If you shop at Sears a lot and find yourself spending a lot of money, you could try one of these two consumer credit cards - Shop Your Way Mastercard® and the Sears Card®.
Both are similar but have minor differences. You'll receive monthly discounts, get exclusive savings, and gain access to options for special financing.
You’ll also benefit from no annual fees. However, you'll need to allow for high interest rates.
Features of this Card
You will earn points on purchases from participating retailers with the Shop Your Way points program. This includes Kmart, Sears, MyGofer.com, and Lands’ End, which is quite a variety.
Every $1 spent will earn you at least 10 base points, which can be redeemed in-store at participating retailers (Kmart and Sears included) or online. They can be redeemed for items of your choice at a rate of 1,000 points for each $1 redeemed.
By owning a Sears Shop Your Way Mastercard® or a Sears Card®, you will automatically be listed in their Shop Your Way Program. The latter will potentially earn additional points in certain categories, such as gas and groceries. There may be an annual cap on such purchases though.
The Shop Your Way points earned may only be used at participating retailers, such as Kmart and Sears. A flexible cashback card may allow you to use cash wherever desired (depending on your redemption method).
Benefits
Spending Rewards
- Up to $10,000 spent annually at gas stations earns 5% in points
- Up to $10,000 spent annually at grocery stores and restaurants earns 3% in points
- Unlimited spending annually at Sears & Kmart redeems 2% in points
- Unlimited spending annually on all other purchases earns 1% in points
- Monthly access to a wide range of financial offers and discounts will be yours when you use your Sears cards. Valid online and in-store, you'll be able to choose between a 5% discount or 0% APR for a given period.
Some example deals are below.
- Receive a 5% discount on floor care items and select home appliances, and you will have zero interest if you pay it within 12 months.
- Get a 5% discount on all electronics that cost more than $599, with zero interest if you pay it within 12 months.
- Receive a 5% discount on all accessories and intimates for men, women, and children.
- Receive a 5% discount on select furniture items that cost more than $499, with zero interest if you pay it in the given time period.
Both cards provide the same benefits. However, the Mastercard version also grants advanced notice of sales, exclusive access to upcoming specials, and special deferred interest on certain Sears purchases.
You can also get a temporary day pass when you present your ID should you forget your card, and extended warranties will be equivalent to double the manufacturer's warranty up to a limit of 1 year.
Plus, if you spend $50 in the first 30 days, you will receive an introductory bonus offer of $40 as statement credit.
Eligibility and How To Apply
You can apply online for a SearsMastercard or a Sears Citi credit card by completing an entire application through Citibank (Citibank is a secure server). You will receive your approval online, which usually means you will receive it on the same day.
For an in-store application for either of the two cards, you can go to Kmart or Sears. They will give you a paper application, which will be processed electronically in the store or by phone.
In order to qualify for these credit cards, you need to make a new account and be at least 18 years old, or 21 years old if you are in Puerto Rico. These cards are valid for US residents only.
If you have a bad credit score and are not eligible, take a look at this article.
Fees and Interest
There are no annual fees for either card, and both have similar rates. The Shop Your Way Mastercard can be used for balance transfers, whereas the basic card cannot.
However, this is not advised due to a very high variable interest rate of 25.24%. Alternatively, you can pay the balance within the billing period to avoid this rate.
Summary
If you are a frequent Sears or Kmart shopper, the Sears Card® and the Shop Your Way Mastercard® could be very useful to you. You could potentially earn a lot of cash back or take advantage of up to a 5% discount on your purchases.
Note: There are risks involved when applying for and using credit cards. Consult the institution's terms and conditions page for more information.
