BJ's Wholesale Club Credit Card basics
The BJ's Wholesale Club credit card is a store card issued by Comenity Bank that works only at BJ's Wholesale Club locations and online. It is not a Visa or Mastercard, so you cannot use it anywhere else. The card offers rewards in the form of cash back on purchases made at BJ's, with rates that vary depending on what you buy and which version of the card you hold.
BJ's offers two versions: the regular BJ's Wholesale Club card and the BJ's Wholesale Club World Mastercard. The World Mastercard is a dual-purpose card — it works as a Mastercard everywhere and also earns rewards at BJ's. The regular card only works at BJ's. Both require an active BJ's membership to use, and both charge no annual fee.
Like any credit card, the BJ's card reports to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so how you use it affects your credit score. Carrying a balance means paying interest at a variable rate that changes with the prime rate.
Key Takeaways
- The BJ's Wholesale Club card earns cash back rewards only at BJ's locations and online, not at other retailers, unless you choose the World Mastercard version.
- You must have an active BJ's membership to open and use either card, and the card itself has no annual fee.
- The card reports to credit bureaus, so late payments or high balances can lower your credit score.
- The World Mastercard works everywhere a Mastercard is accepted, making it useful outside BJ's if you want one card that does both.
Rewards structure and cash back rates
The cash back you earn depends on which card you have and what you buy. The regular BJ's card typically earns a higher rate on gas and groceries purchased at BJ's, a lower rate on other BJ's purchases, and nothing on purchases outside BJ's. The exact rates change periodically, so check BJ's website or call their customer service line for current rates before opening the card.
The World Mastercard earns rewards at BJ's but at a lower rate than the regular card, and it earns a small amount of cash back on Mastercard purchases outside BJ's. Again, the specific rates vary, so confirm them before you explore. Cash back typically posts to your account monthly or can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Rewards are not the same as discounts. You still pay the full price at checkout; the cash back is a small percentage returned to you later. If you do not spend enough at BJ's to offset any annual membership fee (BJ's membership itself costs money, separate from the card), the rewards may not save you money overall.
Interest rates and how to avoid paying them
The BJ's card carries a variable interest rate, meaning it changes when the Federal Reserve changes the prime rate. The rate you are offered depends on your credit score and credit history. You can find the current range on BJ's website or in the terms and conditions before you open the card, but your personal rate will not be shown until after you are approved.
The easiest way to avoid interest charges is to pay your full balance in full by the due date each month. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. Even a small balance can cost more in interest over time than you earn in cash back, especially if your interest rate is high.
Some people use a store card only for planned purchases they know they can pay off when ready, treating it like a debit card. Others avoid store cards entirely because the rewards are small and the interest rates are often higher than general-purpose credit cards. Consider your own spending habits and whether you will actually pay off the balance each month.
How the card affects your credit score
Opening a new credit card creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. Once the account is open, it affects your score in two main ways: your payment history (whether you pay on time) and your credit utilization (how much of your available credit you are using).
If you pay late, that late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can significantly damage your score. If you carry a high balance relative to your credit limit, that high utilization ratio also lowers your score, even if you pay on time. Keeping your balance low and paying on time helps your score over time.
A store card can actually help your credit if you use it responsibly, because it adds to your mix of credit types (store card, bank card, installment loan, etc.), which is a small positive factor. But the rewards are rarely worth the risk if you are not confident you will pay the balance in full each month.
When a BJ's card makes sense
The BJ's card is most useful if you shop at BJ's regularly, have a stable income, and can pay the full balance monthly. If you buy gas and groceries at BJ's frequently, the higher cash back rate on those categories might add up to meaningful savings over a year. If you already have a BJ's membership and plan to keep it, the card costs nothing extra.
The World Mastercard version makes more sense if you want one card that works everywhere, not just at BJ's. It is useful if you travel or shop at many different stores but still want to earn rewards at BJ's. However, the cash back rate at BJ's is lower on the World Mastercard than on the regular card, so you trade higher rewards for flexibility.
The card does not make sense if you do not have a BJ's membership, if you shop there rarely, or if you have a history of carrying balances. In those cases, the interest you would pay far outweighs any cash back you earn.
Comparing the BJ's card to other options
Before opening any store card, compare it to a general-purpose rewards card from a bank or credit union. Many bank cards offer cash back on gas and groceries at rates similar to or higher than the BJ's card, and they work everywhere, not just one store. You might earn more total cash back with a bank card that gives 2% back on groceries and gas than with a BJ's card that gives 3% back at BJ's if you do not shop there often enough.
Store cards also typically have higher interest rates than bank cards. If you ever carry a balance, the higher rate can cost you significantly more in interest charges. A bank card with a lower rate might be safer even if the rewards are smaller.
The main advantage of a store card is convenience — one card for one store, and the rewards are automatic. The main disadvantage is that you are locked into one retailer and exposed to a higher interest rate if you slip up on payments.
How to open a BJ's card and what to expect
You can open a BJ's card online through the BJ's website, by phone, or in a BJ's warehouse. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and income information. The process takes a few minutes, and you will receive a decision within seconds or minutes in most cases.
If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can usually start using it online when ready while you wait for the physical card. If you are denied, you will receive a letter explaining why, and you can contact Comenity Bank to ask about reapplying later.
Before you explore, make sure you have an active BJ's membership. If you do not, you will need to join first. BJ's membership itself costs money and renews annually, so factor that into whether the card and rewards are worth it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the BJ's card outside of BJ's?
The regular BJ's card works only at BJ's locations and on BJ's website. The BJ's World Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, but it earns rewards only at BJ's. If you want a card that earns rewards everywhere, a general-purpose bank card is a better choice.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus and can lower your credit score significantly. You will also owe interest on the unpaid balance and may be charged a late fee. If you miss a payment, contact Comenity Bank as soon as possible to bring your account current.
Do I need a BJ's membership to use the card?
Yes, you must have an active BJ's membership to open and use the card. If your membership expires, you cannot use the card at BJ's until you renew. The card itself has no annual fee, but the membership does.
How much cash back can I earn in a year?
That depends on how much you spend at BJ's and which card you have. If you spend $5,000 a year at BJ's and earn 2% cash back, you would earn $100. If you spend $10,000 and earn 3% on some categories, you might earn $250 to $300. Check your actual spending and the current reward rates to estimate your own earnings.
Is the BJ's card better than a regular credit card?
It depends on your situation. If you shop at BJ's frequently and pay your balance in full each month, the rewards might save you money. If you shop there rarely or carry a balance, a general-purpose bank card with a lower interest rate is usually the better choice.