The Citi Best Buy card is a co-branded rewards card that earns points on Best Buy purchases and cash back on other spending
The Citi Best Buy Card is issued by Citi through Comenity Bank and designed specifically for Best Buy shoppers. It earns bonus points when you buy at Best Buy, and a lower cash back rate on purchases elsewhere. The card has no annual fee, but the rewards structure and financing offers are built around Best Buy spending rather than general use.
This card makes sense if you shop at Best Buy regularly and want to accumulate points toward purchases there. If you rarely visit Best Buy or prefer a card that rewards all spending equally, a general cash back card may serve you better. The card's value depends entirely on how much you spend at Best Buy and whether you use the promotional financing offers.
Key Takeaways
- The Citi Best Buy Card earns points at Best Buy and a lower rate on all other purchases, with no annual fee.
- Points can be redeemed only at Best Buy, not transferred to other programs or converted to cash.
- The card offers promotional financing periods on Best Buy purchases, which may carry interest if the balance is not paid in full by the end of the promotion.
- Approval and credit limits depend on your credit history, and the card reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- Best Buy also offers a separate store credit card with different rewards and financing terms, so compare both before opening an account.
How the rewards structure works
The card earns points at different rates depending on where you use it. At Best Buy, you earn a higher points rate per dollar spent. On all other purchases—groceries, gas, restaurants, utilities—you earn a lower rate. Points accumulate in your Best Buy account and can be spent only at Best Buy stores or on bestbuy.com.
The exact points rates vary and may change, so check the current terms on the Citi or Best Buy website before opening the account. Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, but they are forfeited if the account is closed. There is no way to convert points to cash, transfer them to another rewards program, or use them outside Best Buy.
Promotional financing and how it works
The card often includes promotional financing offers on Best Buy purchases—typically 0% interest for a set number of months if you meet a minimum purchase amount. These promotions are temporary and change throughout the year. If you carry a balance past the end of the promotional period without paying it off, you owe interest on the remaining balance at the card's regular purchase APR.
The regular APR (the rate you pay after any promotional period ends) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can find the APR range in the card's terms and conditions before you open the account. If you plan to use promotional financing, set a payment plan to clear the balance before the promotion ends, because interest charges can quickly exceed the value of the points you earned.
Annual fees and other costs
The Citi Best Buy Card has no annual fee, which means you can keep it open without paying anything if you do not use it. However, like all credit cards, it charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. If you miss a payment, you may face a late fee and a higher penalty APR.
Foreign transaction fees explore if you use the card outside the United States, so it is not useful for international travel. Cash advances (withdrawing money from an ATM using the card) carry a separate cash advance APR, which is typically higher than the purchase APR, plus an upfront fee.
How to open an account and what to expect
You can open a Citi Best Buy Card account online through Best Buy's website or Citi's website, or in a Best Buy store. The process takes a few minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Citi will check your credit report and make a decision within minutes to a few days.
If you are approved, your credit limit will be set based on your credit history and income. You can use the card when ready in many cases, either online or in-store, even before the physical card arrives. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration or wait and reapply later. Citi reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so on-time payments help your credit score and missed payments harm it.
Comparing the Citi Best Buy Card to Best Buy's other card
Best Buy also offers a separate store credit card through a different issuer. The two cards have different rewards rates, financing offers, and benefits, so the better choice depends on your spending habits and how you plan to use promotional financing. Some shoppers benefit from one card, others from the other, and some benefit from having both.
Before opening either card, compare the current rewards rates, annual fees, and promotional financing terms on both. The terms change periodically, so what was the better deal last year may not be true today. Best Buy's website and the card issuer's website both display the current terms clearly.
How the card affects your credit
Opening a new credit card temporarily lowers your credit score because Citi performs a hard inquiry on your credit report and your average account age decreases. Over time, as you use the card responsibly and build a payment history, the impact fades. Keeping the account open and maintaining a low balance relative to your credit limit helps your score recover and continue improving.
If you miss a payment or carry a high balance, your score will drop. The card's impact on your credit is the same as any other credit card—the difference is that this one's rewards are useful only if you shop at Best Buy regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Best Buy points outside of Best Buy?
No. Points earned on the Citi Best Buy Card can be redeemed only at Best Buy stores or on bestbuy.com. They cannot be transferred to other rewards programs, converted to cash, or used anywhere else. This is a key limitation if you want flexibility in how you spend your rewards.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points are forfeited when you close the account. If you are thinking about closing the card, redeem any remaining points before you do. Points do not expire as long as the account stays open, so you can hold them indefinitely if you keep the card active.
Do I have to use the card at Best Buy to keep it open?
No. Since there is no annual fee, you can keep the card open without using it. However, Citi may close accounts that show no activity for an extended period (typically 12 months or longer). If you want to keep the account open but do not use it often, make a small purchase every few months.
What is the difference between the promotional APR and the regular APR?
The promotional APR is usually 0%, meaning you pay no interest during the promotional period if you meet the terms. The regular APR is the interest rate you pay after the promotion ends or on purchases not covered by the promotion. If you do not pay off the balance by the end of the promotional period, interest accrues at the regular APR on the remaining balance.
Can I get a higher credit limit after I open the account?
Yes. After you have used the card responsibly for several months, you can request a credit limit increase through Citi's website or by calling the number on your card. Citi may perform a hard inquiry or a soft inquiry (which does not affect your credit score) depending on the situation.