If you searched for the ExploRewards credit card, you are likely an outdoors shopper eyeing the rewards at Sportsman's Warehouse. The card is real, the points are generous on paper, but the redemption rules deserve a hard look before you apply.
Here is exactly what the ExploRewards card is, what it costs, and who actually benefits, with current terms as of June 2026.
ExploRewards Card: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | ExploRewards Visa |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Comenity Capital Bank |
| Network | Visa (open-loop version) |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | 30.99% or 35.24% variable |
| Rewards | 5x Sportsman's Warehouse; 2x gas, campgrounds, home improvement; 1x else |
| Welcome bonus | 5,000 points ($50) after $500 spend outside Sportsman's in 120 days |
| Redemption | Sportsman's Warehouse gift cards only |
| Reports to bureaus | Yes, all three |
Terms and conditions apply. APRs vary by creditworthiness.
What Is the ExploRewards Card?
The ExploRewards card is the co-branded credit card for Sportsman's Warehouse, the outdoor and sporting-goods retailer. It is issued by Comenity Capital Bank, part of Bread Financial.
There are two versions. A closed-loop store card only works at Sportsman's Warehouse, while the ExploRewards Visa works anywhere Visa is accepted. The Visa version is the one with broader earning categories.
Each point is worth one cent. Points do not expire as long as your account stays active at least once every 12 months.
The Rewards, and the Catch
The earning rates look strong for a store card. You get 5x points per dollar at Sportsman's Warehouse, plus 2x at gas stations, campgrounds, and home improvement stores, and 1x everywhere else.
The welcome offer adds 5,000 points, worth $50, after you spend $500 outside Sportsman's Warehouse within 120 days of opening the account.
Here is the catch. You can only redeem points for Sportsman's Warehouse gift cards. There is no statement credit, no cash back, and no transfer to travel. If you are not a regular Sportsman's shopper, those points have little real value to you.
If you want rewards you can actually spend anywhere, an unsecured cash-back card may serve you better. The Aspire Mastercard pays up to 3% cash back, charges no deposit, lets you prequalify for up to $1,000, and reports to all three bureaus, so your rewards are not locked to one store.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Rates and Fees You Should Know
This is where the ExploRewards card gets expensive. The variable purchase APR is either 30.99% or 35.24%, depending on your creditworthiness. That is high even for a store card.
The card has no annual fee, which is a plus. But it offers no intro APR, so there is no interest-free window for a large purchase.
Cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 5% of the amount, with a variable cash advance APR of 35.24%. Carrying any balance on this card can quickly erase the value of your rewards.
Because of that high APR, this card only makes sense if you pay the full balance every month. If you tend to carry a balance, a lower-cost builder card is a safer place to start.
Perpay is one option worth knowing. It is paycheck-powered with no deposit and no credit check, pays 2% rewards, and reports payments to help build credit, with users seeing an average 30-point increase.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
Who the ExploRewards Card Fits
The ExploRewards Visa fits one specific shopper: someone who buys gear at Sportsman's Warehouse often and pays the balance in full each month. For that person, 5x points and store gift cards can add up.
For everyone else, the value drops fast. The gift-card-only redemption means your rewards are stuck at one retailer, and the high APR punishes any balance you carry.
If you are mainly trying to build credit rather than collect store rewards, skip the store card entirely. A general-purpose card that reports to all three bureaus and gives you flexible rewards will serve you longer.
The Aspire Mastercard is a solid match here. It is unsecured with no deposit, prequalifies up to $1,000, pays up to 3% cash back, and reports to all three bureaus, so it helps you build history while keeping your rewards spendable anywhere.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
The Bottom Line
The ExploRewards Visa is a niche card. The 5x rewards rate is appealing, but the gift-card-only redemption and a purchase APR near 35% make it a poor fit for anyone who is not a loyal Sportsman's Warehouse customer paying in full.
There is no annual fee and the card reports to all three bureaus, so it can help build credit if used carefully. Still, most shoppers will get more value from a flexible cash-back card. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues the ExploRewards credit card?
The ExploRewards card is issued by Comenity Capital Bank, which is part of Bread Financial, on behalf of Sportsman's Warehouse. The open-loop version runs on the Visa network and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.
How do you redeem ExploRewards points?
Points can only be redeemed for Sportsman's Warehouse gift cards, at a rate of one cent per point. There is no cash-back or statement-credit option, so the rewards are only useful if you shop at Sportsman's Warehouse.
Does the ExploRewards card have an annual fee?
No. The ExploRewards card has no annual fee. However, its variable purchase APR of roughly 30.99% to 35.24% is high, so carrying a balance can cost far more than the fee on many other cards.
Is the ExploRewards card good for building credit?
It can help, since Comenity reports to all three major credit bureaus. But the high APR and store-only rewards make a flexible unsecured card a better building tool for most people who are not regular Sportsman's Warehouse shoppers.
