Banana Republic was originally founded in 1978 with a safari theme and the long-winded name, "Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company." The popular retail company was purchased by Gap Inc. in 1983 and given its shortened moniker, Banana Republic. Today, the brand is known for upscale fashion rather than savanna chic, and Banana Republic stands out from its Gap Inc. compatriots by selling higher-end clothing from its 600-plus locations.
Built for those who loyally shop Banana Republic, the Banana Republic Card provides shoppers with solid savings that few would shake a stick at. While only usable in Gap Inc. brand locations due to its closed-loop nature, many consumers are going ape for the rewards awarded by their Banana Republic Card. At the same time, the card's customer service and payment portals aren't as revered, both getting two opposable thumbs down from a number of reviewers.
Banana Republic Card Overall Rating: 2.5/5.0
The Banana Republic Card can be a great find for an avid shopper of Banana Republic, or Gap Inc. brand stores in general, sporting an impressive credit limit for a store card that can reach upwards of $5,000 for qualified cardholders. Despite the high limits, however, this card isn't made for carrying a balance, charging an elephant-sized 25.99% APR for purchases.
What really makes the card a catch for Banana Republic bargain hunters is the ability to earn 5X points per $1 on Gap Inc.-brand purchases, including Banana Republic, GAP, Old Navy, and Athleta, in-store or online. Every 500 points will net you a $5 Reward good at any of the company's brands. As a bit of extra bait, you'll also enjoy 20% off your first online purchase when you open your card.
Banana Republic Credit Card
- APR: 25.99% as of Jun 2023
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Earn 5X per $1 on Gap Inc.-Brand Purchases
Don't expect to pay your bill in a Banana Republic store, but you can access and use your Rewards from just about anywhere through the online portal and mobile app. Additionally, be sure to regularly check your email for exclusive cardholder discounts and offers, as well as a special birthday gift each year. Banana Republic Cardholders will also enjoy free shipping on online orders over $50 and special double-point days to really bring in the savings.
To really unleash the benefits of your Banana Republic Card, however, you'll need to earn 5,000 points in a calendar year and reach Luxe status. These premier cardholders are the envy of the watering hole, receiving perks like triple-point shopping days, free shipping on online purchases, and complimentary basic alternations of Banana Republic merchandise.
Luxe members will also earn 20% additional points based on your earnings every three months, an exclusive Luxe customer service line, and the ability to choose their own sale day with an all-day savings pass.
Approval Requirements & Application
The Banana Republic Card tends to have higher credit requirements than other store cards, preferring applicants with scores in the mid-600s and higher, which is likely unsurprising given the high credit limits reported by many cardholders. You can apply for a Banana Republic Card at any Banana Republic location, or apply online using the link below.
Better Cards to Use at Banana Republic
While the Banana Republic Card can be a good value for those who go wild over the latest spring line, offering rewards and exclusive deals, if you can't reach Luxe-level membership you might not save as much as you think. For the average shopper, the limited locations you can use the card (or the Rewards it provides) means it won't be much more than a trophy.
Instead of a card best suited to your mantle, try a card you can really sink your teeth into. An all-around rewards credit card will allow you to make purchases in a wider variety of places than a closed-loop store card, helping you earn rewards wherever you go — including that African safari you've always dreamed about.
Cash Back
Cash back rewards are the simplest of credit card rewards programs. As you make purchases with your card, you'll earn cash back equal to a percentage of your purchases. When you're ready to redeem, just choose your form — statement credit, check, or gift card — to enjoy the savings. You can select from a variety of cash back programs based on your personal spending habits to maximize the rewards.
- $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, 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.
- 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 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.99% - 27.99% 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.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases
|
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
|
17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
0% APR
Few things make cardholders go wild like a great deal on interest — and what's better than free? Introductory 0% APR offers let you carry a balance interest-free for the length of the introductory period, potentially saving you big bucks in interest. Combine a great intro APR deal with some solid rewards, and you've got a credit card that should be in every cargo pocket.
- 0% Introductory APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 15.99% - 25.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- No annual fee.
- No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
- Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- 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.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases
|
0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
|
15.99% - 25.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
Travel Rewards
While Banana Republic may have strayed far from its pith-helmeted roots, you can keep the adventure alive with a high-flying travel rewards credit card. Whether you want to stalk gazelle across the savanna or do acrobatics in an acacia, you can earn rewards toward a grand getaway as you stock up on trail mix and bug netting. Seek out a sensational signup bonus to boost your rewards and get flying faster.
- 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 16.99% - 27.99% 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.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 15 months
|
0% Intro APR for 15 months
|
16.99% - 27.99% Variable APR
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
Shoppers whose wardrobes aren't complete without the latest Banana Republic fashions will likely get a lot of use out of their Banana Republic Card. For the rest of us, well, with an entire world of rewards to explore, it seems a shame to limit yourself to a few retail brands. Pick up a card that will let your wanderlust actually wander — and earn you rewards along the way.
What Others Say About the Banana Republic Credit Card
The best way to really get a good idea of whether the Banana Republic Card is for you is to see what the natives are saying about the card. We've collected review specimens from around the web to help you explore a few other opinions.
I had this card as well as Gap & Old Navy. I never miss a payment and have paid in full multiple times. This company has no appreciation for loyal customers. As a reward for my timely payment history and continued business, they first lowered all three account limits as a result of an annual credit review they use to screen already open accounts. Last month I paid all of my accounts off and this month they canceled the Banana Republic card stating that the annual review of my credit report showed a high credit usage. First of all, I am an educated and capable individual. I know exactly how much credit I have and how much of it is used. My payments on every single account that I have are always on time and often paid in full. The fact that they take no consideration of your history on their accounts and judge you only by what they think they see on a credit report is appalling. Great way to lose customers! — CreditKarma.com
”
The Banana Republic cards are a smart choice for people who make a high volume of purchases at Banana Republic and its sister brands. It is most attractive to people who can reach Luxe status for the extra rewards. Effectively, with Luxe status, you earn 6% rewards on your spending at BR and the sister brands. Another consideration is that rewards can only go towards purchases at those brands as well. — MyBankTracker.com
”
I hate the phrase, but this card really "is what it is." I needed to buy a suit and was rather low on money, so I applied for and got this card simply because it would allow me more time to pay for the suit. Also, there was a promotional deal at the time which allowed me to receive a certain percentage discount (if I remember correctly, it was 15%) This is by no means a frugal card to have, as the interest rates are quite high and the rewards aside from the first purchase I had are not much to be thrilled about. I have heard better things about the Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy branded Visa cards. If put in a similar position again, I would only get the store card if I knew I could immediately pay it off and just use it for the immediate bonus provided. — WalletHub.com
”Is the Banana Republic Card Right for You?
If you need a little Banana in your Republic for a happy closet, then the Banana Republic Card may be just what the witch doctor ordered. You'll net rewards on your Gap Inc.-brand purchases, bag exclusive bargains, and ship your catch for free — just don't carry a balance, or those sweet savings will turn sour. And those who don't spend enough to qualify for Luxe status will likely be better off with an open-loop rewards card that will bring in the big game.
Final Word on the Banana Republic Card
We rated the Banana Republic Card a 2.5/5.0, with it’s 25.99% APR on purchases being a major factor in that rating. We generally recommend using credit cards with a lower APR and better set of rewards, whether you’re shopping at Banana Republic Card or elsewhere.
For better options than the Banana Republic Card, see our top picks for 2023:
If you decide the Banana Republic Card or another card is right for you, be sure to know all the terms and details before applying. Happy shopping!
Advertiser Disclosure
CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
Share This Article
About the Author
