Ann Taylor was founded in 1954 by Richard Liebeskind, who named his new business after a popular dress sold in his father's store. The women's apparel retailer first opened in New Haven, Connecticut, but it has since grown into over 275 locations across the country. Today's Ann Taylor is known as a place to find fashionable — if pricey — work wear and accessories.
The Ann Taylor Card offers savvy sophisticates a simple way to earn rewards and exclusive discounts on their purchases, which can be a boon for shoppers of a store where a blouse can easily go for $70 or more. But be sure you can pay off all that high-cost couture in a hurry or the Ann Taylor Card's equally high APR will turn that great-looking deal into an expensive faux pas.
Ann Taylor Card Overall Rating: 3.6/5.0
Before you run out and start swiping your way to a new wardrobe with an Ann Taylor Card, be sure you've investigated more than just the rewards you can earn. The card's high 26.24% APR is the first sign that the card isn't all butterflies and blazers. That high APR can turn one $300 suit into a nearly $400 blunder if you carry the balance for a year — and that's before you add on the shoes and accessories.
Additionally, while the Ann Taylor Card can be used at a variety of Ann Inc. brands — including Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Lou & Grey, as well as their online counterparts — that's the extent of its use. The same goes for the card's rewards, which can only be redeemed for branded merchandise. On the plus side, those rewards are fairly robust, with cardholders earning 5X points per dollar spent on branded purchases with their Ann Taylor Card.
Ann Taylor Credit Card
- APR: 26.24% as of Sep 2023
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Earn 5X points per dollar spent
Although 5X points per dollar seems very robust, it will take a full $400 in spending to reach the 2,000 points necessary to redeem those points. For every 2,000 points you earn, you'll be eligible to receive a $20 rewards card, which amounts to a 5% return rate. Helpfully, cardholders can enjoy occasional double points days during exclusive cardholder-only events.
Depending on your shopping habits, the Ann Taylor Card's discounts may be as lucrative — if not more so — than the rewards, particularly the 15% off your entire purchase enjoyed by all cardholders on the first Tuesday of every month. The yearly birthday gift of $15 off your purchase can also be a valuable perk.
Approval Requirements & Application
As one might suspect given the high cost of its clothing, Ann Taylor's credit card is not for the low of credit score. You'll likely need at least fair credit to qualify for an Ann Taylor Card, though a higher score may unlock a higher credit limit.
You can apply for an Ann Taylor Card at any Ann Taylor store location or head online using the link below.
Better Cards to Use at Ann Taylor
For many women, Ann Taylor represents sophisticated fashion for the office and more — and the store's prices tend to reflect that high-brow reputation. The Ann Taylor Card offers a good rewards rate and some useful discounts that can make revamping your work wardrobe a more affordable possibility, but its high rates paired with those high prices can get some users into a lot of trouble.
Worse, the card and rewards are limited to Ann Inc. purchases, without even the option to redeem your rewards for a statement credit that would help chip away at a big balance. Rather than waste wallet space on a card with limited utility, an open-loop rewards card may be the better alternative.
Cash Back
The Ann Taylor Card offers a high enough rewards rate that it will be hard to find another card that can provide the same rewards on Ann Taylor purchases — but a few are out there. What's more, unless you spend a fairly significant amount of money on Ann Inc. products each year, the card's decent rewards rate will be fairly useless most of the time.
A regular rewards credit card, on the other hand, can generally be used anywhere its network is accepted, and the rewards you earn will often be redeemable for a statement credit that can help pay down your current balance.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice - now with expanded categories, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- Newly expanded categories based on Bank of America customer feedback! 3% cash back on Gas (to now include Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Stations) and Online Shopping (to now include Cable, Streaming, Internet and Phone Services).
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
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18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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$0
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Excellent/Good
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Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
0% APR
At an easy $300 a pop, suiting up in Ann Taylor threads can put a big dent in your clothing budget, one large enough that you'll likely be tempted to take a few months to pay it off. If you put that big balance on your Ann Taylor Card, each month you take to pay off your balance can mean huge interest fees.
A better option for big purchases is an intro-APR credit card offer that can give you 12 months or more to repay your purchases with 0% interest. Compared to the Ann Taylor Card's high APR, putting your purchases on a card with a good 0% offer can mean a 26.24% return over the course of a year.
- Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
- Lower your interest rate by 2% each year. Automatically be considered for an APR reduction when you pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on your card by your next account anniversary.
- Raise your credit limit. Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
- All for no annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Edge℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
- Member FDIC
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 18 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 18 months
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20.49% - 29.24% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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Travel Rewards
When you're stuck in a suit all week pounding the proverbial pavement, it's only natural to spend your lunch daydreaming of fruity drinks and ocean-side vistas. Unfortunately, your Ann Taylor Card can't do much to help you get to those coastal cocktails — but the right travel rewards credit card can.
For every blazer, belt, and bag you buy with your travel rewards card, you can earn points and miles good toward free air travel and hotel stays, turning that distant daydream into a tangible reality.
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
- Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase - with no annual fee.
- Redeem Miles to pay any part of your monthly bill, including your minimum payment.
- Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more with no blackout dates. However you redeem, Miles keep the same value. And Miles never expire.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 15 months
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
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17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
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$0
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Excellent/Good
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Despite the many professionals still bedecked in blouses and blazers, the truth is that work wear is slowly morphing from suits and slacks to jeans and tees, making high-priced stores like Ann Taylor more of a stretch for many shoppers.
If you're one of the few still dressing up for work each day, then the Ann Taylor Card may be a helpful way to save on your 9-to-5 finery. But if you're only occasionally in the market for a new suit, then the card will likely only take up space in your wallet better filled with a more useful rewards card.
What Others Say About the Ann Taylor Credit Card
Many Ann Taylor Card users tout the card's discounts and rewards as great ways to save, but not all cardholders are as enamored with their experiences. Several reviewers report having issues with the card's customer service, and the high APR and costly late fees are also a sore point for many.
If you're someone who regularly shops at Ann Taylor or LOFT and want to earn cash rewards to use toward purchases (without having to pay an annual fee), then this card is a good match for you. On the other hand, if you tend to carry a balance or rarely shop at Ann Taylor, you're probably better served by choosing a non-store branded Mastercard that can offer a lower APR, better earnings on gas and grocery purchases, and a wider range of reward redemption options. — CreditLoan.com
”
I came across Ann Taylor while I was on vacation. I went in with my wife and found several things we were going to buy. While checking out they offered a 15% discount if we opened a card account. So I applied right there at the checkout. It was easy to apply and within seconds I was approved. We charged our items and paid the balance in full when we got the first statement. We still use the card when we are near an Ann Taylor. It has a fair interest rate, and has an easy to make monthly payment. I have never had a moment of trouble with my Ann Taylor card. I highly recommend this card. — WalletHub.com
”
So I received this letter in the mail about not having made a purchase in over 13 months and they intend to close my account. Really? Have you ever had a credit card do this to you? My credit score is 817 for God's sake. Maybe they're doing some housecleaning and cannot use people like me with my excellent credit score?! In the letter, they use all types of language in it to try to actually get me to make a purchase, mentioning my credit score right and left and basically insinuating that something will happen to it should I not make a purchase and they close the account. In order to clarify for myself that this is not an outright and boldfaced attempt at blackmail, I tried to contact their customer service number at 9:30 at night. No dice. After pressing buttons for six minutes and being promised by the recording that I'd be speaking with a customer service agent, all I kept getting was a message that they'll be open in the morning. — ConsumerAffairs.com
”Is the Ann Taylor Card Right for You?
Since the Ann Taylor Card has a pretty solid rewards rate, it will be hard to find a higher return from another rewards card when it comes to Ann Taylor purchases. This makes the Ann Taylor Card potentially a good investment for dedicated Ann Taylor shoppers — except for those prone to carrying a balance.
The card's high APR means any rewards will be quickly surpassed by interest fees if you allow your purchases to roll over from month to month. Additionally, the card (and its rewards) can only be used for Ann Inc. purchases, which limits its utility quite a bit.
All in all, if you need to update your work wardrobe and have your sights set on Ann Taylor, the Ann Taylor Card's discounts can be a handy way to save, but the average shopper is likely better off using an all-around rewards card with a more reasonable APR in the long run.
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