Nordstrom Visa Credit Card Review 2024

If you haven’t already, you’ll likely be asked to apply for the Nordstrom Visa credit card the next time you’re at the register. This card offers to double the points earned by non-cardholding members of the store’s rewards program, Nordy Club. And if you spend at least $5,000 annually at Nordstrom, you’ll begin earning 3 points per dollar. In addition, the current welcome bonus note when you open an account and make a purchase on the same day could make this an appealing offer.

Like most store-branded credit cards, the Nordstrom credit card can be used for purchases at Nordstrom, Nordstrom.com and Nordstrom Rack (in-store and online). Plus, the Nordstrom Visa credit card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, but don’t expect this card to compete with other rewards credit cards.

The website gives you the option to apply for the store credit card or the Visa credit card. If you select the Visa application, you will be considered for a Visa Signature or Visa Platinum card based on your creditworthiness. If you do not meet the qualifications for the Visa card, you will automatically be considered for the Nordstrom retail card.

• Visa cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent on the Nordstrom credit card, 3 points per dollar spent at the Ambassador and Icon status level and 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else Visa® credit cards are accepted
• $0 annual fee
• Free two-day shipping in select metro areas
• Earn a $60 Bonus Note given for applying and using a Nordstrom credit card on the day of approval

Earning Rewards

You can earn points for purchases made at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, both in-store and online. In general, purchases earn base points for each dollar spent in store or online. There are some exclusions including products and services that do not qualify to earn points. In some cases, bonus points are offered for special promotions. Note that certain brands and products may not qualify for rewards points or bonus points.

The number of points earned is based on your method of payment and annual spending. All Nordstrom card members begin with Influencer level and earn 2 points per dollar spent with the potential to earn bonus points. For those who reach Ambassador and Icon status, members will earn a minimum of 3 points per dollar. You can also earn 1 point for every dollar spent on purchases if you do not pay with your Nordstrom card, but provide your mobile number at check out.

Membership status is determined by your net purchase balance, the amount spent minus any returns, discounts or taxes. Purchases that earn points also include gift cards, custom items and items shipped outside the U.S.

• Influencer. Minimum net purchase balance (NBP) of $500 at Nordstrom locations.
• Ambassdor. Minimum NPB of $5,000 at Nordstrom locations.
• Icon. Minimum NPB of $15,000 at Nordstrom locations using a Nordstrom card.

If you apply for a Nordstrom card and make a purchase on the same day, you earn an additional welcome bonus to be used on a future Nordstrom purchase. This offer is only available to new cardholders.

Note that if you use a third-party payment for your Nordstrom credit card you will only earn 1 point per dollar spent regardless of member status.

You will also earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Redeeming Rewards

Rewards are automatically added to your account in the form of Nordstrom Notes once you accrue enough points. You earn a $10 Nordstrom Note for every 1,000 points or a $20 Nordstrom Note for every 2,000 points.

You can earn rewards even faster on the Nordstrom app. The app also allows you to redeem 500 points for a $5 Nordstrom Note or 1,500 points for $15.

Nordstrom Notes can be redeemed toward purchases at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack both in-store and online. You can apply your Note at checkout when shopping online. In-store, you can request the salesperson look it up on your account.

Rewards Potential

Using various government agency data, Forbes Advisor estimates that households in the 70th percentile of wage earners have approximately $36,177 that can reasonably be charged to a credit card. Of that, we estimate spending $2,227 on clothes annually. Assuming 50% of your apparel shopping is conducted at Nordstrom stores, you could earn 2,227 points annually or $22.27.

With the Nordstrom Visa, you’ll earn an additional 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else. If we assume 50% of all other expenses are charged to this card, total annual card spending would be $16,975 resulting in 16,975 points back. This would translate to $16,00 in Nordstrom Notes, depending on the redemption rates at the time. If you strategically shop the bonus offers, you could earn even more rewards each year.Note that in addition to cash advances and charitable donations not qualifying to earn rewards, purchases of alcoholic beverages also do not qualify.

Note that in addition to cash advances and charitable donations not qualifying to earn rewards, purchases of alcoholic beverages also do not qualify.

