Today known as Buckle (or The Buckle, depending on your region), the casual clothing retailer was founded in 1948 as Mills Clothing by David Hirschfeld in Kearney, Nebraska. Then, after several decades as Brass Buckle, the company adopted its current moniker in the early 1990s. Now a staple in many malls across America, Buckle has over 450 locations around the country, offering casual clothing and denim for men, women, and children.
For big Buckle fans, the Buckle Credit Card is a way to earn rewards on Buckle purchases, offering points for every dollar spent at Buckle stores or on buckle.com. Those rewards come with a ticking time clock, however, with short expiration periods that mean you'll likely need to be a regular Buckle shopper to get full use of your rewards. Pair the expiring points with the high APR, and the Buckle card may not be the best pick for everyone.
Better Cards to Use at Buckle
With a rewards rate of $10 for every $300 spent, the Buckle Credit Card offers a moderately competitive 3% return on your purchases, making it marginally better than your typical rewards card. At the same time, since you only can use the card (and its rewards) for Buckle purchases, its usefulness is decidedly limited — and that's before you consider the harsh expiration dates on the rewards and the super high APR.
If it's rewards you're after, a quality cash back or travel credit card will likely provide as much, if not more, value than the Buckle Credit Card, and significantly more utility. And if you have any intention of carrying a balance, steer clear of the Buckle Credit Card's high APR with an intro-APR card that can make those interest fees disappear.
Cash Back
With bonus categories that cover just about everything, cash back credit cards come in so many flavors these days it's practically like an ice cream shop. With a little looking, you can likely find a cash back card that will offer you a competitive rewards rate on your purchases, plus you'll be able to use your card — and its rewards — anywhere cards are accepted.
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% - 28.24%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
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 15 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
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19.49% - 28.24% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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0% APR
A sky-high APR can turn even small purchases into big costs when allowed to grow unhindered, and the Buckle Credit Card's APR is certainly well on its way into orbit. With so many card options on the market offering 12 months or more of interest-free purchases and no annual fee,, it's easy to see where the better value lies.
- 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, 15.49% - 25.49% 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)
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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 21 billing cycles for purchases
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0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
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15.49% - 25.49% 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.
Travel Rewards
No matter how much you love to shop, chances are good you'd rather be on vacation than in your local mall. Well, you can get there faster with a solid travel rewards credit card, which can earn you points or miles toward free flights and hotel stays, potentially turning that new pair of jeans into a part of your dream vacation.
- 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 16.49% to 27.49% 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)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
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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16.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
If you dream of denim and your local Buckle store is your happy place, then the Buckle Credit Card is probably a decent choice, so long as you don't carry a balance. For those consumers who wear out one pair of jeans before buying the next, however, the card's limitations will be a lot harder to overcome. So, unless you can make the most of the card's offerings, you'll likely be better off with a more flexible card that can provide much better value.
What Others Say About the Buckle Credit Card
Although customers enjoy the rewards they earn with the Buckle Credit Card, many are bothered by the quick expiration dates. More cardholders are unimpressed by the low credit limits offered, and more still are unhappy with the customer service (or lack thereof).

I found out today after paying my accounts and placing an order that all 5 of my accounts were closed without any type of notice. When I called the number for my Buckle account it rang and rang. I then called and selected the option for a new customer, it finally rang to a person who could not tell me the exact reason of why my account was closed, but she did tell me that all my accounts were closed as of June 15th. I used my cards after June 15th, so therefore that's a lie. I spoke to a supervisor who then told me that even if you are in good standing they hold the right to close your account. Say WHAAAT? — ConsumerAffairs.com
”
I had applied for this card a few months ago, with a score around 500. My scores are up to around 520 now, I re-applied, and was approved. It is only $300 limit, but I am happy to have it as another open account as I rebuild my bad credit. When I applied the first time, I was denied right away, this time, I applied, and it said we will notify you in seven to 10 days. Less than one week later, my card and account terms showed up. 22% interest is high, but again, I am happy to have it for re-building at this point. There is a grace period of no interest on purchases too. I was told when I called to activate the card that limit increases come with using it and paying substantially more than the minimum payment each month, on time. I still have not figured out the online access and payments. With all of my other cards, it was easy. If your scores are in the lower to mid 500's I would recommend this as a re-build tool. I now have two first premier cards, a Wells Fargo secured card, a Citi secured, and this card, all opened in the last seven months. I think it is time now to stop opening accounts and let these age to build my score back up again. — FinanceGlobe.com
”
I had a Buckle store credit card for a short period about three years ago. I was not impressed and quickly canceled the card after about nine months. I used to shop at Buckle quite frequently and thought that a credit card would allow me to both build my credit and earn reward points. I was wrong! I was approved for only $100 which is about 1.5 t-shirts and usually not even enough for a pair of jeans. My credit was in the 680 range at that time, not great but not too poor. After months of buying products and paying off my card in full, I requested a higher credit limit on my card which was declined. After that, I said goodbye to Mr. Buckle card and it's pitiful interest rate too! — WalletHub.com
”Is the Buckle Card Right for You?
Primarily known as a retailer of jeans and t-shirts, Buckle is a popular stop for casual dressers of all types. While many of those shoppers may consider picking up the Buckle Credit Card to earn a little discount on their denim, the card has more limitations than benefits, making it easy to find better alternatives for all but the most frequent Buckle shoppers.
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