What the Dick's Sporting Goods credit card offers

The Dick's Sporting Goods credit card is a store card issued by Comenity Bank that earns rewards only at Dick's Sporting Goods and its subsidiary Dick's Team Sports. You earn points on every purchase — the exact earning rate depends on whether you hold the standard version or the premium version — and redeem those points as statement credits toward future purchases at Dick's locations or online.

The card has no annual fee. It also offers a welcome bonus for new cardholders, though the specific bonus amount changes periodically. Like most store cards, it carries a higher interest rate than general-purpose cards and works only at Dick's-owned retailers, which limits its usefulness outside that ecosystem.

The card is designed for people who shop at Dick's regularly and want to concentrate their rewards there. If you buy athletic shoes, outdoor gear, or team sports equipment from Dick's multiple times a year, the points accumulate faster than they would with a cash-back card. If you shop there once or twice annually, a general rewards card usually makes more sense.

Key Takeaways

  • The Dick's card earns points only at Dick's Sporting Goods and Dick's Team Sports, so rewards have no value outside those stores.
  • The card charges a higher interest rate than most general-purpose credit cards, making it expensive to carry a balance.
  • New cardholders receive a welcome bonus, but the amount varies and you should check the current offer before you open the account.
  • Points redeem as statement credits in any amount, giving you flexibility in when and how much you use them.
  • The card has no annual fee, so there is no cost to keep it open even if you do not use it for several months.

How points earn and redeem

The standard Dick's card earns 5 points per dollar spent at Dick's Sporting Goods locations and on Dick's.com. The premium version, sometimes called the "Elite" or "Plus" tier, earns a higher rate — typically 10 points per dollar — but usually requires you to spend a certain amount in a year to maintain that status, or it drops you back to the standard earning rate.

Points redeem as statement credits, meaning they reduce your credit card balance dollar-for-dollar. You do not have to wait until you accumulate a specific number of points; most cardholders can redeem in increments as small as 100 points. The redemption value is typically 1 point equals 1 cent, so 500 points equals $5 in credit.

The welcome bonus for new cardholders is usually a flat amount of points or a percentage bonus on your first purchase, but the offer changes. Before opening the account, check Dick's website or the Comenity Bank process page to see what bonus is currently available. Some offers require you to spend a minimum amount within a set timeframe to unlock the bonus.

Interest rates and fees compared to other store cards

The Dick's card carries a variable interest rate that is typically in the 18% to 27% range, depending on your credit score and current market conditions. This is higher than most general-purpose rewards cards, which average 16% to 24%. The difference matters only if you carry a balance; if you pay in full each month, the interest rate is irrelevant.

There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees (though the card works only in the United States), and no late fees beyond standard credit card penalties. Comenity Bank charges the same penalty APR and late fees as other issuers — typically a 29.99% penalty rate and a $38 late fee — so missing a payment costs the same whether you use Dick's card or another store card.

The real cost comparison is between the Dick's card and a general rewards card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne. Those cards earn 1.5% to 2% cash back everywhere, which translates to roughly 1.5 to 2 cents per dollar. The Dick's card earns 5 cents per dollar at Dick's, which sounds better until you realize you can only use those points at Dick's. If you shop at Dick's once a month but also buy athletic gear at Target, Amazon, or local running stores, a general rewards card usually delivers more total value because you earn on all those purchases.

When the Dick's card makes financial sense

The card is worth opening if you spend at least $1,500 to $2,000 per year at Dick's Sporting Goods. At that spending level, the 5 points per dollar earning rate generates enough rewards to offset the higher interest rate risk and the limited redemption options. A $2,000 annual spend earns 10,000 points, or $100 in statement credits — roughly 5% back, which beats most general rewards cards.

The card also makes sense if you are a frequent Dick's shopper who already carries a general rewards card for other purchases. Using the Dick's card only at Dick's and your other card everywhere else lets you optimize earning at each retailer without paying an annual fee for the privilege.

