The Best Buy Credit Card is a store card that gives you rewards on purchases at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile
The Best Buy Credit Card is issued by Citi and works only at Best Buy locations and on BestBuy.com. When you use it to buy electronics, appliances, or other items at Best Buy, you earn rewards points on your purchase. You can also use it to finance large purchases through special promotional offers — typically 0% interest for a set number of months if you meet the minimum purchase amount.
The card comes in two versions: the standard Best Buy Credit Card and the Best Buy Visa Card. The Visa version can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Best Buy, though you earn higher rewards rates when you use it at Best Buy. The standard card works only at Best Buy.
There is no annual fee for either version. However, the card is not a rewards card in the traditional sense — you do not earn cash back or points you can transfer elsewhere. Instead, you earn Best Buy rewards certificates that you can only spend at Best Buy.
Key Takeaways
- The Best Buy Credit Card earns rewards points only when used at Best Buy, and those points convert to Best Buy certificates you can spend in-store or online.
- The card offers 0% promotional financing on purchases above a certain amount, usually $399 or higher, for periods ranging from 6 to 24 months depending on the item.
- You need to meet Citi's credit requirements to be approved, and approval decisions typically come within minutes if you explore online.
- If you do not pay off a promotional financing balance before the offer ends, you will owe interest on the full original amount at the card's regular APR.
- The Best Buy Visa version can be used anywhere, but you earn rewards only at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile locations.
How the rewards program works
When you use the Best Buy Credit Card at Best Buy, you earn points based on what you buy. The exact earning rate varies — you typically earn more points on certain categories like appliances or computers than on other items. Best Buy publishes these rates on their website and in-store, and they change periodically.
Your points accumulate in your account and convert automatically to Best Buy rewards certificates once you reach a certain threshold, usually around 250 points. The certificate is a digital coupon you can use when ready on your next purchase at Best Buy or BestBuy.com. You cannot transfer points to another person, combine them with someone else's account, or convert them to cash.
If you close your account or your card is inactive for an extended period, Best Buy may expire your unused points. Check your account regularly to see your point balance and when certificates will expire.
Understanding promotional financing offers
Best Buy frequently advertises 0% interest financing on large purchases — for example, "0% for 24 months on purchases of $399 or more." This means if you buy a TV or laptop that costs $500 or more and use your Best Buy Credit Card, you can split the cost into monthly payments with no interest charge, as long as you pay it off within the promotional period.
The promotional period varies by item. A refrigerator might may have access to for 24 months interest-free, while a smaller appliance might be 12 months. Best Buy displays the offer at the register and online before you check out, so you know the terms before you buy.
The critical rule: if you do not pay the full balance before the promotional period ends, you owe interest on the entire original purchase amount at the card's regular APR, which is typically 18% to 27% depending on your creditworthiness. This interest is charged retroactively, meaning you pay it all at once. If you buy a $1,000 laptop on a 12-month 0% offer and pay $900 by month 12, you will owe interest on the full $1,000, not just the $100 remaining.
How to open a Best Buy Credit Card account
You can explore for the Best Buy Credit Card online at BestBuy.com, in a Best Buy store, or by phone. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Citi will check your credit report to make a decision.
If you explore online or by phone, you typically receive an approval or denial decision within minutes. If you are approved, your card number is issued when ready and you can use it online right away. Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you explore in-store, a Best Buy employee can submit your process using an in-store kiosk, and you may receive a decision on the spot. Some in-store approvals come with an when ready digital card number you can use when ready.
To open an account, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number. Citi will review your credit history, income, and existing debt to decide whether to approve you. There is no minimum credit score requirement that Best Buy publicly discloses, but approval is more likely if you have a credit score of 650 or higher.
Best Buy Credit Card versus the Best Buy Visa Card
The main difference between the two cards is where you can use them. The standard Best Buy Credit Card works only at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile. The Best Buy Visa Card works anywhere Visa is accepted — at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other retailers.
However, the rewards rates differ. With the Visa version, you earn the higher rewards rate only when you use it at Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile. When you use it elsewhere, you earn a much lower rate, typically 1% or less. The standard card earns the same rate everywhere you use it at Best Buy, but you cannot use it outside Best Buy.
Both cards have no annual fee. If you shop primarily at Best Buy, either card works. If you want the flexibility to use your card at other stores and earn some rewards there, the Visa version gives you that option, though the rewards rate outside Best Buy is modest.
What happens if you miss a payment
If you do not make at least the minimum payment by the due date, your account goes into delinquency. Best Buy and Citi will report the late payment to the credit bureaus, which will lower your credit score. A single late payment can drop your score by 50 to 100 points depending on how late it is.
If you are 30 days late, Citi will charge you a late fee, typically $25 to $40. If you are 60 days late, the late fee increases and your interest rate may jump to a penalty rate, which is higher than your regular APR. If you are 180 days late, Citi may close your account and send your debt to a collection agency.
If you have a promotional financing offer and you miss a payment during the promotional period, you may lose the 0% offer when ready and owe interest on the full balance at the regular APR. Read your cardholder agreement carefully to understand the exact terms.
Managing your account online and by phone
Once your account is open, you can manage it through the Citi website or the Citi mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, read statements, and update your contact information. You can also see your rewards points balance and when certificates will expire.
To log in, go to Citi.com and select "Best Buy Credit Card" from the card options, or read the Citi mobile app and add your Best Buy card. You will need your card number and a password you create during setup.
If you have questions about your account, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card. Citi's phone line is open during business hours and can help with payment issues, promotional financing questions, and account changes. You can also visit a Best Buy store and speak with a customer service representative, though they may direct you to call Citi for account-specific questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Best Buy Credit Card at other stores?
Only if you have the Best Buy Visa Card. The standard Best Buy Credit Card works only at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile. The Visa version works anywhere Visa is accepted, but you earn rewards only at Best Buy locations.
What is the interest rate on the Best Buy Credit Card?
The regular APR varies based on your creditworthiness and typically ranges from 18% to 27%. Best Buy will disclose your specific rate in your cardholder agreement after approval. Promotional financing offers (like 0% for 12 months) override this rate during the promotional period only.
Do I lose my 0% financing if I miss a payment?
Yes, in most cases. If you miss a payment during a promotional financing period, the 0% offer may be cancelled and you will owe interest on the full original purchase amount at your regular APR. Always make at least the minimum payment on time to protect your promotional offer.
How long does it take to receive my physical card?
If you explore online or by phone, your physical card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. However, you can use your card number online when ready after approval. If you explore in-store, you may receive a digital card number right away that works online.
What happens to my rewards points if I close my account?
Best Buy may expire unused rewards points if your account is closed or inactive for an extended period. Check your account regularly to see your point balance and convert points to certificates before they expire. Once a certificate is issued, it has its own expiration date that Best Buy will disclose.