BJ’s Credit Card: Rewards, Fees, Pros and Cons, How to Apply

The BJ’s credit card is a store card offered by BJ’s Wholesale Club to its members. It allows cardholders to earn rewards on purchases made at BJ’s Club stores and BJS.com. Some highlights and features of the BJ’s credit card include:

• Earn 5% back on purchases made on BJS.com.
• Earn 2% cash back on purchases made at BJ’s Wholesale Club stores.
• Get a 15 cent off per gallon discount on fuel at BJ’s gas stations when you pay with the BJ’s credit card.
• No annual fee.
• Special financing offers on purchases.
• Access to exclusive member-only prices on BJS.com.
• Extended warranty protection on eligible purchases.
• Earn rewards on every dollar spent without any earning caps.

How the BJ’s Credit Card Works

The BJ’s credit card is a store-branded credit card that can only be used at BJ’s Wholesale Club and its website. It works similarly to any other Visa credit card for in-store and online purchases at BJ’s.

When checking out, cardholders simply present their BJ’s credit card and the purchase amount gets charged to their account. The same card can also be used to get gas at any station that accepts Visa credit cards.

For BJ’s purchases, cardholders earn:

• 5% cash back on purchases made on BJS.com and BJ’s in-club
• 2% cash back everywhere else.

At gas stations, cardholders earn:

• Get a 15 cent off per gallon discount at BJ’s Gas station

Cash back rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit or for BJ’s merchandise. There is no minimum redemption amount.

The BJ’s credit card does have a variable APR between 20.24% – 30.24%, so carrying a balance can get expensive. It’s best to pay off the balance in full each month.

Rewards, Cashbacks, and Sign-Up Bonus

The main draw of the BJ’s credit card is the rewards program:

• 5% back in rewards on BJ’s purchases
• 2% back in rewards on other purchases
• 15¢ off per gallon at BJ’s Gas

There is no limit to the total amount of cash back that can be earned. Rewards don’t expire and can be redeemed any time as a statement credit or BJ’s gift card.

Unfortunately, there is no sign-up bonus offered for new BJ’s credit card applications. However, existing cardholders may be targeted for special financing offers on big BJ’s purchases. These can include deferred interest promotions or 0% APR for 6-12 months.

To maximize rewards, the BJ’s credit card works best when used frequently at BJ’s Wholesale Club and for paying at gas stations. The 5% and 3% bonus categories provide significant extra value compared to a 1% flat rate card.

You must be a BJ’s member to qualify for a BJ’s credit card.

BJ’s Club+ Membership Card

With a BJ’s Club+ Membership ($110/year), you get the BJ’s One+ Mastercard. This card offers:

• 5% back in rewards on BJ’s purchases
• 2% back in rewards on other purchases
• 15¢ off per gallon at BJ’s Gas

BJ’s Club Membership Card

With a BJ’s Club Membership ($55/year), you get the BJ’s One Mastercard. This card offers:

• 3% back in rewards on BJ’s purchases
• 1.5% back in rewards on other purchases
• 10¢ off per gallon at BJ’s Gas

Redeeming BJ’s Rewards

• Rewards can only be redeemed at BJ’s, not as cash back.
• Must earn at least $10 in rewards before redeeming.
• Redeem rewards for BJ’s purchases and membership fees in-store, online, or in the BJ’s app.

Interest Rates & Fees of BJ’s Credit Card

The BJ’s credit card has the following interest rates and fees:

• APR: 26.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
• Penalty APR: 30.24% variable
• Annual Fee: None
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% minimum $5
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% minimum $5
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $30
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $41

The variable APR you get is determined based on your credit history and other factors. The above APRs are average rates.

There are no foreign transaction fees on the card. Cash advances incur high fees and start accruing interest immediately. Try to avoid cash advances for routine expenses.

Make sure to make at least the minimum payment due every month by the payment due date to avoid penalties and late fees. Set up autopay to make payments easy.

How to Apply for a BJ’s Credit Card

Applying for the BJ’s Perks Rewards Visa credit card is simple and straightforward. There are just a few steps:

1. Go to the BJ’s website and click on “Learn About BJ’s Credit Cards” at the top of the page. This will take you to the credit card application page.
2. Click “Apply Now” and fill out the secure online application form. It will request personal information like your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
3. The application will perform a hard inquiry on your credit report to evaluate your creditworthiness. Make sure all the details entered match your credit report.
4. If approved, you will receive instant notification of your new account number, credit limit, and APR. You can also opt-in to get a physical card mailed.
5. Activate your new BJ’s credit card as soon as it arrives by calling the number on the back. Then register your account online to manage it and view statements.

