Thread: Macy's Credit Card Application? Read This Review First!

Macy's credit card review: Before you fill out the application you need to learn about the good, bad & ugly buried in the fine print.

Macy's Card Review

There are two different cards offered and here's a brief summary of each:

Regular Card – This is by far the most common credit card they issue. It can only be used for purchases at their department stores. When you fill out an application at Macy's this is often what you get.

American Express Version – This is a card they recently started offering and replaces the Visa version which is being phased out. It can be used at Macy's and anywhere AmEx is accepted. The only way to apply for Macy's American Express is in-person at their store. There is also a "Preferred" version of this card but in order to qualify, you first must spend $1,000 per year on a Macy's card.

Here's a rundown of their pros and cons…

Bad Rewards Program
Usually the idea of getting rewards is what draws one to apply for it, but is it really worth it? Well review them for yourself and decide...

• Macys Card Rewards – Unfortunately the store-only cards offers no extra points or cash back on your spending.
• Macys American Express Rewards – Cardholders earn 3% on purchases from Macy's and 1% on purchases elsewhere. A $25 Star Rewards Certificate will be issued once that amount has been accumulated. Although this is better than nothing, the rewards are still extremely low for a store charge card.

Extremely High Rates
We all know retail cards are notorious for having high interest rates, but they take it to a whole new a level. Both versions had a 24.50% interest rate on purchases at the time of writing! This is excessive to say the least. With that high of an APR, if you ever carry a balance (even for a very short amount of time) the finance charges you pay will almost certainly be greater than the dismal rewards they give on spending.

Other Benefits
Neither card appears to offer any exciting benefits. For example, they list returns without a receipt as a “benefit” but that's not special when you think about it… most department stores offer returns without a receipt as long as you paid with some sort of credit card (because they can use your credit card to lookup the purchase record). Now there are monthly savings events which cardholders are invited to, but because Macys stores have sales so frequently anyway, a lot of people aren't too impressed by this.

Better Ways You Can Save?
I would like to be upfront with you and say that CreditCardForum does advertise cards from Discover, American Express, and most other major card issuers. But take a look for yourself and I think you will agree- these 3 alternative options are a great way to save at Macy's:

Method #1: Through Discover’s online shopping portal

Discover cardmembers have access to an online shopping portal that gives them anywhere from a 5% to 20% cashback bonus at over a hundred retailers.

Method #2: By Shopping At Macy's Using Your Discover Card

With the More card from Discover you can use the above option -or- get a 5% rebate two quarters per year for spending at department stores, subject to the quarterly maximum.
You can learn more about this card here.

Method #3: Using the new American Express Blue Cash

You've probably heard of this card a million times before but what you may not know is the new version which was launched in spring 2011 gives 3% rebate at all department stores.
Learn more about Blue Cash card and its 3% rebate at department stores.

Verdict?
If you ever carry a balance, the high rate listed on the Macys credit card application should probably be a warning for you, right? That means the only other reasons to apply would be for the sales or rewards, but being that the latter are so lackluster, you would probably be better off skipping their cards altogether and sticking with what's in your purse or wallet.

Last updated August 2011

I work at Macy's and asking for credit applications is in our job descriptions (as in, we will get fired if we don't meet a specific number of quotas when it comes to the number of people who fill out an application).

In my experiences, if you're looking for this card to rebuild your credit, avoid at all costs. I've had various people sign up for one as they either just got out of bankruptcy or are trying to rebuild their credit. Usually, they end up getting rejected, in fact most people that apply with me get rejected. I don't know the exact figures, but you basically need fair credit to qualify for this card, which is absurd in my opinion since there are many better cards out there.

One key thing left out is you do get card specific coupons which do save up quite a bit on a monthly basis. Such as 20% off every purchase and "save 20$ when you spend 50$". However, if you carry a balance and only pay the minimum (which is what most peope do when they make a payment) you really won't save anything.

So in my opinion, if you shop A LOT at Macy's and love it and never plan to carry a balance, the card has its benefits. Everyone else, steer clear.

Dark label the Macy's charge card or Macy's American express card makes sense for a lot of people.
somebody who's in their early 20's and has no credit cards, has been turned down by the popular 6, this would be a great card to start out with. Macy's is a very popular store and affordable. there's nothing wrong with getting their charge card.

if you work there it's great to have their charge cards.

it allows people to be responsible, people who have Visa, mastercard, American express, Jcb, and Discover. a lot of people are in debt, for the ones who aren't in debt still carry a balance. with this charge card it's harder to get into debt. This card makes sense.

Originally Posted by Money card

Dark label the Macy's charge card or Macy's American express card makes sense for a lot of people.
somebody who's in their early 20's and has no credit cards, has been turned down by the popular 6, this would be a great card to start out with. Macy's is a very popular store and affordable. there's nothing wrong with getting their charge card.

if you work there it's great to have their charge cards.

it allows people to be responsible, people who have Visa, mastercard, American express, Jcb, and Discover. a lot of people are in debt, for the ones who aren't in debt still carry a balance. with this charge card it's harder to get into debt. This card makes sense.

The Prepaid account is available to Macy's Employees only so that they can take advantage of the 20% employee discount. It gives you a little bit of "credit" (I believe around 50 - 100$) and you have to pay it all by the end of the month. HOWEVER, its not really a charge card akin to American Express since nothing is reported to the bureaus.

I'm not saying its not a great starting card, but as a sales associate, I've had people from all walks of life apply and see far more rejection then acceptance. Also, you need good credit to be accepted for the Amex version and honestly, its not that great of a card. The only difference is a 25$ Reward Certificate (takes forever) and that you can use it anywhere (Though most people probably have better day to day cards).

Dark did you know since your a Macys employee you can use your charge card at Blooming dales?
an employee told me they take american express, visa , mastercard and discover she said if somebody works for bloomingdales has there employee id card and has there bloomingdales card on them they can use it at Macys I would imagiane you could use your Macys charge over at Bloomingdales did you know this?

My wife used to work for FACS group, which is the credit card company that runs the card for Macys, Bloomingdales, Bon Marche, etc. We had a Macys credit card that gave us a 20% discount at all the stores. Haven't used it in years but we keep it because it has been open since 1999, helping the ol' credit score.

I just got approved from macys online and was really wanting the AE card.but it said,to late after i completed app. that only instore apps can be AE. so i called cs and was routed to an spanish AE rep who said."pay your first macys bill and then call us back. maybe the rule is in place where i could not do both?please, esteemed members what do you think? thank you in advance.Jonny.

Can one of you current or former Macy's employees explain why Macy's and Bloomie's are so weird and mysterious about the credit lines? They are the weirdest credit card company ever.

Originally Posted by CC Deville

Can one of you current or former Macy's employees explain why Macy's and Bloomie's are so weird and mysterious about the credit lines? They are the weirdest credit card company ever.

My managers say it was a move by Macy's to encourage people to spend more. Since you don't know your available credit, the theory is that people tend to spend more when there isn't a defined limit to how much you can spend. The Amex version does report a limit though.

For us, it just leaves headaches and us having to say the dreaded "Sorry, your card is declined".

My husband, who has had an account in the past, was invited in-store to save on his purchase by opening an account. I have no idea which kind of card it was.

My husband has just retired, and we have put a couple of expensive things (cruises) as well as all the daily stuff (groceries) on credit cards for the rewards. We pay in full every month, and there are no negative indications on the report. We have the income to cover what we charge without his job.

Can these decisions ever be appealed? Is it worth doing?