Anya Kartashova 
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June 25, 2020 
Buckle is a popular fashion store in the United States with more than 450 locations. If you shop there a lot, or even if you popped in just once or twice, it is likely you’ve been offered to apply for the Buckle credit card.
The Buckle card, issued by Comenity Bank, offers Buckle customers some solid benefits, including a first-purchase discount and rewards on all other purchases. You might find, though, that you’d be better off with a more flexible cashback card. In this review, we’ll focus on the Buckle credit card and if you should apply for it.
Top Perks and Benefits of the Buckle Credit Card
Regular Buckle shoppers will find some value in this card, thanks to its rewards program and other perks. Remember, though, that the rewards you earn can only be used at Buckle stores.
Here’s a brief rundown of what you’ll get with the card:
- 10% discount on your first purchase
- 1 point per dollar spent
- $10 reward for every $300 spent
- Up to $15 off on your birthday
- Exclusive mail offers and discounts
- No annual fee
Welcome Bonus
Card members get a welcome bonus of 10 percent off their first purchase. The purchase can be in any amount, and the discount is unlimited.
In a way, you can control your own reward by strategically applying for this card when making a big purchase. For example, you could save $30 on a $300 shopping spree, or just $3 on $30.
Buckle Rewards Program
Every time you earn 300 B-Rewards, the currency of the Buckle Rewards program, you will get a $10 reward certificate. You’ll have to spend $300 during a rewards period to earn that many points.
From time to time it’s possible to earn double points during promotional periods and increase your return on Buckle spending. That would boost your return to $10 back for $150 in spending.
Don’t Let Your Buckle Points Expire
Unfortunately, accumulated points expire at the end of each B-Rewards period, but you can roll a maximum of 200 points over to the next rewards period. Once you earn a $10 reward, you have to use it within five weeks (seven weeks for Black and Exclusive cardholders) or it will expire.
Reward periods are from January through April, May through August and September through January.
Birthday Bonus and Other Exclusive Offers
Cardholders also get exclusive offers and discount, as well as a special birthday reward every year your account is in good standing. To earn a birthday reward, you must have made at least one purchase at a Buckle store or online in the last 18 months.
Classic, Black and Exclusive Status Levels
You’re probably wondering what the birthday reward is. That depends on the tier of your credit card membership: Classic, Black or Exclusive. The more you spend on Buckle purchases every year, the higher your tier is.
Classic membership is the most basic rewards tier for everyone who spends less than $500 a calendar year. To reach the Black tier, you must spend between $500 and $999 on your Buckle card account in a year. To reach the Exclusive tier, you must spend at least $1,000 on your Buckle card in a year.
As far as birthday rewards go, you will receive $5 every year as a Classic member, $10 as a Buckle Black cardholder and a $15 as a Buckle Exclusive cardholder.
Perks for Elite Members
Buckle Black and Exclusive members also receive free shipping on online orders and a redemption extension on reward certificates. Exclusive members also choose a bonus points day and receive an annual Thank You gift. As you can see, big spenders get rewarded the most.
Making a Buckle Credit Card Payment
It’s easy to make a payment on your Buckle credit card. Simply login to your credit card account on the Comenity Bank website. If you don’t have an online account set up, you can sign up on the same website. Buckle also has its own mobile app that allows you to shop and pay your bills.
What Is the Value of Buckle B-Rewards Points?
If you make purchases at Buckle often, you can earn quite a bit of points by shopping online and at physical stores. For every $300 you spend on the card during a three-month reward period, you will earn a $10 reward as a gift card. The reward rate translates to 3.33 percent back on your spending.
You can increase that return to close to 7 percent back by shopping during double-point events. Although this is a pretty decent return rate, don’t forget that your rewards can be used at Buckle only. Not only that, but they expire at the end of every three-month reward period.
Alternative Credit Cards For Buckle Shoppers
If you have a good credit score and shop online often, then consider the Uber Visa card. This no-fee cashback credit card earns 4 percent back at restaurants and bars, 3 percent back for hotels and airline tickets, and 2 percent back for all online shopping (including Buckle.com), Uber rides, and video and music streaming services. You’ve got some of the most popular spending categories covered with just one card.
You don’t have to redeem your Uber Visa rewards for Uber rides, either. You can use rewards for cashback statement credits or gift cards at certain merchants.
If you have a fair or average credit score, you might look into the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards credit card. With this credit card, you can earn 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases with no limit. After making five monthly payments on time, you can request a credit limit increase, which in turn will increase your score over time. It’s great for building average credit into excellent credit and earning rewards at the same time.
Should You Get the Buckle Credit Card?
Before applying for a new credit line, review your shopping history and ask yourself how many times per year you shop at Buckle and how much money you spend at the store. The card has no fees and offers gift certificates to frequent shoppers—$10 for every $300 spent.
Perhaps, that 10 percent welcome discount sounds nice, but it’s not that big of a reward in the grand scheme of things. If you have a good credit score and can qualify for a rewards credit card, you can get hundreds of dollars as a sign-up bonus.
Also, it’s good to keep in the mind the annual percentage rate on the Buckle credit card. To avoid getting hit with such high APR, make sure to make a Buckle payment in full within 25 days of the statement closing date. Otherwise, the interest rates will negate your rewards.
Good for Average or Bad Credit?
If you frequent the store for new jeans or maybe accessories and are building your credit history, then this store-branded card can be a decent option for you. Store cards are typically easier to qualify for than bank credit cards, and you can earn rewards while building a positive payment history.
However, if you already possess even an average credit score, I recommend skipping this card and applying for a more rewarding and flexible cashback card.
The Bottom Line
Store-branded credit cards in general aren’t worth a hard credit pull, and the Buckle credit card is not an exception. With a small welcome discount and a mediocre rewards program, the card is exactly that—mediocre. Sure, it’s easy to qualify when your credit score isn’t the best, but even if your score is just average, you’re better off earning rewards and building history elsewhere.