For some, Nordstrom is the best place to shop. The fashion retailer offers various clothing, shoes, accessories, and other products for men, women, and kids. If you are a frequent shopper at the said store, you’re probably already a member of Nordstrom’s rewards program, The Nordy Club. It provides generous perks and rewards towards its members, but having a Nordstrom credit card can help you get more.
Nordstrom Credit Cards
Intro Bonus: $40 Bonus Note
Regular APR: 18.90% to 25.90% (Variable – Visa Credit Card), 25.90% (Retail Card)
Credit Score: Good to Excellent
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- Cards are available in Visa (Visa Signature or Visa Platinum) or the close-loop retail store versions.
- It has no foreign transaction fees.
- New cardholders will get a $40 Bonus Note.
- The application automatically makes you a Nordy Club member.
- The rewards program has three tiers: Member status, Influencer, Ambassador, and Icon.
- You need 1,000 points to get a $10 Nordstrom Note.
- It has a high variable APR of up to 25.90%.
Nordstrom Credit Card Review:
You can use the cards at various Nordstrom stores and platforms.
A Nordstrom credit card is an excellent way to maximize your free Nordy Club membership. The rewards program is already generous enough, but getting a card can help you unlock more benefits. The card charges no annual fee and works at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom Trunk Club, Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com, or through the Nordstrom app. As a welcome bonus, new cardholders will get a $40 Bonus Note that they can use for a future purchase.
The Nordy Club
You will automatically be a part of the Nordy Club when you apply. Depending on your creditworthiness, you may qualify for the Visa (Visa Signature or Visa Platinum) version or the close-loop retail store version of the card.
The Nordstrom Visa credit card lets you shop outside Nordstrom stores.
The Nordstrom Visa credit card has broader coverage as an open-loop card since it can be used at any store where Visa is accepted. It also includes other unique benefits and exclusive Visa Signature benefits, such as Visa Signature Concierge, travel/emergency assistance services, and access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.
The Nordy Club has four tiers: the standard Member status (no spending requirement), Influencer (spends less than $5,000), Ambassador (spends a minimum of $5,000), and Icon (spends a minimum of $15,000, only available for cardholders). Without the credit card, the member can only access a limited number of rewards program benefits. But as a cardmember, you can start at the Influencer status and get extra perks. Here are the full benefits one can get from each tier using the Nordstrom credit card:
Influencer
- Earn 2 points per $1 net spend on qualifying items at Nordstrom locations when using your Nordstrom card
- Earn 1 point per $1 net spend on qualifying items when using your Nordstrom Visa credit card anywhere else Visa is accepted
- Earn Nordstrom Notes upon reaching certain point accumulation thresholds
- Opportunities to earn bonus points and Bonus Nordstrom Notes through special promotions
- Free Basic Alterations
- Lifestyle Workshops
- First to Shop Select brands
- First to Shop Clear the Rack
- 3 Personal Double Points Days
- Priority Access to Style Events
- $200 status alterations reimbursement benefit in Nordstrom Notes
- Cardmember Early Access to Anniversary Sale
- Nordstrom Trunk Club Styling (styling fee is waived for cardmembers)
- 2-business-day shipping in selected locations
Ambassador
- Earn 3 points per $1 net spend on qualifying items at Nordstrom locations when using your Nordstrom credit card
- Earn 1 point per $1 net spend on qualifying items when using your Nordstrom Visa credit card anywhere else Visa is accepted.
- $300 status alterations reimbursement benefit in Nordstrom Notes
- Cardmember Early Access to Anniversary Sale
- Nordstrom Trunk Club Styling (styling fee is waived for cardmembers)
- 2-business-day shipping in selected locations
- Earn Nordstrom Notes upon reaching certain point accumulation thresholds
- Opportunities to earn bonus points and Bonus Nordstrom Notes through special promotions
- Free Basic Alterations
- Lifestyle Workshops
- First to Shop Select brands
- First to Shop Clear the Rack
- 4 Personal Double Points Days
- Nordstrom to You (In-Home Stylist)
- Priority Access to Style Events
- Invite-Only Events
Icon
- Earn at least 1 base point for every $1 net spend on qualifying items at Nordstrom locations, no matter what tender used
- Earn 3 points per $1 net spend on qualifying items at Nordstrom locations when using your Nordstrom credit card
- Earn 1 point per $1 net spend on qualifying items when using your Nordstrom Visa credit card anywhere else Visa is accepted.
- Earn Nordstrom Notes upon reaching certain point accumulation thresholds
- Opportunities to earn bonus points and Bonus Nordstrom Notes through special promotions
- Lifestyle Workshops
- First to Shop Select brands
- First to Shop Clear the Rack
- 5 Personal Double Points Days
- Nordstrom to You (In-Home Stylist)
- Priority Access to Style Events
- Invite-Only Events
- Reimbursement for Nordstrom credit card fees
- Free same-day delivery for in-store purchases at the Nordstrom NYC store
- Icon Customer Care
- Nordstrom After-Hours
- Access to Icon-Only Events
- Dining or Spa Experience
- Unlimited alterations benefit on Nordstrom full-price merchandise purchased with your Nordstrom credit card
- Cardmember Early Access to Anniversary Sale
- Nordstrom Trunk Club Styling (styling fee is waived for cardmembers)
- 2-business-day shipping in selected locations
As mentioned above, the collection of points depends on your Nordy Club membership tier and the type of card you use. Nonetheless, regardless of the type of card (Nordstrom retail credit card or Nordstrom Visa credit card), the Influencer status gets 2 points at Nordstrom locations. In comparison, both Ambassador and Icon tiers receive 3 points. On the other hand, as an open-loop credit card, the Nordstrom Visa can gather 1 point per dollar anywhere else Visa credit cards are accepted.
The Nordstrom iOS app makes your points conversion more convenient.
After collecting a substantial number of points, the Influencer cardholders can convert 1,000 points for a $10 Nordstrom Note. Meanwhile, Ambassador and Icon cardholders can convert 2,000 points for a $20 note. If you have a Nordstrom iOS app, you can also opt for smaller point conversions such as $5 for 500 points, $10 for 1,000 points, and $15 for 1,500 points. However, once the Nordstrom Notes are issued, note that they are only valid for 12 months. In the same way, the points of the Nordstrom credit cards can expire without activities for 12 consecutive months.
Final Thoughts:
Store credit cards are an excellent tool for a better shopping experience while receiving rewards. Yet, it is essential to consider how frequently you visit the shop before getting one. The same thing applies to Nordstrom credit cards. Is the store your frequent shopping place? Do you spend at least $5,000 on purchases at the store? If not, you might want to look for other cards.
And while the Nordstrom credit card will allow you to unlock more perks from the Nordy Club rewards program, mind that the cards have a high variable APR that can reach up to 25.90%. If you would be approved for a Visa version of the card, take note that the APR for cash advance can go as high as 26.90%.
Moreover, the Nordstrom Visa credit card can only earn 1 point per dollar outside the Nordstrom stores, which can be pretty frustrating. The points and Nordstrom Notes are also just for store use, so your redemption options are very minimal. For Nordstrom loyalists, these things can be acceptable, but it is more practical for most people to have a general rewards card such as those from Bank of America, Capital One, Discover, and Chase. Such cards will offer you higher points earning rates and wider redemption choices. With this, whenever you are shopping for your clothes, you can expect a considerable and decent rewards rate every time you spend.
