TJ Maxx Credit Card: Is It Worth It for Everyday Shoppers?

Life can be expensive, and stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra help to provide great stuff for low prices.

Whether you are looking to save money on clothes, decorations, bedding, or camping equipment, the TJ Maxx family of stores has something for everyone.

Now, dedicated shoppers can potentially save even more money with the TJX Rewards® Credit Card.

This card offers a strong rewards rate on purchase at TJ Maxx family branded stores, exclusive shopping opportunities, and a first purchase bonus discount to save even more.

However, with a high APR and limited benefits on any other purchases, this card is not for everyone. Still, for those who can take advantage of its additional rewards, it could be a worthy addition to your wallet.

TJX Rewards® Credit Card Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Five points per dollar at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra is a great deal for shoppers who want even more significant discounts at these stores.
• No annual fee.
• Introductory discount for the first purchase.

Cons:

• High APR up to 29.99% is almost 10% higher than the top cash back credit cards.
• Points only redeemable for store credit.
• Only 1 point per dollar on outside purchases means this is not ideal for everyday spending.

What Is the TJX Rewards® Credit Card?

The TJX Rewards® Credit Card, issued by Synchrony Bank, is a store-branded rewards card that delivers value to shoppers who frequent the TJ Maxx family of stores, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra.

As the TJ Maxx brand has grown to encompass various stores, this card can help cut down the cost of purchasing clothing and bedding and discounted furniture from HomeGoods and camping equipment from Sierra.

There are other benefits, including a first purchase discount and exclusive shopping perks for dedicated customers seeking the best deals.

TJX Rewards® Credit Card Features and Benefits

Key Features

The primary feature of the TJX Rewards® Credit Card is the generous earning rate of 5 points per dollar spent at any of the stores.

Points are each worth a penny, and there is unlimited earning potential, so it’s possible to rack up quite a few points if you shop regularly.

It’s worth mentioning that rewards expire after two years, so it’s essential to redeem them before they expire.

Since this card is a Mastercard, most vendors accept it, which can be handy if you have the TJX Rewards® Credit Card as one of your only cards.

Benefits

Applicants approved for the TJX Rewards® Credit Card are eligible for a 10% discount off their first purchase instead of a traditional sign-up points bonus.

Most credit card intro bonuses are usually worth $150 or more, so you would have to spend over $1,000 for the discount to compare.

If you want to enjoy the first purchase discount online or in-store, you should apply on a desktop or tablet, but if you apply via mobile phone, the discount is only valid in-store according to the fine print.

Dedicated shoppers will enjoy exclusive events and shopping experiences otherwise unavailable to regular customers.

Some of these events include private shopping opportunities where cardholders get first access to the newest merchandise and can potentially grab some of the best purchases before anyone else.

Security

Since this is a Mastercard, some additional features such as price protection, extended warranties, and identity theft resolution are available to cardholders.

If you make a purchase with the card and find the same item for a lower price somewhere else, you will receive a reimbursement for the difference.

The extended warranty will double a manufacturer’s warranty for up to a year on eligible purchases made with the TJX Rewards® Credit Card.

Reward Redemption

Once you have generated a minimum of 1,000 points, you will earn a $10 gift certificate to spend at TJ Maxx family stores.

The TJX Rewards® Credit Card makes it easy to redeem your rewards since they automatically send your certificates by mail once you have enough points.

If you don’t have enough to redeem, your balance will roll over until you have at least 1,000. It’s essential to use your reward certificates because they expire after two years, whereas most cash back rewards do not expire.

Rewards can only be redeemed at TJ Maxx and its affiliated stores, so don’t expect to convert them to cash.

Interest Rate

Finding a good credit card means locking in a reasonable interest rate if you are prone to carrying a balance or do not pay off your balance every month.

The TJX Rewards® Credit Card rate is a staggering 26.99% variable, which is almost 10% higher than an average cash back rewards card.

Fees

While there are no annual fees on this card, make sure to pay your balance on time; otherwise, you will be hit with a $35 late payment fee.

Alternatives We Like More than the TJX Rewards® Credit Card

If you are looking for cards that offer rewards outside of TJ Maxx credits but still do not charge an annual fee, check out these options:

#1. Citi® Double Cash

The Citi® Double Cash is a cash back powerhouse thanks to its unlimited 2% cash back earning ability.

Cardholders generate 1% cash back on all purchases, and they receive the other 1% when they pay their balance.

Although there is no introductory spending bonus on the Citi® Double Cash, customers continue to enjoy its simplicity since they do not need to worry about bonus categories or managing rotating spending promotions.

#2. Chase Freedom Flex℠

Relatively new to the scene, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has made waves thanks to its $200 intro bonus and powerful cash back categories that earn cardholders up to 5% back:

• 5% for travel purchased through Chase, 5% on rotating categories including grocery and online shopping.
• 3% on dining and drugstore purchases.
• 1% on all other purchases.

#3. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Customers who spend a lot on gas and groceries should not ignore the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.

Cash back perks include 3% back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations, and 1% back on all other purchases, and even offers a $200 intro spending bonus.

Since this card does not have an annual fee and can be linked with other Amex cards with Membership Rewards points, it is worth considering.

TJ Maxx Credit Cards FAQs

Should You Apply for a TJ Maxx Credit Card?

If you regularly frequent TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, or Sierra, the 5% rewards rate is higher than most other credit cards you can earn at these stores since they don’t fall under the department store category.

The TJX Rewards® Credit Card can be a valuable secondary card if you plan on a lot of shopping at these stores, but outside of the TJ Maxx system, there are better options with much lower interest rates.

Is It Hard to Get a TJ Maxx Credit Card?

Applying for the TJX Rewards® Credit Card is easy; however, make sure you have the required credit score. Moreover, applying for the TJ Maxx Credit Card will also result in a hard inquiry, which will drop your credit score temporarily.

Is TJX a Good Credit Card?

While the TJX Rewards® Credit Card offers decent savings for the TJ Maxx store family, it should probably not be your primary credit card since other cash back cards offer more favorable terms, rewards, and bonuses.

What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a TJ Maxx Credit Card?

The TJX Rewards® Credit Card is not difficult to qualify for if you have good to excellent credit (a minimum of 620 is a good rule of thumb).

Bottom Line: TJ Maxx Credit Card Review

Although serious TJ Maxx shoppers can extract value from the TJX Rewards® Credit Card, it should find a home in your wallet as a secondary card to a more rewarding cash back card that offers a lower interest rate.

5% back at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra will only be achieved through this card, so make sure you take advantage of the first purchase discount and exclusive shopping opportunities!

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