What the Cabela's Credit Card is and who should consider it
The Cabela's Visa card is a store credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops locations, online, and at other retailers that accept Visa. It offers cash back rewards on purchases at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, a lower cash back rate on other Visa purchases, and periodic promotional financing offers. The card is designed for people who shop at these retailers regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases.
This card makes sense if you already spend money at Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops and want to capture some of that spending as rewards. It does not make sense if you shop there rarely, because the rewards structure is tied to those two retailers. Like all credit cards, it carries an interest rate you will pay if you carry a balance, so the math only works if you pay the full statement balance each month.
Key Takeaways
- The Cabela's card earns 4% cash back at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, and 1% cash back on all other Visa purchases.
- There is no annual fee, but the card carries a variable interest rate that changes with the prime rate, currently in the 20% to 28% range depending on your credit profile.
- Synchrony Bank (the card issuer) runs periodic promotional financing offers, usually 0% APR for 12 to 24 months on purchases over a certain amount.
- Rewards are issued as cash back that posts to your account monthly and can be used as a statement credit or transferred to a linked bank account.
- The card is a Visa, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted, but the highest rewards rate only applies at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops.
How the rewards structure works
The card earns 4% cash back on purchases at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, whether you shop in store or online. On all other purchases made with the Visa, you earn 1% cash back. Cash back is calculated on the purchase amount after tax and posts to your account each month. You can use the cash back to reduce your statement balance, or you can request a transfer to a linked bank account.
The 4% rate applies only to Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. If you use the card at other outdoor or sporting goods retailers, you earn the 1% rate. This matters if you shop at multiple retailers — the rewards benefit concentrates at these two chains. There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
Interest rates and what happens if you carry a balance
The Cabela's card carries a variable APR that Synchrony sets based on your credit score and credit history. Variable means the rate moves up or down as the prime rate changes. Current rates typically range from 20% to 28% APR, though your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account. Synchrony will disclose your specific rate in the terms and conditions before you complete the process.
If you carry a balance from month to month, the interest charges will quickly outpace any cash back you earn. For example, a $1,000 balance at 24% APR costs $20 in interest per month. The 4% cash back on a $1,000 Cabela's purchase is $40 — so one month of interest on a carried balance erases half of that reward. The card only makes financial sense if you pay the full statement balance each month and never carry a balance forward.
Promotional financing offers and how to use them
Synchrony periodically runs promotional financing offers on the Cabela's card, typically 0% APR for 12 to 24 months on purchases over a minimum amount (often $250 or $500). These offers are usually sent to existing cardholders or appear during promotional periods, and the terms vary. If you are approved for a promotional offer, you can make a large purchase and pay it off interest-free during the promotional window.
The key to using promotional financing is to have a payoff plan before you make the purchase. If the promotional period ends and you still owe a balance, the regular APR kicks in on the remaining amount. Some cardholders use these offers to spread the cost of a large purchase (like outdoor equipment or a vehicle accessory) across 12 or 24 months without interest, then pay it off before the period ends. This only works if you have the cash flow to make regular payments and stick to the timeline.
Annual fees and other costs
The Cabela's card has no annual fee. You do not pay anything to hold the card or use it, regardless of how much you spend or how long you keep it open. This is one of the card's advantages compared to some premium rewards cards that charge $95 or more per year.
The only costs you incur are interest charges if you carry a balance, late fees if you miss a payment, and returned payment fees if a payment bounces. Synchrony's late fee is typically $38 for the first late payment and $39 for subsequent late payments within six months. These fees are avoidable if you pay on time and in full each month.
How the Cabela's card compares to other store cards and general rewards cards
Store credit cards like the Cabela's card typically offer higher rewards rates at the issuing retailer than general rewards cards do. A general cash back card might offer 2% cash back on all purchases, while the Cabela's card offers 4% at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. However, general cards often offer higher rewards on categories like groceries, gas, or dining, which may matter more to your spending pattern.
The trade-off is that store cards only work at one or two retailers, while a general Visa or Mastercard works everywhere. If you spend most of your outdoor and sporting goods money at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, the store card wins. If you shop at multiple retailers or want a card that earns rewards across all your spending, a general rewards card may be better. The decision depends on where you actually spend your money, not on which card sounds better in isolation.
How to manage the card responsibly
The most important rule is to pay the full statement balance each month. Set up automatic payments from your bank account to may support you never miss a due date and never carry a balance. If you cannot pay the full balance, do not use the card — the interest charges will exceed any rewards you earn.
Keep the card separate from your everyday spending. Use it only for purchases you were already planning to make at Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops, not as a reason to spend more. The 4% cash back is a bonus on spending you would do anyway, not a discount that makes a purchase a good deal. Track your cash back rewards monthly and use them to reduce your balance or transfer them to your bank account so the money does not sit unused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Cabela's card outside of Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops?
Yes. The card is a Visa, so it works at any retailer that accepts Visa. However, you only earn the 4% cash back rate at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. If you use it outside these two retailers, you are earning less than you would with a general 2% cash back card.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Any cash back rewards that have already posted to your account remain yours and can be used as a statement credit or transferred to your bank account. Rewards do not expire as long as the account is open. Once you close the account, you cannot earn new rewards, but you keep the rewards you have already earned.
Does the Cabela's card hurt my credit score?
Opening any new credit card temporarily lowers your score because it creates a hard inquiry and lowers your average account age. However, if you use the card responsibly — paying on time and keeping your balance low — it will help your score over time by adding to your credit mix and keeping your credit utilization low. Carrying a high balance or missing payments will damage your score.
Can I transfer a balance from another card to the Cabela's card?
Synchrony does not typically offer balance transfer options on the Cabela's card. You can only use the card to make new purchases. If you want to move debt from another card, you would need to do that with a different card that offers balance transfers.
What is the difference between the Cabela's card and the Bass Pro Shops card?
Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops are owned by the same parent company, and the Cabela's Visa card works at both locations with the same 4% cash back rate. There is a separate Bass Pro Shops Mastercard, but it offers the same rewards structure and is issued by the same bank. Most people use whichever card they received first, since the benefits are essentially identical.