How to Apply for and Use the Cabela's Credit Card

What the Cabela's Credit Card Does

The Cabela's Mastercard is a store credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops locations, online, and at affiliated retailers. You earn rewards points on purchases, which convert to certificates you can spend on gear, ammunition, and outdoor equipment. The card also offers promotional financing periods where you pay no interest if you pay off the balance within a set timeframe — typically 12 to 24 months depending on the promotion.

This is not a general-purpose card like a Visa or Amex. You cannot use it everywhere. The main benefit is the rewards rate, which is higher at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops than you would earn with a standard cash-back card, and the promotional financing offers that appear throughout the year.

Key Takeaways

• The Cabela's Mastercard earns rewards points at a higher rate at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops than at other retailers, and points convert to certificates you spend in-store or online.
• You can carry a balance interest-free during promotional periods, which Synchrony announces regularly and which vary in length from 12 to 24 months.
• The card is issued by Synchrony Bank, and you manage your account through their online portal or mobile app, not through Cabela's directly.
• You must have a Social Security number and a U.S. mailing address to open an account, and Synchrony will check your credit report as part of the process.

how the process works for the Card

You can start an process on the Cabela's website, in a Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops store, or through the Synchrony Bank website. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, and employment status. Synchrony pulls a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

You will receive a decision within minutes if you explore online. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Synchrony sends a letter explaining the reason. If you are approved but offered a lower credit limit than you requested, you can accept the offer and request a higher limit later, or decline and reapply after your credit improves.

In-store applications work the same way — a store associate runs the process on a tablet or computer, and you get a decision on the spot. If approved in-store, you may receive a temporary card number to use when ready while your physical card ships.

Activating Your Card and Setting Up Your Account

When your card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. Call the number on the back of the card or log into your Synchrony account online and follow the set up prompt. set up is when ready and takes less than a minute.

After set up, set up online account access through Synchrony's website or mobile app. You will need your card number and Social Security number to create a login. Once logged in, you can view your balance, make payments, see your rewards balance, and set up automatic payments or alerts.

Synchrony also sends you a PIN in the mail separately from the card. You will need this PIN to use the card at ATMs if you want to withdraw cash, though cash advances charge a fee and interest starts accruing when ready — they are not covered by promotional financing offers.

Understanding Rewards and Promotional Financing

The rewards structure varies slightly depending on which version of the card you hold, but the standard card earns points at a higher rate at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops than elsewhere. Points accumulate in your Synchrony account and convert to Cabela's gift certificates at a set rate — typically 1 point equals $1 in certificate value, though the exact conversion depends on your rewards tier.

Promotional financing offers appear in your account periodically. A typical offer might be "12 months no interest on purchases of $250 or more" or "24 months no interest on purchases of $500 or more." These are not automatic — you must set up the offer in your Synchrony account before you make the purchase. If you do not set up it, the purchase accrues interest at the card's standard APR, which varies based on your creditworthiness but is typically in the 18% to 27% range.

If you carry a balance past the promotional period without paying it off, you owe interest on the entire remaining balance at the regular APR. There is no grace period after the promotion ends. Pay close attention to the end date and set a reminder to pay the balance before interest kicks in.

Making Payments and Managing Your Balance

You can pay your Cabela's Mastercard through Synchrony's website, mobile app, by phone, or by mail. Online and mobile payments post within one business day. Phone payments are processed when ready. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post, so do not use mail if you are close to a due date.

Your minimum payment is due by the date shown on your statement. If you miss the due date, Synchrony charges a late fee (typically $25 to $40) and reports the late payment to the credit bureaus. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more.

Set up automatic payments through Synchrony to avoid missing a due date. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month. Automatic payments are free and reliable, though you should still check your statement each month to catch errors or fraud.

What Happens If You Carry a Balance or Miss a Payment

If you carry a balance after a promotional period ends, interest accrues daily on the remaining balance at the card's APR. There is no way to negotiate the rate or get it lowered — it is set by Synchrony based on your credit profile and does not change unless you call and ask for a review after your credit improves.

If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Synchrony reports the delinquency to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This stays on your credit report for seven years and makes it harder to get approved for other credit in the future. If you miss a payment by 60 days, Synchrony may freeze your account and stop allowing new charges. If you miss a payment by 120 days, Synchrony may charge off the account and sell the debt to a collection agency.

If you fall behind, contact Synchrony when ready. They may offer a hardship program that temporarily lowers your payment or interest rate, though this is not may provide and depends on your situation. Waiting for Synchrony to contact you first makes the problem worse, not better.

Closing Your Account or Downgrading to a Different Card

You can close your Cabela's Mastercard at any time by calling Synchrony or requesting closure through your online account. Closing the account does not erase your rewards balance — you can still redeem points for up to 90 days after closure. After 90 days, unused points expire.

If you want to keep the account open but stop using it, you can do that too. Synchrony will not close inactive accounts when ready, but they may close them after 12 to 24 months of no activity. Keeping the account open helps your credit score because it lowers your overall credit utilization ratio, so closing it is usually not worth the small benefit of one fewer card to manage.

Synchrony occasionally offers different versions of the Cabela's card with different rewards rates or benefits. If you want to switch to a different version, call Synchrony and ask about a product change. They may allow you to convert your existing account rather than closing it and opening a new one, which avoids a second hard inquiry on your credit report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Cabela's card at stores other than Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops?

Yes, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted because it is a Mastercard. However, you only earn the higher rewards rate at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. At other retailers, you earn a much lower rewards rate, so it is not worth using the card outside those stores unless you are taking advantage of a promotional financing offer.

What is the credit limit, and can I request a higher one?

Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Synchrony sets the initial limit when you are approved. You can request a higher limit after six months of on-time payments by calling Synchrony or logging into your account. Synchrony may do a soft inquiry (which does not affect your credit score) or a hard inquiry (which does) depending on how much you ask for.

Do I have to pay interest if I use the card for a cash advance?

Yes. Cash advances charge a fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount) and interest starts accruing when ready at a higher APR than regular purchases. Promotional financing does not cover cash advances. Avoid cash advances unless you have no other option.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Your rewards balance stays in your account for 90 days after closure. You can redeem points for certificates during that window. After 90 days, any unused points expire and you lose them. Redeem before you close the account if you want to keep the value.

Can I get the annual fee waived?

The standard Cabela's Mastercard does not charge an annual fee, so there is nothing to waive. Some specialty versions of the card may charge a fee, but the basic card is free to hold.