The whole application process only takes about 10-15 minutes. As a BJ’s member, you’ll likely get a decision instantly. It’s ready to use for BJ’s purchases and gas rewards after approval.

Managing Your BJ’s Credit Card

Here are some tips to manage your BJ’s Credit Card:

• Activate your card as soon as you receive it and set up online account access. This allows you to track balances, statements and payments.
• Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment due so you never miss a payment.
• Shop online on BJS.com with the card to earn 5% cashback. The exclusive member pricing also saves you money.
• Use it at gas stations to save 15 cents per gallon on fuel discounts. The cashback also makes it ideal for gas purchases.
• Check rewards balance frequently and redeem rewards before they expire annually.
• Avoid carrying balances month-to-month to limit interest charges. Pay off statement balance in full if possible.
• Review statements to ensure there is no fraudulent activity or billing errors. Report issues immediately.

Where BJ’s Credit Card Can be Used?

The BJ’s Perks Rewards Visa credit card is designated as a store card, but it can still be used in more places than just BJ’s:

• BJ’s Wholesale Club – All purchases at BJ’s clubs, online, and gas stations earn rewards.
• Gas Stations – Gas stations purchase code as such and qualify to save 15 cents per gallon on fuel discounts.
• Online Shopping – Any online retailer that accepts Visa allows using the BJ’s credit card. No rewards are earned.
• In-Person Visa Accepted – Stores, restaurants, etc. that take Visa credit allow the BJ’s card, but with only 2% cash back.
• International – It can be used for foreign transactions thanks to the Visa benefits. The standard 2% currency conversion fee applies.
• ATMs – Cash advances from ATMs are allowed but incur fees and high interest charges, so should be avoided.

So while the BJ’s credit card works best for BJ’s and gas purchases, it functions like any Visa card for shopping online or in person domestically and internationally. Just be aware that non-bonus category transactions only get 2% back.

Pros and Cons of BJ’s Credit Card

Here are some of the key pros and cons to weigh when considering the BJ’s Perks Rewards Visa credit card:

Pros:

• Lucrative rewards at BJ’s (5% back) and gas stations (15¢ off per gallon)
• Easy $0 annual fee
• Special financing offers exclusive for cardholders
• Visa benefits like rental coverage and extended warranty
• No foreign transaction fee

Cons:

• High APRs of 20.24% – 30.24%
• Must have a paid BJ’s membership to qualify
• No sign-up bonus offered
• Few bonus categories – just BJ’s and gas
• Cash back can only be redeemed at BJ’s

For big fans of shopping at BJ’s Wholesale Club, the 5% back in rewards on purchases can quickly offset the higher interest rates. But for infrequent BJ’s shoppers, there are credit cards with better overall rewards.

BJ’s Credit Card vs Other Credit Cards

The BJ’s Visa credit card is best compared to other retail store cards like the Costco Anywhere Visa or the Sam’s Club Mastercard. The BJ’s card stacks up well for its simple cash back structure without any rotating categories.

Compared to the Costco card, the BJ’s card has higher rewards at the wholesale club (5% vs 4%) and gas stations (15¢ off per gallon vs 2%). The Costco card does offer bonuses in other categories like dining and travel along with a sign-up bonus offer.

The Sam’s Club Mastercard also provides 5% back at Sam’s Club but only 1% at gas stations. However, it has higher rewards potential at dining and entertainment categories. The BJ’s card has no annual fee while both the Costco and Sam’s Club cards charge $60-70 per year.

For flat-rate cash back across all purchases, the Citi Double Cash and the Chase Freedom Unlimited are better options overall. But the BJ’s card still has a niche for BJ’s loyalists who want maximum rewards on their wholesale club spending.

Conclusion

The BJ’s Perks Rewards Visa credit card delivers strong rewards value at BJ’s Wholesale Club and gas stations along with Visa benefits and no annual fee. Big families or businesses that frequently shop at BJ’s can maximize the 5% back in rewards. But the high interest rates make it critical to pay balances off in full each month. Overall, the BJ’s credit card is best suited as a companion card for BJ’s loyalists who want extra discounts on their membership purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions