The Citibank Sears card and Citibank Sears MasterCard are both consumer credit cards, and they’re offered by Sears. They’re not classified as special credit cards, so they’re available to the average consumer.
The regular Sears card can be used at Sears.com and inside the company’s stores. However, it can also be used at Kmart.com, Kmart stores and Lands End. You get more flexibility with the Sears MasterCard, which can be used at any store that accepts MasterCard.
If you’re a cardholder for either of these cards, you can expect exclusive financing options, discounts and savings. The Sears card can be obtained with an online application, and the Sears MasterCard must be obtained from a physical store.
The Sears Card
If you apply and get approved for this card, you can expect monthly coupons and savings. You won’t have to pay an annual fee for this card, and it has an APR of 25.24 percent, which is variable. Unfortunately, there is no rewards program for this card.
It uses chip and signature technology, and the APR for cash advances is 27.15 percent. Returned payment and late fees are $38. Some of the benefits of this card are monthly savings, special financing offers, additional credit offers, advanced Sears sale notifications, paperless billing, online account management and online bill pay.
In terms of security, this card comes with identity theft solutions, fraud protection and account protection. One of the drawbacks is the lack of a rewards program, and it can only be used on purchases made in certain stores.
The Sears MasterCard
When compared with the regular Sears card, this card offers several additional benefits and discounts. The Sears MasterCard has no annual fee, and it has a variable APR of 25.24 percent. Like the regular Sears card, it doesn’t have a rewards program.
For additional security, the card has chip and signature technology. For balance transfers, you’ll pay 25.24 percent APR. The APR for cash advances is 27.15 percent. Late and returned payment fees will cost you $38. A few of the benefits of this card are credit offers, early Sears sales notifications and special financing offers.
For example, you can get six months special financing or $15 off your first purchase. You also get all of the same account management tools that you get with the regular Sears card, such as paperless billing, online account management and payment.
The card offers all of the same security measures, but it provides additional MasterCard benefits, which you don’t get with the Sears card.
What about Rewards?
Both of these credit cards offer no rewards on spending. However, cardholders have the option of opting into a special program, which provides 2 percent cash back on purchases made at physical and online Sears stores. If you opt into the program, you can get 5 percent cash back on Kmart purchases.
The Pros
Cardholders of either card will be notified in advance of promotions and sales. Cardholders also get access to exclusive financing options and discounts, which change every month.
If you have either of these cards, you also get access to the Citi Private Pass program, which lets you access some of the most exciting events in the country. For example, the program offers VIP and presale packages to concerts, sports and several other forms of entertainment.
The Sears MasterCard gives you purchase assurance, so it covers your purchases against damage or theft up to 90 days after purchase.
The Cons
The bad news is that both cards have an interest rate that is quite high. The fees for returned or late payments can also be quite high. It’s also important to understand the risks associated with all store credit cards.
One of the downsides is that the special financing offered with these cards can require you to spend a lot of money to be eligible. You’ll also need to make sure you pay the full balance off each month because the interest is high.
