Nordstrom Credit Card – Everything You Need to Know

The Nordstrom credit card provides generous rewards and perks for frequent Nordstrom customers. With no annual fee and the opportunity to rack up points on Nordstrom spending, this store-branded card warrants consideration for your wallet if you regularly shop there.

In this post, we’ll explore the key benefits, rewards program, fees, and more to help you determine if the Nordstrom Visa card is right for your wallet.

Key Benefits

New cardholders receive a $60 Bonus Note to use on future Nordstrom purchases when approved and the card is used on the first day
Cardholders earn 2-3 points per $1 spent at Nordstrom stores based on annual spending tiers
Earned rewards points can be redeemed for Nordstrom gift certificates called Notes starting at just $10 in denominations
Depending on spending tier, cardholders get 3-5 Personal Double Points Days per year to accelerate rewards
Free 2-day shipping is offered for qualifying cardholders located near stores on in-stock items
Nordstrom alterations credits are provided annually ranging from $200-300 to cover clothing adjustments

Rewards Program

Earn 2-3 points per $1 spent at Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom Rack locations
1 point earned per $1 on all non-Nordstrom purchases made anywhere Visa accepted
Nordstrom gift certificates loaded automatically when 1,000 points reached
$10 Nordstrom Notes issued for every 1,000 points earned
Points do not expire if there’s account activity in the last 12 months

Earning Rewards

The Nordstrom credit card offers a tiered rewards program based on your annual spending at Nordstrom stores (including Nordstrom Rack). Here’s a breakdown:

Influencer Status

Minimum annual spending of $500
Earn 2 points per $1 spent at Nordstrom
Receive 3 Personal Double Points Days

Ambassador Status

Minimum annual spending of $5,000
Earn 3 points per $1 spent at Nordstrom
Receive 4 Personal Double Points Days

Icon Status

Minimum annual spending of $15,000
Earn 3 points per $1 spent at Nordstrom
Receive 5 Personal Double Points Days

As you can see, you need to spend a significant amount before unlocking the top-tier Icon status. But if Nordstrom is your go-to spot for apparel and home goods, reaching Ambassador or Icon status is achievable.

Outside of Nordstrom, you’ll earn 1 point per $1 on all purchases. While not exceptional, it’s a nice supplementary earning rate.

Redeeming Rewards

When you accumulate enough points, Nordstrom automatically deposits reward certificates (called “Notes”) into your account:

1,000 points = $10 Note
2,000 points = $20 Note

In the Nordstrom app, you can redeem just 500 points for a $5 Note or 1,500 points for a $15 Note. This gives you faster access to rewards for smaller purchases.

You can redeem Notes at checkout on Nordstrom.com or ask an in-store salesperson to apply them from your account. There’s no minimum redemption amount, so even $5 or $10 Notes come in handy.

Fees & Costs

No annual fee for having the Nordstrom credit card, saving cardholders money each year
Zero foreign transaction fees applied to international purchases made with the card
Interest rates vary between 24.15% on the low end up to 31.15% APR charged on carried credit card balances
Balance transfers and cash advances are not available with this store-branded credit card

Features

Visa Signature tier card that brings luxury travel and shopping benefits
Tap-to-pay contactless transactions enabled through mobile wallet integration
Online login provides real-time access to credit account information
Nordstrom-hosted experiences, events, and early shopping for cardmembers

Pros

New cardholders can earn a $60 Nordstrom Bonus Note with a welcome offer
Opportunity for loyal customers to maximize points earning potential
No yearly fees contribute to lower long-term costs
Increased perks and bonuses unlocked at higher spending tiers
Nordstrom cardmembers get exclusive shopping days and priority access

Cons

Must spend thousands yearly to earn optimal reward rates
Non-Nordstrom purchases yield just a single point per dollar
Credit card APRs have the potential to surge over 30% on balances
Account inactivity for 12 months forfeits all unredeemed rewards points

Alternatives

The Nordstrom Visa card makes the most sense for frequent Nordstrom shoppers who can maximize the tiered rewards and cardholder perks. But alternatives do exist:

Macy’s American Express Card – Higher welcome bonus, more achievable spending tiers
Bloomingdale’s American Express Card – Triple Points Days
Dillard’s Credit Card – 2x points for gas and groceries.

How to Apply for the Nordstrom Credit Card

Applying for the Nordstrom credit card is quick and easy:

Visit the Nordstrom card application page.
Click on “Apply Now”
Select whether you want to apply for the Nordstrom Visa Credit Card or the Nordstrom Retail Card.
Fill out the online application with your personal information.
If approved, you can use your new card immediately and will receive it by mail within 7-10 days.

Once approved, don’t forget to make a purchase the same day to earn your $60 Nordstrom Note welcome bonus offer.

Nordstrom Credit Card Login

To log in and manage your Nordstrom credit card account online:

Go to the Nordstrom card login page.
Enter your username and password.
You will then access your Nordstrom card account dashboard.

From there, you can make payments, view statements, check your rewards point balance, update personal info, and more.

Nordstrom Credit Card Phone Number

If you ever need assistance with your Nordstrom credit card account, you can contact customer service at:

1-800-964-1800

This toll-free number connects you with a Nordstrom card representative 24/7.

How to Make Nordstrom Credit Card Payments

You have a few options to pay your Nordstrom credit card bill:

Pay online through your account
Mail a check or money order
Pay over the phone
Pay in person at a Nordstrom store

Be sure to make at least the minimum payment by the monthly due date on your statement to avoid late fees. Paying your balance in full each billing cycle is recommended to save on interest charges.

Is the Nordstrom Credit Card for You?

Should you get the Nordstrom card? Well, this depends on how often you really shop there.

Sure, the $60 welcome freebie sounds nice. But unless you often shop at Nordstrom, you probably won’t rack up enough reward points over time to score big discounts.

Compared to the credit cards from other popular department stores, the Nordstrom Visa kind of falls short. It just doesn’t give you as many perks or chances to earn points.

First, think about how much you spend at Nordstrom in a year. To unlock the best rewards rates, you have to spend at least $5,000 annually. If you’re more of an occasional Nordstrom shopper, the basic 1-2 points per dollar is blah.

But if you hit Nordstrom once a week and clear that $5,000 with no problem, then the card can pay off. You get those bonus point days plus special discounts and free shipping as a VIP spender.

Also weigh if you prefer simple, flat-rate cash-back cards. With those, you earn the same % back whether you buy clothes at Nordstrom or groceries at the supermarket. Simple and easy.

The Nordstrom card rewards you big for shopping there but gives crummy rewards for spending anywhere else.

At the end of the day, if you shop frequently in Nordstrom, this credit card brings some nice extras. Free alterations, early access to big sales events, and exclusive shopping trips. But if you just pop in now and then, it’s likely not worth it long run.

Conclusion

The lack of an annual fee and the opportunity to earn bonus points make the Nordstrom Visa card tempting. Before applying, estimate your projected annual Nordstrom spending to see if reaching one of the upper tiers is realistic for you. If so, the perks like free shipping and extra Double Points Days provide even more long-term value.

But if Nordstrom is not your primary apparel destination, cards like the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash with a flat 2% back on all purchases may be better options for you.