If L.L.Bean apparel is your style and the potential of earning “Bean Bucks” is appealing, then the L.L.Bean Mastercard may be of value to you.
Issued by Citi, the $0-annual-fee card rewards you for shopping at L.L.Bean and even for some everyday spending. The card can offer solid savings for loyalists who don’t mind strictly redeeming rewards at the retailer.
Here are five things to know about the L.L.Bean Mastercard.
1. You’ll earn bonus rewards on all your spending
The L.L.Bean Mastercard earns the following rewards (not as cash back, but as Bean Bucks):
- 4% back on all eligible L.L.Bean purchases.
- 2% back at restaurants.
- 2% back at gas stations.
- 1% back on all other spending.
Bean Bucks are worth a dollar each. So if you spent, say, $100 on an L.L.Bean purchase, you'd get 4 Bean Bucks back — meaning $4 worth of rewards to use toward more L.L.Bean purchases.
The 4% back category can help frequent L.L.Bean shoppers pile on rewards without difficulty. And on top of that, the card’s 2% categories mean that your everyday spending at restaurants and gas stations will help you earn bonus rewards. This isn't always the case with store cards, especially apparel store cards.
2. Redemption is refreshingly straightforward
As far as store cards go, the L.L.Bean Mastercard is surprisingly uncomplicated. As with most other apparel store credit cards, rewards are redeemable only within the brand. But unlike other similar store cards, there’s no minimum redemption requirement and rewards don't expire.
Plus, rewards can be redeemed in any amount and at any time. Any unused points will remain on your balance and carry over to your next statement. Cardholders can redeem rewards in stores, over the phone or through the L.L.Bean website.
Other co-branded store cards — such as the Lands' End® Visa® Credit Card or the ScoreRewards Mastercard from Dick's Sporting Goods, for example — feature more complex redemption processes that require cardholders to jump through hoops.
However, for flexible rewards that can be used for more than just L.L.Bean merchandise, you’ll want to consider rewards cards that offer cash back or statement credits.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
If you don't use this card to make a purchase every 24 months, you won't be able to earn Bean Bucks and you'll lose any rewards you've accumulated. 3. It offers limited benefits and discounts
In addition to ongoing rewards, cardholders get the following perks:
- Free standard shipping and free return shipping on all eligible L.L.Bean purchases made with the card or paid for with Bean Bucks.
- Free monogramming for L.L.Bean items purchased with the card or paid for with Bean Bucks. (A personalized monogram from the brand usually costs $8.)
4. New cardholders are eligible for a small discount
As of September 2023, shoppers who are instantly approved for the card will get a 15% discount on their first L.L. Bean purchase. Only purchases made with the card through the brand’s website, llbean.com, will be eligible for this discount.
Note: The discount must be used on the same website visit as the card application and approval; after that, the discount is no longer valid.
5. You won't want to carry a balance
The L.L.Bean Mastercard doesn’t offer an interest-free introductory period for purchases or balance transfers. As of August 2023, the ongoing APR is 20.24% to 29.24% Variable, which will add up quickly.
If you're able, try to pay your balance in full and on time every month to save you from incurring interest charges. But if you need to carry a balance, you will likely fare better with a card that has a long 0% introductory APR. The BankAmericard® credit card, for instance, offers this introductory period: 0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 14.99%-25.99% will apply
Information about the L.L.Bean Mastercard has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the issuer of this card.
