Is there an annual fee for macys american express card

Besides the different colored Macy�s store cards that are available, the Macy�s Red Card, the Macy�s Gold Card, Macy�s Platinum and Macy�s Elite (or the Black Card), there are also Macy�s American Express Cards. These cards are the Macy�s American Express and Macy�s Preferred American Express.

All of the cards have the same interest rate of 24.5% and no annual fee. The biggest difference between the regular store cards and the American Express cards are the spending requirements and the Star Rewards program.

The Star Rewards program was at one time, available to all Macy�s cardholders. Currently, the only cardholders that are eligible for the Star Rewards program are those that carry one of the two American Express cards. Although the regular store card holders receive discounts for shopping and special sales when they use the card, they are not eligible for the Star Rewards program where you actually earn rewards on purchases.

Macy�s American Express cardholders also receive access to shopping, dining and entertainment offers through American Express Selects. Members receive exclusive discounts on savings on travel services, entertainment, dining and shopping. Offers range from up to 70% off designer brands to discounts on dining in popular restaurants and free items from the menus.

Cardholders of the Macy�s Preferred American Express card receive exclusive travel offers through Macy�s Preferred Travel. The benefits of Macy's Preferred Travel also include offers for low airfare rates, 20% off the lowest restricted rate at thousands of hotels as well as additional special amenities. Members also receive up to 25% off car rentals, up to $300 in shipboard credits on cruises and $100 off certain air and hotel packages.

Macys American Express and Macy�s Preferred American Express - There are two American Express Macy�s cards, the Macy�s American Express and the Macy�s Preferred American Express. Besides meeting credit standards, in order to qualify for either of these cards, you will need to meet the spending limits as well. For the Macy�s American Express card you will need to spend $0 to $999 with Macy�s annually. For the Preferred American Express card, you will need to spend $1,000 or more annually.

Cardholders of the Macys American Express Cards are eligible for the Star Rewards program. If you spend $500 to $999 annually, you will earn 1.5% rewards on Macy�s store purchases and 1% on purchases made outside Macy�s. Macy�s American Express cardholders that spend $1000 or more annually, may earn 3% in Macy�s stores and 1% on other purchases. Rewards are sent In the form of Star Rewards Certificates along with your statement when you have earned at least $25. These certificates, however, can only be used in store and not online or to make a payment on your card.

There are some differences and added benefits to carrying the Macy's American Express cards over the regular store cards. There are many more benefits with the American Express cards than the store cards. The main differences are the exclusive memberships you receive into American Express Selects and Macy's Preferred Travel. You will not receive membership with the regular Macy's store cards. Also, keep the spending requirements in mind when choosing cards as you will need to spend the required amounts annually in order to keep the card.

Like Macy’s department stores, the Macy’s credit card offers a lot of surface appeal: It gives you rewards and discounts on countless products to brighten your home, wardrobe and life. But when you look closer at it, the shine dims. The card has a complicated rewards structure and limited redemption options.

Here are five things to know about the Macy's credit card:

1. There are two card options

There are two main versions of the Macy’s credit card: a closed-loop card that you can only use at Macy’s and an open-loop American Express card that can be used anywhere American Express is accepted. Neither card comes with an annual fee.

2. The rewards rate depends on how much you spend at Macy’s

Macy’s credit cards come with a tiered reward rate, meaning rewards correlate to how much you spend at the retailer:

• Silver: When you first open a Macy’s credit card, you receive silver status, which earns 2% back on Macy’s purchases. The status applies to those who spend between $1 and $499 a year on the card.

• Gold: Cardholders who spend between $500 and $1,199 are upgraded to Gold status, which earns 3% back on Macy’s purchases.

• Platinum: The highest level, Platinum, earns 5% back on Macy’s purchases. You must spend $1,200 or more annually at Macy’s to maintain that status.

With the open-loop version of the Macy's card, you also earn rewards on purchases outside of Macy’s: 3% back at restaurants, including delivery; 2% back at gas stations and supermarkets; and 1% back on everything else.

Note that if you don’t have a Macy’s credit card, you can join the loyalty program as a “Bronze” member and earn 1% back in rewards. The loyalty program comes with “Star Money Bonus Days” on which you can earn rewards more quickly. Cardholders also receive occasional “Star Passes” in the mail, which offer 25% off.

3. Your rewards can be redeemed only at Macy’s

After you collect 1,000 points in your account, you will receive a $10 Star Money reward, which you can use to make purchases at Macy’s either in-store or online. (That means each point is worth 1 cent each.) The rewards cannot be put toward gift cards, Macy's Beauty Box subscriptions or services such as alterations.

You also face a limited window to use the rewards: Star Money is valid for only 30 days after it’s issued. Relative to other credit card rewards programs, that is a very short redemption window. Points earned with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, for example, never expire as long as the card remains open. If you're looking for a card that earns more flexible rewards, our list of best rated credit cards can help.

4. Opening the card gets you an instant discount

Like many store cards, the Macy’s credit card comes with a discount when you open it: You get 20% off, up to a total discount of $100, on purchases made the day you are approved for the card, as well as the following day. (The discount excludes some purchases, including Apple products and gift cards.)

5. It comes with some other perks, too

When you make purchases at Macy’s with your Macy’s credit card, you will automatically receive free standard shipping without any minimum purchase requirement. Some items are excluded, though, such as furniture, mattresses and rugs.

Also, every year on your birthday, you'll receive a birthday “surprise,” as long as you’ve used your card to make a purchase at Macy’s (either in-store or online) in the last 12 months. Anecdotally, cardholders have reported online receiving $10 discounts on purchases during their birthday month. However, you might have to go to a Macy’s store to redeem your gift.

The information related to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

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