Sears, the retail store often seen at shopping malls, carries a wide variety of merchandise — everything from baby products and home appliances to automotive services and electronics. If Sears is your go-to department store, you may be considering getting a Sears credit card, especially if you plan to make a large purchase there in the near future.
Sears offers two credit cards, the Sears Card and the Sears Mastercard, both issued by Citibank. Both of these cards carry similar offerings, but it’s important to understand their slight differences. We’ll point out some of the details of the Sears credit cards in this review, but it’s important to read the card statements for the full terms and conditions.
Rewards Details: When you are approved for this card, you are eligible for special financing options and monthly deals and offers. Plus, it’s possible to get even more benefits when you pair this card with the Shop Your Way loyalty program.
Other Details: You can use this card in store or online at Sears or any of the other places in the Sears Holding Company family of stores.
Annual Fee: None
APR: Variable 27.49%
Rewards Details: With this card, you get all the same benefits you do with the Sears Credit Card. Cardholders earn 5% in points at eligible gas stations and 3% in points on purchases at grocery stores and restaurants (up to $10,000 spent in purchases) as well as 2% on purchases at Sears and Kmart, plus 1% on all other purchases.
Other Details: You can use the Sears Mastercard anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Annual Fee: None
APR: Variable 27.49%
With such a high APR, it’s a good idea not to carry a balance on either of these cards. You can pay your bill online, in a Sears or Kmart store, or by mail. The Sears Mastercard credit card will give you more flexibility, so it’s a good idea to consider what is most important to you from a credit card before signing up.
Store credit cards are usually ideal for loyal customers of a particular store. They’re also a good option if you’re looking to build credit, as they tend to not require as high of a credit score, like secured credit cards. However, if you do have a good or excellent credit score, you may find that a rewards credit card is more beneficial to you than a store card.
No matter what type of plastic you are looking for, it is a good idea to find out where your credit stands before you apply so you know what you may be eligible to get. You can see two of your credit scores for free, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.
If you’re a loyal Sears shopper, getting one of their credit cards may be right for you. Keep in mind, though, that if you’re doing it for the reward points at Sears, simply signing up for their Show Your Way loyalty program may be the better option.
Beyond that, if you’re simply looking for plastic that can reward you for your spending, a credit card that isn’t tied to an individual store may be the better option for you. Here are a couple worth considering.
Card Details +
Why We Picked It: This is a simple, straightforward rewards credit card — no varying tiers of points, no requirements to elect certain tiers — just automatic cash back for any spending you do on the card.
Rewards Details: You’ll earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
At publishing time, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for this card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
Article updated April 26, 2019.
