What the Big Lots Credit Card Is

The Big Lots Credit Card is a store card issued by Comenity Bank that you can use to make purchases at Big Lots stores and on their website. Unlike a general-purpose credit card from Visa or Mastercard, a store card works only at that retailer — in this case, Big Lots. Comenity Bank handles the account behind the scenes: they approve your request, set your credit limit, and manage the monthly billing.

Store cards are designed to encourage repeat shopping at one place. Big Lots offers discounts and promotional financing (like "no interest if paid in full within a set time") to cardholders, which is their main draw. The tradeoff is that you cannot use the card anywhere else, and the interest rate is usually higher than what you would get from a standard credit card if your credit is good.

Key Takeaways

  • The Big Lots Credit Card is a store-only card issued by Comenity Bank that works at Big Lots locations and BigLots.com.
  • The card offers promotional financing deals — typically no interest for a set period if you pay the full balance on time — but these come with high regular interest rates if you carry a balance.
  • Your credit score and payment history affect whether Comenity will approve you and what credit limit you receive.
  • Missed or late payments on a store card report to the three major credit bureaus and can lower your credit score just like any other credit card.
  • You can manage your account online through Comenity's website or by phone, and you receive a monthly statement showing your balance and due date.

How to Request the Card and What Happens Next

You can request the Big Lots Credit Card in-store at any Big Lots location or online at BigLots.com during checkout. The in-store process is usually faster: a cashier or customer service associate will hand you a tablet or paper form, you fill in your name, address, Social Security number, and income information, and you get a decision in minutes. Online, you fill out the same information on the Comenity process page and receive a decision when ready or within a few minutes.

Comenity will pull your credit report (called a "hard inquiry") to make the decision. This temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. If you are approved, you receive a credit limit — the maximum you can charge — and your card either prints in-store or arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Comenity will mail you a notice explaining why within 30 days.

Once your card arrives, you can use it when ready at Big Lots. Your first statement will show your opening balance and a due date, usually 25 to 30 days from the statement date. You do not have to pay the full balance each month — you can pay the minimum due — but any balance you carry will be charged interest at the card's regular APR (annual percentage rate).

Promotional Financing and How It Works

Big Lots regularly runs promotional financing offers for cardholders, such as "12 months no interest" or "24 months no interest" on purchases over a certain amount. These offers are the main reason people open the card. The catch is strict: if you do not pay the full promotional balance by the end of the promotional period, Comenity charges you interest retroactively on the entire original amount, not just what remains.

For example, if you buy $1,200 in furniture with a "24 months no interest" offer and pay $1,100 by month 24, you owe interest on the full $1,200 from the purchase date, not just the $100 remaining. The interest rate applied is the card's regular APR, which varies but is typically between 19% and 29% depending on your creditworthiness. This retroactive interest can be hundreds of dollars.

To avoid this trap, set a calendar reminder for one month before the promotional period ends and make sure the balance is zero. If you think you might not pay it off in time, do not use the promotional offer — pay with cash or a different card instead. Comenity will show the promotional end date on your statement and in your online account, so you always know the important date.

Interest Rates and Regular Charges

The Big Lots Credit Card's regular APR (the interest rate you pay on any balance you carry outside a promotional period) is not fixed — it depends on your credit score and credit history. Comenity typically offers rates ranging from around 19% to 29%, with better credit scores receiving lower rates. You will see your specific APR in your approval documents and in your online account.

The card has no annual fee, which is common for store cards. However, if you miss a payment or pay late, Comenity charges a late fee (usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment, higher for repeat lates) and may increase your APR as a penalty. These fees and rate increases are reported to the credit bureaus and affect your credit score.

There is no grace period on purchases made outside a promotional offer — interest starts accruing when ready if you carry a balance. This is different from many standard credit cards, which give you 21 to 25 days interest-free. If you plan to carry a balance, the Big Lots card is expensive compared to a general-purpose card with a lower APR.

