If you shop New York & Company often, the Runway Rewards credit card promises to pay you back for purchases you were already making. The card is tied to the New York & Company brand, also known as NY&C, and its RUNWAYREWARDS loyalty program. It is important to know up front that this is a retail card, not a TJX or Marshalls product, and it is issued by Comenity Bank.
This guide explains exactly how the rewards work, what the card costs and who it actually fits. Firstcard does not issue this card. We compare it so you can decide before you apply.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Comenity Bank |
| Network | Visa (open network) or store-only card |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | Around 25.99% variable |
| Rewards | $10 reward for every $200 spent, or $20 per $200 for VIP members |
| Welcome bonus | Limited-time enrollment and first-purchase offers vary |
| Score needed | Fair to good, roughly 600 and up |
| Reports to bureaus | Equifax, Experian and TransUnion |
Figures are accurate as of June 2026. Terms and conditions apply, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
Who issues the Runway Rewards card
The RUNWAYREWARDS credit card is issued by Comenity Bank for New York & Company. Comenity is a large issuer of store-branded retail cards, so the application, billing and customer service run through Comenity rather than the retailer itself. If you are comparing issuers, our look at Comenity vs a Card account explains how Comenity-backed cards tend to work.
There are typically two versions. The store-only card can be used at New York & Company and its related brands. The Runway Rewards Visa version is an open-network card you can use anywhere Visa is accepted, while still earning the store program rewards on NY&C purchases. The trade-offs here are similar to the Visa card vs store card decision shoppers face with other retailers.
How the rewards work
The rewards run on a points-to-certificate model rather than straight cash back. You earn points on purchases, and those points convert into Reward Certificates you can spend at New York & Company.
Standard members earn about $10 in rewards for every $200 spent. VIP members earn roughly $20 in rewards for the same $200, which doubles the rate. You generally reach VIP status by spending $400 or more in a calendar year on qualifying purchases with the card.
Reward Certificates are meant to be used at NY&C, so the value is highest if you are a regular shopper there. Like most store rewards, certificates can carry expiration dates, so plan to use them before they lapse.
Welcome offers and extra perks
New York & Company often runs enrollment incentives, such as a discount on your first purchase after you open the card or bonus points during promotions. These offers change frequently, so check the current terms at the time you apply rather than relying on a past deal.
Cardholders also tend to get access to members-only sales, birthday perks and early notice on promotions. The open-network Visa version may add the ability to earn base rewards on spending outside NY&C, though the richest earning is still in-store.
The APR is the catch
Like most retail cards, the Runway Rewards card carries a high APR, around 25.99% variable as of June 2026. To put that in context, it sits above the average credit card interest rate, which means the math only works if you pay your balance in full each month.
If you carry a balance, interest charges can quickly outrun the value of any certificates you earn. A late payment may also trigger fees and can hurt your credit. It helps to understand how APR works before you sign up, so review the cardholder agreement for the current penalty terms.
The upside is the $0 annual fee, so you are not paying just to hold the card. It is the interest, not a yearly charge, that you need to watch.
If approval is a concern, or you would rather have rewards you can use anywhere instead of certificates tied to one retailer, the Aspire Mastercard is worth a look. It is a no-deposit unsecured card aimed at applicants around the 580-plus FICO range, with credit lines up to $1,000 and the chance to earn up to 3% cash back on everyday spending. Approval is never guaranteed, and terms and conditions apply, with APRs that vary by creditworthiness.
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.
Who the card fits
This card makes the most sense for someone who shops New York & Company regularly and pays in full each month. In that case the certificates are close to free money on clothing you would buy anyway.
It is a weaker pick if you rarely shop the brand or if you tend to carry a balance. A store card with rewards locked to one retailer offers little value if you are not shopping there often. If your credit is on the lower end, it is worth weighing other store credit cards for poor credit that may be easier to manage.
Because approval leans toward fair-to-good credit, often around 600 and up, it can also be easier to qualify for than a premium rewards card. Comenity reports the account to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, so responsible use can help build your credit.
Honest alternatives to consider
If your credit is still being built and you want a card you can use anywhere instead of certificates locked to one store, a credit-builder option can help you establish a track record at lower risk.
The Perpay Credit Card is paycheck-powered, with no credit check to get started, funding the card through small deductions from your pay. It earns 2% rewards and reports your activity to the bureaus, and members see an average credit-score increase of around 30 points. For someone with a steady paycheck who wants progress without a hard pull, it can be a strong starting point. Terms and conditions apply, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
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
The Current Build Card is another low-barrier alternative. It has no annual fee, no credit check to apply, and no minimum deposit, and it reports to all three credit bureaus, so your everyday spending can help build history. That makes it a sensible way to grow your score before stepping up to a stronger rewards card. Always compare the full terms of any card before applying. Terms and conditions apply, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Runway Rewards card a TJX or Marshalls card?
No. The Runway Rewards card is the credit card for New York & Company, also known as NY&C, and is issued by Comenity Bank. It is separate from the TJX Rewards cards used at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods.
Does the Runway Rewards card have an annual fee?
No, the Runway Rewards card has no annual fee. Your main cost to watch is the high variable purchase APR, which is around 25.99% as of June 2026, so carrying a balance can get expensive.
Can I use the Runway Rewards card outside New York & Company?
It depends on which version you have. The store-only card works only at New York & Company and related brands, while the Runway Rewards Visa version can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. The richest rewards still come from shopping at NY&C.
What credit score do I need for the Runway Rewards card?
Approval typically favors fair-to-good credit, often around 600 or higher. Comenity also considers income and overall credit history, so a borderline score does not guarantee approval or denial.
