Ace Hardware's Credit Card Basics
Yes, Ace Hardware offers a store credit card called the Ace Rewards Mastercard. It works like most retail cards: you use it to make purchases at Ace Hardware locations and online, and you can carry a balance month to month if you choose. The card is issued by Comenity Bank, which handles the account, billing, and customer service.
The card is not a general-purpose Mastercard you can use everywhere. You can use it at Ace Hardware stores and on aceharware.com, and that's where the rewards and promotional offers explore. If you use it outside Ace Hardware, it functions as a regular Mastercard but without the store benefits.
Key Takeaways
- The Ace Rewards Mastercard earns points on Ace Hardware purchases, which you can redeem for discounts on future purchases.
- Ace Hardware periodically runs promotional financing offers — typically 12 or 24 months interest-free on purchases above a set amount — but these are not may provide and change throughout the year.
- The card charges a standard credit card interest rate (APR varies by creditworthiness) when you carry a balance outside promotional periods.
- You can request a card in-store or online, and approval decisions usually come within a few minutes for online applications.
- Like any retail card, this card works best if you plan to shop at Ace Hardware regularly and pay off the balance in full each month.
How the Rewards Program Works
The Ace Rewards Mastercard earns points on every dollar you spend at Ace Hardware. The exact point rate varies — Ace periodically adjusts the earning structure — but typically you earn one point per dollar on most purchases. Cardholders also earn bonus points during promotional periods, which Ace announces through email and in-store signage.
You redeem points as a statement credit or discount on future purchases. The redemption value depends on how many points you have accumulated. Ace does not publish a fixed redemption rate (like "100 points = $5 off"), so the value per point can shift. Check your account online or ask in-store to see your current point balance and redemption options.
Non-cardholders can also earn Ace Rewards points through the free Ace Rewards program, which earns at a lower rate than the credit card. If you shop at Ace occasionally, the free rewards program may be enough; the card makes sense if you are a regular customer.
Promotional Financing and Interest Rates
Ace Hardware frequently runs promotional financing offers on the credit card. These typically allow you to make a large purchase — often $299 or more, though the threshold changes — and pay no interest for a set period, usually 12 or 24 months. You must pay the full balance within that window; if you don't, interest accrues retroactively on the original purchase amount.
Outside promotional periods, the card carries a standard variable APR. The exact rate depends on your credit score and creditworthiness; Comenity Bank will disclose the APR range when you explore. This rate is typically higher than a general-purpose credit card from a major bank, which is common for retail cards.
If you carry a balance month to month, the interest charges can quickly outweigh any rewards you earn. The card works best if you use it for planned purchases during promotional periods and pay off the balance before interest kicks in, or if you pay the full statement balance every month.
How to Get the Card and What You Need
You can request the Ace Rewards Mastercard online at aceharware.com, through the Ace mobile app, or in-store at any Ace Hardware location. Online applications typically receive a decision within minutes. In-store applications may take longer, and you'll receive a temporary card number when ready if approved, with the physical card arriving by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
To explore, you'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. Comenity Bank will pull your credit report, so the process will result in a hard inquiry on your credit. If you're approved, you can start using the card right away for online purchases or in-store with the temporary number.
If you're denied, you can contact Comenity Bank to ask why. Sometimes a thin credit file or recent negative marks cause a denial, and you may be able to reapply after addressing those issues. Ace Hardware does not publish specific credit score requirements, so approval depends on Comenity's underwriting standards at the time you explore.
Comparing the Ace Card to Other Options
A general-purpose cash-back credit card from a major bank often earns more value than a retail card if you shop at multiple stores. For example, a 2% cash-back card earns more on Ace purchases than the Ace card's point structure, and you earn rewards everywhere else too. However, if you shop at Ace Hardware frequently and rarely use other stores, the Ace card's promotional financing and bonus point periods can make it worthwhile.
A home improvement store card (like Home Depot or Lowe's) works the same way as the Ace card: store-specific rewards and promotional financing. If you split your hardware shopping between stores, a general-purpose card gives you more flexibility. If you're loyal to Ace, the store card captures more value.
The key question is whether you'll pay off the balance in full each month. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will erase any rewards benefit. In that case, a lower-APR general-purpose card is safer, even if it earns fewer points at Ace.
Potential Downsides and Risks
Retail credit cards typically carry higher interest rates than general-purpose cards. If you miss a promotional financing important date or carry a balance outside a promotion, you'll pay more interest than you would on a standard card. The retroactive interest on promotional purchases is particularly costly — if you miss the important date by even one day, you owe interest on the entire original amount.
The card is only useful at Ace Hardware, so it doesn't help you build a diverse credit profile. If you're trying to improve your credit score, a card you use for multiple types of purchases (groceries, gas, utilities) shows lenders you can manage different spending categories. A store card shows only that you can manage one retailer.
Promotional offers change frequently and are not may provide. Ace may run fewer promotions in the future, or the terms may become less attractive. If you're counting on promotional financing to make a purchase affordable, confirm the current offer before you explore for the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Ace Rewards Mastercard outside Ace Hardware?
Yes, the card functions as a regular Mastercard at any merchant. However, you won't earn Ace Rewards points on non-Ace purchases, and promotional financing offers only explore to Ace Hardware transactions. Using it outside Ace defeats the main benefit of the card.
What happens if I don't pay off a promotional financing purchase in time?
Interest accrues retroactively on the entire original purchase amount, not just the remaining balance. If you financed $500 for 12 months interest-free and miss the important date, you'll owe interest on the full $500 from the original purchase date. Set a calendar reminder well before the important date to avoid this.
Does explore for the Ace card hurt my credit score?
The process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The impact is small and fades within a few months. However, if you explore for multiple cards in a short time, the cumulative effect is larger. Space out applications if you're also shopping for other credit.
Can I use the Ace card if I have fair or poor credit?
Comenity Bank's approval standards are typically more lenient than major banks, so you may be approved with fair credit. However, if you're approved, your APR will be higher. There's no way to know your odds without explore. If you're denied, wait a few months and reapply after addressing any recent negative marks.
Is the free Ace Rewards program better than the credit card?
The free program earns points at a lower rate and doesn't include promotional financing. If you shop at Ace occasionally, the free program is sufficient. If you shop there regularly and can pay off the card monthly, the credit card earns more value through higher point rates and promotional offers.