What the Runnings Credit Card Is

The Runnings Credit Card is a store card issued by Runnings, a farm and ranch supply retailer with locations across the upper Midwest and Great Plains. It works like most retail cards: you use it to buy from Runnings, and you pay the balance back over time with interest if you don't pay in full each month.

The card is issued through a third-party bank, not by Runnings itself. This matters because it means your account terms, interest rates, and payment rules come from the bank's contract, not from Runnings' store policies. You'll receive statements from the bank, not from Runnings.

Unlike a general-purpose credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), you can only use this card at Runnings locations and on their website. You cannot use it at other retailers or to withdraw cash.

Key Takeaways

  • The Runnings Credit Card can only be used at Runnings stores and Runnings.com, not at other retailers.
  • Interest rates and fees are set by the issuing bank and vary based on your credit history and the current market rate.
  • The card typically offers promotional financing periods (such as 0% APR for a set number of months on certain purchases), which are the main reason people open it.
  • Carrying a balance on a store card can cost significantly more than paying in full each month, because interest rates are often higher than general-purpose credit cards.
  • Opening a store card creates a hard inquiry on your credit report and adds another account to your credit history, which can temporarily lower your credit score.

How Promotional Financing Works

The main draw of the Runnings Credit Card is the promotional financing offer that comes with it. Runnings regularly advertises periods where you pay 0% interest on purchases above a certain dollar amount, usually for 6, 12, or 24 months depending on the promotion running at the time.

Here's what that means in practice: if you buy a $2,000 piece of equipment during a "0% for 24 months" promotion, you pay no interest as long as you pay off the full $2,000 within 24 months. Your monthly payment is straightforward $2,000 divided by 24, or about $83 per month with no extra cost.

The catch is that if you miss the important date or don't pay the full amount by the end of the promotional period, the bank charges you interest retroactively — meaning you owe interest on the entire original purchase from day one, not just from the end of the promotion. This is called "deferred interest." If you owe even $1 after the 24 months ends, you could owe hundreds of dollars in back interest.

Runnings also runs promotions where you get a discount (such as 10% off) if you open the card and use it that day. These are one-time offers and do not repeat.

Interest Rates and Fees When You Carry a Balance

If you do not pay your balance in full by the end of a promotional period, or if you make a purchase outside of a promotion, the card charges a standard interest rate called the APR (Annual Percentage Rate). This rate varies by person and changes over time, but store cards typically carry APRs between 18% and 29%, which is higher than most general-purpose credit cards.

The card may also charge an annual fee, though Runnings has periodically waived this for cardholders. Check your cardholder agreement or call the issuing bank to confirm whether an annual fee applies to your account.

Late payment fees explore if you miss a due date. The amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment and may increase for repeated late payments.

If you carry a balance of $1,000 at 24% APR and make no payments, you will owe approximately $1,240 after one year. This is why promotional financing is valuable — it lets you spread a large purchase across months without that interest cost.

How the Runnings Card Affects Your Credit

Opening the card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a formal request to see your credit history, and it typically lowers your credit score by a few points for a few months. Hard inquiries stay on your report for two years but stop affecting your score after about six months.

Once the account is open, it becomes part of your credit mix — the variety of credit types you use (credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc.). Having a store card can slightly help your credit mix, but the benefit is small compared to the impact of payment history and credit utilization.

Your credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you're using. If the card has a $5,000 limit and you carry a $2,000 balance, your utilization is 40%. High utilization (above 30%) can lower your score. Paying down the balance before your statement closes can help, even if you plan to carry a balance after that.

If you open the card only for the promotional offer and then never use it again, the account will eventually close due to inactivity. A closed account stays on your credit report for up to seven years, but it stops affecting your score after a few years.

When a Runnings Card Makes Financial Sense

The card is most useful when you need to buy a large piece of equipment or supplies and a promotional financing offer is running. If you can pay off the full amount before the interest-free period ends, you save money compared to paying cash or using a regular credit card.

For example: a $3,000 purchase at 0% for 12 months costs you $250 per month with no interest. The same purchase on a regular credit card at 18% APR would cost you about $3,270 total if you paid it off in 12 months. The store card saves you $270.

The card is less useful if you carry a balance beyond the promotional period or if you make frequent small purchases. Store cards charge higher interest rates than most alternatives, so paying interest on a store card is more expensive than paying interest on a general-purpose card.

If you have poor credit or no credit history, a store card can be easier to open than a general-purpose card. However, this benefit comes with a higher interest rate, so it's a trade-off.

Comparing the Runnings Card to Other Options

If you're considering the Runnings Card, compare it to these alternatives:

  • A general-purpose credit card with 0% promotional financing: Cards like the Chase Sapphire or Capital One Venture offer 0% APR for 6 to 21 months on purchases or balance transfers. These work at any retailer, not just Runnings, and typically have lower standard APRs (15% to 22%) if you carry a balance after the promotion ends.
  • A personal loan: If you need $2,000 or more, a personal loan from a bank or credit union often has a lower fixed interest rate than a store card. The rate depends on your credit score, but rates typically range from 6% to 36%.
  • Paying cash or saving first: If you can wait a few months, saving up and paying cash avoids interest entirely and keeps you from taking on debt.
  • Runnings' in-store financing: Runnings sometimes offers financing directly through their website or in-store without requiring a credit card. Ask at checkout or check Runnings.com to see if this option is available for your purchase.

Steps to Take Before Opening the Card

Before you explore, check what promotion is currently running. Runnings advertises these on their website, in-store, and in email if you're on their mailing list. The offer changes seasonally, so timing matters.

Read the promotional terms carefully. Look for the exact length of the interest-free period, the minimum purchase amount required to may have access to, and what happens if you don't pay off the balance in time. This information is usually in the fine print or on a disclosure sheet at checkout.

Check your credit score if you can. You don't need perfect credit to open a store card, but knowing your score helps you understand whether you'll be approved and what interest rate you might receive if you carry a balance.

Set a payment plan before you buy. If the promotion is 12 months interest-free, divide the purchase price by 12 and set up automatic payments for that amount each month. This removes the risk of forgetting and triggering the deferred interest penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Runnings card online?

Yes, you can use it on Runnings.com. You cannot use it on other websites or retailers. If you shop online, you'll need to enter your card number and billing address just like you would with any other credit card.

What happens if I pay late?

A late payment triggers a fee (typically $25 to $40) and is reported to the credit bureaus, which lowers your credit score. If you're in a promotional 0% period, a late payment may also cancel the promotion and trigger deferred interest. Check your cardholder agreement for the exact terms.

Can I transfer a balance from another card to the Runnings card?

Most store cards do not accept balance transfers — they only let you charge new purchases. Confirm this with the issuing bank before explore if you're hoping to transfer an existing balance.

Does the card have a rewards program?

Runnings does not currently offer cash back or points on the card. The main benefit is the promotional financing offer. Check Runnings.com or ask in-store to confirm whether this has changed.

What's the credit limit?

Your credit limit depends on your credit history and income. The bank decides this when you explore. Limits typically range from $500 to $5,000 for new cardholders, but can be higher if you have strong credit. You can request a limit increase after you've had the card for several months.