as Dentists, Orthodontists, Osteopathic Physicians, Chiropractors, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Opticians, Optical Goods & Eyeglasses, Chiropodists, Podiatrists, Hospitals, Medical and Dental Laboratories, Hearing Aids, Ambulance Services, Orthopedic Goods, Prosthetic Devices, Nursing and Personal Care Facilities, Medical Services & Health Practitioners not elsewhere classified (NEC) and Doctors not elsewhere classified (NEC), as identified by the merchant category codes.

AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard benefits

Here are the main benefits of the AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard:

  • Charitable Donations: Barclays will donate $10 for every new AARP® Essential Rewards credit card account that's opened, plus 1% of all eligible electronic and telecommunication purchases made with the card.

AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard fees

Annual Fee

The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard has no annual fee.

Authorized User Fee

There is no fee to add authorized users to the AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard.

Foreign Transaction Fee

The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard has a 3% foreign transaction fee. That makes this card a bad option for international travel and spending outside of the United States.

AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard cash back calculator

Input your monthly and yearly spend amounts into the calculator to find out how much you can earn with the AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard. Compare the results side by side up to 2 credit cards to find out which cards are best for you.

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