The Lowe's credit card is a store card that gives you a discount on your first purchase and rewards on future ones, but carries a high interest rate if you carry a balance
Lowe's offers two versions of its store card: the Lowe's Advantage Card and the Lowe's Advantage+ Card. Both are issued by Comenity Bank and can only be used at Lowe's and Lowe's.com. The main difference is that the Advantage+ version also works at Lowe's subsidiary Rona (in Canada) and offers slightly higher rewards. Neither card can be used at other retailers.
The card's primary appeal is the first-purchase discount — typically 10% off your first transaction when you open the account — and ongoing rewards of 5% back on Lowe's purchases. However, the card charges a variable interest rate that typically ranges from 24% to 29.99% APR, which is substantially higher than most general-purpose credit cards. This means carrying a balance becomes expensive very quickly.
Key Takeaways
- The Lowe's card offers 5% cash back on Lowe's purchases and a first-purchase discount, but only works at Lowe's stores and Lowe's.com.
- The interest rate is typically 24% to 29.99% APR, making it costly to carry a balance month to month.
- Promotional financing offers (usually 0% APR for 12 or 24 months on purchases over a certain amount) are available but require on-time payments to avoid retroactive interest charges.
- You can check your account balance, make payments, and view your rewards through the Lowe's website or mobile app without calling customer service.
- The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so payment history affects your credit score just like any other credit card.
How the rewards and discounts work
When you open a Lowe's card, you receive a one-time discount on your first purchase — usually 10% off, though the exact percentage varies by promotion. This discount applies to your entire first transaction, including sale items, and is one of the main reasons people open the card.
After that first purchase, you earn 5% cash back on all Lowe's purchases made with the card. The rewards post to your account and can be redeemed as a statement credit or used as a discount on future purchases. You do not earn rewards on purchases made with other payment methods at Lowe's, only when you use the card itself.
Lowe's also runs periodic promotional financing offers, typically 0% APR for 12 or 24 months on purchases over a set amount (often $299 or $399). These promotions are advertised in-store and online. If you take advantage of a promotional rate, you must make at least the minimum payment each month — missing a payment or paying late can trigger a "deferred interest" clause that charges you all the interest that would have accrued during the promotional period, even if you pay off the balance before the promotion ends.
Interest rates and fees
The Lowe's card charges a variable APR that Comenity Bank sets based on your creditworthiness. Most cardholders see rates between 24% and 29.99%, though the exact rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history at the time you open the account. This is significantly higher than the average credit card APR, which typically ranges from 18% to 24%.
The card does not charge an annual fee. However, if you carry a balance and pay interest, the cost adds up quickly. For example, a $1,000 balance at 27% APR costs approximately $22.50 in interest per month if you make no payments. This is why the card works best for people who pay off their balance in full each month to earn the 5% rewards without incurring interest charges.
Late payments trigger a penalty APR, which can be even higher than your regular rate. Lowe's also charges a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date. Both of these penalties can remain on your account for six months or longer if you continue to pay late.
How to manage your account and make payments
You can view your balance, make payments, and check your rewards through the Lowe's website (lowes.com) or the Lowe's mobile app. You will need to register for online access using your card number and personal information. Payments can be made by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card, though paying with another credit card may trigger a cash advance fee depending on your card issuer.
Payments are due on a set date each month, shown on your statement. Lowe's allows you to set up automatic payments so you do not miss a due date. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a custom amount. Paying the full balance each month avoids interest charges entirely and maximizes the value of the 5% rewards.
If you need to dispute a charge or have questions about your account, you can contact Comenity Bank's customer service number, which appears on your statement and card. Response times for disputes typically range from 30 to 60 days, depending on the complexity of the claim.
How the card affects your credit
The Lowe's card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. This means your payment history, credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you are using), and account age all factor into your credit score. Opening the card creates a new account, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points due to the hard inquiry and new account age. Over time, making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit will improve your score.
Carrying a high balance on the card can hurt your score because credit utilization makes up about 30% of most credit scoring models. If your credit limit is $2,000 and you carry a $1,500 balance, your utilization is 75%, which is considered high and will lower your score. Paying down the balance to 30% or less of your limit improves your score, even if you do not pay off the card completely.
When the Lowe's card makes financial sense
The Lowe's card is most useful if you shop at Lowe's regularly and can pay off your balance in full each month. In that scenario, the 5% rewards and first-purchase discount provide real value without any interest cost. If you spend $2,000 per year at Lowe's and pay off the card monthly, you earn $100 in rewards — equivalent to a 5% discount on everything you buy there.
The card becomes a poor choice if you carry a balance. At 27% APR, the interest charges will quickly exceed any rewards you earn. For example, if you carry a $1,000 balance for one year, you will pay approximately $270 in interest, which wipes out 54 years' worth of 5% rewards on that same $1,000 purchase. A general-purpose credit card with a lower interest rate (typically 18% to 24%) would cost less even if it offers no rewards.
The promotional 0% financing offers can be valuable for large purchases if you have a plan to pay off the balance before the promotion ends. However, the deferred interest clause means you must treat the promotional period as a hard important date — any missed payment or late payment triggers the full interest charge retroactively.
Alternatives to the Lowe's card
If you do not want to open a store card, you can still earn rewards on Lowe's purchases using a general-purpose cash back credit card. Many cards offer 1% to 2% cash back on all purchases, which is lower than the Lowe's card's 5%, but the lower interest rate (typically 18% to 24%) makes them safer if you ever carry a balance. You also lose the first-purchase discount, but that is a one-time benefit.
Lowe's also offers a Lowe's Loyalty program (separate from the credit card) that gives you access to sales and special offers, though it does not provide cash back rewards. You can use this program with any payment method, including cash or a different credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Lowe's card anywhere other than Lowe's?
No. The Lowe's Advantage Card and Advantage+ Card work only at Lowe's stores and Lowe's.com. The Advantage+ version also works at Rona stores in Canada. If you need a card that works at multiple retailers, you would need a general-purpose credit card instead.
What happens if I miss a payment on the Lowe's card?
A missed payment triggers a late fee and may increase your APR to a penalty rate, which can be even higher than your regular rate. The late payment also reports to the credit bureaus and will lower your credit score. If you have a promotional 0% financing offer, a missed payment cancels the promotion and charges you all the deferred interest retroactively.
How do I redeem my cash back rewards?
Rewards post to your account automatically and appear as a statement credit you can use to pay your bill, or you can redeem them as a discount on future Lowe's purchases. You can view your available rewards balance in your online account or on your statement.
Does opening a Lowe's card hurt my credit score?
Opening the card causes a small temporary drop in your score due to the hard inquiry and new account. Over time, making on-time payments and keeping your balance low will improve your score. The long-term impact depends on your payment behavior — consistent on-time payments help your score, while late payments or high balances hurt it.
What is the difference between the Lowe's Advantage Card and the Advantage+ Card?
Both cards offer 5% cash back at Lowe's and the same interest rate. The Advantage+ version also works at Rona stores (in Canada) and may offer slightly higher rewards in some promotions. If you do not shop at Rona, the two cards are functionally identical.