From its humble beginnings as a local cable channel in Pinellas County, Florida, the Home Shopping Network (HSN) has been a popular fixture on national television since 1985. Now available on two television channels, a website, and a host of streaming services, HSN operates a multibillion-dollar retail portfolio under the ownership of its one-time competitor, QVC.
With deals and special prices on everything from fashion and shoes to home and kitchen products, it's little wonder HSN is a favorite retailer for millions of shoppers. And many of those shoppers make their purchases with an HSN Card to take advantage of the special financing deals it offers. Unfortunately, the card's lack of rewards and super high APR mean it may not be the best way to shop HSN.
HSN Card Overall Rating: 2.0/5.0
When considering the HSN Card, one of the first things that should jump out at you — besides the lack of any kind of rewards — is the particularly high 28.49% APR. While the high APR can be offset by the access to special financing deals cardholders receive on large purchases, small purchases can easily add up to big balances all on their own — balances that can accrue lots of interest at 28.49% when carried from month to month.
And speaking of financing, the special VIP Financing available to HSN Card users has its own problems. To start, financing is only available on purchases of $399 and up and only applies to eligible electronics, fitness, sewing, floor care, furniture, climate control, and mattress purchases.
HSN Credit Card
- APR: 28.49% as of Sep 2023
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Receive VIP financing on HSN purchases
But that's not the only problem with the HSN Card's financing offer. It also comes complete with deferred interest, which means you have to pay off your entire financed amount before the special financing terms end, or else you'll be stuck paying interest on the entire purchase amount from the purchase date.
In addition to special financing on big purchases, cardholders can also take advantage of additional Flex payments on select items. The ExtraFlex benefit doesn't apply to all items, however, which definitely limits its usefulness.
Cardholders can also use VIP Easy Returns for qualifying purchases. And the closest thing to rewards you'll see with the card is when users who make VIP Easy Returns under HSN's return policy earn $5 in Spendable Ka$h up to six times a year.
Approval Requirements & Application
Although many HSN shoppers may consider the HSN Card as a way to finance purchases and build credit, there's little evidence that the card approves bad credit scores. You'll likely need at least fair credit to qualify for an HSN Card.
The best way to apply for HSN Card is to fill out an online application through the link below.
Better Cards to Use at HSN
Between the terrible APR, the lack of rewards, and the severe limitations on the special financing and payment plan perks, the HSN Card is hardly among the contenders for best credit card, even if you consider just the best credit cards for shopping with HSN.
For the vast majority of users, an open-loop rewards card — or even one without rewards but a better APR — will provide significantly more value and utility than the HSN Card.
Cash Back
Which rewards credit cards offer better rewards than the HSN Card? All of them. Given that the HSN Card doesn't offer any purchase rewards, even the most basic card with a measly 1% cash back on every purchase will provide you with a better return. And for well-qualified consumers, 1% cash back is just the starting line when it comes to cash back 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
With an APR pushing close to 30%, the HSN Card is about the last card you'd want to carry a balance on, especially if the purchases that make up that balance don't qualify for the card's limited special financing. A good credit card with an intro-APR offer, on the other hand, can provide 0% APR on all purchases for a year or more — and it won't charge you expensive deferred interest if you need more time.
- 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
|
Good/Excellent
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Travel Rewards
While HSN can be a good place to shop for travel essentials, like luggage, the HSN Card won't help you actually travel. A great travel rewards credit card, on the other hand, can not only be used to make your HSN travel purchases, but can also help you earn points and miles redeemable for free flights and hotel stays.
- 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)
|
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
|
Although few store cards hold up when compared to non-store cards, they at least tend to be one of the better options for shopping with their own brands. Unfortunately, that's not really the case with the HSN Card, at least not for most consumers. Better rewards and financing deals can be found from a variety of issuers, making the HSN Card low on the list, even for HSN purchases.
What Others Say About the HSN Credit Card
There definitely seems to be more unhappy HSN Card reviewers than those pleased with their experience. Reviewers report being dissatisfied with both the card's customer service and the service offered by HSN.
I have the HSN card, but wasn't aware that when I am talking to HSN they are not the credit card company. The customer service is absolutely awful. If you feel like you need your blood pressure raised, just give them a call. I have EXCELLENT credit and have no need for this card, but used it last year as a convenience to buy a television. Billing information was inaccurate on the bill and when I called to discuss it with HSN I was told I didn't owe anything. A month later and I get a bill with late fees because they said I still owe the credit card company. Who knew that HSN had received their payment from the credit card company, but I still owed them. I have NEVER encountered such a situation and the people at HSN and the bank transferred me back and forth for 45 minutes. I finally looked at my payments on my bank account.....something I didn't think was necessary since my credit card statement said I had made payment 5 of 5.......what a mess. NEVER AGAIN. I will close this account and use my usual bank card from now on. Good luck if you have any problems with this account. — CreditKarma.com
”
RIP OFF!!! Overcharge you no matter if you pay early or on time!! Paid mine off and they still sent me a bill ...saying it was for flex pay. I received a paid off letter from HSN... $0 balance. How do I still owe a flex pay??...on what if I have a 0 balance??? RIP OFF!! DO NOT GET THIS CARD!!! — WalletHub.com
”
I just signed up for an HSN credit card, which was approved immediately, and then placed my order. When I entered all payment info, it came back bad address. Did a chat online with two people, who were worthless, and then called to find out that a person who lived at my address — which I have lived at for 5 years — has a bad account on file, and my order cannot go through until further investigation! THIS IS ABSURD. I have to wait 7 - 10 days for a resolution and there goes that special deal I wanted. — ConsumerAffairs.com
”Is the HSN Card Right for You?
HSN is a hugely popular retailer, maintaining a robust television following even amid the digital eCommerce revolution. But, unlike the company itself, the HSN Card seems to be a bit behind the times, offering few of the perks common to even store credit cards these days, let alone the dozens of great open-loop rewards cards carrying the bulk of the market share.
When all is said and done, if you regularly use Flex pay and want the option for extra payments, the HSN Card might be useful. For everyone else, nearly any rewards credit card will likely be a better, more lucrative choice.
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