Image: Senior couple walking outside and eating ice cream cones
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Who this card is good for
This cash back credit card may be a good fit for people who are AARP enthusiasts, who appreciate cash back on spending categories like drugstores, gas and medical expenses — and who can pay off their balances on time and in full each payment cycle to avoid interest. APRs for the AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays are high compared to the national average for credit cards. Carrying a balance could cancel out any cash-back benefit or, worse, lead you into heavy debt.
Some other cash back cards may not only offer better interest rates, but better everyday cash back rates — and even better rates on bonus categories. So it’s a good idea to consider other options. Depending on your spending, a more general use cash back card or a card that features other types of rewards, such as travel, could be better choices than this card.
About the author: Lance Cothern is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. His work has appeared on Business Insider, USA Today.com and his website, MoneyManifesto.com. Lance holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in … Read more.
