The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Bealls Credit Card Review (Feb. 2024)

Bealls Credit Card Review
Brittney Mayer

Written by: Brittney Mayer

Brittney Mayer
Brittney Mayer

Brittney is a Credit Strategist and Finance Expert who has spent years honing her knowledge of the credit industry both personally and professionally. Brittney applies her more than a decade of research experience to crafting in-depth consumer guides designed to help CardRates readers make better, more informed financial decisions.

See full bio »

Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

See full bio »

Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

See full bio »
Advertiser Disclosure

Bealls, Inc. company began in 1915 as a dry goods store in Bradenton, Florida. Dedicated to affordability, Robert Beall's original store was called The Dollar Limit and sold all of its merchandise for $1 or less.

Today's Bealls department stores maintain the original spirit of thrift by offering discount and budget fashion to customers from its 68 Florida locations. The Bealls portfolio of brands has expanded to include Bealls, Bealls Florida, Home Centric, and Rugged Earth Outfitters, all of which accept the Bealls Inc. Credit Card.

But use caution when choosing to sign up for this card, as its high APR and limited usage restrict its value. Especially considering several other open-loop Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards offer comparable rewards and more redemption options.

Better Cards to Use at Bealls

The card's APR is high, and the fact that it can't be used anywhere but their associated stores and websites means those rewards are of limited use, as well. The high APR charged mean carrying a balance from your Bealls purchases can mean big interest fees if you're not careful.

Instead of limiting yourself to a potentially expensive card you'll only use in one store, you're likely better off with an open-loop rewards card that can be used to make purchases — and, almost more importantly, to earn rewards — anywhere.

Cash Back

Although you'll be hard-pressed to find a general rewards credit card that offers the same 5% rewards rate on Bealls purchases as the company's own cards, you can pair your non-cardholder Bealls loyalty points with a regular rewards card to earn both Bealls rewards as well as more all-purpose rewards. Plus, some rewards cards will offer bonus rewards for department store purchases, increasing your savings.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • $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.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America 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 cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • 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 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

0% APR

Other than their limited usability, the other main thing dragging down the Bealls credit cards is their high APRs. Even a small balance can balloon quickly when left to accrue interest month after month. With a good intro-APR credit card, however, you can enjoy interest-free purchasing for 12 months or more, and you won't be limited to Bealls purchases alone.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • $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.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America 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 cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • 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 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Travel Rewards

With a brand new Bealls wardrobe in your closet, the next obvious step is to head on vacation to show off your new duds. No? Well, had you used a quality travel rewards credit card to make those Bealls purchases, you could've earned points or miles good for free flights and hotel stays, putting you that much closer to your next dream vacation.

Discover it® Miles Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers - only from Discover. 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
  • No annual fee
  • Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
  • 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.
  • Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

If the decision to obtain a credit card solely came down to the rewards it earns, then the Bealls Credit Card would be a decent contender. But many other factors come into play when choosing a card, not the least of which are its APR and overall utility — two areas where the Bealls Inc. Credit Card definitely falls short of the competition.

Bealls Card Overall Rating: 3.0/5.0

Most retail cards have eye-watering APRs, and this one's no different. But if you can pay off your balance in full every time you use it, the rewards may be worth it to those who frequent Bealls stores and its associated brands.

This card is issued by Comenity Bank. It does not charge an annual fee and has a generous 25-day grace period. Be sure to read the card's terms and conditions carefully for a complete list of fees associated with this card.

Bealls Credit Card

  • APR: 30.24% as of Feb 2024
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Rewards: Earn 2X rewards per $1 spent
★★★ 3.0/5.0

Cardholders also redeem their points at the same rate, earning a $5 Reward Coupon for every 200 points they redeem, which equates to a 5% return at the 2X points per $1 rate. Reward Coupons can only be used for purchases at the associated brand (i.e., Bealls Florida coupons can only be used at Bealls Florida stores or at BeallsFlorida.com).

Cardholders who are also signed up for the Bealls Rewards program receive a 20% off Birthday Reward on one purchase made during their birthday month. Cardholders will earn 10% off purchases made on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Approval Requirements & Application

Although not necessarily an option for those with bad credit, reviews indicate those with fair credit have a good shot of qualifying for this card. You can apply for the card in-store, or head online to the appropriate brand site to fill out a digital application.

What Others Say About the Bealls Credit Card

According to reviewers, customer service for the Bealls Inc. Credit Card is hit or miss, with some reviewers reporting difficulties getting someone on the phone. Many reviewers also report being unhappy about the card's late fees, while others bemoan the high interest rate.

CreditLoan.com
A review from CreditLoan.com says:

Bealls isn't a one-stop destination, like retail giants Target and Walmart, but the store is a favorite of many Florida residents who enjoy their range of clothing, shoes, and household goods. If you're one of those Floridians who shops at Bealls often, you may be considering its credit card to take advantage of the many rewards offered. Bealls Florida card is good for loyal shoppers looking to rebuild credit responsibly. But while store credit cards can be a very good way to establish a credit history and build up your credit score, they often come with a punishingly high APR — and the Bealls Florida credit card, issued by Comenity Bank, is no exception. Frequent shoppers may find value with the Bealls Florida credit card by pairing it with the Coast2Coast Rewards program. But unless you want to rebuild your credit and you also plan on paying off the balance in full every month to avoid the interest rate, you may be better off using another kind of rewards card for your Bealls purchases. — CreditLoan.com

★★★ 3.0/5.0
WalletHub.com
A review from WalletHub.com says:

Love love love Bealls in Florida! My favorite day to shop is Monday, Seniors Day, 15% off and always use my card to rack up my points. The only place in town to find discounted TERVIS cups and Green produce bags :) I only wish the interest rate was lower, so I try to pay it off every month. — WalletHub.com

★★★★ 4.0/5.0
TrustPilot.com
A review from TrustPilot.com says:

If you value your credit rating, don’t get a credit card from this company. I opened a credit card in December. A bill arrived the last week of January. On 2/2, I opened the bill to discover it was due on 2/1. I immediately called to inform them that I had just received the bill and I paid it in full over the phone. Today 3/13, I get my second bill expecting a zero balance but to my surprise I owe $58.48. Again, I call immediately to inquire about the balance since I haven’t charged anything. They informed me that I was charged $27.00 late fee on 2/2 plus 3.48 interest. Then they stated that I missed another payment (for a bill I still haven’t received) so another 28.00 was charged to my account bringing my total to 58.48 in late charges in less than 3 months. As a person whose credit rating is 800+ I was completely dumbfounded by the unscrupulous charges and shared that information with their customer service rep just moments before I told her to close my account. Of course, she stated that the late charges won’t be reported. Then to add insult to injury, she offered me a $10 coupon and 15% off my next purchase if I would keep my account open. Unbelievable!!! — TrustPilot.com

★★ 2.0/5.0

Is the Bealls Card Right for You?

For regular Bealls shoppers, the branded store credit card can be an easy way to earn extra loyalty points and earn the occasional discount. Those savings are less impressive, however, when compared to what you could potentially earn simply by joining the store's loyalty program — Bealls Rewards — and using an all-purpose rewards card.

Plus, the card is severely limited in its use; not only can't you use them outside of Bealls brands, but the limited use paired with the super high APR means this card is unlikely to be worthwhile to your average shopper — and only of moderate use to dedicated Bealls believers.

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.