What the Cabela's Visa Card Is

The Cabela's Visa Card is a store credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops locations, as well as online at their websites. Unlike a general-purpose Visa that works everywhere, this card is designed primarily for customers who shop at these retailers regularly. You get rewards in the form of points on purchases, and those points convert to certificates you can spend on merchandise.

The card comes in two versions: the standard Cabela's Visa and the Cabela's Visa Signature. The Signature version carries an annual fee but includes additional benefits like extended warranty protection and travel insurance. Both versions report to the three major credit bureaus, so using the card responsibly can help build your credit history.

Key Takeaways

  • The Cabela's Visa earns rewards points on every purchase at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, with bonus point rates during promotional periods.
  • Points convert to Cabela's Cash certificates that you redeem for merchandise, not cash back or statement credits.
  • The standard card has no annual fee, but the Visa Signature version charges an annual fee in exchange for travel and purchase protections.
  • The card reports to credit bureaus, so on-time payments help build credit history, but carrying a balance means paying interest.

How Rewards Points Work

Every dollar you spend at Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops earns you one point. During promotional periods — which Cabela's announces through email and in-store — you earn bonus points on certain purchases, sometimes at rates like 5 points per dollar or higher. These promotions typically run for limited periods and explore to specific product categories like hunting gear, fishing equipment, or outdoor clothing.

Points accumulate in your account and convert to Cabela's Cash certificates once you reach a certain threshold. The conversion rate is typically 100 points equals $1 in Cabela's Cash, though this can vary. Once you have a certificate, you can use it when ready on your next purchase at either retailer, online or in-store. The certificate appears as a credit on your account and you explore it at checkout.

Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, if your account is closed or becomes severely delinquent, you may lose unused points, so check your cardholder agreement for the exact policy.

Annual Fees and Interest Rates

The standard Cabela's Visa has no annual fee. You pay nothing just to hold the card. The Cabela's Visa Signature version does charge an annual fee, which varies but typically ranges from $95 to $120 depending on current offers. Synchrony Bank may waive the first-year fee as a promotional offer, so check the terms when you receive your card.

If you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest at the card's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates — Synchrony will disclose the exact rate in your cardholder agreement. Store cards often carry higher APRs than general-purpose cards, so if you plan to carry a balance, compare the interest cost against the rewards you earn. Paying the full balance each month avoids interest entirely.

Differences Between the Standard and Signature Versions

The main difference is the annual fee and the protections that come with it. The Visa Signature version includes benefits like extended warranty coverage (which extends the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access purchases), purchase protection (which covers items damaged or stolen within a set period), and travel-related protections such as trip cancellation insurance and emergency medical coverage abroad.

For most casual shoppers, the standard card without an annual fee makes sense. The Signature version is worth considering if you make large purchases regularly, travel frequently, or value the extended warranty on expensive gear like firearms or high-end fishing equipment. Calculate whether the annual fee is offset by the value of the protections and rewards you actually use.

How to Use the Card Responsibly

Treat the Cabela's Visa like any credit card: spend only what you can pay back in full each month if possible. Carrying a balance means paying interest, which erodes the value of any rewards you earn. A $500 purchase earning 5 points per dollar gives you $5 in Cabela's Cash, but if you carry that balance for several months at a high APR, the interest cost will exceed the reward value.

Make your payments on time, every time. Payment history is the largest factor in your credit score, and late payments damage your score and trigger penalty interest rates. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, or better yet, the full balance. Check your statement each month to catch errors or unauthorized charges.

Use the card primarily at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, where you earn rewards. Using it elsewhere (if the card allows it) earns no points and means you are paying interest on purchases that do not benefit from the rewards program. If you have other cards with better rewards for non-Cabela's purchases, use those instead.

Building Credit With the Cabela's Visa

Because the card reports to the credit bureaus, using it responsibly helps build your credit history. Each on-time payment adds to your payment history, and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit improves your credit utilization ratio — both factors that boost your credit score over time.

If you are new to credit or rebuilding after past problems, a store card like this can be easier to get approved for than a general-purpose card. Starting with a store card, using it responsibly, and then moving to a broader rewards card once your score improves is a common path. However, do not open the card just to build credit if you do not shop at Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops — the interest and fees will cost more than the credit-building benefit is worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Cabela's Visa outside of Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops?

The standard Cabela's Visa is a store card and works only at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops locations and their websites. The Cabela's Visa Signature is a true Visa and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, though you earn rewards points only on purchases at the two retailers.

What happens to my points if I close the account?

Points typically expire if your account is closed. Check your cardholder agreement for the exact policy, but generally you should redeem any accumulated points before closing the account. Contact Synchrony Bank directly if you are unsure about your account status.

Is there a grace period before interest charges kick in?

Yes, the card includes a grace period — usually 21 to 25 days from the statement closing date — during which no interest accrues if you pay the full balance by the due date. If you carry a balance, interest starts accruing when ready on new purchases, so paying in full each month is the best way to avoid interest charges.

How do I check my rewards balance?

Log into your account on the Synchrony Bank website or call the customer service number on the back of your card. You can also check your balance in the Synchrony mobile app if you have downloaded it. Your statement also shows your current points balance.

Can I transfer my Cabela's Cash to another person?

Cabela's Cash certificates are tied to your account and generally cannot be transferred. You must use them yourself at checkout. If you want to give someone a gift, purchase a Cabela's gift card instead, which can be transferred to another person.