What the Scheels Visa Card Is

The Scheels Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Scheels (the sporting goods and outdoor retailer) in partnership with Visa and a bank. It works like any other Visa card for purchases anywhere Visa is accepted, but it offers rewards and benefits tied to spending at Scheels locations and online.

The card is not a store-only card — you can use it at gas stations, restaurants, and other merchants. But the rewards structure pushes you toward Scheels purchases, where you earn more points per dollar spent than you do elsewhere.

Scheels does not publish the card's interest rate, annual fee, or exact rewards rates on its main website. You will need to request a full disclosure document or call Scheels customer service to see the specific terms before you submit an process.

Key Takeaways

  • The Scheels Visa Card earns rewards points at Scheels and other retailers, with higher earning rates at Scheels locations.
  • You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Scheels stores.
  • The card's interest rate, annual fee, and exact rewards rates are not listed publicly and must be requested directly from Scheels.
  • Your credit score and credit history will be reviewed during the process process, and approval is not may provide.
  • Once approved, you can set up the card online or by phone and begin earning rewards on your first purchase.

How to Request Information and explore

Start by visiting the Scheels website and looking for the credit card offer page, usually found in the footer or under an account section. Scheels may also mail offers to existing customers or display applications in-store.

Before you explore, call Scheels customer service or visit a store to ask for the full terms: the APR (annual percentage rate), any annual fee, the rewards rate at Scheels versus other merchants, and what happens to your points if you close the account. Write these down so you can compare them to other cards you might consider.

When you are ready to explore, you will provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information. The bank will pull your credit report to review your credit score and payment history. This pull shows up on your credit report as a hard inquiry and may lower your score slightly for a few months.

You will receive a decision within a few minutes to a few days. If approved, the bank will mail your card or offer to set up it when ready online. If denied, you can ask the bank why — sometimes it is a credit score issue, sometimes a mismatch in address or identity information.

Activating Your Card and Setting Up Online Access

Once your card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. Most cards come with a phone number printed on the back or a sticker on the card itself. Call that number and follow the prompts, or visit the Scheels website and log in with your Social Security number and card number to set up online.

After set up, set up online account access so you can check your balance, view transactions, and make payments without calling. You will create a username and password, and you may be asked to set up a security question or link a phone number for two-factor authentication.

Once you have online access, set up automatic payments if you want to avoid missing a due date. You can usually choose to pay the full balance, a minimum amount, or a fixed dollar amount each month. Automatic payments reduce the risk of late fees and interest charges.

Understanding Rewards and How to Redeem Points

The Scheels Visa Card earns rewards points on purchases, but the earning rate depends on where you shop. You will earn more points per dollar at Scheels and on Scheels.com than you will on purchases at other retailers. Some cards also offer bonus points during promotional periods or on specific categories like gas or groceries.

Points typically do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, if you close the card or stop using it for a long period, the card issuer may close the account and forfeit your points — check the terms to see how long an account can sit inactive before that happens.

To redeem points, log into your online account or call customer service. Most Scheels cards let you redeem points as a statement credit (a reduction on your bill), a discount on a Scheels purchase, or sometimes a gift card. Some cards also let you transfer points to travel partners or other programs, but this varies by card.

Making Payments and Managing Your Balance

Your payment is due on a specific date each month — this date is listed on your statement and in your online account. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you will not be charged interest on your purchases. If you carry a balance into the next month, interest will be charged at the APR listed in your card agreement.

You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in some cases at a Scheels store. Online and phone payments usually post within one to two business days. Mail payments take longer — allow at least five to seven business days for the payment to arrive and be processed.

If you miss a payment, a late fee will be charged and your interest rate may increase. Missing a payment by 30 days or more will be reported to the credit bureaus and will damage your credit score. If you cannot make a payment on time, call the card issuer before the due date to discuss options.

Fees and Charges to Watch For

The Scheels Visa Card may have an annual fee, though some versions are fee-free. You will see this listed in your card agreement. If there is an annual fee, it is usually charged once per year on your account anniversary or billing date.

Other fees you may encounter include a late payment fee (charged if you miss your due date), a returned payment fee (if a check or automatic payment bounces), a cash advance fee (if you withdraw cash using the card at an ATM), and a foreign transaction fee (if you use the card outside the United States). Each of these will be spelled out in your agreement.

Interest charges are not technically a fee, but they are a cost you will pay if you carry a balance. The interest rate on the Scheels Visa Card is not fixed — it may vary based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Your agreement will state whether your rate is fixed or variable.

Closing Your Account or Downgrading to a Different Card

If you want to close your Scheels Visa Card, call customer service and ask to close the account. The representative will confirm your identity, process the closure, and tell you what happens to any remaining points balance. Some cards let you redeem points before closing; others forfeit them.

Before you close, make sure you have paid off any remaining balance. If you have an outstanding balance, you will still owe it even after the account is closed, and interest will continue to accrue until you pay it off.

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using). If you want to keep the account open but stop using it, you can straightforward put the card away — as long as you do not close it, the account will remain active.

Some card issuers offer the option to downgrade to a different card product instead of closing. This might let you keep your account history and credit limit while moving to a card with different rewards or no annual fee. Ask customer service if this option is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to be approved for the Scheels Visa Card?

Scheels does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, cards with rewards programs are easier to get approved for with a score of 650 or higher, but approval depends on your full credit profile, not just your score. Call Scheels customer service to ask what score range they typically approve.

Can I use the Scheels Visa Card at other stores besides Scheels?

Yes. The card is a Visa card, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and online retailers. However, you will earn fewer rewards points on purchases outside Scheels unless the card offers bonus categories for other types of spending.

What happens to my rewards points if I close the card?

This depends on the card's terms. Some cards let you redeem points before closing, while others forfeit points when the account is closed. Check your card agreement or call customer service to find out the policy before you close your account.

How long does it take to receive the card after I am approved?

Most credit cards are mailed within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Some issuers offer when ready card numbers that you can use online when ready while you wait for the physical card to arrive. Ask the bank if this option is available when you receive your approval notice.

Can I increase my credit limit after I have had the card for a while?

Yes. After you have used the card responsibly for several months, you can call customer service and ask for a credit limit increase. The bank will review your account and may approve an increase without a hard inquiry, or they may pull your credit report again. A higher limit can help your credit score by lowering your utilization ratio.