What the Nordstrom Rack credit card is and who issues it
The Nordstrom Rack credit card is a store card issued by Nordstrom Bank, N.A. that works at Nordstrom Rack locations and online at nordstromrack.com. It is not a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express — it can only be used at Nordstrom Rack and the full-price Nordstrom stores. You receive a physical card in the mail after your account opens, and you can also add it to digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay for in-store and online purchases.
The card comes with a rewards program called the Nordstrom Rewards program. You earn points on every purchase, and those points convert to Nordstrom Notes (a form of store credit) that you can spend at Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom. The card also offers cardmember-only sales and early access to clearance events.
Key Takeaways
- You can open a Nordstrom Rack credit card account online at nordstromrack.com, in a Nordstrom Rack store, or by phone at the customer service number on the back of a Nordstrom Rack receipt.
- The process asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status so Nordstrom Bank can check your credit and make a lending decision.
- You will receive a decision (approved, denied, or pending) when ready or within a few business days, and an approved card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- Once your account is open, you can make purchases at Nordstrom Rack and Nordstrom, pay your bill online or by phone, and track your rewards points in your account dashboard.
- The card charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month, so carrying a balance costs money even if you earn rewards.
How to open a Nordstrom Rack credit card account online
Go to nordstromrack.com and look for the credit card offer, usually displayed on the homepage or in the top navigation menu under "Credit Card" or "Rewards." Click the link to start the process. You will be taken to a form where you enter your personal information: first and last name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email address.
Next, you provide employment and income information. The form asks whether you are employed, self-employed, retired, or not employed, and requests your annual household income. You also enter your employer name and job title if you are employed. Nordstrom Bank uses this information along with your credit history to decide whether to open your account and what credit limit to offer.
After you submit the form, you will see a decision on screen or receive one by email within a few business days. If you are approved, your card is mailed to the address you provided. If you are denied, the email explains the reason — usually a low credit score, recent missed payments, or high existing debt. If your decision is pending, Nordstrom Bank needs more information and will contact you by phone or email.
Opening an account in a Nordstrom Rack store
Walk into any Nordstrom Rack location and ask a cashier or customer service associate for a credit card process. They will hand you a paper form or direct you to a kiosk in the store where you can explore on a tablet. The form collects the same information as the online process: personal details, Social Security number, income, and employment status.
Some Nordstrom Rack stores have associates trained to submit your process on the spot and give you a decision within minutes. Others collect the completed form and submit it later. Ask the associate what to expect before you start filling it out. If you are approved in-store, you may receive a temporary card number that you can use when ready for a purchase, and your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
What documents and information you need before you explore
Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You will also need to know your annual household income — this is the total income from all sources in your home, including your salary, your spouse's salary, investment income, or benefits. If you are self-employed, use your net income from the past year (income after business expenses).
If you are employed, have your employer's name and your job title available. You do not need to bring pay stubs, tax returns, or other documents to the process — Nordstrom Bank pulls your credit report to verify your information. However, if your process is pending and the bank requests additional proof of income, you will need to provide recent pay stubs, a tax return, or a bank statement showing deposits.
How to log in and manage your account online
Once your card arrives, go to nordstromrack.com and click "Sign In" or "Account" in the top right corner. Select "Credit Card Account" and enter your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number, or create a login using your email address and a password. You can also read the Nordstrom app and log in there.
In your account dashboard, you can view your current balance, recent transactions, and due date. You can also see your available credit (the difference between your credit limit and your current balance) and your rewards points balance. The dashboard shows how many points you have earned and how much store credit they are worth.
To make a payment, click "Make a Payment" and choose to pay online using a bank account or debit card, or by mail using the payment coupon that comes with your statement. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card to make a payment by phone. Payments made online or by phone usually post to your account within one business day.
Understanding your credit limit and interest charges
Your credit limit is the maximum amount you can charge to your card. Nordstrom Bank sets this based on your credit score, income, and credit history. If you are approved, your limit will be shown in your welcome letter and in your online account. You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for at least six months and have made on-time payments.
The card charges interest (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) on any balance you do not pay in full by the due date. The APR varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Check your welcome letter or log into your account to see your specific APR. If you carry a $500 balance at 20% APR, you will pay about $100 in interest over a year if you make only minimum payments. Paying your full balance each month avoids interest charges entirely.
How rewards points work and when you can use them
You earn one Nordstrom Reward point for every dollar you spend using your Nordstrom Rack credit card at Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom stores. Points accumulate in your account and convert to Nordstrom Notes (store credit) at a rate set by Nordstrom — typically, you earn enough points to receive $20 in Notes after spending around $200 to $300, though this varies. You can check the current conversion rate in your account or ask an associate in-store.
Once you have earned Nordstrom Notes, they appear as a credit in your account and you can use them like cash at Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom. You do not have to use them when ready — they stay in your account until you spend them. Nordstrom Notes do not expire as long as your account remains active and in good standing.
Cardmembers also receive early notice of Nordstrom Rack sales and clearance events, sometimes 24 to 48 hours before the general public. You may also see special cardmember-only discounts or bonus point offers during certain times of year.
What happens if you miss a payment or carry a high balance
If your payment is not received by the due date shown on your statement, your account is considered past due. Nordstrom Bank charges a late fee (the amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and reports the late payment to the credit bureaus. A late payment can lower your credit score and make it harder to get approved for other credit cards or loans in the future.
If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Nordstrom Bank may freeze your account, meaning you cannot make new purchases. You will still owe the balance plus interest and fees. If the account goes 180 days without payment, Nordstrom Bank may close the account and send it to a collection agency.
Carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit (called a high utilization rate) also hurts your credit score. If your credit limit is $1,000 and you carry a $800 balance, that is 80% utilization, which signals financial stress to lenders. Paying down your balance to below 30% of your limit improves your credit score over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Nordstrom Rack credit card at regular Nordstrom stores?
Yes. Your Nordstrom Rack credit card works at both Nordstrom Rack and full-price Nordstrom locations, both in-store and online at nordstrom.com. You earn the same rewards points at both stores. However, the card does not work at other retailers — it is only accepted at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack.
What is the difference between the Nordstrom Rack card and the Nordstrom card?
They are the same card issued by the same bank. The Nordstrom Rack card can be used at both Nordstrom Rack and Nordstrom. There is no separate "Nordstrom card" — the card you open is straightforward called the Nordstrom Rack credit card and works everywhere. The rewards program is the same at both stores.
How long does it take to receive my card after I am approved?
Physical cards are mailed within 7 to 10 business days after approval. If you applied in-store, you may receive a temporary card number when ready that you can use for online purchases or phone orders right away. You can also add your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay as soon as your account opens to use it in-store before the physical card arrives.
What should I do if I forget my online account password?
Go to nordstromrack.com, click "Sign In," and select "Forgot Password." Enter your email address or card number and follow the prompts to reset your password. You will receive an email with a link to create a new password. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or call the customer service number on the back of your card.
Can I close my Nordstrom Rack credit card account?
Yes. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask to close your account. Pay any remaining balance first. Closing the account does not erase your payment history — it stays on your credit report for seven years. Closing an old account can slightly lower your credit score because it reduces the total credit available to you, so consider keeping the account open even if you do not use it regularly.