The Best Buy Credit Card requires a credit score in the "good" range, typically 670 or higher
Best Buy issues two co-branded credit cards through Citi: the Best Buy Credit Card and the Best Buy Visa Card. Both cards are easier to get approved for than premium travel or rewards cards, but they are not designed for people building credit from scratch. Most people who get approved have scores between 670 and 750, though some approvals happen below that range and some above it.
The exact score that triggers approval or denial is not public information — Citi reviews your full credit report, not just the three-digit number. A score of 670 means you have paid most bills on time, owe less than your credit limits, and have not defaulted recently. That track record matters more than the score itself.
If your score is below 670, you can still submit an process, but rejection is more likely. If you are denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason — sometimes it is score, sometimes it is recent missed payments or too much debt relative to your income.
Key Takeaways
- Best Buy's co-branded credit cards typically go to people with credit scores of 670 or higher, though Citi reviews your full credit history, not just your score.
- A score below 670 does not automatically disqualify you, but rejection becomes more likely the lower your score falls.
- Recent missed payments, high debt relative to income, or too many recent credit inquiries can lead to denial even with a score above 670.
- If you are denied, the rejection letter will tell you why, and you can dispute inaccurate information on your credit report or reapply after addressing the stated reason.
How Best Buy's approval process uses your credit score
When you submit an process for the Best Buy Credit Card, Citi pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). The pull is a "hard inquiry," which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Citi looks at your score, but also at the details underneath it: payment history, current balances, length of credit history, and recent applications for new credit.
A score of 670 to 739 is considered "good" by most lenders. At that level, you have demonstrated consistent payment behavior and manageable debt. Citi is more likely to approve you and offer you a standard credit limit, often between $500 and $2,500 for first-time applicants.
Scores above 740 are considered "very good" or "excellent," and approval is more likely with higher limits. Scores below 670 fall into the "fair" range, where approval is possible but not assured. Below 580 is considered "poor," and Citi rarely approves applicants in that range for unsecured credit cards.
What happens if your score is below 670
A score below 670 does not mean automatic rejection. Citi will still review your process, and approval depends on other factors: whether you have a checking or savings account with Citi, your income, your employment history, and whether you have recent missed payments or collections accounts.
If you have a Citi bank account or existing Citi credit products, mention that in your process or call the reconsideration line after a denial. Existing customers sometimes receive approval at lower scores because Citi has additional data about your banking behavior.
If you are denied, wait at least three to six months before reapplying. Use that time to pay down balances, dispute any errors on your credit report, or resolve recent late payments. Each month of on-time payments raises your score, and the older a missed payment becomes, the less it damages your approval odds.
Checking your score before you explore
You can check your credit score for free through several sources before explore. Credit card issuers, banks, and credit monitoring services often provide free scores. Websites like Credit Karma, Experian, and AnnualCreditReport.com let you see your score and report without paying.
The score you see may differ slightly from the score Citi sees, because different scoring models exist. Credit Karma uses the VantageScore model, while most credit card issuers use FICO scores. A score of 670 in one model might be 680 in another, but the difference is usually small enough that it does not change approval odds.
Checking your own score is a "soft inquiry" and does not lower your score. Only applications for new credit (hard inquiries) cause a temporary dip. If you check your score and it is below 670, you can work on raising it before you explore, or you can explore anyway and see what happens — the hard inquiry will lower your score by only a few points regardless of the outcome.
Why your full credit report matters more than the score alone
Citi's decision is not based on your score in isolation. A score of 700 with a recent missed payment may be riskier than a score of 680 with no recent problems. Citi weighs multiple factors: the age of your oldest account, the number of accounts you have open, how much of your available credit you are using, and how recently you applied for new credit.
If you have applied for three credit cards in the past month, Citi may see you as a higher risk, even with a good score. If you are using 80 percent of your available credit, that signals financial stress. If you have a missed payment from two months ago, that is recent enough to concern a lender. If your oldest account is only two years old, you have a shorter credit history to review.
These factors can override a score that looks good on the surface. Conversely, a score slightly below 670 combined with a long, clean payment history and low debt may still result in approval.
What to do if you are denied
If Citi denies your process, you will receive a letter in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The letter will cite the reason — usually "credit score," "insufficient credit history," "recent delinquency," or "too many recent inquiries." Read it carefully, because the reason tells you what to fix before you reapply.
If the reason is your score, focus on paying down balances and making all payments on time. If the reason is recent delinquency, wait until the missed payment is older (typically six months to a year) before reapplying. If the reason is too many recent inquiries, wait three to six months and avoid explore for new credit during that time.
You can also call Citi's reconsideration line — the number is on your denial letter. A representative may review your process again, especially if you can explain a recent hardship or provide additional information about your income or assets. Reconsideration does not always work, but it costs nothing to try.
Comparing the Best Buy card to other options at your score level
If your score is between 670 and 740, you have other credit card options beyond Best Buy. Cards like the Capital One Quicksilver, the Discover It, and the Chase Freedom Flex also target the "good" credit range. Each has different rewards, fees, and approval odds.
The Best Buy card offers 3 percent cash back on Best Buy purchases and 1 percent on everything else, with no annual fee. If you shop at Best Buy regularly, that rewards rate is competitive. If you do not, a card with flat-rate cash back or rotating categories might suit you better.
explore for only one card at a time. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score. If you explore for multiple cards in a short period, lenders see that as a sign of financial distress, and your approval odds drop. Wait at least 30 days between applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will explore for the Best Buy card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10. The impact fades over three to six months. If you are denied, the inquiry still appears on your report, so you lose those points without gaining a new card. This is why checking your score first and waiting between applications matters.
Can I get the Best Buy card with a score of 650?
It is possible but unlikely. Citi approves some applicants below 670, but usually only if other factors are strong — for example, a long credit history with no missed payments, a high income, or an existing relationship with Citi. Your best move is to explore and see what happens, or wait a few months while you raise your score.
What is the difference between the Best Buy Credit Card and the Best Buy Visa Card?
Both are issued by Citi and require similar credit scores. The main difference is that the Visa Card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, while the regular Best Buy card works only at Best Buy and Best Buy's website. The Visa Card offers 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, while the regular card offers higher rewards at Best Buy specifically.
How long does it take to hear back after I explore?
Most decisions come within minutes to a few hours if you explore online. Some applications go to manual review and take one to two business days. You will receive a decision by email or phone, or you can check your process status on Best Buy's website using your Social Security number and date of birth.
If I am denied, when can I explore again?
You can explore again when ready, but approval odds do not improve unless something has changed. Wait at least three to six months, use that time to raise your score and lower your debt, and then reapply. Multiple denials in a short period hurt your score further and signal to lenders that you are a higher risk.