The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Sunday, September 24, 2023

Toys”R”Us Credit Card Review

Toys”R”Us Credit Card Review
Brittney Mayer

Written by: Brittney Mayer

Brittney Mayer
Brittney Mayer

Brittney is a Credit Strategist and Finance Expert who has spent years honing her knowledge of the credit industry both personally and professionally. Brittney applies her more than a decade of research experience to crafting in-depth consumer guides designed to help CardRates readers make better, more informed financial decisions.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Her credit card commentary is often featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Originally founded as a children's furniture store in 1948, the Toys"R"Us we know today began in 1957, and gained its iconic giraffe mascot, Geoffrey, in 1969. Today's Toys"R"Us reigned supreme in the niche retail toy market for many years, with the franchise expanding into over 850 US locations and more than 750 international stores.

Usable only at Toys"R"Us and its subsidiary, Babies"R"Us, the "R"Us Credit Card is designed for regular Toys"R"Us shoppers who want to save on toy purchases for the children — or children at heart — in their lives. While the rewards offered by the "R"Us card can increase the fun with points for every card purchase, the card's high interest rate makes carrying a balance on the "R"Us Card a decidedly unfun experience.

Toys"R"Us Card Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0

Armed with a hefty 26.99% APR, the "R"Us Credit Card plays for keeps with those who tend to carry a balance from month to month, with interest fees that can quickly negate its rewards. That said, the card does offer solid rewards for regular shoppers, providing 2X points per $1 spent on eligible Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us purchases made with your card, which is double the points earned by regular Rewards"R"Us members.

Those rewards can add up to savings quickly for toy lovers, particularly around the holidays, with every 125 points redeemable for $5 "R"Us Reward Dollars usable in-store or online for Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us purchases. "R"Us Credit cardholders also receive exclusive discounts and sales offers, plus get 10% off in-store purchases every Thursday when you use your "R"Us Credit Card.

Toys"R"Us Credit Card

  • APR: 26.99% as of Sep 2023
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Rewards: Earn 2X per $1 spent on qualifying purchases
★★★★ 4.0/5.0

Cardholders of the "R"Us Credit Card are also eligible to receive special financing on qualifying orders, though minimum purchase amounts apply and financed purchases won't earn points. Plus, they use deferred interest, which means you'll need to pay off your balance in full before the financing terms expire to avoid being charged interest on the entire purchase.

Other perks offered by the "R"Us Credit Card include paying no annual fee and all of the benefits associated with a Rewards"R"Us membership, including a special birthday gift and the ability to "bank" your points so you can save for a future purchase.

All in all, between the high APR and closed-loop limitations, perhaps the most lucrative reason to obtain an "R"Us Credit Card is the new cardholder special offer for online applicants, which provides a discount on purchases made the day you open your card. For cards opened on Saturday and Sunday, receive 25% off, and cardholders approved Monday through Friday will receive 15% off.

Approval Requirements & Application

As with most store credit cards, the "R"Us Credit Card will typically accept applicants with credit scores in the Fair range (FICO scores 620+) or better, with the most qualified applicants reporting the best credit limits. Everyone receives the same APR, regardless of credit. To apply for an "R"Us Credit Card, you can head to your local Toys"R"Us or Babies"R"Us store, or apply online using the link below to receive the special new cardholder discount.

Better Cards to Use at Toys"R"Us

While it's true that few places can compete with the vast selection of toys that you can find in every nook and cranny of Toys"R"Us, a good number of credit cards can compete with the "R"Us Credit Card's limited usability, giving you rewards you can earn — and redeem — on far more than toys. And if you're looking for a card you can carry your holiday balance on, keep looking; the "R"Us Credit Card's high APR makes it a poor choice for toy purchases you need to pay off over time.

Indeed, unless you regularly fill your cart at Toys"R"Us, or intend to make a large purchase that will take full advantage of the signup discount, the "R"Us Credit Card doesn't offer a lot to the typical shopper. An all-purpose credit card with flexible rewards or a great APR deal will likely be a better addition to your wallet.

Cash Back

No matter how much money you spend in the hallowed halls of Toys"R"Us, the chances are pretty good your family spends more on the everyday necessities — you know, little things like gas and groceries — than on games and toys. So, wouldn't it be nice if you could earn (and redeem) rewards on the things you actually spend your money on? With a quality cash back credit card, you can earn significant rewards on the purchases you make the most.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • $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.
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
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

0% APR

With a subprime-level 26.99% APR, carrying a balance on the "R"Us Credit Card is a good way to turn a pricey holiday season into a really expensive new year when interest fees start piling on top of your balance. A better way to charge toys you need to pay off over time is to use an introductory credit card deal with 0% APR for 12 months or more. With a good APR offer, you can enjoy your new purchases as much as the kids (and kids-at-heart) do.

