5 Things to Know About the Athleta Rewards Mastercard

If you're a frequent shopper at Athleta and its sibling brands under the Gap Inc. corporate umbrella, the Athleta Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card might be a stylish addition to your wallet and your wardrobe.

This $0-annual-fee card earns the equivalent of 5% rewards at Athleta and affiliated brands, plus 1% on purchases anywhere else Mastercard is accepted. It also gives you a status boost in Athleta's rewards program.

Here are five things to know about the Athleta Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card.

1. Rewards are redeemable only at Athleta and other Gap brands

Every purchase on the Athleta Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card earns points redeemable only for purchases at Athleta and the other Gap Inc. brands: Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. You earn:

• 5 points per $1 spent at Athleta and other Gap Inc. brands.

• 1 point per $1 spent elsewhere. (If your account qualifies for World Mastercard status, this rises to 2 points per $1 spent outside the Gap brands.)

Points are worth the equivalent of a penny apiece when redeemed for purchases in increments of 100 (that is, $1). There is no limit on the number of points you can earn, but points expire if they are not spent within 12 months of earning them. Points cannot be redeemed for cash or statement credit.

» MORE: Best cash back credit cards

2. New cardholders get a few extra incentives

The card comes with a modest bonus offer in the form of a 20% discount on the first purchase. Upon account approval, you receive a code that you can use in-store or online at Gap Inc. brands. The code expires in 14 days, and you must use your card for the purchase.

The Athleta Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card also gets you free shipping on online orders of $50 or more and early access to sales.

Those benefits are nice, but other cards offer more. For example, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent per year* and comes with a welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.

3. Becoming an "Icon" unlocks more perks

Gap Inc. runs a single consolidated rewards program, but it's branded differently for each store — Athleta Rewards, Gap Good Rewards, Old Navy and Banana Republic Rewards. In addition, the program has three tiers: Core, Enthusiast and Icon.

Holders of the Athleta Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card automatically get Enthusiast status (which otherwise requires at least $500 a year in spending at Gap brands).

If your card account qualifies for World Mastercard, you automatically get Icon status. You can also earn Icon status by accruing 5,000 points in a year or spending $1,000 at Gap brands in a year. Icons receive:

• Free basic alterations of Banana Republic items.

• A 15% off sale day of their choice once a year.

• One day a year when rewards are worth double.

4. Athleta clothing pairs nicely with a free trial of obé Fitness

What to do with all of that new athletic wear you just bought? You could work out at home with obé Fitness, which offers live and on-demand fitness classes. You'll get a free trial after making an Athleta purchase. The trial period is two months for Enthusiast-level program members and three months for Icon level.

5. The interest rate is high

This isn't a card you'll want to carry a balance on. The ongoing APR is 30.74% Variable, so it's best to pay your bill in full every month and avoid interest entirely.