How the Card Affects Your Credit Score

Opening the Big Lots Credit Card affects your credit in two ways when ready: the hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points, and the new account lowers your average age of accounts. Both effects are temporary and small — usually 5 to 10 points total — and recover within a few months as you build a payment history.

The bigger impact comes from how you use the card. On-time payments help your credit score because payment history is the largest factor (35%) in how credit bureaus calculate your score. Late or missed payments hurt it significantly and stay on your credit report for seven years. High balances also hurt your score because they increase your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you are using. Keeping your balance below 30% of your credit limit is ideal.

If you use the card responsibly — paying on time and keeping balances low — it can help your credit score over time by showing lenders you manage credit reliably. If you miss payments or carry high balances, it will damage your score. The card reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so the impact is visible to any lender who checks your credit.

Managing Your Account and Paying Your Bill

You can manage your Big Lots Credit Card account through Comenity's website (Comenity.com) or by calling their customer service number, which appears on your statement and card. Online, you can view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, see your promotional end dates, and read statements. You can pay your bill online, by phone, by mail, or in-store at Big Lots customer service.

Your monthly statement shows your opening balance, all charges and credits, the minimum payment due, the full balance, the due date, and your current APR. If you have a promotional offer active, the statement will show the promotional balance separately and the date the promotion ends. Read this carefully to avoid the retroactive interest trap mentioned earlier.

The minimum payment is usually 1% to 3% of your balance, but Comenity may require a higher minimum if you are near your credit limit or behind on payments. Paying only the minimum means you will carry a balance and pay interest, which costs you money over time. Paying the full statement balance by the due date avoids interest entirely (outside promotional periods).

When a Store Card Makes Sense and When It Does Not

The Big Lots Credit Card is worth opening if you shop at Big Lots regularly and plan to use the promotional financing offers responsibly. If you need to buy furniture, appliances, or seasonal items and can pay off the promotional balance before interest kicks in, the card saves you money. The in-store approval process is also fast, which matters if you need to make a purchase when ready.

The card is not worth opening if you already carry high balances on other cards, have a low credit score, or struggle to pay bills on time. The high regular APR (19% to 29%) makes it expensive to carry a balance, and missed payments will damage your credit further. If you do not shop at Big Lots often, a general-purpose credit card with a lower APR and wider acceptance is more useful.

If you open the card but do not use it, close it after a few months to avoid annual fees (though this card has none) and to keep your credit report clean. Unused accounts can be closed by Comenity after a period of inactivity, which may lower your credit score slightly by reducing your total available credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to get approved for the Big Lots Credit Card?

Comenity does not publish a minimum credit score, but store cards typically approve people with fair credit (scores around 600 and up). If your score is below 600 or you have recent late payments, approval is less likely. The best way to know is to request the card — the inquiry takes minutes and you will get an when ready decision.

Can I use the Big Lots Credit Card outside of Big Lots?

No. The card works only at Big Lots stores and BigLots.com. It is not a Visa or Mastercard, so it cannot be used at other retailers. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need a separate general-purpose credit card.

What happens if I do not pay off a promotional balance in time?

Comenity charges you interest retroactively on the full original purchase amount at the card's regular APR, not just the remaining balance. For example, a $1,000 purchase with 24 months no interest becomes a $1,000 charge at 20%+ APR if even $1 remains unpaid after 24 months. Set a calendar reminder to pay the balance in full before the promotion ends.

Does the Big Lots Credit Card have an annual fee?

No, there is no annual fee. However, late payment fees ($25 to $40 or more) and penalty APR increases explore if you miss a payment. The card also charges interest on any balance you carry outside a promotional period, which can be expensive given the high regular APR.

How do I close my Big Lots Credit Card account?

Call Comenity customer service at the number on your statement and ask to close the account. Pay any remaining balance first. Closing the account will not hurt your credit score when ready, but it reduces your total available credit, which may lower your score slightly over time.