ReviewsBuckle Credit Card Review: Great for Loyal Shoppers, but Not Much Else
Card ReviewBuckle Credit Card
The Buckle Credit Card offers solid value to people who shop regularly at Buckle. It offers frequent rewards and discounts, along with a few useful perks. Unfortunately, it falls short of most other credit cards because of the inflexibility of its rewards and the fact that it can only be used to shop at Buckle. All but the most loyal Buckle shoppers will be better served by a multipurpose rewards credit card. You can find the best card for you by using the CardCruncher tool. It’ll analyze your spending and tell you which card will give you the most rewards.
But if you’re still interested in the Buckle Credit Card, read on to learn more.
Buckle Credit Card Highlights
Here’s a brief overview of the Buckle Credit Card:
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 27.24%
Sign-Up Bonus: 10% off your first purchase
Buckle Credit Card Benefits:
- Get $10 in Buckle rewards for every $300 spent
- $5 to $15 birthday reward
- Exclusive mailings and special offers
- Free shipping for some cardholders
- Choose your own bonus points day for some cardholders
- Annual thank you gift for some cardholders
Buckle Credit Card Minimum Payment:
The minimum payment will be the greater of:
- The full statement balance
- $28
- 5% of the new balance, rounded up to the nearest dollar
Buckle Credit Card Fees:
- Up to $39 for late payments
- Up to $25 for returned payments
Why Apply for the Buckle Credit Card
There are a few reasons to consider applying for the Buckle Credit Card.
You want perks and discounts at Buckle
All Buckle Credit Card cardholders will receive a $10 B-Rewards card for every 300 points they earn, and a $5 rewards bonus on their birthday. Points accrue at a rate of 1 point per dollar spent, but Buckle often runs promotions that increase that rate. Cardholders also get exclusive special offers and mailings.
If you spend at least $500 at Buckle each year, you qualify for Buckle Black. You’ll then receive an extra $5 bonus on your birthday and qualify for free domestic shipping on online orders.
If you spend at least $1,000 at Buckle each year, you qualify for Buckle Exclusive. You’ll get another $5 reward on your birthday for a total bonus of $15. You also get to choose your own bonus point shopping day each year and receive an annual thank you gift.
You want a credit card that’s easy to qualify for
Many store credit cards are easier to qualify for than regular credit cards, but they report to the credit bureaus just the same. If you’re having trouble qualifying for a normal credit card, you can try to build your credit with a store card instead of a secured credit card or a card designed for people with poor credit. Of course, it’s still possible to be denied for a store credit card, but your chances are usually better than with a normal credit card.
Buckle Credit Card: Drawbacks and Downsides
There are drawbacks to the Buckle Credit Card to keep in mind.
Rewards expire quickly
Every dollar you spend on the Buckle Credit Card will earn 1 point, and when you earn 300 points in an earning period, you’ll receive $10 in B-Rewards. Each earning period lasts four months, and at the end of the earning period, all of your points in excess of 200 will expire. That makes it harder to hit the 300-point threshold. When you do meet the threshold and receive your B-Rewards, the rewards expire in approximately four weeks. Buckle Black and Buckle Exclusive get an extra two weeks to redeem the rewards
The card only works at Buckle
One common downside of store credit cards is that they can only be used at the associated store. The Buckle Credit Card is no exception; it works only at Buckle stores and the Buckle website. You can’t use it anywhere else. If you don’t feel like carrying around a bunch of different credit cards, or don’t shop at Buckle that often, it’s probably not worth the hassle.
Buckle Credit Card Alternatives
Before you apply for the Buckle Credit Card, consider these alternatives.
Citi Double Cash Card
If you’re looking for a card that earns rewards anywhere, consider the Citi Double Cash Card. You can use the card anywhere that accepts Mastercard. You’ll earn 2% cash back on every purchase; 1% at the time of purchase, and another 1% when you pay your monthly bill. You can redeem rewards any time after you’ve accrued a balance of at least $25.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
If you’re looking for a credit card to finance your purchases at a low cost, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited. The card has an APR of 16.49% - 25.24% Variable. So long as you make your monthly payment before the due date, you’ll pay no interest during that 0% APR period. After that, you’ll pay interest as normal. But you’ll also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back per dollar on every purchase, and the card works everywhere that accepts Visa.
Buckle Credit Card FAQs
Here are a few other things to know about the Buckle Credit Card.
How can I Pay my Buckle Credit Card?
You can pay your Buckle credit card online, through the mail, or by visiting any Buckle store. Simply bring your card to the cash register and ask to make a payment.
Do Buckle rewards expire?
Yes, the rewards you earn with your Buckle Rewards Credit Card expire four to five weeks after you receive them in the mail.
How long does Buckle take to ship?
Orders from Buckle’s online store ship in 2 to 5 business days. Cardholders who qualify for Buckle Black or Buckle Exclusive will receive free domestic ground shipping on all purchases.
Bottom Line: Should You Apply for the Buckle Credit Card?
The Buckle Credit Card does offer perks when you shop at Buckle, but the rewards expire quickly and the card can only be used at Buckle stores. That makes it hard to recommend for anyone but the most loyal of Buckle shoppers. You’d do better to get a more general cash-back credit card that earns rewards everywhere. Try out the CardCruncher tool to find the best card for you, and start cashing in on your current spending.
