The Citi Card Sears Credit Card no longer exists

Citi stopped issuing the Sears credit card in 2021. If you still hold one, your account remains open and you can continue using it — but you cannot open a new account, and Citi is not replacing it with a similar product. The card was a co-branded store card that gave rewards on Sears purchases and a few other categories. Sears itself has closed most physical locations, which made the card less useful for most cardholders.

If you have an active Citi Card Sears account, you manage it through Citi's website or phone line just like any other Citi card. Your rewards, interest rate, and credit limit stay the same unless Citi changes them. You can still make purchases and pay your balance. The card will eventually close when you stop using it or when Citi decides to retire all remaining accounts, but there is no important date for that to happen.

Key Takeaways

  • Citi discontinued the Sears card in 2021, so you cannot open a new account, but existing cardholders can keep using theirs.
  • Your rewards program and account terms do not change just because the card is discontinued — you manage it through Citi as usual.
  • If you want a new rewards card, you will need to look at other options from Citi or another issuer, since Sears no longer has an active co-branded card.
  • Closing the card yourself affects your credit score by reducing available credit, so keep it open if you are not using it actively.

Why Citi stopped offering the Sears card

Sears filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and closed hundreds of stores over the following years. By 2021, the chain had shrunk so much that a co-branded credit card made less business sense for Citi. Fewer stores meant fewer places to use the card's rewards, and fewer customers shopping at Sears meant lower volume for Citi. The decision to discontinue the card was a straightforward business move — not a sign that your existing account is in trouble.

Kmart, which Sears owned, also closed all its locations. This left the Sears card with very limited usefulness for earning rewards, since the main shopping destination was gone. Citi likely made the decision to stop issuing new cards before deciding what to do with existing accounts.

What happens if you still have the card

Your account stays active as long as you use it or Citi decides to keep it open. You can make purchases, earn rewards on those purchases (if your rewards program is still active), and pay your balance. Citi will send you statements and notices the same way it does for any other card.

You should check your account terms to see what rewards you earn and at what rate. Some discontinued cards keep their original rewards structure, while others may have been downgraded. Log into your Citi account online or call the number on the back of your card to review your current benefits.

If you want to keep the card open but do not use it, make a small purchase every few months and pay it off. This keeps the account active and prevents Citi from closing it for inactivity. A closed account still shows on your credit report, but an open account with a zero balance helps your credit score by keeping your available credit high.

How a discontinued card affects your credit score

A discontinued card does not automatically hurt your credit. What matters is whether you keep the account open and in good standing. If you close it yourself, your available credit shrinks, which can lower your score slightly — especially if you carry balances on other cards. If Citi closes it for inactivity, the effect is similar.

The card will stay on your credit report for about ten years after it closes, but it stops affecting your score after a few years. An open account with a zero balance actually helps your score because it shows available credit you are not using.

Finding a replacement rewards card

If you want a new rewards card now that the Sears card is gone, you have many options. Citi offers several general-purpose rewards cards, including the Citi Double Cash Card and the Citi Rewards+ Card. Other issuers like Chase, American Express, and Capital One also offer cards with cash back or points rewards.

Think about where you shop most often. If you shop at a specific store or chain regularly, look for a co-branded card from that retailer. If you shop everywhere, a general-purpose cash back card usually gives you more flexibility than a store card. Compare the rewards rate, annual fee (if any), and sign-up bonus before you choose.

You can hold multiple credit cards at once. Keeping your Sears card open while opening a new card does not hurt your credit, as long as you manage both responsibly. In fact, having multiple open accounts with low balances helps your credit score.

How to manage your Sears card account

Log into your account at Citi's website using your username and password. From there, you can view your balance, make payments, see your rewards balance, and update your contact information. You can also set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date.

If you have questions about your rewards or account terms, call the number on the back of your card. Citi's customer service can tell you exactly what rewards you are earning and answer questions about your account status.

If you decide you want to close the card, you can do that through your online account or by calling Citi. Pay off any balance first, then request closure. Citi will send you a confirmation that the account is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my Sears card at Sears stores?

Most Sears locations have closed, so there are very few places to use the card. The few remaining Sears stores may still accept it, but you should check before assuming. You can use the card anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted (depending on which version you have), but you will not earn the store-specific rewards outside of Sears.

Will Citi close my account automatically?

Citi may close accounts for inactivity, but there is no set date when this will happen. To keep your account open, use the card occasionally and pay on time. If Citi does close it, you will receive notice before or shortly after the closure.

Does closing the Sears card hurt my credit?

Closing it reduces your available credit, which can lower your score by a few points. The effect is usually small if you have other open accounts. Keeping it open with a zero balance is better for your score, even if you never use it.

What if I have a balance on my Sears card?

Pay it down like you would any other credit card. Your interest rate and payment terms do not change because the card is discontinued. Keep making payments until the balance is zero, then decide whether to keep the card open or close it.

Can I get a new Sears card from another company?

No. Sears does not currently have a co-branded credit card with any issuer. If you want a rewards card, you will need to choose a different store card or a general-purpose rewards card from Citi, Chase, American Express, or another issuer.