What the Cabela's Visa Card Is
The Cabela's Visa Card is a rewards credit card issued by Barclays Bank and branded for customers who shop at Cabela's, the outdoor retail chain. You earn rewards points on purchases — both at Cabela's and at other merchants — and those points convert to Cabela's gift cards or cash back. The card comes with no annual fee.
The card is a standard Visa that works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Cabela's stores. Your rewards rate and the terms of the card depend on which version you hold: the regular Cabela's Visa or the Cabela's Visa Signature, which carries higher benefits but requires a higher credit score to be considered.
This is a credit card, not a prepaid card or store card. You receive a monthly bill, make payments to Barclays, and your payment history reports to the three major credit bureaus. If you carry a balance, you pay interest at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which varies by creditworthiness and market conditions.
Key Takeaways
- The Cabela's Visa earns rewards points on all purchases, with a higher earning rate at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops than elsewhere.
- Points convert to Cabela's gift cards or cash back, and you control when to redeem them through your online account.
- There is no annual fee, but the card charges interest on unpaid balances at a variable APR that depends on your credit profile.
- You can open the card online, by phone, or in a Cabela's store, and approval decisions usually come within minutes to a few business days.
- The card reports to credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit history and missed payments damage it.
How Rewards Points Work on This Card
You earn points per dollar spent on every purchase. The exact rate depends on where you shop. At Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops (which is owned by the same parent company), you earn a higher rate — typically 4 points per dollar. At all other merchants, you earn a lower rate, usually 1 point per dollar. Some categories, like gas or groceries, do not earn bonus points; they earn at the standard rate for non-Cabela's purchases.
Points accumulate in your account and do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You do not have to redeem them when ready. You can watch your balance grow and choose when to convert them to a Cabela's gift card or request a cash-back statement credit.
The redemption value is fixed: a certain number of points equals a specific dollar amount. Cabela's publishes the conversion rate on their website and in your account dashboard. You can redeem as few or as many points as you want, and there is no minimum redemption amount.
Annual Percentage Rate and Interest Charges
The card carries a variable APR, meaning the rate can change over time based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. The actual rate you receive depends on your credit score, income, and credit history at the time you open the account. Barclays will disclose the APR in your cardmember agreement before you accept the card.
If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. Interest only applies to balances you carry from one month to the next. If you carry a balance, the interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount.
The card also has a penalty APR that applies if you miss a payment by more than 60 days. This rate is higher than the standard APR and can remain in effect for six months or longer, depending on Barclays' policies and your account history.
How to Open a Cabela's Visa Account
You can open the card through three routes: online at the Cabela's website, by phone through Barclays customer service, or in person at a Cabela's store. Most people start online because the process is fastest and you receive a decision within minutes to a few business days.
To open an account online, you will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Barclays will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) to assess your creditworthiness. This inquiry may lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. You will also need to agree to the cardmember agreement and privacy policy.
If you are approved, Barclays will mail your physical card to the address you provided. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number to make purchases online before the physical card arrives if you set up your account in the Barclays online portal.
If you are not approved, Barclays will send you a letter explaining the reason. You can reapply after addressing the issue — for example, by paying down existing debt or waiting for negative marks to age off your credit report.
Differences Between the Standard and Signature Versions
Cabela's offers two versions of the card: the standard Cabela's Visa and the Cabela's Visa Signature. The main differences are the rewards rate, the credit score required to be considered, and the additional perks included.
The Visa Signature version typically offers a higher rewards rate at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, purchase protection, travel accident insurance, and emergency card replacement services. These benefits come with the Visa Signature designation itself, not from Cabela's. However, you must meet a higher credit score threshold to be considered for the Signature version.
The standard version has a lower rewards rate but is available to people with fair credit. Both versions have no annual fee. When you open your account, Barclays will determine which version you are considered for based on your credit profile. You do not choose; the bank decides based on its underwriting criteria.
What Happens If You Miss a Payment
If your payment is late by 30 days or more, Barclays will report the late payment to the credit bureaus. This mark stays on your credit report for seven years and significantly damages your credit score. A single 30-day late payment can lower your score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score and credit history.
If your payment is 60 days late, Barclays may impose a penalty APR on your account, raising your interest rate substantially. If your payment is 180 days late, Barclays may close your account and send your debt to a collection agency. At that point, you owe the full balance when ready, and the collection agency may pursue legal action to recover the debt.
If you are struggling to make a payment, contact Barclays before the due date. They may offer a hardship program, a temporary lower payment, or a payment plan. Calling before you miss a payment is far better than calling after, because you have more options and the late payment does not appear on your credit report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Cabela's Visa at stores other than Cabela's?
Yes. It is a standard Visa, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and everywhere else. You earn a lower rewards rate at non-Cabela's merchants, but you can still use the card and earn points.
What is the credit score I need to open this card?
Barclays does not publish a minimum credit score. Generally, the standard Cabela's Visa is available to people with fair credit (roughly 620 and above), and the Visa Signature version requires good credit (roughly 700 and above). The only way to know if you will be considered is to submit an process.
How do I redeem my rewards points?
Log into your Barclays online account or mobile app, navigate to the rewards section, and select the redemption option: Cabela's gift card or cash back as a statement credit. The redemption processes within a few business days. Gift cards are mailed to you; cash back appears as a credit on your next statement.
Does this card have a foreign transaction fee?
Yes. The Cabela's Visa charges a foreign transaction fee (typically 3 percent) on purchases made outside the United States. If you travel internationally, you will pay this fee on top of the purchase price. Check your cardmember agreement for the exact percentage.
What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?
Call Barclays when ready at the number on the back of your card or on your statement. They will freeze your account to prevent unauthorized use and mail you a replacement card. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges if you report the card missing before someone uses it, or within a reasonable time after.