Big Lots is the kind of store where one trip can include a coffee table, a king-size mattress, and a stack of pantry items. That mixed-cart shopping pattern is exactly why Big Lots offers its own credit card, with rewards and financing offers built around bigger ticket purchases.
There are actually two versions of the Big Lots card, and the difference matters. One is a closed-loop store card that only works at Big Lots. The other is an open-loop Mastercard you can use anywhere. Both come with the same headline rewards, but very different real-world flexibility.
This review covers how each version works, the special financing math, and a more flexible alternative for shoppers who want to build credit on every purchase, not just the ones at Big Lots.
The Two Versions of the Big Lots Card
The Big Lots credit card is issued by Comenity, the same bank behind many retail store cards. The two versions you can apply for are.
- Big Lots Rewards Mastercard: an open-loop Mastercard that works anywhere Mastercard is accepted
- Big Lots Credit Card: a closed-loop store card that only works at Big Lots and on BigLots.com
If your credit is strong enough, Comenity may issue the Mastercard version. If not, you may be approved only for the store-only version. Both cards have no annual fee and report to the major credit bureaus.
Rewards Structure
The rewards are the same on both versions.
- 1% back on Big Lots purchases, earned as Rewards Cash you redeem at checkout
- The Mastercard version adds 1% back on certain everyday spending categories like grocery, restaurant, and gas spending, depending on the current program
- Bonus points often appear during member-only events and Big Lots holidays
The rewards are modest, which is typical for a furniture and home goods card. The financing offers are usually a bigger draw than the cash back itself.
Special Financing Offers
The Big Lots card frequently offers special financing on large purchases, typically 6, 12, 18, or sometimes 24 months. These are often deferred-interest offers, which means interest accrues from day one and is forgiven only if you pay the full balance before the promo period ends. Miss the deadline and the full interest hits retroactively at the standard APR.
APR, Fees, and the Fine Print
The Big Lots card carries a purchase APR around 30%, in line with most retail cards. There is no annual fee, but late payment fees and the deferred-interest structure on promotional financing are the costs to watch.
Credit limits start modest on the closed-loop version and tend to be higher on the Mastercard version, especially for applicants with stronger credit profiles. The Mastercard version is also subject to standard cash advance fees and foreign transaction fees, though many shoppers will not encounter those in daily use.
Pros and Cons
Here is the honest summary.
Pros
- Open-loop Mastercard option means it can serve as a general spending card
- Special financing on big-ticket items can help cash flow
- No annual fee
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
- Member-only events and bonus rewards days
Cons
- 1% back is below average for a general rewards card
- Roughly 30% APR makes carrying a balance painful
- Deferred-interest promotions can backfire badly
- The store-only version is useless outside Big Lots
- Mastercard approval typically requires good or better credit
A Cleaner Path If You Are Building Credit
For shoppers whose credit is not strong enough to qualify for the Big Lots Mastercard, the store-only version still helps your score, but only at one retailer. That is a slow lane for credit-building.
The Self Visa® Credit Card is purpose-built for people in that situation. It is a real Visa, usable anywhere Visa is accepted, with a credit line backed by your own savings in a Self Credit Builder Account. The bank does not need a strong existing score because the limit is secured by money you have already set aside.
For someone who shops at Big Lots a few times a year and pays for groceries, gas, and bills the rest of the time, the Self Visa® Credit Card builds credit on every transaction. That is the kind of broad credit history a single retailer card cannot give you.
Who Should Get the Big Lots Credit Card?
The Big Lots Mastercard works best for a household that buys furniture, mattresses, and home essentials at Big Lots once or twice a year and wants the special financing on big purchases. If you can also use the Mastercard for everyday spending, you avoid the closed-loop trap and earn rewards more often.
The store-only version is harder to recommend on its own. The 1% back is not enough to offset the closed-loop limitation, and the APR makes any carried balance expensive.
Smart Use Tips
A few habits make a real difference.
- Only use deferred-interest promotions when you have a written payoff plan
- Pay the statement balance in full every month outside of promo windows
- Treat any 0% deferred-interest offer as if it were a regular APR loan, not a free pass
- Pair the card with a stronger primary card if you have one available
Used carefully, the Big Lots card can save real money on a big purchase. Used carelessly, it is one of the more expensive retail cards in your wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need for the Big Lots credit card?
The store-only version is generally available to applicants in the fair credit range, around a 620 FICO. The Big Lots Rewards Mastercard typically requires good credit, usually a 670 FICO and up.
Does the Big Lots credit card have deferred interest?
Yes, many Big Lots special financing offers are deferred-interest promotions. Interest accrues from the date of purchase and is waived only if you pay the full balance before the promo period ends.
Can I use the Big Lots Mastercard anywhere?
Yes, the Big Lots Rewards Mastercard is an open-loop card that works anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The store-only version of the card only works at Big Lots locations and on BigLots.com.
Will the Big Lots credit card help build my credit?
Yes, Comenity reports account activity to all three major credit bureaus. On-time payments and low utilization help your score, while late payments or high balances at the roughly 30% APR can hurt it.
