Heavy-duty Ann Taylor customers might piece together great bargains from the Loft credit card. For most, however, a cash back card will be a better fit.
If you find yourself constantly digging through the racks at Ann Taylor or its companion store, Loft or if you enjoy digging for bargains at the brands’ factory and outlet stores, you might wonder if the credit card is as stylish as its outfits.
From Comenity Bank, the Ann Taylor card has standard rewards for a department store charge card: a decent rewards rate on shopping at the chain, with some exclusive discounts and discounts.
But as with most store cards, expiring dates are close together, and redemption requirements limit the decision to be a bit less fashion-forward. The Ann Taylor card is available in two designs, each of which is specifically designed for particular credit histories.
How does Loft Credit Card Work?
Both provide identical rewards on spending in the Ann Taylor and Loft brands, and those rewards are earned in the form of points in the chain’s free-to-join StyleRewards store loyalty program. But there are a couple of significant distinctions otherwise:
Ann Taylor credit card is a “closed-loop” card, and you can use it only in Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, Loft, and Loft Outlet stores, both in-store and online. You’ll earn extra StyleRewards points when you do.
The Ann Taylor Mastercard is an “open-loop” credit card, so you can use it wherever Mastercard is accepted. It also accumulates StyleRewards points on purchases at Ann Taylor and Loft, but you’ll earn points wherever else you shop using the card.
With a single Ann Taylor credit card application, you’ll be considered for both versions of the card. Applicants with strong credit will be offered the Ann Taylor Mastercard. If you’re not eligible for the Mastercard version, your application will be automatically considered for the store-only card.
Are there Earnings on This Card?
All Ann Taylor credit card members earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Ann Taylor or any one of its partner stores. That would be Ann Taylor Factory, Loft, and Loft Outlet. (Online shopping is counted too.)
The Ann Taylor Mastercard, though, also earns 2 points back on gasoline and grocery buys and 1 point back on all others. Each 1,000 points earned is worth a $10 store reward, assigning the points an industry-standard value of a penny apiece.
That’s a good rate of rewards, but note that all members of Ann Taylor’s StyleRewards program, regardless of the credit card, already earn 2 points per $1 spent as a minimum.
Is there an Expiry Date for This Card?
Similar to most store rewards programs, the reward redemption period of Ann Taylor credit card rewards is a brief one, intended mainly to encourage shoppers to continue purchasing frequently at the brand.
Points expire after a year, which is pretty typical. But every time you gain 1,000 StyleRewards points, Ann Taylor will automatically turn those into a $10 rewards certificate that gets emailed to you. And once issued, the certificates have a 90-day timer attached.
That makes it difficult to build up rewards toward a big purchase. And unless you do a lot of shopping at Ann Taylor, you may be having trouble redeeming rewards before they expire.
In Conclusion
Ann Taylor credit card members get 15%. Tuesdays, a sale in which card members get an extra 15% off purchases. For customers willing to schedule their shopping sprees, this is a valuable perk. The deal doesn’t apply to gift cards, shipping fees, or sales tax on purchases. Even so, it’s a useful way to stack up savings.
If tracking expiration dates and bonus categories isn’t your style, consider a general purchase cash back credit card like the Citi Double Cash Card.
This $0-annual-fee card earns 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay them off. Combined with the 2 points back in StyleRewards earned through Ann Taylor’s free-to-join store rewards program, that adds up to 4x back in rewards.
While the card advertises a free shipping benefit, it’s only for spending of $75 or higher. That’s a high threshold to spend on shipping as a credit card perk. Most such stores provide free shipping with lower minimum spending, no matter what credit card you’re using.
