Although few may realize it, Belk has been around for well over 100 years, the popular department store chain founded in Monroe, North Carolina, in 1888 by William Henry Belk. Today, Belk is a staple in dozens of malls across America, with around half of its 300 US locations serving as anchor stores for shopping malls. Belk offers a variety of clothing and home goods, including women's and men's apparel, accessories, and shoes, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings.
With more than a century of retail under its belt, Belk is a popular choice for many department store shoppers, and the Belk® Rewards Card is likely one of the reasons many make the choice to shop at Belk. With three different rewards levels, the more you spend the more you earn — just watch out for the high APR.
Belk Card Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0
The Belk® Rewards Credit Card can be a good savings tool for regular shoppers who spend a lot in the store, but the card's 25.49% APR means those shoppers need to be careful to avoid carrying a balance from month to month. For cardholders who pay it off each cycle, the Belk® Rewards Card's base 3% back in Belk Reward Points can provide a nice bonus when you cash in 1,000 points for $10 in Belk Reward Dollars. The biggest rewards come to those who spend the most, however.
The Belk® Rewards Card has a three-tier rewards system, with the basic 3% rewards given to the first tier of Belk Rewards shoppers, those who spend $0 to $599 on their Belk® Rewards Card each year. The next level, Belk Premier, is for those who spend $600 to $1,499 a year, and rewards cardholders with 4% in rewards points for card purchases. The top tier, Belk Elite, offers the largest rewards — 5% back on eligible purchases — but you'll need to spend at least $1,500 a year on your card to qualify.
Belk Credit Card
- APR: 25.49% as of Sep 2023
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Earn up to 5% back in Belk rewards
While an extra 1% or 2% in rewards can certainly add up, especially when you reach top-tier-level spending, extra rewards points aren't the only perk to earning a higher Belk® Rewards Card status. While the first-tier users get a few extra perks, like receipt-free returns and bonus point events, Belk Premier and Belk Elite members have access to even more benefits, including the Belk Rewards Flex Pay Plan, invitation-only savings days, and special birthday coupons.
Even if you don't shop Belk enough to make much of the purchase rewards, you may consider obtaining a Belk® Rewards Card simply for the signup bonus, particularly if you have a big buy on the horizon. New cardholders can take 20% off (15% off Home/Shoes) all day when they open an account and make a purchase with their card. Plus earn 1,000 bonus Belk Reward Points, enough for a Belk Reward Dollars redemption.
Approval Requirements & Application
Getting approved for a Belk® Rewards Credit Card generally requires at least a fair credit score (FICO score 650+). To apply, head to your local Belk store location or use the link below to apply online.
Better Cards to Use at Belk
Unless all of your shopping takes place in a Belk store (or at Belk.com), chances are your annual Belk spending won't hit the $1,500 point needed to unlock the best benefits. And even if it does, well, those perks and rewards are only useful at Belk. Add in an APR that's only competitive when compared to subprime credit cards (or other store cards), and the Belk® Rewards Card starts to look a lot less appealing to the average consumer.
For most shoppers, an all-purpose credit card with cash back or travel rewards will end up being a better deal. And for those who are prone to carrying a credit card balance, the Belk® Rewards Card should probably be avoided in favor of something with a much lower APR.
Cash Back
While it's true that not many cash back credit cards will give you a higher rate of return on Belk purchases than the Belk® Rewards Credit Card — how much are you really spending at Belk?
A better option for most consumers is a regular rewards credit card that will let you earn rewards on purchases you make anywhere, not just a single store. Even better, these cards will let you redeem rewards for cash back that can be used on any purchase, rather than limiting you to branded 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 - 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
While a potential rewards rate up to 5% can be tempting, the Belk Rewards Card's high APR can take the temptation right out of it. That's because the $1,500 worth of purchases you'd need to make for Belk Elite-level perks would cost you almost $400 to carry for a year with the card's 25.49% APR — an additional cost that makes that awesome deal a whole lot less awesome.
If you need a card you can carry a balance on, try an all-purpose credit card with a solid intro-APR deal, instead. Not only will you save on pricey interest fees, but you won't be limited to Belk purchases for the savings, either.
- 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
Shoppers may love Belk for its apparel and home goods, but you know what most of us love more? A great vacation. Sandy beaches, snowy mountains, and neon-colored drinks can make you forget even the best shoe sale.
And what's a fantastic way to make it to the destination of your dreams? A quality travel rewards credit card that helps you earn points or miles you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. Check out of the department store and into a killer trip with a travel rewards card.
- 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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As far as store credit cards are concerned, the Belk® Rewards Credit Card isn't a bad card option, offering an alright return for loyal shoppers and rewarding big spenders with a slew of perks. But if you don't spend enough at Belk to make it to the top tiers, many of the card's offerings will likely fall flat. For the majority of shoppers, a more versatile credit card that can be used to make purchases anywhere will provide more utility — and better value — than the Belk® Rewards card.
What Others Say About the Belk Credit Card
The Belk® Rewards Credit Card has been around for a few years, and it has plenty of fans across the web. At the same time, not all reviewers are in love with the card, and many users report issues with credit lines being cut or accounts being closed for inactivity. Other reviewers recognize the card's high APR as a major drawback.
I have had the Belk credit card for several years. I have never had a missed or late payment. In fact, I have always made higher than the minimum payment. I have had a zero balance for about a year. I was just notified by Experian that my credit score went down a couple points, because Belk lowered my credit limit from $1,300 to $1,024 for no reason! What if I had a balance of, say, $1,200? Would I have been assessed an over-limit fee? Why would a company that I have had only a positive payment history with do something to harm my credit rating? This card is through Synchrony Bank, by the way, as are many department store cards. — CreditKarma.com
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The Belk card offers a decent rewards rate and, if you are a frequent shopper, you can qualify for the tiers offering special offers, perks, and personal sale days. These extra benefits can lead to bigger savings and increase the value of the card. Plus, if you have a lower credit rating, store credit cards like the Belk card can be valuable tools for rebuilding or building a positive credit rating. However, if you qualify for other rewards cards, many other credit card alternatives provide better long-term cash back opportunities and rewards for all your purchases – not just the ones you make at Belk stores. Even if you choose a card with a lower rate of rewards, you may find that you get more value from the card simply because you can use it for all your purchases and redeem for cash back. — MyBankTracker.com
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Having a Belk Credit Card is worth your time if you shop relatively frequently at Belk. There is no annual fee and there are instant incentives for signing up. They give you 20% off of your first purchase and give you points that result in cash after a few purchases. When they do sales such as 20% off your purchase, card owners often get an additional bonus such as 30% off. I would recommend this card for anyone who pays off their card at the end of the month, but not to someone who keeps a balance. The APR is high and adds up quickly for people I have known who do this. — WalletHub.com
”Is the Belk Card Right for You?
With a wide range of products, from clothing to closet organizers and most stuff in between, Belk has a lot to offer its loyal shoppers — and the Belk® Rewards Credit Card can offer those shoppers a lot of value, too. Unfortunately, the amount you need to spend each year at Belk to earn the best benefits will likely place those perks out of reach for many shoppers, limiting the potential perks for the average cardholder.
Most consumers who qualify for the Belk® Rewards Card will also qualify for a general purpose card that can be used anywhere. More importantly, those cards often earn rewards anywhere, as well as offering redemption options that aren't limited to one location.
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