The Best Buy credit card is a store card that gives you rewards on purchases at Best Buy and other retailers
The Best Buy credit card comes in two versions: the Best Buy Card (for general use) and the Best Buy Visa Card (which works anywhere Visa is accepted). Both earn rewards points on purchases, but the rewards rate and where you can use the card differ. The card is issued by Citi and requires a credit check before you can open an account.
The main draw is that you earn points faster at Best Buy than you would with a standard rewards card — typically 1.5 to 2 points per dollar spent there, depending on which version you have. Outside Best Buy, the rewards rate drops to 1 point per dollar (or lower, depending on the card version). You can redeem points for discounts on future purchases or sometimes for statement credits.
Before you explore, understand that this is a store card, not a general-purpose card. If you plan to use it mainly at Best Buy, it makes sense. If you want a card for everyday spending across many retailers, a cash-back card from a bank might serve you better.
Key Takeaways
- The Best Buy credit card earns rewards points faster at Best Buy than at other stores, making it most useful if you shop there regularly.
- You can open an account online at bestbuy.com, in a Best Buy store, or by phone, and you will get a credit decision within minutes in most cases.
- The card requires a credit check, so your credit score and payment history will affect whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive.
- Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, but closing the account will cause you to lose any unused points.
- The card charges an annual percentage rate (APR) on balances you carry month to month, so carrying a balance costs you money beyond the purchase price.
Where to open a Best Buy credit card account
You can open an account in three ways: online at bestbuy.com, in person at any Best Buy store, or by phone. The online route is fastest — you fill out the process, receive a credit decision in seconds or minutes, and can start using a digital card number when ready for online purchases while you wait for the physical card to arrive by mail.
In-store applications take longer because a store associate enters your information into the system, but you get when ready feedback and can ask questions face-to-face. Phone applications are available but less common; call the number on the back of a Best Buy receipt or visit bestbuy.com to find the customer service number.
Whichever method you choose, have your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information ready. The process asks for your employment status and annual household income so Citi can assess your ability to repay.
What the credit check means for your approval odds
When you explore, Citi pulls a hard inquiry on your credit report — a formal credit check that temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but stops affecting your score after roughly three to six months. The hard inquiry itself is not a reason to deny you, but Citi uses it to see your payment history, current debts, and credit score.
If your credit score is in the fair to good range (roughly 620 and above), you have a reasonable chance of approval. If your score is lower or you have recent late payments or collections, approval is less likely. Citi does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, so the only way to know is to explore.
If you are denied, you can ask Citi why — they are required by law to tell you the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or existing debts that are too high relative to your income. You can reapply after addressing these issues, but each process triggers another hard inquiry, so space out applications by at least a few months.
How rewards points work and what they are worth
Points accumulate on every purchase you make with the card. At Best Buy, you earn 1.5 to 2 points per dollar depending on your card version; outside Best Buy, you earn 1 point per dollar (or sometimes less for certain categories). You can see your current point balance in your online account or on your monthly statement.
Points do not expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every 12 months. If you close the account or let it go inactive for more than a year, you lose all unused points. This is why keeping the account open — even if you do not use it often — protects your balance.
To redeem points, log into your Best Buy account online or visit a store. You can usually redeem points as a discount on a purchase (for example, 100 points might equal $5 off) or sometimes as a statement credit. The redemption value varies, so check your account to see current options before you redeem.
Interest rates and fees you should know about
The Best Buy credit card charges an APR on any balance you carry from one month to the next. The APR varies based on your creditworthiness — someone with excellent credit might receive 18% APR, while someone with fair credit might receive 24% or higher. Citi will tell you the APR you may have access to for before you finish the process.
The card does not charge an annual fee, which is one advantage over some other store cards. However, it does charge late fees if you miss a payment, and it charges a cash advance fee if you use the card to withdraw cash from an ATM.
To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you carry a balance, the interest cost can quickly outweigh the value of the rewards points you earn. For example, if you earn $50 in rewards but pay $100 in interest, you have lost money overall.
Using the card outside Best Buy
If you have the Best Buy Visa Card (not the standard Best Buy Card), you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — at other retailers, restaurants, gas stations, and online. However, the rewards rate outside Best Buy is lower, usually 1 point per dollar or less depending on the merchant category. This makes the Visa version useful as a backup card but not as competitive as a dedicated cash-back card for everyday spending.
The standard Best Buy Card works only at Best Buy and bestbuy.com, so it is purely a store card. If you shop at Best Buy frequently but want a card for general use elsewhere, you might want both this card and a separate rewards card from a bank.
What happens after you are approved
Once approved, you receive a digital card number when ready (if you applied online) that you can use for Best Buy online purchases right away. Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it by calling the number on the back or by logging into your online account.
Your credit limit — the maximum amount you can charge — is set by Citi based on your credit profile. You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for several months and made on-time payments. Requesting an increase may trigger a soft inquiry (which does not lower your score) or a hard inquiry, depending on Citi's process.
Your monthly statement arrives by mail or email (you choose) and shows your purchases, points earned, balance due, and due date. You can pay online through your account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Best Buy store. Set up automatic payments if you want to may support you never miss a due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Best Buy membership to get the credit card?
No. The credit card is separate from Best Buy's membership program. You can open a credit card account without a membership, though Best Buy may offer you the option to join during the process process.
What is the difference between the Best Buy Card and the Best Buy Visa Card?
The standard Best Buy Card works only at Best Buy and bestbuy.com. The Best Buy Visa Card works anywhere Visa is accepted but earns fewer points outside Best Buy. Choose the standard card if you shop at Best Buy most often; choose the Visa if you want a card for general use.
Can I use the card before the physical card arrives?
Yes, if you applied online. You receive a digital card number when ready that works for online purchases at bestbuy.com. Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days and can be used in stores once you set up it.
What happens to my points if I close the account?
You lose all unused points when you close the account. Points do not transfer to another card or convert to cash. If you have points you want to use, redeem them before you close the account.
How long does the credit check stay on my report?
The hard inquiry stays visible on your credit report for about two years but stops affecting your credit score after three to six months. Multiple hard inquiries within a short time can lower your score more, so space out credit card applications if you plan to explore for other cards.