• Double Points days. Receive three Personal Double Days of your choice to double the points earned on your spending with Influencer status and four days with Ambassador status.
• Free two-day shipping. If you live within select metro areas, you can enjoy free shipping within two business days for in-stock merchandise.
• Free alterations. Qualify for free basic alterations and earn up to $200 in Nordstrom Notes towards alteration fees.
• Increased Nordstrom access. Be the first to shop select brands, Clear the Rack, and get early access to the Anniversary Sale. Plus, attend Priority Access Style Events and Lifestyle Workshops.

Additional Benefits for Ambassador Status Members

• Earn an extra Double Points day. Receive a total of four personal days of your choice to double the points earned on your spending.
• Free alterations. Free basic alterations plus earn up to $300 in Nordstrom Notes towards alternation fees.
• Nordstrom to You. Gain access to an in-home stylist

Additional Benefits for Icon Status Members

• Dining or spa experience. Receive a meal for you and three guests or a Nordstrom spa experience for you and a friend.
• Earn an extra Double Points Day. Receive a total of five personal days of your choice to double the points earned on your spending.
• Unlimited free alterations. Free alterations on all full priced items.
• Nordstrom to You. Gain access to an in-home stylist

Interest Rates

• Regular APR: 24.15% to 31.15% variable
• Purchase intro APR: N/A
• Balance transfer intro APR: N/A

Fees

• Annual fee: $0
• Balance transfer fee: N/A
• Foreign purchase transaction fee: None

Nordstrom Visa® credit card* vs. Macy’s American Express® Card*

The Macy’s American Express Card has a similar tiered earning system, but earnings increase at much lower spending intervals. All cardholders earn 3 points per dollar at restaurants, 2 points per dollar at gas stations and supermarkets (excluding superstores and warehouses) and 1 point per dollar on all other qualifying purchases made outside of Macy’s. This tiered system makes increasing earnings much more probable.

Macy’s offers approved new applicants 20% off Macy’s purchases that extends only to the first two days of account opening, capped at a savings of $100. Macy’s cardholders also receive 25% off their purchase any day with Star Passes. Additionally, the Macy’s card offers free standard shipping on all purchases with no minimum or shipping exclusions within the U.S.

Nordstrom Visa® credit card* vs. Bloomingdale’s American Express® Card*

Like the Nordstrom card, the Bloomingdale’s American Express credit card is tiered at large spending increments. The card earns 3 points per dollar spent at Bloomingdale's or anywhere American Express Cards are welcome and 1 point for every dollar on all other purchases. Instead of double point days, the Bloomingdale’s card offers triple points days, but the point value is half that of Nordstroms.

Bloomingdale’s allows 5,000 points to be redeemed for $25, meaning you have to earn double the points to receive the same amount in rewards as Nordstrom. However, cardholders can increase their earnings to 4 or 10 points per dollar depending on their annual Bloomingdale’s spending level.

The welcome bonus offer when you open a Bloomingdale’s American Express credit card is 20% off Bloomingdale's purchases made on the day of opening an account and on the day after (up to total savings of $250 over the two days) , so this card may be appealing for large initial purchases.

Nordstrom Visa® credit card* vs. Dillard’s Credit Card*

You can earn 2 points per dollar in Dillard's purchases, but this card does not reward you extra points for being a big Dillard’s spender. In addition, the points are valued less than the Nordstrom card—at Dillard’s you need to earn 1,500 points to receive a 10% off shopping pass for a day.

With the opportunity to also earn 2 points at gas stations and grocery stores in the U.S., this a better option if this card will be used for shopping outside the department store.

There is a welcome bonus: open an account and charge $100 in net purchases at Dillard's stores in the same day to receive a 10% off Welcome Shopping Pass with the first statement.

As with any store-brand credit card, you need to determine the value to you. The welcome bonus may make it worth the hassle to open the account, but you are unlikely to earn significant rewards beyond the welcome bonus. The Nordstrom Visa Credit Card offers significantly fewer rewards than the other top department stores’ American Express cards.

Methodology

Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors including:

• Annual fees
• Welcome bonus offers
• Ongoing earning rates
• Value of individual points
• Included travel or merchant credits
• Additional cardholder benefits

Card features we expect cardholders to use the most often are weighted more heavily in our ratings. Altogether, the factors came together to provide a star rating for each individual card.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards