Earning Rates

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.

Key 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.

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.