What the Dick's Sporting Goods Credit Card Does

The Dick's Sporting Goods credit card is a store card that works only at Dick's Sporting Goods and its subsidiary stores. You use it like any other credit card—swipe it at checkout, pay a monthly bill—but the rewards and benefits are tied to purchases you make there. The card is issued by Comenity Bank, not by Dick's itself, so your account is managed through Comenity's payment system.

The main draw is the rewards program. You earn points on every dollar you spend, and those points convert to certificates you can use on future purchases. The card also offers occasional promotional financing—periods where you pay no interest on large purchases if you pay them off within a set time frame. There is no annual fee.

This is not a general-purpose credit card. If you shop at Dick's regularly and want to build rewards there, it makes sense. If you shop elsewhere, a cash-back card or travel card will serve you better.

Key Takeaways

  • The Dick's Sporting Goods card earns points on every purchase at Dick's, which convert to reward certificates worth a percentage back on future buys.
  • The card carries no annual fee and offers promotional financing periods where you pay zero interest if you meet the payoff important date.
  • You can request a card in-store or online through Dick's website, and approval decisions usually come within minutes to a few hours.
  • The card works only at Dick's Sporting Goods, Dick's Team Sports, and Golf Galaxy locations—not at other retailers.
  • Late payments and missed due dates will damage your credit score the same way they do with any credit card, so set up autopay or calendar reminders.

How to Request the Card

You can request the Dick's Sporting Goods card either in a store or on Dick's website. In-store, ask a cashier or customer service associate for an process. Online, go to dickssportinggoods.com, find the credit card section (usually under Account or Credit Card in the footer), and click the link to request. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information.

The process takes about five minutes. Comenity Bank will pull your credit report to make a decision. Most people hear back within a few hours; some decisions come through when ready. If you are approved, you can use the card right away in-store (the associate will set up it for you) or online after you set up your account with Comenity.

If you are denied, Comenity will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include a credit score below their threshold, recent late payments, or too much existing debt relative to your income. You can request the card again after six months or after you have improved the factor that caused the denial.

Understanding the Rewards Program

The Dick's Sporting Goods card rewards structure works in tiers based on how much you spend in a year. You earn points on every purchase, and the more you spend, the higher your earning rate. At the base level, you earn one point per dollar. As you reach higher spending thresholds, your earning rate increases—though the exact thresholds and rates change periodically, so check your cardholder agreement or ask in-store for current details.

Points accumulate in your account and convert to reward certificates automatically. A certificate is a discount code you can use on a future purchase. The value of each certificate depends on your tier and how many points you have accumulated. You do not have to do anything to convert points—they become certificates on a schedule set by Dick's, usually quarterly or annually.

Reward certificates expire, so check the expiration date on each one when it arrives. You can use multiple certificates on a single purchase, and they work on sale items and clearance merchandise. They do not work on gift cards.

Promotional Financing and Interest Rates

Dick's runs periodic promotional financing offers on the card. These typically appear as "12 months no interest" or "24 months no interest" on purchases over a certain amount—often $500 or $1,000. If you take advantage of a promotion, you must pay off the full purchase within the promotional period. If you do not, you will owe interest retroactively from the purchase date, usually at a rate between 19% and 27% APR depending on your creditworthiness.

The regular purchase APR (the rate you pay on non-promotional purchases) varies by person and changes over time. Your rate depends on your credit score and credit history. When you receive your card or log into your account, you can see your current APR. If you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at your APR.

To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you cannot, at least pay more than the minimum payment—the minimum covers only a small portion of interest and principal, so paying only the minimum will keep you in debt for years.

Managing Your Account and Making Payments

Once your card is approved, you manage your account through Comenity's website or mobile app. You can log in with your email address and password. From there, you can view your balance, see your current APR, check your rewards points and certificates, and make payments.

Your statement closes on a date set by Comenity (usually the same day each month) and your payment is due about 21 days later. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in-store at Dick's. The easiest method is to set up automatic payments—you can choose to pay the full balance, a fixed amount, or the minimum payment each month. Autopay removes the risk of missing a due date.

If you miss a payment, Comenity will report it to the credit bureaus after 30 days. This will lower your credit score. After 60 days, you may face a higher APR. After 120 days, the account may be sent to collections. If you are struggling to pay, call Comenity when ready—they may offer a hardship plan or temporary payment reduction.

When the Card Does Not Work and What to Do

The Dick's card works only at Dick's Sporting Goods, Dick's Team Sports, and Golf Galaxy locations. It will not work at other sporting goods retailers, online retailers, or gas stations. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card instead—those are general-purpose cards issued by banks, not store cards.

If your card is declined at checkout, the most common reasons are: you have reached your credit limit, you have a past-due balance, the card has been frozen due to suspicious activity, or the payment terminal is not reading the card properly. Ask the cashier to try swiping again or inserting the card. If it is still declined, call Comenity from the store (the number is on the back of your card) to find out why. Do not assume the card is broken—call first.

If your card is lost or stolen, call Comenity when ready. They will cancel it and send you a replacement within 7 to 10 business days. You will not be liable for fraudulent charges if you report the loss before someone uses it.

How This Card Affects Your Credit Score

Opening a Dick's Sporting Goods card will lower your credit score slightly in the short term because Comenity pulls your credit report (a "hard inquiry") and opens a new account. The hard inquiry typically costs 5 to 10 points and fades after three months. The new account lowers your average account age, which may cost another 5 to 10 points. These dips are temporary.

Over time, the card can help your credit score if you use it responsibly. Paying on time every month shows lenders you are reliable. Keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit (below 30% of the limit) shows you are not overleveraged. Both of these factors improve your score over months and years.

Conversely, late payments, high balances, and maxing out the card will damage your score. A single late payment can cost 100 points or more. If you are not confident you can pay on time, do not open the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The Dick's Sporting Goods card works only at Dick's Sporting Goods, Dick's Team Sports, and Golf Galaxy. It will not work at other retailers, even other sporting goods stores. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card from a bank.

What happens if I do not pay my bill on time?

If you miss your due date, Comenity will charge you a late fee (usually $25 to $40) and may raise your APR. After 30 days late, the missed payment will appear on your credit report and lower your credit score. After 120 days, your account may be sent to a collection agency. Call Comenity as soon as you know you will be late—they may work with you on a payment plan.

How do I use my reward certificates?

Reward certificates are sent to you by email or appear in your online account. When you are ready to use one, you can either enter the certificate code at checkout online or show the code to a cashier in-store. You can use multiple certificates on one purchase. Certificates expire, so check the expiration date and use them before they expire.

What is the credit limit on the Dick's card?

Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Comenity will tell you your limit when you are approved. You can request a higher limit after you have had the card for several months and have made on-time payments. Call Comenity or log into your account to request an increase.

Can I close my Dick's card without hurting my credit?

Closing the card will lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your credit limit you are using). The damage is usually small if you have other cards and a good payment history. If you want to close the card, pay off the balance first, then call Comenity to request closure.