5 Things to Know About the J. Crew Credit Card - NerdWallet (2024)

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J. Crew clothes can be expensive, so if you’re a fan of the brand, it makes sense to find a way to trim costs where you can. The J. Crew credit card wants to be that money-saver, but the truth is that other credit cards will likely save you more.

Issued by Synchrony Bank, the J. Crew credit card has a $0 annual fee, but you’ll need to spend at least $1,000 a year at J. Crew to get the best rewards rates. Plus, there's no 0% intro APR promotion, and the card's ongoing interest rate is so high that you won't want to use it to finance a new wardrobe.

In most cases, you'll be better served with a general rewards credit card. For example, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card earn excellent rewards on online shopping, which includes not only J. Crew but also hundreds of other retailers. Terms apply.

Here's what to know if you're considering the J. Crew credit card.

» MORE: Before you get a retail credit card, consider your options

🤓Nerdy Tip

In 2024, the J. Crew credit card officially switched issuers from Bread Financial to Synchrony Bank. The old Bread Financial-issued cards (with the green color scheme) will stop working after June 16, 2024. Those who had that card should have received a new one (in a dark-blue color) by June 2024.

1. There are two J. Crew credit cards

The J. Crew credit card comes in two varieties:

  • The J. Crew Mastercard, which can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

  • The J. Crew Credit Card, which can be used for purchases at J. Crew and J. Crew Factory only. (Note that you can't use it at Madewell, even though that brand is a part of the J. Crew umbrella.)

Which version of the J. Crew card you can get depends on your creditworthiness. Potential cardholders can use the prequalification tool to determine their eligibility for either card.

You must join Passport, J. Crew’s store loyalty program, to apply for the card. Those who have the card but don’t belong to Passport won’t earn rewards.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best store credit cards

2. Rewards hinge on your Passport tier

The rewards you can earn with the J. Crew credit card depend on your status within the Passport loyalty program. There are three tiers: Green, Navy and Gold. All three tiers offer 1 point per $1 spent at J. Crew, but you’ll earn bonus points if you have a J. Crew credit card.

  • Green. Free to join. Green members earn 1 point per $1 spent at J. Crew.

  • Navy. Must spend $500 annually at J. Crew, or have a J. Crew credit card. Navy members with a J. Crew card earn 2 points per $1 spent at J. Crew.

  • Gold. Must spend $1,000 annually at J. Crew. Gold members with a J. Crew card earn 3 points per $1 spent at J. Crew.

The Mastercard version of the card also earns 1 point for every $1 spent on gas and grocery purchases and 1 point for every $2 spent on everything else. (Fuel stations at warehouse clubs and some supercenters and grocery stores don’t qualify.)

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for department stores

3. Rewards are valuable, but redemption is inflexible

Cardholders will automatically receive a $5 reward certificate for every 200 points earned. On the plus side, that means that 1 point is worth 2.5 points, well above the industry standard of 1 cent per point. But there are caveats when it comes to redeeming your rewards.

First, as with many store cards, rewards may be used toward more J. Crew purchases only. Second, because the $5 reward certificate is automatic once you accrue 200 points, you won't be able to "save up" rewards over time for a large purchase — especially given that rewards expire 90 days after their issue date.

Credit cards from issuers like Capital One or Discover have more versatile rewards that never expire.

4. The APR is high

Outstanding balances on the J. Crew credit card will be assessed an interest charge of over 31%, as of this writing. That’s almost 10 percentage points higher than the February 2024 average APR on interest-accruing credit cards, according to the Federal Reserve.

Avoid interest charges by paying off credit card balances in full, whenever possible.

» MORE: Credit card interest calculator

5. Card benefits include a birthday gift and a small sign-up bonus

Being a J. Crew cardholder comes with a few extra perks beyond elevated rewards rates. Whether you have the J. Crew Credit Card or J. Crew Mastercard, you’ll get a $25 birthday gift, free standard shipping from J. Crew and J. Crew Factory, and free standard alterations.

As of this writing, new cardholders also get a welcome offer in the form of a 20% discount on their first J. Crew purchase with their J. Crew credit card. This discount may be combined with another offer in a single transaction.

However, a 20% coupon pales in comparison with the best credit card sign-up bonuses that are worth hundreds of dollars.

» NEXT: Should you open a store credit card for the one-time discount?

To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page.

