5 Things to Know About the BJ’s Credit Card
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You can turn to BJ's Wholesale Club for much of what you need in your home: pantry staples, furniture, electronics — not to mention bags of dog food that outweigh your dog.
And if you're looking for more ways to save there, BJ's offers two credit cards: the BJ's One Mastercard and the BJ's One+ Mastercard, both issued by Capital One. They earn rewards not only when you shop at BJ's, but also on purchases outside the wholesale club — all for no annual fee.
However, you have to be a BJ’s member to get either card, which will come with a yearly membership fee. Plus, there are exceptions to the cards’ rewards rates, and the rewards you accumulate aren’t as flexible as what you’d get with a general cash-back card. But if you already have a BJ’s membership, these cards can definitely help you save on your next haul.
Here are five things to know about the BJ's credit cards.
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1. The card you get depends on your membership tier
You have to be a BJ’s member in order to apply for either card, and the tier you choose will determine which card you’re eligible for. If you opt for a BJ's Club+ Card Membership (which costs $110 annually), you’ll apply for the BJ's One+ Mastercard. This is the more expensive membership option, and the card is slightly more rewarding. You'll get:
5% back in rewards on eligible BJ's purchases.
2% back in rewards on all other purchases.
15 cents off per gallon at BJ’s Gas locations.
If you instead have a Club Card Membership at $55 per year, you'd be eligible for the BJ's One Mastercard. With this card, you’ll get:
3% back in rewards on eligible BJ's purchases.
1.5% back in rewards on all other purchases.
10 cents off per gallon at BJ’s Gas locations.
Note that you're earning those percentages back in "rewards" that can be used only at BJ's — not as actual cash back that can used anywhere — and you'll need need to have accrued at least $10 in rewards first. Once you meet that threshold, you can redeem your rewards toward BJ's purchases and membership fees, either in stores, online or through the BJ's app.
If you have the BJ's One+ Mastercard, the 5% back you earn at BJ’s and 15-cent discount on gas replace the rewards that Club+ members earn without the credit card. You can’t stack these rewards.
2. It's a solid choice for everyday use
The main draw of these cards will likely be the high rewards rate you can earn at BJ’s. But if you’re the type of person who prefers to use one card for everything (and you don’t mind redeeming your rewards solely at BJ’s), you can’t do much better than the BJ's One Mastercard or the BJ's One+ Mastercard. On any purchases made outside of the wholesale club, cardholders will earn either 1.5% or 2% respectively, and those rates are competitive with a lot of general rewards credit cards.
The rewards rate on the BJ’s One+ Mastercard is especially compelling. Nowadays, it’s fairly easy to find cards that offer 2% back on all purchases. It’s pretty uncommon, however, to find this rewards rate on a card that also earns heightened rewards in bonus categories, not to mention the discount on gas. But remember: You can only redeem the rewards you earn at BJ’s.
If you’d prefer to have a card with a little more flexibility, the $0-annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a solid choice. It earns 2% back on all purchases. And unlike the BJ’s cards, you can redeem your rewards for cash back.
3. But not all BJ's purchases earn extra rewards
Depending on your card, many items you buy at BJ's will earn 3% or 5% cash back. But there are exceptions, including:
Alcoholic beverages.
Cigarettes and tobacco products.
Lottery tickets.
Gift cards.
Propane and gasoline.
Purchases through BJ's Member Services — including BJ's Travel, online optical purchases and more — also will not qualify for those higher rates.
4. The cards travel well
Like other cards issued by Capital One, neither the BJ's One Mastercard nor the BJ's One+ Mastercard charges foreign transaction fees. These fees, which will typically apply to any purchase you make in a different currency, often cost around 3% of your purchase. So if you frequently travel outside of the United States, this can be a major perk.
5. There are consequences if you change your membership level or cancel
If you decide to change your membership level, your card will automatically be upgraded or downgraded to the corresponding card. And if you want to cancel your membership completely, you can still use the card and earn rewards — but all in-store purchases will incur a non-member surcharge of 20% of your total purchase, and you won’t be able to shop on BJs.com. If you want to renew, you can apply any surcharges you paid within the last seven days toward your membership fee.
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