The Big Lots Credit Card is a store card issued by Comenity Bank

The Big Lots Credit Card is a retail credit card issued by Comenity Bank, a financial services company that manages credit programs for dozens of retailers. When you use this card at Big Lots stores or online, you're borrowing money from Comenity, not from Big Lots itself. Big Lots handles the marketing and customer service, but Comenity sets the terms, manages your account, and decides whether to approve you.

This card is designed for people who shop at Big Lots regularly and want rewards or financing offers tied to their purchases. Unlike a general-purpose credit card from Visa or Mastercard, you can only use it at Big Lots locations and BigLots.com. If you need to use a card elsewhere, you'll need a separate card.

Comenity also issues store cards for other retailers—Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe's, and others—so if you've dealt with a store card before, the structure and process will feel familiar.

Key Takeaways

  • The Big Lots Credit Card is issued by Comenity Bank and can only be used at Big Lots stores and BigLots.com, not at other retailers.
  • The card typically offers promotional financing periods (such as deferred interest on purchases over a certain amount) and rewards on regular purchases.
  • Comenity will check your credit report when you submit an process, so your credit score and payment history matter.
  • You can manage your account online through Comenity's website or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
  • Store cards often have higher interest rates than general-purpose credit cards, so carrying a balance can become expensive quickly.

How the promotional financing and rewards work

The Big Lots Credit Card typically includes promotional financing offers—most commonly deferred interest on purchases above a certain dollar threshold. Deferred interest means you pay no interest during the promotional period (often 12 to 24 months), but if you don't pay off the full purchase by the end of that period, all the interest accrues retroactively. This can result in a large bill if you miss the important date by even one day.

The card also earns rewards on purchases. The exact structure varies—you might earn a percentage back on all Big Lots purchases, or bonus points on certain categories. Check your welcome materials or log into your Comenity account to see the current rewards rate, as these can change.

Promotional offers are not automatic. You may see different offers depending on your creditworthiness, and the terms printed in-store or online may not explore to your specific account. Once you're approved, Comenity will tell you which offers you may have access to for.

What Comenity checks before approval

When you submit an process for the Big Lots Credit Card, Comenity pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). This is called a hard inquiry and it temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. Comenity looks at your credit score, payment history, existing debt, and income to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer.

You don't need perfect credit to be approved—Comenity issues cards to people with fair or good credit—but the stronger your credit profile, the higher your credit limit and the better your promotional offers are likely to be. If you're denied, Comenity will send you a letter explaining the reason and telling you how to dispute the decision if you believe the information is wrong.

The hard inquiry stays on your credit report for about two years, though its impact on your score fades after a few months. If you explore for multiple store cards in a short time, each inquiry adds up and can hurt your score more significantly.

Interest rates and fees

Store cards typically carry higher regular interest rates than general-purpose credit cards. The Big Lots Credit Card's APR (annual percentage rate) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market conditions—Comenity will tell you the rate when you're approved. Rates often range from the mid-teens to the mid-20s percent, though your specific rate depends on your credit profile.

Annual fees are uncommon on store cards, and the Big Lots Credit Card does not currently charge an annual fee. However, you will pay interest on any balance you carry past a promotional period, and you may face late fees if you miss a payment. Late fees are typically $25 to $40, depending on your account terms.

If you use the deferred interest offer and don't pay off the purchase in time, the interest charges can be substantial. For example, a $500 purchase with 24 months deferred interest could result in $100 or more in retroactive interest if you carry even a small balance into month 25.

How to manage your account and make payments

You can manage your Big Lots Credit Card account through Comenity's website at comenity.com or by downloading the Comenity mobile app. You'll need to register for online access using your card number and personal information. Once logged in, you can view your balance, make payments, see your available credit, and track your rewards.

Payments can be made online, by phone, or by mail. Online and phone payments typically post within one business day. If you pay by mail, allow at least 10 business days for the payment to reach Comenity and post to your account. You can set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date, though you'll need to monitor your account to make sure the payment amount is correct each month.

Your statement will show your minimum payment due, your full balance, your current APR, and any promotional periods still active on your account. If you have multiple promotional periods (for example, different purchases with different deferred interest terms), your statement will list each one separately so you know which balances need to be paid by which dates.

Comparing the Big Lots card to other options

If you shop at Big Lots occasionally, a store card may not be worth the hard inquiry and the risk of carrying a high-interest balance. A general-purpose rewards card—such as a cash-back card from a bank or credit union—works anywhere and often has lower interest rates. You'd earn rewards on all your spending, not just at Big Lots.

If you shop at Big Lots frequently and can pay off promotional purchases before the interest kicks in, the card's deferred interest offers can save you money compared to paying interest when ready. The rewards also add up faster if you're a regular customer. The trade-off is that you're limited to one retailer and you're exposed to a higher APR if you carry a balance.

Some people hold both a store card and a general-purpose card: they use the store card for promotional offers and rewards at that retailer, and use the general-purpose card everywhere else. This approach works if you're disciplined about tracking multiple due dates and not overspending.

What happens if you miss a payment or default

If you miss a payment, Comenity will charge a late fee and report the missed payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score and credit history. The missed payment stays on your credit report for seven years.

If you continue to miss payments, Comenity may freeze your account, preventing you from making new purchases. After 120 to 180 days of non-payment, the account may be charged off (written off as a loss by the bank), and Comenity may sell the debt to a collection agency. A collection account on your credit report is extremely damaging and can affect your ability to borrow for years.

If you're struggling to pay, contact Comenity's customer service as soon as possible. Some cardholders can negotiate a payment plan or a temporary reduction in their interest rate, though this is not may provide. The sooner you reach out, the more options you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Big Lots Credit Card at other stores?

No. The Big Lots Credit Card is a store card and works only at Big Lots locations and BigLots.com. If you need a card that works everywhere, you'll need a separate general-purpose credit card from a bank or credit union.

What's the difference between deferred interest and a 0% APR offer?

With deferred interest, you pay no interest during the promotional period, but if you don't pay off the full purchase by the end of that period, all the interest accrues retroactively. With a true 0% APR offer, the interest rate is 0% for the promotional period, and if you don't pay it off in time, you only pay interest going forward—not retroactively. Deferred interest is riskier because one missed important date costs you all the interest at once.

How do I check my credit limit and available credit?

Log into your account at comenity.com or call the customer service number on the back of your card. Your statement also shows your credit limit and current balance, so you can calculate your available credit by subtracting your balance from your limit.

Will explore for the Big Lots Credit Card hurt my credit score?

Yes, the hard inquiry will lower your score by a few points temporarily. The impact fades after a few months, but the inquiry stays on your credit report for about two years. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, it's worth waiting to explore for a store card.

What should I do if I can't pay off a promotional purchase before the interest kicks in?

Contact Comenity's customer service before the promotional period ends. Some cardholders can request a payment plan or an extension, though this is not may provide. If you can't work out an arrangement, pay as much as you can before the important date to minimize the retroactive interest charges.