Having opened its first store in 1901, Nordstrom has since spent the better part of a century reigning as a leader among luxury department stores. The modern Nordstrom empire includes its flagship full-line stores and compact Nordstrom Rack stores, as well as Trunk Club and Jeffrey boutiques locations.
While Nordstrom may have begun as a shoe retailer, it now offers a variety of popular goods, including clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and fragrances. Offering the opportunity to earn rewards on your purchases, the Nordstrom Retail Card is a closed-loop credit card ideal for loyal shoppers but of limited use to casual Nordstrom visitors.
Better Cards to Use at Nordstrom
As a closed-loop card, the Nordstrom Retail Card is only usable for branded purchases, accepted at any Nordstrom location (or associated properties), plus online at Nordstrom.com, NordstromRack.com, and HauteLook.com, and TrunkClub.com. For those who don't spend enough with these brands to make the card worthwhile, an all-around rewards card can be a much better choice.
Cash Back
Cash back rewards are like universal coupons, giving you savings on every purchase, everywhere you use your card. Rewards programs typically award cash back as a percentage of your qualifying purchases, either offering a single flat-rate percentage on all purchases or offering bonus cash back on purchases in predetermined categories. Consider your particular spending habits to select the best program.
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 18.74% - 28.74% 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%.
- 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 (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
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18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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$0
|
Excellent/Good
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Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
0% APR
Anyone who carries a balance can be quickly overwhelmed by the hefty APR charged by the Nordstrom card. Instead, try a credit card with an introductory 0% APR offer to enjoy 12 months or more of interest-free purchasing. Just be sure to pay your balance off before the introductory period ends to avoid fees.
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 18.74% - 28.74% 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%.
- 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%)
|
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
Travel Rewards
For all that cash back rewards may be the simplest, travel rewards redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses will often offer a better per-point value. Those who have yet to swear fealty to a particular airline or brand should look for travel rewards credit cards with flexible redemption options and no blackout dates.
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)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 15 months
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0% for 15 months
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19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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$0
|
Excellent, Good
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If you spend thousands a year in your local Nordstrom, the company's retail-focused credit card can be a great value. For everyone else, however, the best way to earn rewards worthy of the name is to find a great open-loop rewards credit card that can be used practically anywhere.
Nordstrom Card Overall Rating: 3.7/5.0
The Nordstrom Retail Card comes with an APR that is still higher than your typical rewards card and may be too high for cardholders who tend to carry a balance. Additionally, the card carries a penalty APR, which kicks in if you make a late payment.
Approved applicants can look forward to earning 2X points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases, with every 1,000 points redeemable for a $10 Nordstrom Note or 2,000 points redeemable for a $20 Nordstrom Note to spend on your next purchase. New cardholders can also earn a $60 Bonus Note good toward a future purchase when they make a purchase the same day they're approved for a new card account.
Nordstrom Credit Card
- APR: 31.15% as of Feb 2024
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Earn 2X per $1 spent on qualifying purchases
Cardholders can also enjoy a host of Nordstrom Rewards, with the best perks available to those who spend the most with Nordstrom on an annual basis. Specifically, Nordstrom Rewards come in three levels, with your particular level determined by how much you spend: Level 1 members spend up to $499 each year, Level 2 "Influencers" spend more than $500 per year, and Level 3 "Ambassadors" spend more than $5,000 per year. Cardholders instantly qualify for Level 2 Influencer status, regardless of their yearly spending.
Exclusive perks for Nordstrom Rewards members include free basic alterations, lifestyle workshops, and early access to the anniversary sale event. You'll also enjoy special bonus-point events where you can earn extra points on your purchases, like Triple Points events in which cardholders earn 6X per $1 spent.
The higher your rewards level, the more benefits you'll receive, such as gaining an additional personal double-points days per level. Rising through the levels will also unlock special perks, including invite-only events.
Approval Requirements & Application
As with most store cards, the Nordstrom Retail Card is easier to qualify for than a traditional open-loop (usable anywhere) credit card, and reviewers have reported being accepted with sub-600 credit scores. Those with lower scores report being approved for limits of $500 and below, but well-qualified candidates report limits $7,500 and higher. You can apply for a Nordstrom card online or in your local store.
There is also an open-loop Visa version of the card, and your credit history will determine which version of the card you qualify for.
What Others Say About the Nordstrom Credit Card
As awesome as we are, of course, we don't expect you to just take our word for it. Check out what other reviews are saying about the Nordstrom Retail Card before making up your mind.
I had a bankruptcy in my past, in 2010 due to a serious illness. They approved me in the 600's for a low credit line of about $1500 in 2015. Now my credit line is $8500, they raised it fairly regularly but my credit score is 750. I called and got approved for the signature visa. I also think they're nice and fair. I never had problems with customer service or long waits but have only called twice. — CreditKarma.com
”
The Nordstrom Store Credit Card is available to people with fair/limited credit and does not charge an annual fee. As such, it’s a great way to invest in your credit standing. This card also offers a decent initial bonus and solid ongoing rewards, at least in percentage terms, giving you a $20 rebate on a purchase of at least $100 the day of account opening and then the points equivalent of 2% back on Nordstrom purchases. Plus, you’ll benefit from free alterations, “triple-points days” and other Nordstrom deals. But it’s important to note that most of that package is easily replaceable by another credit card. So you shouldn’t lose any sleep if you choose to let this offer slip by. — WalletHub.com
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The Nordstrom Retail Card has a high interest rate, no annual fee, and an average redemption value compared to similar cards. It's great for Shopping Rewards. — BirchFinance.com
”Is the Nordstrom Card Right for You?
The more you spend with Nordstrom each year, the more you'll benefit from the Nordstrom Retail Card. And if you can spend enough to qualify for the highest level of rewards, the card can be full of value. If you don't happen to spend a small fortune in the luxury retailer on an annual basis — or tend to carry your balance from month to month — you'll be better off looking elsewhere for a new card.
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