What the Lululemon Credit Card Is
The Lululemon Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Citi in partnership with Lululemon Athletica. It works like any other credit card — you charge purchases, receive a bill, and pay it back — but it offers rewards and perks specific to Lululemon shopping. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Lululemon, though the rewards are strongest when you shop at Lululemon stores or online.
The card is designed for people who already shop at Lululemon regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases. If you shop there occasionally or not at all, a general rewards card may serve you better. There is no annual fee, which removes one barrier to holding the card if you decide you do not want to use it later.
Key Takeaways
- The Lululemon Credit Card earns 5% cash back on Lululemon purchases and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.
- You must be approved by Citi before you can use the card, and approval depends on your credit history and income.
- The card is a Visa, so you can use it at any merchant that accepts Visa, not only at Lululemon.
- Rewards post to your account as cash back that you can redeem or use to offset your bill.
- You manage the card through Citi's online portal or mobile app, where you can check your balance, make payments, and track rewards.
Rewards Structure and How Cash Back Works
The card earns 5% cash back on all Lululemon purchases, whether you shop in a store, on the Lululemon website, or through the Lululemon app. On all other purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, other retailers — you earn 1% cash back. There are no bonus categories, rotating categories, or caps on how much you can earn.
Cash back is not a voucher or a coupon. It is real money that appears in your rewards account. You can redeem it as a statement credit (which reduces your bill), request it as a check, or transfer it to a linked bank account. Some cardholders let cash back accumulate and use it to pay their balance in full each month. There is no minimum amount you must redeem, and rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
The 5% rate applies to the full purchase price, including tax. If you buy a $100 item with $10 tax, you earn 5% on $110. Lululemon also runs occasional promotions — such as double points on certain items or during specific weeks — which stack on top of the base 5% rate.
How to Open the Account
You can open the Lululemon Credit Card online through Citi's website, in a Lululemon store, or through the Lululemon app. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Citi will check your credit report to decide whether to approve you.
Approval decisions usually come within minutes. If you are approved, your card ships to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your card number to make purchases online as soon as you receive approval, even before the physical card arrives. If you are denied, Citi will mail you a notice explaining why, and you can contact Citi to ask about reapplying later.
You do not need to be a Lululemon member to open the card, though having a Lululemon account makes it easier to link your rewards. If you already have a Lululemon account, sign in before you start the process so the system can connect your new card to your existing profile.
Annual Fee and Other Costs
There is no annual fee for the Lululemon Credit Card. You pay nothing to hold it, even if you do not use it. This is different from some premium co-branded cards that charge $95 or more per year.
Like all credit cards, you will pay interest if you carry a balance. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) depends on your credit score and creditworthiness. Citi will tell you the rate you may have access to for before you finish the process. If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
You may also pay a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date, a cash advance fee if you withdraw cash using the card, or a foreign transaction fee if you use the card outside the United States. These are standard credit card fees and explore only if you trigger them.
Comparing the Lululemon Card to Other Rewards Cards
The Lululemon card's main advantage is the 5% rate at Lululemon, which is higher than most general rewards cards offer at any single retailer. If you spend $2,000 per year at Lululemon, you earn $100 in cash back — money you would not earn with a 1% card. Over time, that adds up.
The trade-off is that the 1% rate on non-Lululemon purchases is lower than many alternatives. A card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne earns 1.5% to 2% on all purchases, which means if you spend heavily outside Lululemon, you might earn more overall with a general card. A card like the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa earns 5% at Amazon and Whole Foods but only 1% elsewhere — similar structure to the Lululemon card, but for a different retailer.
The decision comes down to your own spending. If Lululemon is a significant part of your budget, the 5% rate justifies the card. If you shop there once or twice a year, a general rewards card is probably better.
| Card | Lululemon Purchases | Other Purchases | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lululemon Credit Card | 5% cash back | 1% cash back | None |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 1% cash back | 1.5% cash back | None |
| Capital One SavorOne | 1% cash back | 2% cash back | None |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa | 1% cash back | 1% to 5% at Amazon | None |
Managing Your Account and Making Payments
Once your card is open, you manage it through Citi's website or the Citi Mobile app. You can log in with your username and password to view your balance, recent transactions, available credit, and current rewards balance. You can also read statements as PDFs for your records.
Payments are due on the same date each month (Citi will tell you which date when you open the account). You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date. You can choose to pay the full balance, a minimum payment, or any amount in between.
If you have questions about your account, Citi offers customer service by phone, online chat, and mail. Your card will include a customer service number on the back. Response times are usually quick for phone and chat, and mail inquiries typically take 5 to 10 business days.
What Happens If You Carry a Balance
If you do not pay your full balance by the due date, the unpaid amount carries over to the next month and you are charged interest. The interest rate varies based on your creditworthiness, but it is typically between 18% and 28% APR. That means if you carry a $1,000 balance for a full year, you could pay $180 to $280 in interest alone — far more than the $50 in cash back you earned on that $1,000 in Lululemon purchases.
Carrying a balance also affects your credit score. Credit bureaus track how much of your available credit you are using (called your utilization rate). If you use more than 30% of your credit limit, it can lower your score. Over time, a lower score makes it harder to get approved for other credit products and may result in higher interest rates.
The best strategy is to pay your full balance each month. This way, you earn the cash back reward without paying any interest. If you know you cannot pay the full balance, consider whether the 5% reward is worth the interest cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Lululemon card outside the United States?
Yes, the card is a Visa and works anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide. However, Citi charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the US. This means if you spend $100 on a purchase abroad, you pay an extra $3 in fees. You still earn cash back on the purchase, but the fee reduces your net reward.
What credit score do I need to get approved?
Citi does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, approval is easier with a score of 670 or higher, though some people with lower scores have been approved. The best way to know is to start the process — Citi will give you a decision within minutes, and checking your own process does not hurt your credit score.
Can I transfer my Lululemon rewards to airline miles or hotel points?
No. Cash back from the Lululemon card can only be redeemed as a statement credit, a check, or a bank transfer. You cannot convert it to airline miles, hotel points, or other loyalty programs. If you want that flexibility, you would need a different rewards card.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Any cash back you have already earned stays in your account and you can redeem it even after you close the card. However, you stop earning new rewards once the account is closed. Redeem any remaining balance before you close the account to make sure you do not lose it.
Does the card come with purchase protection or travel insurance?
The Lululemon card does not include purchase protection, extended warranty, travel insurance, or other supplemental benefits. It is a straightforward rewards card focused on cash back. If those protections matter to you, compare it to premium cards that include them — though those typically charge an annual fee.