Writer: Brittney Mayer
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we may earn a referral fee from our partners. For more, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
Founded in 1902, JCPenney is a premium department store with over a century of experience providing consumers with quality clothing, accessories, furniture, and appliances. JCPenney stores are most commonly found anchoring suburban shopping malls, and the retailer currently has over 1,050 locations in 49 states and Puerto Rico.
For those who spend a lot of time (and money) in their local store, the JCPenney Credit Card can be a valuable tool for finding savings. However, those who are prone to making late payments may find their limits cut and/or accounts closed.
Better Cards to Use at JCPenney
Although JCPenney Rewards can be a good value for frequent shoppers, the fact that it can only be used for JCPenney purchases definitely limits its utility. For more flexibility, try one of our top-rated rewards cards that can be used nearly anywhere you care to shop.
Cash Back
Credit cards offering cash back rewards are often the most straightforward, offering a percentage of your purchase back as a statement credit to pay down your balance, or as a gift card or check. Choose the cash back card that best fits your spending style to maximize your rewards.
4.9
- $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/furnishings 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%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- 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
|
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 (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
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18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
0% APR
Using cards with an introductory 0% APR is the best way to avoid paying interest on your purchases (short of paying off your entire balance). Introductory 0% APR offers allow you to enjoy a year or more interest-free. Even better, you'll still earn rewards on your eligible purchases.
4.8
- $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/furnishings 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%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- 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
Travel rewards credit cards are a great way to take the bite out of your vacation bill, allowing you to earn points or miles on qualifying card purchases. Rewards can typically be redeemed for a range of travel-related purchases, including airfare and hotel stays.
4.9
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
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Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 15 months
|
0% for 15 months
|
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Excellent, Good
|
If you shop in JCPenney enough to earn elite status, the JCPenney Credit Card can be a great choice. For everyone else, we suggest selecting a more all-purpose card that can be used to make purchases — and earn rewards — in a greater variety of locations.
JCPenney Card Overall Rating: 2.5/5.0
The JCPenney Credit Card (yes, that's its official name) is a closed-loop card, which means you can only use it to make purchases in JCPenney stores or through JCPenney.com. The card also tends to award lower limits than open-loop (usable anywhere) cards, with reviews citing average limits between $300 and $1,000. Additionally, the JCPenney Credit Card comes with a relatively high interest rate, charging 26.99% APR for purchases.
Cardholders will earn one point per $1 spent on qualifying purchases made with their card, in-store and online. If you shop with another payment method, you can still earn points at a rate of one point per every $2 spent. You can have a maximum of 2,000 points regardless of how much you spend. Members will earn a $10 JCPenney Rewards certificate for every 200 points, giving a value of $0.05 per point.
JCPenney Credit Card
- APR: 26.99% as of Feb 2024
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Earn 1X point per dollar for JCPenney purchases
JCPenney Rewards members can expect to receive special deals and discounts, including birthday gifts and special savings events. New cardholders are eligible to save an extra 15% on their purchase when they open and use their new JCPenney card, as well as receiving 5% off major appliances in select locations. Savvy shoppers can pair their card discount with a JCPenney coupon to score bigger discounts.
When you spend $500 or more in one year on merchandise or services, in-store or online, with your JCPenney Credit Card, you will earn JCPenney Gold Status. Those who spend $1,000 or more in one year will earn JCPenney Platinum Status. Gold and Platinum members receive additional benefits, including exclusive coupon books and bonus points.
Approval Requirements & Application
The JCPenney Credit Card is cited as one of the easiest cards to get, and reviewers have reported being approved with credit scores of all types. You can apply online in minutes through the link below, or head into your local JCPenney store to fill out an application.
What Others Say About the JCPenney Credit Card
As with any financial product, you should always do your due diligence when looking to obtain a new credit card — and that includes the JCPenney Credit Card. Here is what some cardholders are saying about their JCPenney Credit Card.
Like many of these cards that are store based, they don't really offer anything good unless you job at that store enough to justify getting this card. The point system is alright if you spend enough at JCPenney, otherwise, get another card for general use. The points expire at the end of the month, which is average and makes it so that the card is really only that useful if the shopper spends a lot of money here. I personally wouldn't recommend this card unless you're a frequent shopper at JCPenney. — WalletHub.com
”
JCPenney granted me a $1900 credit line, and I am thrilled they are taking a chance on me. My credit score is 537, had a car repossession last year and a few charged off credit cards. JCPenney is giving me a 2nd chance to build my credit by granting this line. My income is double than it was a year ago and I am ready to prove I can honor my obligations. — CreditKarma.com
”
With paltry rewards and a high APR, the JCPenney card is a poor choice for most cardholders, save for dedicated fans of the store who may appreciate the card’s special savings opportunities. — CreditCards.com
”Is the JCPenney Card Right for You?
All in all, the JCPenney Credit Card is best for those who regularly shop at JCPenney, particularly those who spend $500 or more a year and can take advantage of the additional perks of the Gold and Platinum programs. While the card's high interest rate and low tolerance for late payments means cardholders should always pay their full balance on time each month to avoid fees or reduced credit limits.
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