Earn Points Both in Macy’s, And Out
While Macy’s offers two different credit cards, its Macy’s American Express® Credit Card holds a significantly stronger rewards program than its base version, the Macy’s Credit Card. And because the Amex card is also a full-fledged credit card instead of just a store-confined one, you’re able to use it other places as well.
But if you can get upgraded and become a Gold or Platinum member, your rewards benefits will really begin to blossom. For example, if you’re at the Gold level, you’ll receive free shipping with no minimum amount on most orders and a special birthday sales offer, and if you’re at the Platinum level, you’ll gets 5% rewards back on various Macy’s buys and discounts on some travel expenses.
It’s also worth mentioning that there’s no annual fee required to remain a Macy’s Amex cardholder, so your card maintenance costs should stay pretty low.
Smart Features
No annual fee - Cardholders aren’t required to pay an annual fee to keep the Macy’s American Express® Credit Card.
Macy’s loyalty status - Depending on how much you spend on your Macy’s Amex Card each calendar year with Macy’s, you’ll be assigned a loyalty level with corresponding benefits.
Silver tier status - To reach this level, make purchases totaling anywhere from $1 to $499.
Save 25% with Star Passes - You’ll receive these coupons in the mail from Macy’s, getting you 25% off specific purchases. The exclusions for each coupon will be listed directly on them.
Exclusive deals - As a Macy’s American Express® Credit Card holder, you will receive special perks for purchases with various retailers and other companies.
Amex offers - American Express has partners that offer special deals to their cardholders, and those with the Macy’s Amex Card are eligible to receive them.
Gold tier status – Gold tier members are required to have spent $500 to $1,199 with Macy’s over a calendar year. All Silver benefits are included with Gold status as well.
Free shipping - Gold members will receive free shipping on their Macy’s purchases, with no minimum amount required to qualify for it.
Birthday offer - Each year, an exclusive birthday deal is given just for you. Any exclusions will be shown on the coupon itself.
Platinum tier status - $1,200 or more in purchases will get you Platinum status. All Silver and Gold benefits are included here too.
5% rewards back - For every dollar you spend at Macy’s stores, Macy’s Backstage and on Macys.com you will receive five points back in rewards. This is an offer completely exclusive to Platinum cardholders
Travel benefits - Whether you’re looking for a discount on flights, hotels, vehicle rentals, cruises or anything else travel related, purchase them through Amex’s partners with your Macy’s American Express® Credit Card and you’ll save.
Who It Benefits
Obviously by its title, the Macy’s American Express® Credit Card is a credit card option that best serves you if you’re a loyal Macy’s shoppers who wants to earn rewards and discounts on purchases made there. But someone who consistently uses their credit cards for dining out, gas and groceries would also be ideal, as those three categories comprise the higher 2% and 3% rates.
How It Works
All it takes is a dollar of spending at Macy’s for your Silver membership to kick in, activating the points rates associated with it. This includes 3x points at restaurants outside of Macy’s, 2x points at gas stations and supermarkets and 1x points on purchases and anything else you buy with it outside of Macy’s.
What's the Catch?
The 26.74% Variable APR of this card is just about the only downside, as a rate that high could be seriously detrimental should you come across a time where finances are especially tight.
To qualify for a top-tier Platinum membership with the Macy’s Amex Card, you’ll need to spend at least $1,200 over a calendar year. While that’s maybe not a totally irrational figure, it is quite a bit of money to spend with a single retailer over just one year.
Just the Math Please
Rewards
Spending just one dollar at Macy’s with your Macy’s American Express® Credit Card qualifies you for a Silver membership, earning you pretty significant point rates. For every dollar you spend at restaurants outside of Macy’s, you’ll earn three points, as well as two points per dollar spent at gas stations and supermarkets and one point per dollar spent on other purchases outside of Macy’s.
But if you become a Platinum member by spending at least $1,200 at Macy’s over a calendar year, you’ll earn another 5% back in points at Macy’s stores, Macys.com and Macy’s Backstage.
Rates and Fees
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases
26.74% Variable. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Balance Transfers
N/A
APR for Cash Advances
26.74% Variable. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Penalty APR and When It Applies
N/A
How to Avoid Paying Interest on Purchases
Your due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing cycle. You will not be charged any interest on purchases if you pay your entire balance by the due date each month. You will be charged interest on cash advances starting on the transaction date.
Annual Fee
$0
Transaction Fees
- Cash Advance: Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Foreign Transaction: 3% of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars.
Penalty Fees
Late Payment: Up to $40
- Returned Payment: Up to $40
How It Stacks Up
JCPenney and Macy’s have been feuding retailers for quite some time. But how do their consumer credit cards compare in the Macy’s American Express® Credit Card and JCPenney Credit Card?
First off, the most telling area where the JCPenney card is lacking is in its rewards earning, offering just one point per dollar spent with your card and two points per dollar spent when using another type of payment. On the other hand, Macy’s includes that same 1x rate on most in-company spending, as well as 3x points at restaurants and 2x points on gas and groceries, adding value to the card even in your daily life.
The membership hierarchies in place with each card are also no equal, as the benefits provided to higher and lower-level members alike are much better with the Macy’s Amex Card. Even base Silver cardholders get sporadic 25% off coupons, the above rewards rates and more, whereas JCPenney is very vague with exactly what it can offer.
These arguments should lead many to the same principle: that the JCPenney card simply does not deliver as robust rewards as its direct competitor, the Macy’s American Express® Credit Card. In fact, no matter whether you’re in favor of stronger rewards, better coupons, lower cardholder costs or anything in-between, go with Macy’s.
Bottom Line
Macy’s has seemingly always had a very strong customer following, and the Macy’s American Express® Credit Card can help those included in that group get real rewards for their loyal purchases with them. This is proven in the solid points rates offered for even base members, as well as the plentiful coupons given increasingly more often, depending on your status level.
So it’s actually really simple with this card – the more you spend, the more you’re rewarded. And because that spending doesn’t have to necessarily be with Macy’s, cardholders are afforded a ton of freedom, which is quite a rarity for the retailer credit card market.
Next Steps
- Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors in your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Saving money is easier said than done, but having a high-yield savings account is a great start. To see what's available today, take a look at our overview of the top savings accounts.
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