Banana Republic Visa® Card review

Quick highlights

• Rewards rate: 5 points per $1 at Gap Inc. brands (online and in-store), 1 point per $1 at all other stores
• Welcome offer: 20 percent off your first store purchase
• Annual fee: $0
• Purchase intro APR: N/A
• Balance transfer intro APR: N/A
• Regular APR: 26.99 percent (variable)

Current welcome offer

The Banana Republic Visa Card is designed for hardcore fans of Gap Inc. brands, and more specifically, Banana Republic. To entice new card owners, there’s a welcome offer of 20 percent off of your first purchase. You can unlock this offer by opening a card at the time of purchase.

The rest of the Banana Republic Visa benefits function through a points system. When you open your credit card, you can earn 500 bonus points when you subscribe to Gap Inc. emails and 500 points for electing to receive paperless statements.

Rewards

After the initial welcome offer, the Banana Republic Visa Card rewards function on a points system.

Earning rewards

To earn rewards on the Banana Republic Visa Card, you’ll primarily want to use the card at Gap Inc. brands. When you do, you’ll earn 5 points for every dollar you spend. While you’re not limited solely to Gap Inc. purchases, you’ll earn only one point for every dollar you spend anywhere else.

Redeeming rewards

The points that you earn, detailed below, can be redeemed at the time of purchase both in-store and online, at any of the following brands: Old Navy, Gap, Gap Factory, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory, Hill City and Athleta.

How much are points worth?

For every 500 points earned through the Banana Republic Visa Card rewards program, you’ll earn a $5 reward. To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to make the majority of your purchases with Gap Inc. brands. This way, you’re earning $5 for every $100 you spend. Otherwise, you’ll have to spend $500 at non-Gap stores just to earn $5.

To unlock the full Banana Republic Visa Card benefits, make sure you’re an avid Gap Inc. shopper. In addition to the rewards points system, there are some other notable benefits.

Shopping perks

With the Banana Republic Visa Card, you’ll have access to special offers and private sales. In addition, you’ll be able to attend special events. And if you change your mind on a purchase, you can make returns without your receipt.

Birthday gift

Although unspecified, your Banana Republic Visa Card entitles you to a surprise birthday gift each year, provided you’ve made at least one purchase on the card during the year.

Option to upgrade

To get the most from your Banana Republic Visa Card benefits, you’ll want to make sure you rack up rewards points. If you earn at least 5,000 points in a calendar year, you’ll be upgraded to the Banana Republic Luxe Card for free. The benefits for this card are even more exciting for those interested in clothing.

Rates and fees

While there is no annual fee on the Banana Republic Visa Card, it’s important to note the high APR. The APR is a variable rate starting at 26.99 percent, with a minimum interest charge of $2. There is no intro APR offer, so it’s important to keep this in mind. To reap the full rewards benefits and keep interest payments low, consider paying your monthly balance in full. Otherwise, you’ll likely discover that the interest charges outweigh the benefits of the rewards system.

Additionally, while late payments may not affect your APR, they will incur a steep late fee of $39.

You can use the Banana Republic Visa Card anywhere you can use a regular Visa, including overseas, but an applicable foreign transaction fee of 3 percent will apply in this case. However, rewards earned at Gap Inc. brands can only be earned at stores within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) and Canada.

If you’re considering the Banana Republic Visa Card, it’s likely because you’re an avid shopper. And while you may be looking for store specific benefits, other cards with rewards programs may offer more long-term savings.

A card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® rewards everyday shoppers, which means you’ll have a wider variety of stores in which to earn points. In addition to a generous welcome offer, you’ll earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. So you can enjoy rewards on your retail purchases as well as any other shopping.

Another option is the Prime Visa card, which can earn you 5 percent cash back on eligible Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases. Other spending categories include 2 percent back at restaurants, gas stations and on local transit and commuting, as well as 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. If you shop regularly on Amazon.com or plan to make other purchases throughout the year, don’t count this card out.

If you’re looking to maximize the Banana Republic Visa Card, consider pairing it with a cash back card like the above. That way, you can reap some of the exclusive benefits of a Banana Republic Card membership while maximizing your other purchases.

The Banana Republic Visa Card is most powerful for someone who shops frequently at Gap Inc. brands. Otherwise, the card can be more of a burden than a benefit. If you aren’t dedicated to paying down your balance and aren’t aiming for Luxe status, consider other rewards credit cards or credit cards for shopping online.

The information about Banana Republic Visa® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.