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.
Though currently sporting over 1,800 locations across the country, Lowe's began in 1921 as a humble hardware store in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, that also sold sewing notions, dry goods, and horse supplies in addition to the hardware staples. After changing hands a few times — and narrowing its focus to hardware and building supplies — Lowe's began to expand across North Carolina, and, eventually, into all 50 states.
Whether you need concrete or compost, dustpans or drop cloths, you can likely find it at your local Lowe's. And with the Lowe's Advantage Credit Card, you can choose to save 5% on them, too. Perfect for those Lowe's customers who practically have their own red vest, the Lowe's Advantage card also provides the opportunity to select special financing offers on large purchases, making the cost of that new sander a little less abrasive.
Better Cards to Use at Lowe’s
If your hammer is used to open bottles more than it is to actually hammer nails, your Lowe's card will likely be a better coaster than it is a credit card. You'll probably get significantly more value from an all-purpose rewards card that lets you earn cash back, points, or miles on every purchase, rather than limiting yourself to Lowe's. The company may have over 1,800 locations, but it still doesn't sell everything.
Cash Back
Cash back credit cards are an awesome way to save on whatever you buy, often offering up to 5% cash back rewards on popular categories — including home improvement stores. You can choose between cards that provide unlimited flat-rate rewards or opt for bonus rewards in yearlong or rotating categories. The best part? Your cash back rewards stack with any coupons you choose to use, including those from Lowe's!
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
If interest makes you sad, then a credit card with an introductory 0% APR offer is the way to turn that frown upside down. With a good 0% APR card, you can enjoy 12 months or more of interest-free balances — which makes Lowe's measly six months look lame. Plus, you won't be expected to spend hundreds to enjoy your financing deal.
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
If you're considering a Lowe's Advantage card to finance home improvement expenses, chances are good you'll be ready for a little away time by the time construction is over. Use an awesome travel rewards credit card to turn every paint purchase and bathroom buy into points or miles that can get you away from the build site — and onto the beach.
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)
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$0
|
Excellent, Good
|
Although the perks offered by the Lowe's Advantage Credit Card can be valuable to those working on big projects — or those on a first-name basis with their local Lowe's cashiers — that's about the extent of the card's ideal audience. Most casual shoppers won't get enough value from the card to make it worth the hard credit pull. Pick a cash back or travel rewards card to make the most of your purchase, or enjoy financing for those big purchases with a great intro 0% APR card.
Lowe’s Card Overall Rating: 2.8/5.0
One thing many store cards have in common is a particularly high APR — and the Lowe's Advantage Credit Card is no exception. In fact, the card's 26.99% APR can make carrying even a small balance — let alone the thousands from a major appliance or home repair — less than ideal. On the positive side, the Lowe's consumer card does offer a few options for avoiding that high APR on large purchases.
Specifically, your Lowe's Advantage card will give you a choice of rewards when you make an in-store purchase. You can choose to receive a 5% discount on your purchase or, if your purchase is at least $299, you can choose special financing. Several financing plans exist, including six-month 0% APR financing — meaning you pay no interest if you pay your purchase in full within six months. Project financing options allow for longer terms, offering 3.99%, 5.99%, or 7.99% APR for 36 months, 60 months, or 84 months, respectively.
Lowe’s Credit Card
- APR: 26.99% as of Feb 2024
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on Lowe's purchases
If you would rather receive the 5% discount, you'll see the savings right away; unlike typical cash back rewards, your Lowe's Advantage discount will be applied to your purchase right at the register. The downside of the credit card discount is that it doesn't stack; in other words, you can't use your discount in combination with other discounts, including both Lowe's coupons and manufacturer's coupons.
As an additional perk, new cardholders who sign up for the Lowe's Advantage Credit Card can enjoy a special one-time bonus of $30 off your first in-store card purchase. This offer only extends to those who apply — and are approved — for their card in a Lowe's location, and can only be applied to the first in-store purchase made the same day. If the entire $30 discount is not used on your first purchase, the remaining balance will be forfeited.
Approval Requirements & Application
The Lowe's Advantage Credit Card is reported to be among the more difficult store cards to get, generally preferring applicants with "fair" credit or better (FICO scores above 620). While you can apply for the Lowe's card online, it's recommended that you apply in-store to take advantage of the one-time signup offer.
What Others Say About the Lowe’s Credit Card
Although many reviewers really dig the automatic 5% discount the Lowe's Advantage Card offers, the inability to stack discounts with special financing really sands them against the grain. Other cardholders are unhappy about the issuing bank's tendency to drop credit limits with no warning.
For homeowners and do-it-yourselfers who make periodic runs to home improvement stores for any number of purchases, the Lowe’s Consumer credit card is an easy choice. Though the card is only usable at Lowe’s, the 5 percent discount, myriad of special financing offers and lack of annual fee is hard to beat, especially if you have several upcoming renovation projects in mind. And unlike standard cash back cards, there’s no wait to collect rewards – the discount is immediately applied at the register or online checkout. Like most retail cards, however, the excessive APR and lack of fringe benefits mean occasional customers need not apply. — CreditCards.com
”
I used this card for 5 and half years, for them to just close my account. I have NEVER missed a payment with them. After calling customer service and speaking with a manager, they had no interest in reactivating my card because my credit score has dropped due to a hardship. The only thing they take into consideration is your credit score, it does not matter how long you have been a loyal customer. I used this card for special interest rates, and as a safety net for if anything went wrong with the house. After 5 years, I had managed to build a credit limit of $8,500. Once I fell into a hardship, my credit took a hit, and they decreased my credit limit to the balance I had left on the card at the beginning of this year, around $700. Rebuilding your credit takes time after a hardship, and apparently, I couldn't repair it fast enough for them. This was one of my highest credit limits, with the lowest balances, and the longest age of credit. All of which will now impact my credit even more. I will never use their services again. Their competitors have not closed or even lowered my credit limit. — CreditKarma.com
”
I like the card for certain things. For instance, I do a lot of home improvement projects, so I shop at Lowe's a lot, and it just made sense to get this card. I get 5% off most purchases at Lowe's if I use this card, so that comes in very handy. Also, this card periodically has a special where I pay no interest for 6 months on a single purchase, so if I need to buy a major appliance this really helps out. The APR is a bit high - I think its nearly 25%, so I try not to leave a balance on the card. I would definitely recommend it for other people who regularly shop at Lowe's, or need to make big purchases from Lowe's. — WalletHub.com
”Is the Lowe’s Card Right for You?
If the smell of sawdust is your happy place, the Lowe's Advantage Credit Card may just be for you. The 5% discount is a nice, straightforward bonus, particularly if you don't like to bother with finding, clipping, or downloading coupons, and the financing offers can be good for those working on big home repair projects or updating major appliances.
Unfortunately, if your most-used tool is a roll of duct tape, you may not get much use out of the Lowe's card. Instead, pick an all-around credit card that offers awesome rewards or flexible financing so you can spend — and earn — wherever you go.
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