The Macy's Card gives you rewards on Macy's purchases and a discount on your first purchase, but the rewards rate drops sharply outside the store
The Macy's Credit Card is a store card issued by Citibank that earns rewards only at Macy's and Macy's.com. You get 4 points per dollar spent there, which converts to a $1 reward for every 25 points — meaning roughly 4% back on Macy's purchases. Outside Macy's, you earn 1 point per dollar, which is 0.04% back. The card also gives you a 10% discount on your first purchase after opening the account.
This card makes sense if you shop at Macy's regularly and want to stack rewards with their sales. It does not work as a general-purpose card because the rewards outside Macy's are negligible. There is no annual fee, but there is also no sign-up bonus beyond the first-purchase discount.
Key Takeaways
- You earn 4 points per dollar at Macy's and Macy's.com, worth roughly 4% back, but only 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
- The 10% first-purchase discount applies once per account and requires you to use the card within 30 days of opening.
- Macy's cardholders get early access to sales, exclusive discounts during sale events, and bonus point promotions throughout the year.
- The card charges interest on purchases if you do not pay the full balance monthly, so carrying a balance erases the rewards value quickly.
- You can redeem points for Macy's merchandise, gift cards, or statement credits, with no minimum redemption amount.
How the rewards structure works in practice
The 4 points per dollar at Macy's accumulates fast if you make regular purchases. A $100 Macy's transaction earns 400 points, which equals $16 in rewards. Over a year of moderate shopping — say $2,000 spent at Macy's — you would earn $80 in rewards. That is genuinely useful if Macy's is already part of your regular spending.
The catch is that the 1 point per dollar outside Macy's is so low it barely registers. Spending $100 at a grocery store earns 100 points, worth $4. Most general-purpose cards earn 1.5% to 2% cash back everywhere, which would be $1.50 to $2 on that same $100. The Macy's Card is not designed to be your everyday card — it is designed to reward loyalty to Macy's specifically.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. You can redeem them for merchandise, Macy's gift cards, or a statement credit. There is no minimum redemption threshold, so even small point balances can be redeemed.
Cardholder perks beyond the base rewards
Macy's cardholders receive early access to sales before they open to the general public. During major sale events like the annual clearance, cardholders often get a head start of one to three days. This matters if you are shopping for specific items that sell out quickly.
You also get exclusive discounts during sale events. Macy's regularly runs promotions like "Extra 20% off sale prices for cardholders" or "Bonus points multipliers" during holiday shopping. These stack with the base 4 points per dollar, so a bonus points event can push your effective return to 6% or higher temporarily.
The card includes birthday rewards — typically a bonus points offer or discount in the month of your birthday. You also receive notifications about bonus point promotions, which Macy's runs frequently throughout the year, especially around holidays and seasonal sales.
Interest rates and fees to understand
The Macy's Card has no annual fee, which is standard for store cards. However, the card charges a variable interest rate on unpaid balances. The APR varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates, but store cards typically carry higher APRs than general-purpose cards — often in the 18% to 24% range.
If you carry a balance, interest charges will quickly exceed the value of your rewards. A $1,000 balance at 20% APR costs you $200 per year in interest. Even at 4% rewards, you would need to spend $5,000 at Macy's just to break even on that interest. The card only makes financial sense if you pay the full statement balance every month.
Macy's does offer promotional financing occasionally — periods where you can make purchases interest-free if paid within a set timeframe, typically 6 to 12 months. These offers are advertised in-store and online, and you must meet the terms exactly or interest accrues retroactively. Read the fine print carefully before using promotional financing.
When the Macy's Card makes sense versus alternatives
The Macy's Card is the right choice if you spend $2,000 or more per year at Macy's and pay your balance in full every month. At that spending level, the 4% rewards add up to $80 annually, which is meaningful. The early sale access and bonus point events add additional value if you time your purchases around them.
The card does not make sense if you shop at Macy's only occasionally or if you carry balances. A general-purpose card with 2% cash back everywhere would serve you better — you would earn $40 on $2,000 in spending instead of $80, but you would avoid the risk of interest charges and have rewards that work outside Macy's too.
If you want rewards at multiple department stores, a card like the American Express Blue Business Plus or a flat-rate cash back card gives you flexibility. If you shop primarily at Macy's but also at other stores, consider using the Macy's Card only for Macy's purchases and a different card for everything else.
How to open the account and use the first-purchase discount
You can open a Macy's Card account in-store at any Macy's location or online at macys.com. In-store applications are processed when ready, and you receive a temporary card number on the spot that you can use right away. Online applications take one to two business days for approval.
The 10% first-purchase discount applies to your first transaction after opening the account, but only if you use the card within 30 days. The discount excludes certain items like Macy's gift cards, services, and some clearance merchandise — the exclusions are listed in the terms. To may support the discount applies, ask the cashier to confirm before you complete the purchase.
After opening, you can manage your account online through Macy's or through Citi's website. You can view your points balance, redeem rewards, set up automatic payments, and monitor your APR and credit limit. Setting up automatic full-balance payments is the easiest way to avoid interest charges and keep your rewards working in your favor.
Comparing the Macy's Card to other store cards
The Macy's Card's 4% rewards rate is competitive among department store cards. Nordstrom's card offers 2 points per dollar at Nordstrom (roughly 2% back), and Saks Fifth Avenue's card offers 2 points per dollar there as well. Macy's edges out both on rewards rate, though Nordstrom and Saks offer higher-end merchandise and different cardholder perks.
Against general-purpose cards, the Macy's Card loses on flexibility. A card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back everywhere, which is lower than Macy's 4% at Macy's but higher than the 0.04% outside Macy's. If you split your spending between Macy's and other retailers, a 1.5% card often produces better overall returns.
The real advantage of the Macy's Card is the combination of rewards rate plus early sale access plus bonus point events. If you are already a Macy's shopper and time your purchases around sales, the card can outperform a general-purpose card. If you shop sporadically, a flat-rate card is simpler and likely more profitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Macy's Card outside Macy's?
Yes, the card works anywhere Mastercard is accepted. However, you earn only 1 point per dollar outside Macy's, which is 0.04% back — far below what most other cards offer. The card is designed for Macy's purchases and should not be your primary card for other spending.
What happens to my points if I close the account?
Points expire if your account is closed or inactive for an extended period. Macy's policy states that points are forfeited if the account is closed, so redeem any remaining balance before closing. Keep the account open if you plan to shop at Macy's again in the future.
Do I have to pay an annual fee?
No, the Macy's Card has no annual fee. You only pay interest if you carry a balance month to month. Paying your full statement balance every month means the card costs you nothing while earning rewards.
Can I use the Macy's Card at other stores owned by Macy's Inc.?
The 4% rewards rate applies only at Macy's and Macy's.com. Macy's Inc. also owns Bloomingdale's, but the Macy's Card earns the standard 1 point per dollar there, not the higher rate. If you shop at Bloomingdale's regularly, that store has its own card with different rewards.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a meaningful reward?
At 4 points per dollar, you earn 400 points per $100 spent. Most redemptions start at around 1,000 points, which equals $40 in rewards. That means you need to spend roughly $250 at Macy's to reach a meaningful redemption level. Bonus point events can accelerate this.