Updated
Feb 28, 2022 Some offers mentioned on this page may be outdated. To confirm offers and credit card details, check the issuer’s website.
The Banana Republic Card
What we like:
Someone who prefers paperless billing<br>
| Intro Offer | 20% off your first online purchase after opening an account |
| Rewards Rate | 5x points per $1 spent at brands in-store and online 1x points per $1 spent elsewhere |
| Regular APR | 28.24% |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
- Card Details – extensive cash back program, no annual fee, above average APR, no introductory interest rates, 25% off first purchase
- APR – 26.74%
- Pros – 25% first purchase discount, no annual fee, 5% cash back at Banana Republic, Old Navy, Gap, Athleta; 1% cash back everywhere else
- Cons – benefits only apply in select stores, APR is above average for store-issued credit cards, APR applies immediately, 3% foreign transaction fee
- Rewards Points – No limit on rewards you can earn, points expire after 24 months; points are valued at $.01 each
- Intro APR – no intro APR; immediately 26.74%
- Recommended Credit Score – good credit score usually required for the Visa card
If you’re a young professional—or soon will be one—you are likely familiar with Banana Republic. The store is known for its basic and not-so-basic work and weekend wear. As part of the Gap, Inc. family of stores, Banana Republic represents the higher end of the chain. Its credit card, the Banana Republic Credit Card, might be worth considering if you shop at either Banana Republic or an associated store.
Banana Republic Card Details
The Banana Republic Credit Card is available to customers with a good credit score, typically at least 700 or higher. It offers an extensive cash-back program that allows cardholders to earn points for every dollar that they charge at Gap, Inc. stores, including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Points can also be earned by shopping with the Banana Republic Credit Card anywhere that Visa cards are accepted.
It charges no annual fee but comes with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 26.74%, which is relatively high compared to many credit cards. The Banana Republic Credit Card does not offer an introductory APR and does not permit balance transfers.
The points structure of the Banana Republic Credit Card is fairly generous. Cardholders earn 5 points for every $1 spent at any Gap, Inc. store, with no exclusions or limitations. Users can also earn 1 point for every $1 spent on their card elsewhere.
A $5 reward card can be earned for every 500 points earned, which puts the value of each point at $.01. Cardholders can earn “Luxe” status by earning 5,000 points in a calendar year, which entitles them to certain benefits, such as free shipping on all purchases and special discounts. Customers are not limited to the number of points they can earn, but points expire after 24 months.
Benefits of the Banana Republic Card
There are several advantages to the Banana Republic Credit Card. First, after customers are initially approved, they receive 25% off on their first purchase at BananaRepublic.com. After that initial purchase, consumers receive 5% back at Gap, Inc. stores and 1% cash back elsewhere in the form of rewards points. There is also no annual fee.
Downsides of the Banana Republic Card
The biggest downside of the Banana Republic Credit Card is that its APR is above average for store-issued credit cards. With such high interest rates on the card, it’s best to avoid carrying a balance on the Banana Republic Credit Card.
In addition, not all customers will qualify for the Banana Republic Visa. If they do not qualify for the Visa, they will receive the store credit card and only be able to earn points within the Gap family of stores. With the Banana Republic Visa, there is a 3% foreign transaction fee, whereas some credit cards do not charge that fee.
Further, while you can earn rewards points for Banana Republic by using the Visa card, these points are less valuable than other types of rewards cards. The interest rate is likely higher than that offered by most other credit cards, making the Banana Republic Visa a less-than-ideal choice for a daily credit card.
How It Compares to Similar Cards
Compared to other store credit cards, the Banana Republic Credit Card offers a far higher APR. This can make it challenging for anyone who carries a balance to pay off that debt—and should encourage all consumers not to overspend on their Banana Republic card. In addition, the Banana Republic Credit Card does not offer an introductory discount on its interest rate, which is standard with most credit cards.
However, its rewards program is extensive. In contrast to other stores, it allows cardholders to shop at several properties: Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, and Banana Republic. Consumers earn the same level of points at each of these stores, so there is no need to worry about complicated formulas or if they are getting the best deal when shopping using their Banana Republic Credit Card. The reward level offered is also fairly generous for store credit cards, enabling users to earn cash-back rewards fairly quickly compared to most stores’ reward programs.