What the Best Buy Credit Card Does

The Best Buy Credit Card is a store card issued by Citi that you can use at Best Buy locations and online. It earns rewards on purchases made at Best Buy and gives you access to special financing offers on larger purchases. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, you can only use it at Best Buy—not at other retailers or restaurants.

The card comes in two versions: the Best Buy Credit Card (for regular purchases) and the Best Buy Visa Card (which works anywhere Visa is accepted, but earns higher rewards at Best Buy). Both are issued by Citi and report to the three major credit bureaus, so your payment history affects your credit score.

You do not need an existing Best Buy membership to open the card, though the card itself functions as your membership. The card is free—there is no annual fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The Best Buy Credit Card earns 1.5% cash back on all Best Buy purchases if you choose the Visa version, or 5% back on Best Buy purchases with the store card version.
  • You can defer payments on purchases of $99 or more for 6, 12, or 24 months with no interest if you pay on time, depending on the promotion running at the time.
  • The card is issued by Citi, so you manage your account through Citi's website or app, not through Best Buy directly.
  • Opening the card requires a credit check, and approval depends on your credit history and current debt levels.

Rewards Structure and How They Work

The Best Buy Credit Card earns cash back on your purchases. The exact rate depends on which version you hold. The store card version earns 5% cash back on all Best Buy purchases. The Best Buy Visa Card earns 1.5% cash back on all Best Buy purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases made anywhere Visa is accepted.

Cash back is not automatic—you must redeem it. You can redeem your rewards as a statement credit (which reduces your balance), as a Best Buy gift card, or as a deposit to a bank account. Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

Rewards are calculated on the purchase amount before tax. If you return an item, the cash back earned on that purchase is reversed.

Special Financing Offers and Deferred Payments

Best Buy regularly runs special financing promotions for cardholders. These allow you to make a purchase and defer payments for a set period—typically 6, 12, or 24 months—with no interest charged if you pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period.

To use a promotional offer, you must make the purchase with your Best Buy Credit Card during the promotion window. The offer applies automatically at checkout if you may have access to. You will see the promotional terms on your receipt and in your account.

If you do not pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period, interest accrues on the remaining balance retroactively—meaning you pay interest on the entire original purchase amount from the purchase date forward, not just from the end of the promotion. This is called deferred interest, and it is why paying off the full balance before the period ends is critical.

How to Open an Account

You can open a Best Buy Credit Card account online at bestbuy.com, in a Best Buy store, or by phone. The process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and income information. Citi will run a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

You will receive a decision when ready in most cases. If approved, your card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your card in-store when ready by providing your phone number or email address at checkout while you wait for the physical card to arrive.

If you are denied, you can call Citi's reconsideration line to ask why and potentially reapply with different information (such as adding an authorized user with better credit or updating your income). Citi will tell you the specific reason for denial.

Managing Your Account and Making Payments

Your Best Buy Credit Card account is managed through Citi, not Best Buy. You can log into your account at citi.com or through the Citi mobile app to view your balance, make payments, and track rewards. You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month.

Payments are due on a set date each month—usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank transfer. Paying at least the minimum amount by the due date keeps your account in good standing and protects your credit score.

If you miss a payment, Citi charges a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and reports the missed payment to credit bureaus after 30 days. This damages your credit score and can trigger the end of any promotional financing offer you are using.

Credit Score Requirements and Approval Odds

The Best Buy Credit Card is generally easier to get than premium travel or cash-back cards, but you still need decent credit. Most cardholders have a credit score of 650 or higher at the time of opening, though some people with scores in the 600 to 649 range have been approved.

Citi also looks at your debt-to-income ratio—how much you owe compared to what you earn—and your payment history. If you have recent late payments, collections accounts, or very high existing debt, you are less likely to be approved even with a decent score.

If you are denied, you can reapply after 30 days, but your credit will be checked again. Multiple hard inquiries in a short time can lower your score further, so space out applications.

When the Best Buy Card Makes Sense

The Best Buy Credit Card is worth opening if you buy electronics, appliances, or software regularly and want to earn cash back on those purchases. The 5% cash back on the store card version adds up quickly on large purchases like laptops, TVs, or gaming systems.

The deferred interest offers are useful if you are planning a big purchase and want to spread payments over time without paying interest—but only if you are confident you can pay the full balance before the promotional period ends. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the rewards do not offset the cost.

The card is less useful if you rarely shop at Best Buy or if you prefer a card that earns rewards everywhere you spend. In that case, a general-purpose cash-back card may be a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Best Buy Credit Card outside of Best Buy?

Only if you have the Best Buy Visa Card version. The regular Best Buy Credit Card works only at Best Buy locations and on bestbuy.com. The Visa version works anywhere Visa is accepted, but you earn a lower cash-back rate (1.5% at Best Buy, 1% elsewhere) compared to the store card version (5% at Best Buy).

What happens if I do not pay off a promotional financing purchase in time?

Interest accrues retroactively on the entire purchase amount from the original purchase date, not just from the end of the promotion. If you bought a $1,200 laptop on a 12-month 0% offer and paid $900 by the end of month 12, you would owe interest on the full $1,200 for all 12 months, plus the remaining $300 balance.

How long does it take to receive my card after approval?

The physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account when ready in-store by providing your phone number or email at checkout while you wait for the card to arrive in the mail.

Does opening this card hurt my credit score?

Yes, temporarily. The hard credit inquiry lowers your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10 points. The impact fades over time. Opening a new account also lowers your average account age, which can lower your score slightly. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay on time, your score typically recovers within a few months.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Best Buy Card?

No. The Best Buy Credit Card does not offer balance transfers. You can only use it for new purchases at Best Buy.