What the Nordstrom Credit Card is and who should consider it
The Nordstrom Credit Card is a store card issued by Nordstrom and Synchrony Bank that you can use at Nordstrom stores and online. It works like any other credit card — you charge purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay interest if you carry a balance. The main difference from a general-purpose card like Visa or Mastercard is that you can only use it at Nordstrom, and the rewards are designed to encourage repeat shopping there.
The card makes sense if you shop at Nordstrom regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases. It does not make sense if you rarely visit Nordstrom or if you are trying to rebuild credit, because the card charges standard interest rates and does not report to credit bureaus in a way that helps you build history faster than other cards would.
Nordstrom also offers a Nordstrom Visa card, which works everywhere Visa is accepted. This guide focuses on the store card, but the choice between the two depends on where you spend most of your money.
Key Takeaways
- The Nordstrom Credit Card earns rewards points on purchases at Nordstrom, with higher earning rates during promotional periods called Nordstrom cardmember events.
- You pay no annual fee, but you pay standard credit card interest (the rate depends on your credit score and current market rates) if you carry a balance month to month.
- The card is only useful at Nordstrom and online at nordstrom.com, so it does not replace a general-purpose card for other retailers.
- Your payment history and balance on this card report to the three major credit bureaus, so late payments or high balances can lower your credit score just as they would with any other card.
How rewards and cardmember events work
The Nordstrom Credit Card earns points on every dollar you spend at Nordstrom. The exact earning rate changes, but typically you earn one point per dollar on regular purchases. During Nordstrom cardmember events — usually held several times a year — you earn bonus points, often two or three points per dollar, for a limited time window.
Points can be redeemed for Nordstrom merchandise or gift cards. The redemption rate is usually one point equals one cent in value, though Nordstrom sometimes runs promotions where points are worth more. You check your points balance and redeem through your online account or by asking a cashier in store.
Cardmember events also include early access to sales and special discounts on certain merchandise. Nordstrom sends these offers by email and mail, so you need to stay on top of your account communications to know when events are happening.
Interest rates and fees you need to know
The Nordstrom Credit Card charges no annual fee. However, if you do not pay your full balance by the due date, you pay interest on the remaining balance. The interest rate (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) varies based on your credit score and current market conditions. Nordstrom does not publish a single rate — you find out your specific rate when you open the account or by logging into your account online.
If you miss a payment, you also pay a late fee. The amount depends on how late you are and your account history, but late fees typically range from $25 to $40. Missing a payment also reports to credit bureaus and can lower your credit score.
Nordstrom occasionally offers promotional financing — for example, 0% APR for 12 months on purchases over a certain amount. These offers appear in the mail or email to existing cardholders. The terms vary, and if you do not pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, you pay the regular APR on any remaining balance.
How to open an account and what you need
You can open a Nordstrom Credit Card account in store, online at nordstrom.com, or by phone. You need to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number. Nordstrom will check your credit report as part of the process, which means a hard inquiry appears on your credit report and may lower your score slightly for a few months.
During the process, you provide your name, address, date of birth, income, and employment information. Nordstrom uses this information and your credit history to decide whether to approve you and what APR to offer. You typically get a decision within minutes if you explore online or in store.
Once approved, you receive a physical card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can also request a digital card number to use when ready online while you wait for the physical card to arrive.
How the card affects your credit score
Opening a Nordstrom Credit Card affects your credit score in two ways. First, the hard inquiry from the credit check lowers your score by a few points for a few months. Second, once the account opens, it becomes part of your credit history. Your payment history and the balance you carry on the card report to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus.
If you pay on time every month and keep your balance low, the card helps your credit score over time by showing lenders you can manage credit responsibly. If you miss payments or carry a high balance relative to your credit limit, the card hurts your score. Credit bureaus also look at your total available credit across all cards, so opening this card increases your available credit, which can help your score if you do not use it.
The card reports to credit bureaus whether you pay on time, how much you owe, and what your credit limit is. This information stays on your report for seven years if you pay on time, or longer if you miss payments.
Nordstrom card versus the Nordstrom Visa card
Nordstrom offers two credit cards. The store card (the subject of this guide) works only at Nordstrom. The Nordstrom Visa card works anywhere Visa is accepted — at other retailers, restaurants, gas stations, and online. Both earn rewards and have no annual fee.
The Nordstrom Visa typically earns rewards at a lower rate outside Nordstrom than the store card earns at Nordstrom, so the choice depends on your spending. If you shop at Nordstrom frequently and rarely need a card elsewhere, the store card is simpler. If you want one card for all your shopping, the Visa makes more sense even if the rewards rate is lower.
You can hold both cards at the same time. Some people use the store card for Nordstrom purchases and the Visa for everything else. Both cards report to credit bureaus separately, so holding both affects your credit differently than holding one.
What happens if you cannot pay your balance
If you charge more than you can pay back, contact Nordstrom or Synchrony Bank (the bank that issues the card) as soon as possible. Do not wait until you miss a payment. Many card issuers have hardship programs that allow you to pause payments, lower your interest rate temporarily, or set up a payment plan.
If you miss a payment, the late fee appears on your next bill, and the missed payment reports to credit bureaus within 30 days. After 60 days of missed payments, the card issuer may freeze your account and demand full payment. After 180 days, the account may be sent to a collection agency.
If you are struggling with credit card debt across multiple cards, a nonprofit credit counselor can help you understand your options. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offers free or low-cost counseling by phone or in person. You can find a counselor near you at nfcc.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Nordstrom card at other stores?
No. The Nordstrom Credit Card works only at Nordstrom stores and nordstrom.com. If you need a card that works everywhere, you would need the Nordstrom Visa card instead, or a separate general-purpose card from another bank.
What is my credit limit, and can I increase it?
Your credit limit is set when your account opens based on your credit score and income. You can request a higher limit by logging into your account online, calling customer service, or asking in store. Nordstrom may approve an increase without another hard inquiry, or it may check your credit again.
Do I have to use the card to keep the account open?
No. Nordstrom does not close accounts for inactivity the way some banks do. However, if you do not use the card for a very long time, Nordstrom may eventually close it. Using the card at least once every few months keeps it active.
What if I want to close my account?
You can close your Nordstrom Credit Card account by calling customer service or logging into your online account. Pay off any remaining balance first. Closing the account does not remove it from your credit report — it stays there for seven years, but it shows as closed.
How do I check my balance and make a payment?
Log into your account at nordstrom.com, call the customer service number on the back of your card, or set up automatic payments from your bank account. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in store. Payments typically post within one to two business days.