The Sephora Credit Card makes it look like the store is going to make it more difficult than ever to keep spending under control. Why? Read on to figure it all out.
The Sephora credit card is a retail chain debuting its first-ever credit card, and that can only mean one thing: there are more rewards and benefits on the way.
Sephora customers receive points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for products and experiences based on your tier in the program. It also states that Visa Signature cardholders will receive other Visa Signature benefits as well.
The credit cards will debut in the spring in test markets before they are available to all stores and online in the United States in later months.
How does the Sephora Credit Card Work?
The Sephora Credit Card is usable only for making purchases at Sephora stores or on sephora.com. It can be used anywhere Visa is accepted (including purchases at the Sephora JCPenney counter). It has the following uses:
- Usable only at Sephora stores or on sephora.com
- No annual fee + 31.99% APR
- 25% off first purchase
- Earn 4% back in rewards for every $1 spent
- Enjoy exclusive cardmember offers
This card would be ideal for individuals looking to save at Sephora who already have a credit card with a lower APR and a more rewarding rewards program that they use elsewhere.
Do be aware of the high APR, though. Coming in at 31.99%, you’ll want to be sure you pay your balance off each month, or you’ll rack up significant interest charges.
Is the Sephora Credit Card a Good Deal?
With no annual fee and 4% back in rewards on all purchases, the Sephora Credit Card is well worth it—particularly if you shop there frequently.
And even if you don’t shop there much, you’ll at least get 25% off your first purchase (more discount than even high-level Rouge Beauty insiders).
You’ll also earn 1% back in rewards on purchases with other retailers and a $20 reward if you spend $500+ with other retailers within the first 90 days.
How Do You Pay for the Sephora Credit Card?
You can pay your Sephora Credit Card online here. You can also link your checking account through Comenity’s EasyPay to pay your bill even faster.
But you’ll need a decent credit score of about 580 to be approved for the Sephora Credit Card and a good credit score of about 670 to be approved for the Sephora Visa Credit Card.
What are the Benefits of Sephora Credit Card?
Cardholders can reap numerous benefits and special offers for both in-store and online shopping. You will be able to earn credit card rewards, in addition to points under Sephora’s Beauty Insider loyalty rewards program.
This offers benefits such as free birthday gifts annually and free standard shipping. Both credit card rewards and Beauty Insider points can be used towards qualifying Sephora purchases.
Issued by Comenity Bank, all Sephora credit cards provide 25% off your first purchase when you open and use the card at checkout.
If you sign up for a Sephora card without initially making a purchase, you can still apply this 25% discount to any qualifying purchase made within 30 days of account opening.
The Sephora Visa cards also offer a $20 Sephora Credit Card Reward for your first $500 spent outside of Sephora within the first 90 days of opening an account.
Both cards also charge a late payment and returned payment fee of up to $41. While the Sephora Credit Card does not have transaction fees, the Sephora Visa cards do charge either $10 or 5% of each balance transfer amount and either $10.00 or 3.0% of each cash advance amount, whichever is higher.
Bottom Line
While the Sephora Visa Signature Credit Card and the Sephora Visa Credit Card earn rewards at the same rate, it’s important to note that the Signature card offers additional Visa Signature benefits such as Visa Concierge, Roadside Dispatch, and Visa Signature travel.
These services are great if you’re looking to get assistance with travel planning, dinner reservations, or roadside assistance.
For each 125 you earn in reward dollars through the use of your card, you will receive a $5 credit card reward that can be redeemed toward a Sephora qualifying purchase, either online or in-store.
But then, these rewards do expire 90 days from the date of issue, so it is hard to accumulate over time to use towards a big purchase.
You also can’t redeem your rewards partially, or the leftover amount will be forfeited. So, for example, if you have $100 in credit card rewards, you can’t spend $50 of it on one purchase and spend the other $50 on another day.
Neither the Sephora Credit Card nor Sephora Visa cards charge annual fees. The Sephora Credit Card charges a regular APR of 31.99%; however, the Sephora Visa cards charge APRs ranging from 23.24% to 31.99% depending on creditworthiness.
Note that there is no introductory APR period, so you cannot pay off debt quickly at a low rate of interest if you spend more than your limits.
