Nordstrom Visa Signature Card Review: For Nordstrom Enthusiasts Only
Overview of the Nordstrom Visa Signature card
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card offers a way to earn rewards on Nordstrom and several popular spending categories. However, the unimpressive sign-up bonus and inflexible redemption options make it a lackluster card overall. Card Ranking: ⭐⭐½
*Card review based on the opinions of the TPG editorial board and not influenced by the card issuer.
Information about Nordstrom Visa Signature has been obtained independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Are you a regular shopper at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack? The retail brand offers one credit card storage can help you earn rewards on qualifying purchases. In general, department store cards like these aren’t worth your attention, but there are some cases where they may appeal to specific audiences.
The card has no annual fee and is recommended credit score of 740.
Today, we’ll look at the card in detail to help you decide if this card is a good choice for you.
Nordstrom Visa Signature pros and cons
| Advantage | Defect |
|---|---|
|
|
Nordstrom Visa Signature welcome offer
New cardholders can now earn a $40 bonus to spend on future Nordstrom purchases if they make a Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom online purchase on their new card on the same day they get acceptance.
The $40 sign up bonus isn’t huge, regardless of card. Even worse, the bonus can only be redeemed on qualifying Nordstrom purchases. If you’re still planning on signing up for the card, you can also sign up on the day you plan to shop with that brand to get a $40 bonus, but it’s certainly not a strong draw to getting the card.
Related: 4 reasons store credit cards are (almost) always a bad idea
Daily newsletter
Gift your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers to get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
Benefits of Nordstrom Visa Signature
As a Nordstrom Visa Signature Card holder, you will receive instant Influencer status with Nordstrom’s loyalty program, Nordy Club. Influencer status typically requires an annual spend of $500.
You’ll get access to beauty and style workshops, free basic transformations, a $100 transformation benefit for more complex transformations, early access to sales anniversary, curbside pickup, special access to Clear the Rack sales, and personal double points days.
If you spend enough to reach higher Nordy Club status levels, you can receive additional change credits along with other individual status level benefits.
This card is one Visa Signature Cardso you will also get the benefits that come with that, including Purchase protectionis not liable for losses due to fraud, Car rental collision damage protectionroadside assistance, lost baggage reimbursement, $500,000 Travel accident insurancePriority access to events and access to the Visa Signature Hotel collection and Visa concierge services.
Earn and redeem points on Nordstrom Visa Signature
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card earns 3 points per dollar spent at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. You’ll also get 2 points per dollar spent eat and drink, entertainment And tourism Purchase.
While 2 points per dollar sounds enticing, you probably won’t want to use this card for dining, entertainment or travel purchases. We recommend using the card to earn more valuable rewards on these purchases.
If you register this card to receive Nordstrom benefits and rewards, you should only use it at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. Nordstrom isn’t included in many regular bonus categories, so 3 points per dollar isn’t a terrible return on those purchases.
Like many department store cards, your rewards points can only be used on in-store purchases. You can redeem your Nordstrom points for Coupons, which are essentially like a gift certificate to the store. You can manually redeem 500, 1,000 or 1,500 points for $5, $10 or $15 bills via Nordstrom app. Or, you can wait until you earn 2,000 points for the $20 bill to be automatically added to your account.
These bonuses are extremely inflexible. In general, you’re better off using a standard cash back card that you can redeem for any purchase (including Nordstrom) at the same conversion rate.
What cards compete with the Nordstrom Visa Signature?
Department stores aren’t a super popular bonus category on cards, but there are still plenty of options that will reward you for Nordstrom purchases.
- If you want custom rewards: The Bank of America Cash+ Visa Signature card offers 5% back on the category of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined bonus category spending), and one of the potential categories is department stores. Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are listed as popular sellers in this category, so you know you’ll earn rewards on purchases with this card. For more details, read ours Full review of US Bank Cash+.
- If you want more general rewards: Join Discover it Cash Back. Both offer 5% cashback on rotating categories you activated every quarter (up to $1,500 in aggregate bonus spend per quarter). The department store is a type of reward common to both, especially for Freedom in the 4th Quarter for holiday shopping. For more details, read our Full review of Discover it.
- If you want a fixed rate cash back card: Try Citi Double Cash® Card (see exchange rates and fees). It earns a simple 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you check out). For more details, read our Full review of Citi Double Cash.
For more options, see our list best cashback card.
Information about Bank of America Cash+® and Discover it Cash Back has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to choose a cashback credit card
Is a Nordstrom Visa Signature valuable?
In general, store cards are rarely of great value. Unfortunately, that applies to the Nordstrom Visa Signature Card. While there are some benefits (such as instant Influencer status), most people would be better off with another tag option.
Bottom line
The Nordstrom Visa Signature card might make sense if you’re the rare Nordstrom loyalist.
If not, however, you’ll be better off with any of the general cash back cards that give you plenty of value at Nordstrom and beyond.
Related: A guide to maximizing your shopping portal for your online purchases
