The Harley-Davidson credit card is a co-branded Visa issued by Comenity Bank, designed for riders who buy parts, gear, or service at Harley-Davidson dealerships and their online store
The card offers rewards on Harley-Davidson purchases and financing options for larger transactions. Like any retail credit card, it comes with an interest rate, annual fee structure, and terms that differ from general-purpose cards. Whether it makes sense for you depends on how often you buy from Harley-Davidson, what you typically spend, and whether the rewards offset the costs.
This guide walks through how the card works, what it costs, and how to compare it against other payment methods if you're a regular Harley customer.
Key Takeaways
- The Harley-Davidson card earns rewards points on purchases at Harley-Davidson dealerships and their online store, but earns little or nothing on purchases elsewhere.
- The card charges an annual fee and carries a variable interest rate that changes with the prime rate; the exact rate depends on your credit history.
- Promotional financing offers (such as 0% APR for a set period) are sometimes available for large purchases, but only to cardholders who meet the bank's credit standards.
- Rewards points can be redeemed for Harley-Davidson merchandise, parts, or service discounts, but have no cash value and cannot be transferred.
- If you rarely buy from Harley-Davidson or carry a balance, the annual fee and interest charges will likely cost more than any rewards you earn.
Rewards structure and earning rates
The card earns points on purchases made at Harley-Davidson dealerships and on Harley-Davidson's official website. The earning rate varies by purchase category — for example, you may earn more points per dollar on parts and accessories than on service. Points do not earn on purchases outside the Harley-Davidson ecosystem, so using the card at other retailers provides no reward benefit.
Points accumulate in your account and can be redeemed for Harley-Davidson merchandise, parts, service credits, or gear. The redemption value depends on what you choose; a point spent on a $5 item has different purchasing power than a point spent on a $500 part. Harley-Davidson sets the point values for each item, and those values can change.
Because points have no cash value and cannot be transferred to another person or converted to cash, their worth depends entirely on whether you actually want what Harley-Davidson offers. If you buy parts regularly and would purchase them anyway, points can reduce your effective cost. If you rarely buy or would not use the rewards, the points have no practical value.
Annual fees and interest rates
The card carries an annual fee, the amount of which Comenity Bank sets and can change. You pay this fee once per year regardless of whether you use the card, so it represents a may provide cost. Before opening the account, confirm the current annual fee with the issuer or your dealership, as this amount is not fixed.
The card uses a variable interest rate, meaning the rate changes when the Federal Reserve adjusts the prime rate. Your specific rate depends on your credit score and credit history — applicants with higher credit scores typically receive lower rates. The rate applies to any balance you carry month to month; if you pay the full statement balance each month, you pay no interest.
Promotional financing offers sometimes appear for large purchases — for instance, 0% APR for 12 months on parts orders over a certain amount. These offers are not automatic; you must meet Comenity Bank's credit standards to be approved, and the terms vary by promotion. If you do not pay off the promotional balance before the offer ends, the regular variable rate applies to any remaining balance.
When the card makes financial sense
The card is most useful if you meet three conditions: you buy from Harley-Davidson regularly (at least several times per year), you pay the full balance each month to avoid interest charges, and the annual rewards you earn exceed the annual fee. For example, if the annual fee is $95 and you earn $150 in rewards value per year, the card has a net benefit of $55. If you earn $60 in rewards, the card costs you $35 per year.
The card also makes sense if you plan to use a promotional financing offer for a large purchase — say, a $3,000 engine rebuild — and you can pay it off before the 0% period ends. In that case, the financing benefit may outweigh the annual fee for that year.
The card does not make sense if you carry a balance month to month, because the interest you pay will quickly exceed any rewards. It also does not make sense if you buy from Harley-Davidson infrequently or if you would not use the rewards offered. In those cases, a general-purpose rewards card (such as a 2% cash-back card) gives you more flexibility and may cost less.
How to compare this card against alternatives
Start by calculating your annual Harley-Davidson spending over the past year or your expected spending in the coming year. Multiply that by the card's earning rate to estimate your annual rewards value. Then subtract the annual fee. If the result is positive and meaningful to you, the card may be worth considering.
Next, compare that result against what you would earn with a general-purpose card. If you spend $2,000 per year at Harley-Davidson and earn 5 points per dollar (a hypothetical rate), you earn 10,000 points. If those points redeem at $0.01 per point, that is $100 in value. Subtract the $95 annual fee and you net $5. A 2% cash-back card on the same $2,000 would earn $40 in cash, with no annual fee — a better outcome.
Also consider whether you would use the rewards. If the card offers points redeemable only for Harley-Davidson merchandise you do not want, those points have no value to you, no matter the earning rate. A cash-back card or a card that lets you redeem points for travel or gift cards may serve you better.
How to open an account and what to expect
You can open an account through a Harley-Davidson dealership or online through Comenity Bank's website. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Comenity Bank pulls a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
Approval decisions usually come within minutes to a few hours. If you are approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can begin using it at Harley-Davidson locations and online as soon as it arrives. If you are denied, Comenity Bank will mail you a notice explaining the reason; you can request a copy of the credit report they used and dispute any errors.
Once you have the card, you manage it through Comenity Bank's online portal or mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, track rewards, and see promotional offers. Payments are due by the statement due date each month; paying late triggers a late fee and may raise your interest rate.
Closing the account and what happens to your rewards
You can close the account at any time by contacting Comenity Bank. Closing the account does not when ready erase your rewards balance, but Harley-Davidson's terms typically state that unused rewards expire after a set period of inactivity (often one to two years). Before closing, redeem any points you have accumulated, because once the account is closed, earning new points stops.
Closing a credit card account can affect your credit score in two ways: it reduces your total available credit, which may raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards, and it may lower the average age of your accounts if this is one of your older cards. The impact is usually small and temporary, but it is worth considering if you have other credit decisions planned in the next few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the card at dealerships other than Harley-Davidson?
No. The card earns rewards only at Harley-Davidson dealerships and Harley-Davidson's official website. Using it at other retailers or merchants earns no points and provides no benefit over a standard credit card.
What happens if I carry a balance on the card?
You pay interest on the balance at the card's variable APR. The interest accrues daily and is added to your balance each month. If you carry a balance of $1,000 at 18% APR, you pay roughly $15 per month in interest alone. Over time, this interest will exceed any rewards you earn, making the card expensive.
Can I transfer my rewards points to another card or convert them to cash?
No. Points can only be redeemed for Harley-Davidson products, parts, service, or gear. They have no cash value and cannot be moved to another account or card. If you do not use the rewards before they expire, they are lost.
What is the credit score needed to be approved?
Comenity Bank does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, applicants with a score of 650 or higher have a reasonable chance of approval, but approval also depends on your income, employment history, and existing debt. The only way to know is to explore.
Does the card come with purchase protection or extended warranty coverage?
That depends on the specific card terms, which Comenity Bank sets. Some retail credit cards include purchase protection or extended warranties; others do not. Review the cardholder agreement or contact Comenity Bank directly to confirm what protections, if any, are included with this card.