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 18 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 18 months
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

Travel Rewards

The look on a child's face (no matter their age) when they open a new toy is often priceless. So priceless, in fact, that about the only thing that can make it better is knowing you earned travel rewards on those toy purchases that'll put you on a sunny, tropical beach in no time. With a great travel rewards credit card, every building block and board game can add to your points or miles, earning you free flights and hotel stays that can bring the new-toy look to your face.

Discover it® Miles Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • 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.
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

When it comes to sheer fun, it's hard to beat a new toy. What isn't fun is dealing with a bunch of limits and restrictions on when, where, and how you can earn and redeem your credit card rewards for that toy — all on top of an APR that can put a damper on any party. For the average consumers, an open-loop rewards or low-APR credit card will not only be more useful, but more valuable, as well.

What Others Say About the Toys"R"Us Credit Card

The "R"Us Credit Card is generally popular, particularly among parents with small children. Some reviewers find the customer service lacking, however, and some find it inconvenient that you can't pay your credit card bill in-store. Everyone agrees you should pay your balance off quickly to avoid the high interest fees.

WalletHub.com
A review from WalletHub.com says:

We got this card for Christmastime. I had just started a new job and had yet to be paid, so we were running tight on cash for this time of year. The Toys"R"Us I applied at was very helpful and even took the time to immediately run it (even though they were SWAMPED) to get it all sorted out immediately. I was able to complete my Christmas shopping that day and it really reduced my holiday stress. The card itself has decent terms, just pay it off quickly. Also, don' t ever miss a payment! I was one day late and received two phone calls. I appreciated the reminder, but I don't want to even think about being a month or more late! — WalletHub.com

★★★★ 4.0/5.0
CompareCards.com
A review from CompareCards.com says:

With this card, you earn rewards on your purchases at Toys"R"Us stores at a rate of two points per every dollar spent, and 125 points are worth $5. There is no annual fee, either. You also get access to exclusive sales and advance notice of special sales and promotions. You earn up to 10% back on purchases made with the baby registry at Toys"R"Us, and offers related to the store’s birthday club. The purchase APR is 26.99%, which is very high, so carrying a balance will be quite expensive. The card is only useful as a charge card at Toys"R"Us stores because it is not a full-fledged credit card like the Mastercard offered by Toys"R"Us. If you shop often at Toys"R"Us this card offers you ways to earn rewards to save money on future purchases, but if you carry a balance the APR charged will probably effectively undermine those savings. — CompareCards.com

★★ 2.0/5.0
AskMrCreditCard.com
A review from AskMrCreditCard.com says:

When you apply for the "R"Us Mastercard credit card, you may not get approved for it if your credit is not good enough. If that is the case, then you may be approved for just the store card. Key question is: what is the difference between the store card and the Mastercard? The first obvious difference is that the store card can only be used at Toys"R"Us or Babies"R"Us, unlike the Mastercard, which can be used anywhere. And because you are limited to where you can use it, you will not be able to rack up as many points as you like. The second difference is that you will not earn any points if you use the card for any store financing promotions. But aside from that, the reward formula remains the same. That means that you can still earn two points per dollar on eligible purchases. And that includes V.I.B. (Very Important Baby) card loads and all gift cards, video games, video game hardware, video game accessories, Apple products, diapers, wipes, formula and food purchases (unlike just being a "R"US member). Like the Mastercard, you can also earn up to $150 in reward dollars a month (I recall that it is mailed to you every month — takes about 8 weeks to arrive though). Anything you earn in excess of this is rolled over to the next month. — AskMrCreditCard.com

★★★ 3.4/5.0

Is the Toys"R"Us Card Right for You?

If your children — or children-at-heart — go bananas for the newest Toys"R"Us catalog and you're in the store so often that even Geoffrey the Giraffe knows your name, then the "R"Us Credit Card might be a valuable addition to your wallet. The weekly discount and rewards points on eligible purchases can add up quickly for regular shoppers, making buying toys almost as fun as playing with them.

For anyone whose gift-buying doesn't center around toys, or who simply prefers to purchase them elsewhere, the "R"Us Credit Card's closed-loop limitations and high APR make it a poor choice. Instead, choose a card that offers perks more useful outside the playroom, such as cash back rewards or interest-free purchases.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.