What the Princess Credit Card Is
The Princess Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Barclays that offers cash back on purchases in specific categories. Unlike some rewards cards that require a high annual income or excellent credit history, the Princess card is designed to be accessible to people building or rebuilding their credit. You earn cash back on groceries, gas, and dining, and the card reports to all three credit bureaus, which means using it responsibly can help improve your credit score over time.
The card does not have an annual fee, which removes one barrier to keeping it open. The cash back structure is straightforward: you get a set percentage back in certain categories and a lower rate on everything else. The exact rates and category structure can change, so you will want to check Barclays' current terms before you decide.
Key Takeaways
- The Princess Credit Card offers cash back rewards in rotating categories like groceries, gas, and dining, with no annual fee.
- The card is designed for people with fair or limited credit history, not just those with excellent credit scores.
- Your payment history and credit usage are reported to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments can help build your credit profile.
- You will need to check your credit score and recent credit history before you explore, since approval depends on Barclays' current underwriting standards.
- The card's rewards rates and category structure can change, so compare the current offer against other cards in the same category before deciding.
Who This Card Is Designed For
The Princess card works best for people who have a credit score in the fair range (typically 580 to 669) or who are actively working to build credit from a lower starting point. If you have had credit problems in the past but have made on-time payments for several months, you are in the card's target audience. The card is less useful if you already have excellent credit and access to premium rewards cards with higher cash back rates.
The card also suits people who spend regularly in the categories where it offers higher cash back — groceries and gas especially. If you rarely buy gas or groceries, the rewards will be smaller. You should also be comfortable managing a credit card responsibly: the card only helps your credit if you pay your bill on time and keep your balance well below your credit limit.
How to Check If You Meet the Basic Requirements
Before you approach the process, gather information about your own credit situation. You can check your credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only site authorized by the federal government to provide free credit reports. You can also use free tools from Credit Karma or Credit Sesame, which show your score and a summary of your credit history.
Look at your recent payment history: have you paid bills on time for the last six months? Do you have any accounts in collections or recent late payments? Barclays will see all of this when you explore. If you have had recent problems, waiting a few more months of on-time payments before you explore will improve your chances. You should also note how much credit you are currently using across all your cards — if you are using more than 30 percent of your available credit, paying down balances before you explore can help.
What Happens During the process Process
You can explore for the Princess card online through Barclays' website or by phone. The online process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Barclays will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points but does not affect your long-term credit health.
After you submit your process, you will usually get a decision within minutes or a few hours. Some applications are flagged for manual review and take one to two business days. Barclays will notify you by email or phone with their decision. If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Barclays will send you a letter explaining the main reason — usually credit score, credit history length, or recent negative marks on your report.
Understanding the Rewards Structure and Limits
The Princess card's cash back is not unlimited. Most cards in this category have a cap on how much cash back you can earn in bonus categories each quarter or year. For example, you might earn 5 percent cash back on groceries, but only on the first $1,500 in purchases per quarter — after that, you earn 1 percent. Check the current terms to see what the caps are, because they affect how much you will actually earn if you spend heavily in those categories.
Cash back is usually credited to your account monthly or quarterly, and you can redeem it as a statement credit, a check, or a deposit to a bank account. Some cards let you use cash back to pay your balance directly. Read the redemption options when your card arrives, because the process varies by issuer.
How This Card Affects Your Credit Score
Using the Princess card responsibly can help your credit score in two ways. First, on-time payments make up about 35 percent of your credit score, so paying your bill by the due date every month builds a positive payment history. Second, the card adds to your total available credit, which lowers your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using. A lower utilization ratio improves your score.
The card can also hurt your score if you miss payments or carry a high balance. A single late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more, and it stays on your report for seven years. Carrying a balance above 30 percent of your credit limit also lowers your score. The best approach is to use the card for small purchases you would make anyway, pay the full balance by the due date, and let the positive history build over time.
Comparing the Princess Card to Other Options
If you are building credit, you have other choices beyond the Princess card. A secured credit card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit, and it reports to all three bureaus just like the Princess card does. Secured cards often have lower approval odds and higher fees, but they are an option if you are denied for unsecured cards. A credit builder loan from a credit union or online lender is another path: you borrow a small amount, make payments, and the lender reports your payment history to the bureaus.
If you already have fair credit and want higher rewards, compare the Princess card's cash back rates against other cards in the same category — cards from Capital One, Discover, or regional banks. Some offer higher rates in specific categories or no annual fee plus a sign-up bonus. Use a comparison tool or visit each issuer's website to see the current offers side by side. The best card for you depends on where you spend most of your money and what your credit score actually is right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to be approved for the Princess card?
Barclays does not publish a minimum score, but the card is typically approved for people with scores in the fair range, usually 580 to 669. Some people with lower scores are approved if they have other positive factors like a long credit history or low debt. The only way to know is to explore.
Will explore for the Princess card hurt my credit score?
The process triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points temporarily — usually 5 to 10 points. The impact fades after a few months. Multiple applications within a short time period have a larger effect, so space out your applications if you are explore for several cards.
Can I use the Princess card if I have had late payments in the past?
Yes, but recency matters. A late payment from two years ago is less damaging than one from two months ago. If your late payments are recent, waiting several months of on-time payments before you explore will improve your chances of approval.
What happens if I carry a balance on the Princess card?
You will pay interest on the balance at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Carrying a balance also raises your credit utilization ratio, which lowers your credit score. The rewards you earn are usually much smaller than the interest you pay, so paying your full balance each month is the best approach.
How long does it take to receive the Princess card after approval?
Most cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days of approval. You can set up the card online or by phone as soon as it arrives. Some issuers offer expedited shipping for an additional fee, but standard delivery is included with approval.