Academy Sports + Outdoors is the destination for sports enthusiasts to get their sporting needs. And with the introduction of the Academy credit card, shopping for the said goods just became more attractive for such active people. But how much can it offer to you as an Academy patron or as a casual shopper?
Academy Credit Card
Intro Bonus: $15 discount
Regular APR: 26.99%
Credit Score: Fair to Good
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- You need to spend more than $15 to get the card’s welcome bonus. If the purchase is lower than the indicated amount, the 5% cardmember discount will be applied.
- The card provides a 5% discount every time you use it.
- It comes with free standard shipping on eligible Academy.com orders.
- The card has no annual fee.
Academy Credit Card Review:
The Academy credit card is a closed-loop credit card that charges no annual fee. The store used to offer an open-loop Academy Visa card issued by the U.S. Bank, but it is no longer available for new applicants. Now, this remaining version comes with an extremely simple set of features, making its use straightforward for anyone.
Once your account is approved, you will receive a welcome bonus in the form of a $15 discount. As long as your first purchase exceeds $15, you can enjoy the entire amount of the offer. After this, the card can be used for your everyday purchases in the store. However, unlike other store cards offering rewards programs, the Academy credit card won’t give you points that you can use for future rewards redemption. Instead, it provides 5% off on online & in-store items at Academy every day.
The discount rate is not the best compared to other store cards hitting up to 10% like Maurices, but it is practical. It could even be more beneficial than those cards requiring you to earn points and meet particular spending amounts to redeem rewards (commonly discounts or $5 to $10 rewards certificates). With this kind of card, there is no pressure on how much you should spend. Use it any time you want, and you will be rewarded instantly with discounts on your purchases. And as an addition, cardholders will be entitled to free standard shipping on eligible Academy.com orders of $15 or more.
Final Thoughts:
Simplicity and practicality. Those are the things Academy credit card is offering. There is no program or points you can redeem for rewards. But that doesn’t make it less exciting for patrons of Academy stores. It can still be a handy shopping tool throughout the year due to the 5% discount it can provide every time you shop for Academy products. Yet, you still want to be extra careful as it comes with a 26.99% APR and up to $40 penalty fees.
So, should you get the card? If you spend big time at Academy stores and buy spotting goods in bulk, the Academy credit card is indeed a need. Despite the low discount rate, it can still help you save some. However, if you think it wouldn’t be used frequently, or you’d be just using it for small purchases, you’re better off with general rewards cards.
If you want to start your search for the best cards, you can start with the card offers of Wells Fargo, Citi, Capital One, Bank of America, Discover, Amex, and Chase. They come with rewards programs and allow you to earn points or cashback wherever you use them. And with the points earning system they offer, you have the choice of how you want to redeem them. You can also enjoy additional benefits from those cards, such as intro APR, special financing options, and other perks.