The card is less useful if you shop at Dick's only occasionally, if you prefer to carry a single card, or if you want to earn rewards that work across multiple retailers. In those cases, a 2% cash-back card like the Citi Double Cash or a rotating-category card like the Chase Freedom Flex usually delivers more total value over a year.

How to use the card strategically

If you decide to open the account, use it only for purchases at Dick's and pay the balance in full each month. Carrying a balance at 18% to 27% interest erases the value of the rewards almost when ready. A $500 balance at 22% interest costs you roughly $110 per year in interest charges, while the rewards on that same $500 spend generate only $25 in points.

Time larger purchases to coincide with promotional periods. Dick's frequently runs sales events — back-to-school, holiday, clearance — and some cardholders report that the card occasionally offers bonus point multipliers during these periods. Check your email and the Dick's website for cardholder-only promotions before you make a big purchase.

Redeem points as soon as you accumulate them rather than letting them sit. Store card points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing, but redeeming regularly ensures you actually use the rewards rather than forgetting about them. Set a reminder to check your points balance quarterly.

Alternatives to the Dick's card

If you want a rewards card that works at Dick's and beyond, the Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on rotating categories (which sometimes include sporting goods retailers) and 1.5% on everything else. The Capital One SavorOne earns 3% on dining and entertainment and 1% on all other purchases, including Dick's. Both cards have no annual fee and work anywhere Visa is accepted.

If you shop primarily at Dick's but want more flexibility, the Citi Double Cash earns 2% cash back everywhere — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay the bill. That is lower than the Dick's card's 5% earning rate at Dick's, but it works at every retailer, so you build rewards faster across your total spending.

For people who shop at multiple sporting goods retailers, no single store card covers all of them. In that case, a general rewards card is usually the better choice because you earn on purchases at Dick's, REI, Academy Sports, Foot Locker, and local running stores all in one account.

how the process works and what to expect

You can open the Dick's card online at Dick's.com or in a store during checkout. The process takes about 5 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment status. Comenity Bank typically makes a decision within seconds to a few minutes.

If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can usually start using it online when ready through your Comenity account, even before the physical card arrives. The welcome bonus posts to your account within 30 to 60 days of opening, depending on the specific offer terms.

If you are denied, you can call Comenity Bank to ask why. Common reasons include a recent hard inquiry on your credit report, a thin credit file, or a recent missed payment on another account. You can reapply after addressing the issue, though multiple applications within a short period can hurt your credit score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Dick's card at other stores?

No. The Dick's Sporting Goods credit card works only at Dick's Sporting Goods, Dick's.com, and Dick's Team Sports locations. It does not work at other sporting goods retailers or at any non-Dick's merchant. If you need a card that earns rewards everywhere, you need a general-purpose rewards card instead.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points expire if you close the account. Comenity Bank typically gives you 30 to 60 days to redeem remaining points before they are forfeited. If you have accumulated points but no longer want the card, redeem them as a statement credit before you close the account.

Does the Dick's card hurt my credit score?

Opening the card triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The new account also lowers your average account age. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay on time, it will help your credit mix and payment history over time, which eventually raises your score. The net effect is usually positive after 6 to 12 months.

Can I get the welcome bonus if I already have a Dick's card?

Most issuers, including Comenity Bank, limit welcome bonuses to new cardholders only. If you already hold a Dick's card, you typically cannot open another one and receive a bonus. Some cardholders report that closing the account and reapplying after 12 months makes them may be able to access for the bonus again, but this varies by issuer policy.

What is the difference between the standard and premium Dick's card?

The premium version earns a higher points rate — usually 10 points per dollar instead of 5 — but requires you to spend a certain amount annually to maintain that status. If you fall below the spending threshold, you drop back to the standard earning rate. The premium version has no additional annual fee, so it is worth pursuing only if you spend enough at Dick's to justify the higher tier.