5 Things to Know About the J. Crew Credit Card - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

What are 5 things credit card companies don t want you to know? ›

6 Things Credit Card Companies Don't Want You to Know
  • 1) Your “fixed rate” isn't set in stone. “Fixed rate” sounds deceptively solid. ...
  • 2) The “45 day notice” is misleading. ...
  • 3)They profit from your loss. ...
  • 4) They're (sometimes) willing to negotiate. ...
  • 5) They like to sneak in fees. ...
  • 6) They charge merchant processing fees.
May 14, 2024

What are the five factors to think about when deciding which credit card to secure? ›

The five factors that need to be considered in securing a credit card are:
  • Interest Rates.
  • Extra Fees.
  • Change in interest rate.
  • Cosigner.
  • Grace Period.

What are 5 perks that customers might enjoy by having a credit card? ›

These credit card advantages can help you get extra value from your card:
  • Credit-building opportunities. Credit cards can be a tool to build credit over time. ...
  • Rewards. ...
  • Travel benefits. ...
  • Fraud protection. ...
  • Purchase protection. ...
  • Potential interest break. ...
  • High interest rates. ...
  • Fees.
Aug 27, 2024

Does a J-Crew credit card have an annual fee? ›

The J.Crew Credit Card and J.Crew Mastercard have no annual fee.

What are 5 things a credit card company looks at to decide how risky you are? ›

The five biggest factors that affect your credit score are payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and types of credit.

What are two things that you should never buy with a credit card? ›

The 5 types of expenses experts say you should never charge on a credit card
  • Your monthly rent or mortgage payment. ...
  • A large purchase that will wipe out available credit. ...
  • Taxes. ...
  • Medical bills. ...
  • A series of small impulse splurges.

What are 4 important factors to consider when selecting a credit card? ›

Here's a checklist of some things to look at when you choose a credit card:
  • Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This is the cost of borrowing on the card, if you don't pay the whole balance off each month. ...
  • minimum repayment. ...
  • annual fee. ...
  • charges. ...
  • introductory interest rates. ...
  • loyalty points or rewards. ...
  • cash back.

What are 6 things a credit card companies must disclose? ›

Final answer: Credit card companies must disclose APR, details about introductory offers, penalty APR, minimum payment information, fees involved, and grace period details.

What is the biggest risk of a credit card? ›

One of the most significant risks associated with Credit Cards is the potential for accumulating debt. Credit Cards make it easy to overspend, and if you're not careful, you can quickly accumulate debt you may struggle to repay. This can lead to high-interest rates, late fees, and damage to your credit score.

What are 5 disadvantages of a credit card? ›

5 Disadvantages of Credit Cards
  • High-Interest Rates. If you carry a balance on your card, the interest rate can be as high as 30% or more. ...
  • Potential for Overspending. It's easy to get caught up in the moment when using a credit card instead of cash or a debit card. ...
  • High Annual Fees. ...
  • Hidden Costs. ...
  • Credit Card Debt.
Jul 29, 2024

What is most important in a credit card? ›

Some things to consider when choosing a credit card is their interest rate, any annual fees or foreign transaction fees they may offer, and their late payment fees. There are a few types of credit cards to consider, the most common being rewards cards, low-interest cards, and student cards.

What are the pros and cons of using a credit card? ›

Credit cards offer several benefits – like reward programs, security features, and an opportunity to build a positive credit history. But unfortunately, they also come with several drawbacks, like high-interest rates and the risk of accumulating a high debt-to-income ratio.

Who issues the J Crew credit card? ›

The J.Crew Mastercard is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circle design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

What is the interest rate on a J-Crew credit card? ›

Interest Rates and Interest Charges
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases30.24% This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
6 more rows

Can you pay a JCrew bill in store? ›

Starting April 28th, payments can be made to Synchrony by phone at 855-818-3059 or by visiting a J.Crew or J.Crew Factory store.

What do you not know about credit cards? ›

Key takeaways

Interest rates on credit cards can be adjusted over time or if you are significantly late on payments. Using a credit card comes with certain fraud and purchase protections. Not all credit cards are accepted when traveling abroad.

What do credit card companies have to tell you? ›

When they plan to increase your rate or other fees. Your credit card company must send you a notice 45 days before they can increase your interest rate; change certain fees (such as annual fees, cash advance fees, and late fees) that ap- ply to your account; or make other significant changes to the terms of your card.

What are 3 things consumers need to be aware of when applying for a credit card? ›

Checklist of what to look out for when choosing a credit card
  • Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This is the cost of borrowing on the card, if you don't pay the whole balance off each month. ...
  • minimum repayment. ...
  • annual fee. ...
  • charges. ...
  • introductory interest rates. ...
  • loyalty points or rewards. ...
  • cash back.

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