Victoria’s Secret is one of the most well-known retail stores in the States, and it is no wonder why it offers a specific credit card to its die-hard supporters. Using the card, you can access a wide variety of the brand’s products, including bras, perfume, and others. Given its nature as a store card, its ability can be minimal. Yet, Victoria’s Secret credit cards can be a glittery attraction for the right users. So, is it for you?
Intro Bonus: $15 off on your first purchase
Regular APR: 24.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: 640+ (Fair)
Annual Fee: $0
Tiers: Pink, Silver Gold
Highlights:
- The cards are available in two designs.
- There is no annual fee.
- As a welcome bonus, the card users will receive $15 off their first Victoria’s Secret purchase and Little Book of Exclusive Perks containing $65 worth of savings.
- You can earn up to $15 for every 250 points you have collected.
- The cards can be used at PINK and Bath & Body Works stores.
- The card provides birthday and half-birthday treats up to $15 and credit card anniversary awards up to 20% off depending on the card tier.
- The gift cards are only valid for 90 days after the issuing date.
- Points expire after 12 consecutive months of no card activity and lead to account closure.
- Paying through a phone has a charge, and the online payment system of the card encounters slow processing.
Full Review:
Credit card users who often spend hundreds to thousands of dollars for lingerie of this brand will find Victoria’s Secret credit card a valuable tool. Just after issuing the card by Comenity Bank, cardholders will receive an introductory bonus through the mail in the form of Little Book of Exclusive Perks containing $65 worth of savings in coupons. First-time card users will also get $15 off their first Victoria’s Secret purchase.
The Victoria Card Tiers
Victoria’s Secret credit cards have three tiers: Pink, Silver, and Gold.
It comes in three tiers called Pink, Silver, and Gold (formerly Angel, Angel VIP, and Angel Forever, respectively). You can choose the design of the card you want to receive. All three tiers have the classic V design, but you have the option for a pure pink, solver, or gold card look. Nevertheless, keep in mind that all cards will still be under the same rewards system regardless of the design.
Every individual who plans to apply for the card will start at the first tier. They will only advance to higher levels by accumulating points. To do it, card users must spend $250 to move to Silver status and $500 for the Gold status within the Program Year (runs from February 1st through January 31st). Once Victoria’s Secret credit card owner has reached the higher rank, it will be maintained for the entire Program Year. After this, the owner must spend the same amount for another year to keep the tier, or the Silver or Gold status will move to a lower position.
The tiers have specific perks and unique advantages. All cards earn one point for each $1 of net new purchases when used on any Victoria’s Secret store and sister companies PINK and Bath & Body Works (though there will be no rewards given by the two latter stores). The points are non-transferrable compared to other general-use cards.
Rewards
Victoria’s Secret credit cards provide up to 3x points on bra purchases.
Starting on April 5th, 2022, Victoria’s Secret will make significant changes to the program by requiring card users to reach 2,000 points first before getting the $10 reward. The point distribution system will also change to aid the card users in quickly obtaining the points needed. On the said date, there will be 10 points for every $1 spent on purchases made with the Pink card and the 30 points per $1 spent on all bra purchases. Gold members will then receive 15 points for every $1 spent and 45 points per $1 spent on all bra purchases.
Nonetheless, current Victoria’s Secret credit card users can still enjoy the same reward structure. After reaching 250 points, Pink and Silver will earn a $10 reward automatically, while the Gold will receive $15. All tiers can still enjoy free shipping on every $50+ purchase, 3x points on bra purchases, 2x points per dollar on non-bra purchases (when making an in-store payment only once per month), and 1x point for other Victoria’s Secret purchases.
The tiers are given “Triple Points Day/s,” where non-bra purchases will provide 3 points per dollar. The number of days depends on the card’s status, wherein the Gold receives 3 days, Silver has 2 days, and the Pink has 1 day. If you are a new user, remember that the days need to be activated first. You can call 1-844-392-6435 to do it.
All cards also acquire benefits in exclusive offers and invites, early access to sales, and other cardmember-only perks. However, the different parts of the rewards depend on the card status.
The Pink card has $10 for every 250 points earned and $10 on the user’s birthday. The Silver card also has the same reward for every 250 points gathered and a birthday reward. A $10 reward for this higher tier is added during the user’s half-birthday year, plus a 15% off whenever the card reaches its anniversary. Lastly, the Gold card has all the benefits mentioned above, except that the birthday and half-birthday treats come at both $15. This highest tier’s credit card anniversary award is also bumped up to 20% off.
Victoria’s Secret credit card users will automatically receive the reward gift cards. However, it is essential to note that the gift cards are only valid for 90 days after the issuing date. The points you are earning can also expire after 12 consecutive months of no card activity. Some users also report account closure after the said number of days, so it is better to make sure you make purchases at least every five to six months to keep your account active and prevent losing the points you gathered in your past activities.
Payment & Red Flags
The payment system of Victoria’s Secret credit cards is a bit problematic.
The bill payment can be made in stores or online at www.TheVictoriaCreditCard.com or www.ThePINKCreditCard.com. There is also an option to pay by phone by calling (800) 695-9478 or TDD/TTY (800) 695-1788 Monday through Saturday (8 AM to 9 PM) Eastern time. This is where the challenge starts in having this store card.
Paying through the phone will charge you a $9 fee, while settling your statement online can be challenging. Many reports are going that users are experiencing slow processing of payments online, which can lead to delayed payments. This is a massive problem since the late fee can cost up to $40. There is also no autopay option from Comenity Bank, so we suggested paying off the card earlier than waiting for your statement to arrive. And in case you forgot, online payments can only be made before 8 PM EST. Failing to do so means your payment will just be credited the next day, resulting in a late fee. With this, you should be careful and stay on top of your financial obligations when using this CC.
Also, Victoria’s Secret credit cards can charge you hefty interest when not used properly. It has an APR of 24.99% (as of February 2021), which is variable. With this, you don’t want the card’s interest to soar by missing the due dates (25 days after the close of each billing cycle). It is also ideal to pay your statement balance in full every month to completely prevent any interest charge and adverse effect on your reward points and credit score.
Final Thought: Do you really need to be an Angel?
With all those things said, is this Victoria’s Secret credit card for you? Well, it is undoubtedly the best choice for people who eagerly patronize the brand’s products, not just bras and underwear pieces. The reward structure is just right (though the welcome bonus is not particularly exciting) and can help such people to get the best out of every dollar they are spending. However, if you consider applying for this credit card, be sure that you know the risk of late fees, high interest, and unfavorable customer service. Its payment system is not that convenient. The phone payment can cost you, while the online transaction option often experiences slow processing. Apparently, you can negate that by paying earlier and in full every month. So, if you know you always have solid control over your finances, Victoria’s Secret credit card is excellent.
On the other side of the coin, if you need a more versatile credit card, look for general-use credit cards. They will help you experience a generous reward structure anywhere from stores to online purchases. Some even do not charge annual fees, so you are sure there is no pressure to use them. If you are looking for such credit cards, have a look at the top 5 best free credit cards rounded up by our finance experts.
