What Sears credit cards are and who offers them
Sears credit cards are store cards issued by Comenity Bank, not by Sears itself. You can use them only at Sears and Kmart stores, online at Sears.com, or at Sears Home Services. They are not Visa or Mastercard — they work only within the Sears ecosystem. Sears has offered store cards for decades, but the company filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and closed most physical locations, so the card's usefulness depends entirely on whether you shop at the remaining Sears stores or use Sears.com.
As of now, Sears operates a small number of physical locations and a full e-commerce site. Before you explore for a Sears card, check whether there is an active store near you or whether you plan to shop online. If you rarely or never shop at Sears, the card has no practical value.
Key Takeaways
- Sears cards are store-only cards issued by Comenity Bank and work nowhere except Sears, Kmart, and Sears.com.
- The card offers a discount on your first purchase (typically 10 percent) and occasional promotional financing, but the interest rate on regular purchases is high.
- You build a credit history with a Sears card the same way you do with any other credit card — by paying on time — but the card reports to all three credit bureaus.
- If you carry a balance, the annual percentage rate (APR) is significantly higher than most general-purpose credit cards, making it expensive to use for long-term debt.
Interest rates and how they compare
Sears cards carry a variable APR that Comenity Bank sets based on your creditworthiness. The bank does not publish a single rate; instead, you receive your specific rate after approval. Historically, Sears card APRs have ranged from the mid-teens to over 25 percent, depending on your credit score and the current market.
For comparison, a general-purpose credit card from a major bank or credit union often carries an APR between 15 and 22 percent for borrowers with fair to good credit. A Sears card is typically at the higher end of that range or above it. If you plan to carry a balance month to month, the high interest rate means you will pay substantially more in interest charges than you would with a card that offers a lower promotional rate or a lower standard APR.
The card does offer promotional financing on certain purchases — often 12, 18, or 24 months with no interest if you pay the full amount by the end of the promotion period. These offers appear at checkout or in promotional emails. If you miss a payment during the promotional period, the deferred interest is charged back to your account when ready, so read the terms carefully before you commit.
Rewards, discounts, and cardholder benefits
New cardholders typically receive a discount on their first purchase, usually 10 percent off. This is a one-time benefit and appears at the point of sale after your card is approved. Some promotions offer higher discounts or bonus rewards points during specific periods, but these vary and are not may provide.
The card does not offer ongoing cash back or points on every purchase the way many general-purpose cards do. Instead, Sears runs periodic promotions — for example, "earn 5 times points on appliances this weekend" or "double points on clothing." These promotions are announced via email and in-store, and they change frequently. If you do not actively track promotions, you may miss them.
Cardholders also receive early access to sales and occasional exclusive discounts. Again, these are promotional and not may provide. The card itself does not include travel insurance, purchase protection, or other benefits common to premium credit cards.
How a Sears card affects your credit score
A Sears card reports to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the same way any other credit card does. Your payment history, credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you use), and account age all factor into your credit score. If you pay on time every month and keep your balance low, the card will help your credit score over time.
Opening a new card temporarily lowers your score because the process triggers a hard inquiry and reduces your average account age. This dip is usually small and recovers within a few months if you pay on time. The long-term effect is positive if you use the card responsibly.
However, if you carry a high balance or miss payments, the card will damage your score. Because the APR is high, carrying a balance is expensive, and the temptation to do so is real if you are making a large purchase. Be clear about whether you can pay the full balance before interest kicks in.
Annual fees and other costs
Sears cards do not charge an annual fee. You can hold the card indefinitely without paying a yearly cost. However, the card does charge late fees if you miss a payment, and these fees vary but typically range from $25 to $40 depending on how late the payment is. Interest accrues daily on any balance you carry, and if you use the card for cash advances (which is possible but not recommended), a cash advance fee applies when ready.
The real cost of a Sears card is the interest rate, not the annual fee. If you carry a balance, you will pay far more in interest than you would save with the first-purchase discount or occasional promotions.
When a Sears card makes sense and when it does not
A Sears card makes sense if you shop at Sears or Kmart regularly and you can pay your full balance every month. The first-purchase discount and promotional financing offers can save you money on specific items. If you have limited credit history or a lower credit score, a Sears card may also be easier to obtain than a general-purpose card, and using it responsibly will help you build credit.
A Sears card does not make sense if you do not shop at Sears, if you carry balances month to month, or if you have access to a general-purpose card with a lower APR. The high interest rate and limited rewards structure mean you will pay more and earn less than with a mainstream alternative. If you are considering the card primarily for the first-purchase discount, calculate whether the discount is larger than the interest you would pay if you carried the balance for even one month.
how the process works and what happens next
You can explore for a Sears card in person at a Sears store, online at Sears.com, or by phone. The online process takes about five minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Comenity Bank reviews the process and usually makes a decision within minutes.
If you are approved, your card is either issued when ready (if you applied online or by phone) or given to you in-store. You can use it right away, and the first-purchase discount is applied at checkout. If you are denied, Comenity Bank will send you a notice explaining the reason, and you can request a copy of the credit report they used to make the decision.
Once you have the card, you manage it through Comenity's online portal or mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, and see promotional offers. Payments are due on a set date each month, and you can set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Sears card at other stores?
No. Sears cards work only at Sears, Kmart, and Sears.com. They are not Visa or Mastercard and cannot be used anywhere else. If you need a card that works at multiple retailers, you need a general-purpose credit card instead.
What is the credit limit on a Sears card?
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Comenity Bank sets the limit when you are approved, and it typically ranges from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for a few months and have made on-time payments.
Does a Sears card hurt my credit if I do not use it?
No. An unused card does not hurt your credit score. In fact, an unused card with a zero balance can help your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of available credit you use). However, Comenity Bank may close the account if it remains inactive for a very long time, typically a year or more.
What happens if I cannot pay my Sears card balance?
Contact Comenity Bank as soon as you know you will miss a payment. Many issuers offer hardship programs or payment plans for customers in financial difficulty. Missing a payment will damage your credit score and trigger late fees, so reaching out early is important.
Is the promotional financing offer worth it?
Promotional financing is worth it only if you are certain you can pay the full balance before the promotion ends. If you miss the important date, all deferred interest is charged back when ready, often resulting in a much higher total cost than paying cash or using a different payment method. Read the terms carefully and set a calendar reminder for the final payment date.