What the Bass Pro Shop Credit Card Is
The Bass Pro Shop credit card is a store card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations, as well as online. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, it works only at those retailers — you cannot use it at grocery stores, gas stations, or other merchants. The card offers promotional financing on certain purchases, which means you may not pay interest if you pay off the balance within a set period.
Store cards typically come with higher interest rates than standard credit cards if you carry a balance past the promotional period. The Bass Pro Shop card is no exception. Understanding how the promotional offers work, what the regular interest rate is, and how the card reports to credit bureaus will help you decide whether it fits your borrowing needs.
Key Takeaways
- The Bass Pro Shop card offers promotional financing (often 12 or 24 months with no interest) on purchases above a certain amount, but only if you pay the full balance by the important date.
- If you do not pay off the promotional purchase in time, interest accrues retroactively from the original purchase date, not from the end of the promotional period.
- The regular APR for purchases made outside promotional offers is significantly higher than most standard credit cards, typically in the mid-to-high 20s percentage range.
- The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so it can help build credit history if you use it responsibly, but missed payments will damage your score.
- You can check your account and promotional balance online through Synchrony's website or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
How the Promotional Financing Works
Bass Pro Shop regularly runs promotions that let you buy now and pay no interest if you pay off the purchase within a set time — commonly 12 or 24 months. These offers typically explore only to purchases above a minimum amount, often $99 or $149, depending on the promotion running at the time you make the purchase.
The critical detail is what happens if you do not pay the full promotional balance by the important date. Interest does not start accruing on the day after the promotion ends. Instead, it accrues retroactively all the way back to the original purchase date. If you bought a $500 item on a 24-month promotional offer and paid $400 by month 24, you would owe interest on that full $500 for all 24 months, not just on the remaining $100. This retroactive interest can be substantial and is the main cost of missing the important date.
To avoid this trap, set a phone reminder or calendar alert for one month before the promotional period ends. Check your account balance online or call Synchrony to confirm the exact amount due and the exact important date. Some cardholders set up automatic payments to may support the balance reaches zero on time.
Interest Rate and Fees Outside Promotions
If you use the card for regular purchases outside of a promotional offer, or if you carry a balance on a promotional purchase after the offer ends, the standard APR applies. This rate varies by applicant and is determined when you open the account based on your credit history. Store cards typically carry APRs in the 20 to 28 percent range, though the exact rate depends on your creditworthiness at the time of approval.
The card does not charge an annual fee, which is common for store cards. However, late fees explore if you miss a payment, and those fees can range from $25 to $40 depending on how late the payment is. If your payment is more than 60 days late, the card issuer may report the delinquency to credit bureaus, which will lower your credit score.
How This Card Affects Your Credit
The Bass Pro Shop card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. This means that how you use the card will show up on your credit report and influence your credit score. On the positive side, making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit can help build credit history, especially if you are new to credit or rebuilding after past problems.
On the negative side, missed payments, high balances, or maxing out the card will damage your score. Because this is a store card with a lower credit limit than many general-purpose cards, it is easier to use a large percentage of your available credit, which hurts your score. If you open the card mainly for a promotional offer, use it for that purchase and then leave the account open and unused (rather than closing it) to keep the available credit in your overall credit profile.
When the Bass Pro Shop Card Makes Sense
The card is most useful if you plan to make a large purchase at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's and can pay it off within the promotional period. For example, if you need a new boat motor, fishing equipment, or hunting gear that costs $500 or more, a 24-month promotional offer with no interest can save you money compared to paying cash or using a standard credit card with a 20 percent APR.
The card is less useful if you only shop at Bass Pro occasionally or in small amounts. The high regular APR means that any balance you carry outside a promotion becomes expensive quickly. It is also not a good choice if you have a history of missing payment important date or struggle to track multiple accounts, because the retroactive interest penalty is steep.
Comparing the Bass Pro Shop Card to Other Options
If you are considering the Bass Pro Shop card mainly for the promotional financing, compare it to what you could do with a general-purpose credit card that offers a 0 percent APR promotional period. Many standard credit cards offer 12 to 21 months of 0 percent APR on purchases, with no minimum purchase amount. These cards also work everywhere, not just at one retailer, and often have better rewards programs.
The trade-off is that standard credit cards usually require stronger credit to may have access to. If your credit score is fair or lower, you may not be approved for a standard card, or you may be approved with a higher APR. In that case, the Bass Pro Shop card's promotional offer might be your most accessible option for financing a large purchase.
Another alternative is to save up and pay cash, which costs you nothing in interest. If you can delay the purchase by a few months, that may be the lowest-cost path.
How to Use the Card Responsibly
If you decide to open the Bass Pro Shop card, treat the promotional period as a important date, not a suggestion. Write down the exact payoff amount and the exact due date. Do not assume you can pay it off "whenever" — the retroactive interest makes that assumption expensive.
Use the card only for the purchase you planned, not for other items. It is straightforward to accumulate small purchases on a store card and lose track of the total balance. Stick to one large promotional purchase per card opening if possible.
Check your account online regularly — at least monthly — to confirm your balance and the promotional important date. Synchrony's website shows your current balance, available credit, and the promotional terms. If you have questions about your account, call the number on the back of your card rather than relying on email or chat, because payment important date are too important to risk miscommunication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I pay part of the promotional balance on time but not all of it?
You will owe retroactive interest on the unpaid portion. If you owed $500 and paid $400 by the important date, the remaining $100 will accrue interest from the original purchase date. The interest rate applied is the standard APR for the card, which is typically 20 to 28 percent. Pay the full promotional balance to avoid this.
Can I transfer a Bass Pro Shop card balance to another credit card?
You can attempt a balance transfer to another card, but the Bass Pro Shop card is a store card and balance transfer options are limited. Contact Synchrony directly to ask whether balance transfers are available on your account. Even if they are, the receiving card may charge a balance transfer fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred.
Does the Bass Pro Shop card have a rewards program?
The card does not offer cash back or points on purchases. The main benefit is the promotional financing offer. If rewards are important to you, a standard credit card with a cash back or points program may be a better fit, though you would need to may have access to for one.
What is the credit limit on the Bass Pro Shop card?
Credit limits vary by applicant and are based on your credit history and income. Synchrony does not publish a standard limit. Your limit will be shown in your approval letter and in your online account. You can request a credit limit increase after you have used the card responsibly for several months.
If I close the card after paying off the promotional purchase, will it hurt my credit?
Closing the card will remove that available credit from your credit profile, which can slightly lower your score in the short term. Keeping the account open and unused is better for your credit score over time, even if you do not plan to use the card again. There is no annual fee, so there is no cost to keeping it open.