What the Best Buy Credit Card Is and Who Issues It
The Best Buy credit card is a store card issued by Citi, the bank behind the card. It works only at Best Buy and Best Buy's website — you cannot use it at other retailers. The card comes in two versions: one that gives you rewards when you shop at Best Buy, and one designed for people rebuilding credit or new to credit.
Best Buy advertises the card through its website, in stores, and through direct mail. You can start the process online at bestbuy.com, in a Best Buy store, or sometimes through a Citi offer that arrives in the mail. The card is not a debit card — it is a line of credit, which means you borrow money from Citi when you use it and pay it back monthly.
Key Takeaways
- You can begin the process online at bestbuy.com, by mail, or in a Best Buy store, and you will get a decision within minutes if you go online.
- Citi will check your credit report, so your credit score and payment history matter — the card is harder to get if you have missed payments or high debt.
- The rewards version offers points on Best Buy purchases, while the alternative version has no rewards but may be easier to get if your credit is thin or damaged.
- Once approved, your credit limit depends on your income and credit history, and you can use the card when ready online or in stores.
- You will receive a physical card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, but Citi usually lets you use the card online right away.
Where to Start: Online, In Store, or By Mail
The fastest route is the Best Buy website. Go to bestbuy.com, find the credit card section (usually under "Services" or "Credit Cards"), and click the link to start. You will answer questions about your income, employment, and whether you rent or own your home. Citi will pull your credit report during this process. Most decisions come back within minutes — you will see "approved," "pending," or "denied" on screen.
If you prefer to explore in person, visit any Best Buy store and ask a cashier or customer service associate about the credit card. They can hand you a paper form or direct you to a kiosk. The in-store process takes longer — you may wait 15 to 30 minutes for a decision, and you will still need to provide the same information.
Best Buy also mails offers to people in its database. If you receive a mailed offer, it usually includes a code or link that takes you to a pre-filled online form. This can speed up the process because some of your information is already entered.
What Information You Need to Provide
Citi will ask for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. You will also need to provide your annual household income (not just your salary — include spouse income, disability payments, or other regular money coming in). Have your most recent pay stub or tax return handy if you are unsure of the exact number.
You will be asked whether you are employed, self-employed, or retired, and if employed, the name of your employer. Citi also asks whether you rent or own your home and, if you own, whether you have a mortgage. None of these answers automatically disqualify you — Citi uses them to assess your ability to pay the card back.
You do not need to bring documents to explore online, but Citi may ask you to verify information later if your process is flagged for review. If that happens, they will contact you by phone or email with instructions.
How Citi Decides Whether to Approve You
Citi pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). The company looks at your credit score, your payment history, how much debt you already carry, and how long you have had credit accounts open. If you have missed payments, collections accounts, or very high debt relative to your income, approval is less likely.
If you have no credit history — you have never had a credit card, loan, or other account that reports to the bureaus — Citi may still approve you, but your credit limit will be lower. The same is true if your credit score is low but you have no recent missed payments.
Citi does not publish its exact score cutoff, so you cannot know for certain whether you will be approved until you explore. However, the rewards version of the card typically goes to people with fair to good credit (usually a score of 650 or higher), while the alternative version is designed for people with thinner or damaged credit histories.
What Happens After You Are Approved
If Citi approves you on the spot, you will see your credit limit on screen. This is the maximum amount you can charge to the card. Citi will also tell you when your first bill is due — usually 21 to 25 days after your first purchase. You can use the card online at bestbuy.com when ready, even before the physical card arrives.
The physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your Citi account online. You can then use it in Best Buy stores. Your first bill will show up in your Citi online account or by mail, depending on which you choose during setup.
If Citi puts your process in "pending" status, it means the company needs more information or time to review. You will receive a phone call or email within a few days with next steps. If you are denied, Citi will mail you a letter explaining why, and you can contact Citi to ask for details.
Understanding the Two Versions of the Card
The Best Buy Rewards Card earns points on every purchase at Best Buy. The exact earning rate changes, but typically you earn 1 point per dollar spent. Points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases or sometimes for other rewards. This card is the main version Citi pushes and usually requires fair to good credit.
The Best Buy Card for Those Building Credit (or similar name — Citi changes the exact title) does not earn rewards. Instead, it is designed to help you build or rebuild your credit history. It reports your payment activity to all three credit bureaus, so making on-time payments helps your credit score grow. This version may have a lower credit limit and a higher interest rate, but it is easier to get if your credit is new or damaged.
You can only hold one Best Buy credit card at a time. If you are approved for the rewards version but later want to switch to the building-credit version (or vice versa), you would need to close the first card and explore for the second.
What to Know About Interest Rates and Fees
The Best Buy card charges interest if you carry a balance — that is, if you do not pay off your full statement balance by the due date. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies based on your credit score and history. Citi will tell you your APR when you are approved. Rates typically range from the mid-teens to the mid-20s, but the exact number depends on your creditworthiness.
The card has no annual fee — you do not pay Citi just to have the card. However, if you miss a payment, Citi charges a late fee. If you go over your credit limit, there may be an over-limit fee. Both of these appear on your bill and add to what you owe.
Some versions of the card offer a 0% introductory APR period on purchases for a set number of months (for example, 6 or 12 months). If your card includes this offer, you will see it in your approval documents. During that period, you can carry a balance without paying interest — but once the period ends, the regular APR kicks in on any remaining balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved?
Online applications usually get a decision within minutes. In-store applications may take 15 to 30 minutes. If Citi puts your process in "pending," you will hear back within a few business days by phone or email. The physical card arrives 7 to 10 business days after approval, but you can use the card online when ready.
What if I am denied?
Citi will mail you a letter explaining the reason — usually a low credit score, recent missed payments, or high existing debt. You can call the number on the letter to ask questions. You can reapply after 30 to 90 days if you have improved your credit situation, or you can ask Citi about the alternative version of the card, which has lower credit requirements.
Can I use the card outside Best Buy?
No. The Best Buy card works only at Best Buy stores and bestbuy.com. It is not a Visa or Mastercard, so you cannot use it at other retailers, restaurants, or gas stations. If you need a card that works everywhere, you would need a different credit card.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Citi will charge a late fee and report the missed payment to the credit bureaus, which will hurt your credit score. If you miss a payment, contact Citi as soon as possible to make a payment and ask about the fee. The sooner you pay, the less damage to your credit.
Can I increase my credit limit later?
Yes. After you have had the card for several months and made on-time payments, you can contact Citi to ask for a credit limit increase. Citi may grant it without a hard credit check, or it may pull your credit report again. There is no may provide, but a history of on-time payments makes an increase more likely.