The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Boscov’s Credit Card Review

Boscov’s Credit Card Review
Brittney Mayer

Written by: Eric Bank

Eric Bank
Eric Bank

Eric Bank has been covering business and financial topics since 1985, specializing in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences. In addition to his work on CardRates.com, Eric has appeared regularly on Credible.com, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Get.com, Zacks, Chron and dozens of other outlets. Eric holds an M.B.A. from New York University and an M.S. in finance from DePaul University.

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Edited by: Ashley Dull

Ashley Dull
Ashley Dull

Ashley Dull has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. 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. Her credit card commentary is often featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others.

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Reviewed by: Adam West

Adam West
Adam West

Adam corresponds with finance experts to publish industry news coverage related to helping consumers achieve greater financial literacy and improved credit. He has more than 12 years of storytelling, editing, and design experience in print and online journalism and is most knowledgeable in the areas of credit scores, financial products and services, and the banking industry.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Like Macy's and Belk, Boscov's is a member of the centenarian club, the chain of family-owned department stores having been originally founded by Solomon "Sol" Boscov in 1911. Under the watch of Sol's son, Albert, Boscov's grew, today consisting of 47 locations across the eastern US, with stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Selling everything from apparel and shoes to kitchen goods and bedding, Boscov's has a lot to offer its shoppers. Those who frequently take advantage of those offerings can make the most of them with the Boscov's Credit Card, but that's where the card's usefulness ends. As a closed-loop store card with a high APR and rewards that barely compete with most rewards cards, the Boscov's Credit Card is a hard sell for most consumers.

Boscov's Card Overall Rating: 2.5/5.0

The Boscov's Credit Card is a store card good only at Boscov's locations or for making purchases on Boscovs.com. Which is probably a good thing, considering the card's high 27.24% APR that makes carrying a balance from month to month an expensive idea. At the same time, if you're trying to maximize your rewards, you'll need to put a fairly significant amount of spending on your Boscov's Credit Card, as the rate at which you earn rewards will depend on your annual spending — and you may not earn any rewards if you don't spend enough.

Specifically, you'll need to spend at least $300 at Boscov's to start earning rewards certificates. Once you reach the minimum spending requirement, your Basic status will be upgraded to status as a member of Mr. B's Ambassadors Club and start earning 1% back in Boscov's rewards for purchases up to $1,499. To reach the next level, Mr. B's Star Club, you'll need to spend at least $1,500 each year, and you'll earn 2% back in rewards on purchases up to $2,999. Once you spend $3,000 or more in a year, you'll earn 4% rewards as a member of Mr. B's Premier Club.

Boscov's Credit Card

  • APR: 27.24% as of May 2023
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Rewards: Earn up to 4% cash back on Boscov's purchases
★★★ 2.5/5.0

Boscov's rewards are redeemed via rewards certificates that can be used in Boscov's stores. New cardholders who apply online and are approved for a Boscov's Credit Card can receive 15% off an eligible online order. While you can pair a Boscov's rewards certificate with a Boscov's coupon for extra savings, be sure to do it quickly; Boscov's certificates expire 30 days after they're issued.

Other perks of being a Boscov's cardholder include a special birthday offer and special offers in your monthly statements. You'll also be invited to exclusive cardholder appreciation events. Plus, earn double points on all cosmetic and fragrance purchases and earn 100 rewards points on a single purchase during each Boscov's Credit Card anniversary month.

Approval Requirements & Application

The majority of Boscov's Credit Card applicants will need at least fair credit for approval. While you can apply for a Boscov's credit card in your local store, the 15% discount offer is only available for online applicants. Use the link below to apply online.

Better Cards to Use at Boscov's

For big Boscov's spenders, the Boscov's Credit Card can offer decent rewards, but other consumers are more likely to only notice its limitations — like the fact that the Boscov's rewards certificates are much like the Boscov's Credit Card itself: only usable for Boscov's purchases.

Furthermore, the requirement to reach at least $300 in spending before you can start earning may exclude a number of customers, and the low 1% and 2% rewards rates for the lower earnings tiers are easily matched — if not beaten — by the majority of open-loop rewards credit cards. And those rewards will be usable for purchases anywhere your card is accepted.

Cash Back

With options for cash back rewards cards available to cardholders of every credit type (even some secured and subprime cards offers cash back rewards), nearly anyone can earn at least 1% cash back rewards on their purchases, making almost any cash back rewards card comparable to — if not better than — the Boscov's Credit Card's lower-tier rewards.

Even better, those with good credit can find a number of cards with unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, as well as cards that provide even higher bonus cash back rates for department store purchases, giving you tons of options for better earnings (and better utility) than the Boscov's Credit Card.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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
See Terms
See Terms
See Terms
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

0% APR

As lackluster as the Boscov's Credit Card's rewards can be, the card's APR is even less impressive, competitive only among other store credit cards and some subprime cards. Not only will the typical open-loop credit card provide a lower APR for most qualified applicants, but cards with introductory 0% APR offers can be used to make purchases with no interest for 12 months or more.

BankAmericard® credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • 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
See Terms
See Terms
See Terms
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Travel Rewards

For those who like to travel and want to maximize their credit card rewards, travel rewards can offer a lot of value, providing a simple way to earn free airline travel and hotel stays. And since the most basic travel rewards credit card will typically offer at least one point/mile per $1 — and frequently more — they can easily compete with the lower tiers of rewards for the Boscov's Credit Card.

Discover it® Miles Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • 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

What Others Say About the Boscov's Credit Card

The general consensus of the Boscov's Credit Card is middling to poor, with many negative reviews centering on the card's issuing bank, rather than Boscov's itself. A number of cardholders have had trouble making payments, particularly by mail, and others are unhappy about spontaneous credit limit decreases.

WalletHub.com
A review from WalletHub.com says:

You have to spend a ton each year to get halfway decent rewards, otherwise you can beat the rewards with just about any cash back card. The APR is ridiculously high. If you shop at Boscov's a lot and always pay your bill, it could be a good card. Otherwise, don't bother. — WalletHub.com

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

The stores are great and their customer service is super but do not mail a check for payment. They are either intentionally late posting or are incredibly inefficient. A check mailed on the 8th of the month was not posted until the 22nd and not deposited until the 26th. — CreditKarma.com

1.0/5.0
ConsumerAffairs.com
A review from ConsumerAffairs.com says:

I have one (1) so-called late payment from Boscov's/Comenity which I called and told them I had not received a bill. I have paid on time forever but this is lingering and lingering and bringing my credit score down. I have tried to get it corrected to no avail. I do not have the bill as it was so long ago and by the time you realize you had a late payment on your credit report, it is too late. I am unable to retrieve it, but I did call Boscov's and ask them to please remove it. It is still there after a long period of time. It is really bringing down my credit score. Boscov's credit card holders BEWARE. — ConsumerAffairs.com

1.0/5.0

Is the Boscov's Card Right for You?

Having served shoppers in the eastern US for over 100 years, Boscov's obviously knows how to keep its customers coming back — but the Boscov's Credit Card may not garner much loyalty. Lackluster rewards for all but the biggest spenders make the card anything but competitive for most consumers, and its high APR means you may regret spending so much on the card anyway if you can't pay it off in full each billing cycle.

The long and short of it is that the Boscov's Credit Card is that it's worth getting if you spend $3,000 or more annually in Boscov's stores. For everyone else, stick to an open-loop rewards credit card that will help you earn rewards at least as good — and in significantly more places.

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.