When it comes to credit cards, there are seemingly endless choices on the market, with the ultimate decision coming down to your personal preference. One card that stands out is the Express Credit Card, released by one of the nation’s top shopping destinations for clothing. Express is one of the leading clothing stores in America, with over 600 locations nationwide, often in a local mall near you. Choosing the Express Credit Card opens the door to a fashionable credit card that serves you.
What is the Express Credit Card?
The Express Next Credit Card is a credit card that enables you to purchase clothing on credit from the noted fashion designer and its 600 locations. With each purchase of $125, the holder of the Express Credit Card is provided with an incentive bonus, a generous $10 in store credit per $125 spent. Reach A-list status and the incentive reward increases to $15 per $125 spent.
During the first month of holding a balance, there is a promotional rate of 0% interest. Following the initial month period, the interest rate increases to 25.99%. The credit rating that is necessary to acquire the Express Credit Card is notoriously low, making it an option for persons with low credit, or for those who are looking to build their credit.
Product Specs
The Express Credit Card has a $0 annual fee, with an APR at 25.99%, as of November 2017. A key feature of the Express Credit Card that makes it stand out is the rewards included in the Express Next Credit Card. To start a $10 in-store credit is provided for every $125 spent, and after 7,500 points are acquired in a calendar year, the account is upgraded to A-list status, receiving a 50 percent increase in the in-store credit incentive, increasing to $15 per $125 spent.
Pricing
The pricing of the Express Credit Card is competitive, in that it has a $0 annual fee. The no annual fee coupled with the lower credit requirements of the card makes it an attractive option for those looking to build their credit in style. For every $125 spent in Express stores with the card, you are rewarded with $10 in in-store credit. The rewards are not dependent upon the acquisition of points.
As the customer spends more and reaches 7,500 points in a calendar year, the rewards are increased by 50% to $15 for every $125 spent. While the card has relatively high interest rates, the higher level of rewards still make it a valid choice.
How it Compares
To demonstrate for you how the Express Credit Card compares to the competition, we picked a couple of similar products available on the market to see how they compare. These credit cards are also owned by clothing and apparel companies and work only for purchases made in the stores of the company issuing the credit card. It is important to consider the type of products available within the stores to be explored. Some carry only the brand of the company that owns the outlet, while others carry a variety of brands.
The factors that will be considered in the comparisons below will consider the price, ease of use, the application process, and the APR of the credit cards assessed. The pricing of the cards includes the annual fees that are charged, in addition to interest rates owed on balances. The application process explores the process of acquiring the card, and the ease of use considers how the cards are put to use. The APR, an essential characteristic of any credit card, is lastly presented to determine the competitiveness of the cost of deploying the credit in contrast to the competition.
Express Next Credit Card
The Express Next Credit Card offers consumers the ability to make purchases in Express stores of Express products. It offers perks on par with many fair-credit offerings on the market but has high interest rates for balances not paid in the initial month.
Price (Approximate only) $ of $, $$, $$$
The Express Credit Card is free to hold, with no annual fee
Ease of Use – 5 stars
Simply swipe the card in Express stores to utilize the credit
Application Process – 5 stars
Apply conveniently in-store or online
APR – 3 stars – 25.99% (5-star rating system)
The APR should bills not be paid within the first month is relatively high at 25.99%, underlining the importance of paying your bills on time to maximize the return on your credit score
Pros
Cons
Victoria's Secret Credit Card
The Victoria’s Secret credit card is a consumer card that can be used at the Victoria’s Secret chain of lingerie stores, in addition to the Bath & Body Works chain of locations. The card can be used to purchase products made by the two brands, and only the two brands, in their retail outlets. The company was started in 1977 and has grown to over 1,000 stores in America, with the Victoria’s Secret credit card being available for use in any of these locations. There is a rewards program through which customers earn 1X point per $1 spent at Victoria’s Secret, earning a $10 Angel Reward for every 250 points earned.
Price (Approximate only) $ of $, $$, $$$
There is no annual fee, and no interest for the first month
Ease of Use – 5 stars
Swipe the card in any of Victoria’s Secret 1,000 locations, in addition to any Bath & Body Works locations, although rewards points are only awarded through Victoria’s Secret purchases
Application Process - 5 stars
Simply apply in-store or online for instant approval
APR – 3 stars – 25.99%
As of November 2017, the APR for balances with Victoria’s Secret credit card that run over the first month of no interest is at 25.99%
Pros
Cons
Neiman Marcus Credit Card
The Neiman Marcus credit card may be used at the many locations of Neiman Marcus throughout the United States. The store carries a variety of clothing, shoe, handbag, and accessory brands, made by a wide variety of high-end designers and producers. The consumer is thereby presented with a considerable choice in terms of what types of items they purchase, and the brands they choose.
The Neiman Marcus Credit Card offers the InCircle Points customer loyalty rewards program, through which for every 10,000 InCircle points earned, the customer earns $100 Point Cards. 5,000 InCircle points are given just for signing up, and 2 points earned for each dollar spent. The InCircle promotions further include exclusive events and invitations.
Price (Approximate only) $ of $, $$, $$$
There is no annual fee for the Neiman Marcus credit card
Ease of Use – 5 stars
Simply swipe the card at Neiman Marcus or its partners to use the card and begin gaining InCircle points
APR – 4 stars
The Neiman Marcus credit card has a variety of no-interest options for new members, with many qualifying for 6-12 month periods of no interest. Without such approval, the APR is relatively high and comparable to the competition. The flexibility of the promotional period and the ultimate APR that is chosen depends upon the credit score of the client.
Pros
Cons
Dillards Credit Card
The Dillard’s credit card allows the user to make purchases at the Dillard’s chain of stores that carry various designers and manufacturers of clothing and home goods. The customer may thus outfit themselves or their home through the use of the Dillard’s credit card. The card is highly accessible and has strong APR options and consumer incentives.
What differentiates Dillard’s credit card from the competition is the strong introductory 0% APR option, and the ability to conduct cash advances, albeit at higher interest rates. The introductory 0% APR lasts for 12-24 months, and the card has a $0 annual fee. Equal monthly payment financing with 0% APR for 12 months is available for select product purchases over $200, while a 24 month 0% APR period is offered for furniture purchases over $2,000.
Price (Approximate only) $ of $, $$, $$$
The annual fee of Dillard’s credit card is $0, and the APR is 0% for the initial 12-24 months depending upon customer approval
Ease of Use – 5 stars - (5-star rating system)
Simply take the card into any Dillard’s and begin swiping for purchases, or even do a cash advance
Application Process – 3 stars – (5-star rating system)
The Dillard’s credit card can only be applied for in-store or through traditional mail, without any online application option
APR – 5 stars – (5-star rating system)
The APR is 0% for the first 12-24 months, after which time it increases to 11.24-26.24%, or 28.24% for cash advances
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
A number of consumer credit cards were explored above, providing the customer with the opportunity to open a line of credit with their preferred retailers. A $0 annual fee is universal amongst the credit cards reviewed, with the APR rates and the incentive programs differentiating them.
Express Credit Card Overall Rating: 3 stars
The Express Credit Card has its advantages and shortcomings, not unlike any other credit card option available on the market. The card can only be used in Express stores, which carry clothing and apparel for men and women made by Express only, denying the consumer the ability to choose from other brands. The rewards program is generous and provides one of the strongest dollar-for-dollar returns on rewards of all the credit cards surveyed.
Rewards Program—4 Stars
The rewards program of the Express Credit Card is very generous in contrast to the competition. For every $125 spent, without reaching any other points minimums or other parameters as with other cards, the customer earns $10 in rewards. For increasingly loyal customers, upon reaching 7,500 points, the rewards increase to $15 per $125.
Accessibility
The Express Credit Card is accessible and requires a relatively low minimum credit score for approval. This makes it a viable candidate for individuals looking to build their credit.
Pricing - $ of $, $$, or $$$
The cost of the Express Credit Card is competitive, with a $0 annual fee, and 0% APR for all bills paid on time within the initial month. Should balances be held for a considerable amount of time. However, the interest rate rise to 25.99%, underlining the importance of being vigilant regarding paying on time.
($, $$, $$$ Price Rating system is based on the price range of products reviewed)
The Final Verdict On The Express Credit Card:
If you are looking to upgrade your wardrobe and take advantage of 0% APR for the first month, look into the Express Credit Card. It offers a $0 annual fee, competitive interest rates, and access to the fashionably designed line of Express clothing and apparel. Check back to the Wealth Maverick for further information to inform and improve your financial future, as we are here to get your finances from “0” to “Hero”!