It’s not surprising that so many retailers market their own branded credit cards — after all, with high APRs and low minimum payment options, a store card offers the company an opportunity to cash in on some serious fees and penalties.
Given the potential downsides, why do people apply for these cards? Usually, it’s the lure of receiving discounts at a store where they enjoy shopping often. So can these cards ever work in your favor? The answer is yes, sometimes… but usually only if you’re a responsible cardholder.
Since some cards have better perks than others, let’s review the TJX Rewards credit cards from Synchrony Bank and see where they stand.
The TJX Rewards Credit Cards at a Glance
| TJX Rewards® Platinum Mastercard and TJX Rewards® World Mastercard® | TJX Rewards® Credit Card |
| Main Benefits | - 5 points per $1 spent at TJX family of stores
- 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else Mastercard is accepted
- 1,000 points = $10 reward certificate
| - 5 points per $1 spent at TJX family of stores
- 1,000 points = $10 reward certificate
|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| APR | 26.99% (variable) | 26.99% (variable) |
| Late Fees and Penalties | $35 | $35 |
There are a few things you should know right off the bat about the TJX Rewards Platinum card.
- WHOA, that’s a hefty APR! This could mean big trouble for those carrying a balance on their card.
- There are a TON of horrible consumer reviews (on multiple sites) about these particular cards. That’s a red flag in our book!
- We’re primarily reviewing the TJX Rewards Platinum card here, which some people often refer to as the “T.J.Maxx Credit Card.” It can actually be used to earn points across the TJX family of stores and at other retailers.
- There may be instances where applicants do not qualify for the TJX Rewards Platinum card. These applicants are then automatically considered for the TJX Rewards card.
Image Credit: The TJX Companies, Inc.TJX Rewards Platinum Card and TJX Rewards World Card
Cardholders earn 5 points per $1 spent on the card at the TJX family of stores. These stores include:
- T.J.Maxx and tjmaxx.com
- Marshalls
- HomeGoods
- Homesense
- Sierra Trading Post and sierratradingpost.com
Cardholders also earn 1 point per $1 everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
Once a cardholder earns 1,000 or 2,000 points (depending on your preference), these points are automatically redeemed for a $10 or $20 reward certificate. The reward certificate is only valid for use at T.J.Maxx and its sister stores (see above), either in-store or online.
Hot Tip: Depending on the promotions at the time of application, new cardholders may qualify for a 10% off coupon on their first online or in-store purchase.
TJX Rewards Card
You don’t get to necessarily pick this card, as there is only 1 application. You will generally qualify for this card if you have fair credit. There are some similarities and some differences to the TJX Rewards Platinum card and TJX Rewards World card:
- No annual fee
- All other penalties and fees are also the same as with the Mastercards
- You still earn 5x points within the TJX family of stores
- You DO NOT earn points elsewhere, as the card won’t work outside of the TJX family of stores
- No cash advance opportunities
Additional Features of the TJX Rewards Credit Cards
TJX Rewards Platinum Card
The TJX Rewards Platinum card also comes with the following benefits:
TJX Rewards World Card
There are no specific guidelines noted on how to obtain this card, but it seems that you may be upgraded to this card over time as TJX notes that the card “is reserved for our top shoppers and biggest fans of our family of stores.” If you are one of the select group of cardholders that receives this card, it will replace your TJX Rewards Platinum card and have the same credit terms.
The TJX Rewards World card also comes with the same benefits as the TJX Rewards Platinum card, plus the following additional benefits:
- Personal travel advisor
- 10% off One Fine Stay luxury home-sharing
- Air, cruise, and car programs
- Priceless Cities “skip the line”
- Exclusive Priceless Cities surprises
- Exclusive golf privileges
- Preferred restaurant access
- Complimentary cell phone insurance
- Contactless payment technology
Fees and Drawbacks of the TJX Rewards Credit Cards
When it comes to fees and drawbacks of this card, they’re pretty hefty. Remember, with these high percentages and fees, things can get ugly fast for cardholders carrying a balance.
| TJX Rewards Platinum Card and TJX Rewards World Card Fees |
| APR | 26.99% |
| Cash Advance APR | 29.99% |
| Cash Advance Transaction Fee | $10 or 4% of each cash advance amount (whichever is greater) |
| Late Fee | $35 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
If those fees aren’t enough to scare you off, a quick online search will return tons of poor reviews for these cards.
From individuals who state they never received their rewards certificates to issues with dropped credit scores, suspended accounts, delayed credit limit increases, and reports of horrible customer service… these really don’t seem like the best card options on the market.
Lastly, let’s be clear — these are not true cash-back rewards cards. Cardholders can only use their reward certificates at the TJX family of stores. This is in contrast to true cash-back rewards cards that return the money to you on your statement so that you can use it however you wish.
Applying for the TJX Rewards Credit Cards
If you still feel a TJX Rewards credit card is right for you, you can apply online here or in-store. As mentioned previously, there are technically 3 cards you can get via TJX: the TJX Rewards Platinum card, the TJX Rewards World card, and the TJX Rewards card.
Shoppers submit 1 application and are initially considered for the TJX Rewards Platinum card since this card has slightly higher qualification criteria. If the applicant does not qualify, they are then automatically considered for the TJX Rewards card.
Bottom Line: You cannot apply directly for the TJX Rewards World card. Only existing TJX Rewards Platinum cardholders may be upgraded over time, but specific requirements are not noted on the TJX website.
Upon credit review, some applicants will be approved instantly (there are other cards where you get instantly approved, too). However, some applications may need further review, resulting in a 7 to 10 day waiting period. Additionally, applicants should note that the age requirement is 18+ years old to apply.
The current sign-up bonus for TJX cardholders is 10% off their first in-store or online purchase (of course, restrictions apply).
Alternative Rewards Credit Cards (Our Recommendations)
It’s fairly clear that the TJX Rewards Platinum card comes with some serious concerns. So are there better cash-back credit cards that are worth a look? Absolutely.
Plus, most of these cards can be used in many places, as opposed to a store-branded card that locks you into a couple of particular retailers.
There are lots of excellent options, but here are just a few examples:
Logging in and Managing Your Account Online
Image Credit: The TJX Companies, Inc.If you are a TJX Rewards cardholder, you can sign up and log in online to manage your account.
Here are a few options you have within the platform:
- Monitor account activity
- Make payments
- Set up account alerts
- Sign up for paperless statements
- Learn about special offers
You can also manage your account on-the-go and redeem your rewards in-store on the T.J.Maxx app (iOS, Android).
Final Thoughts
We have a tough time recommending the TJX Rewards credit cards from Synchrony Bank for many reasons.
Yes, the perks seem pretty decent, but cardholders can only earn max benefits and use the rewards certificates at TJX stores, which severely limits your purchasing options.
Furthermore (and probably most importantly), the fees on this card are absurd. If you aren’t sure whether you can pay off your card in full every month, this could put you in some serious debt — and fast.
That being said, if you’re a responsible cardholder who fully pays off your card on time every month and you regularly shop at the TJX family of stores, then you could certainly benefit from the TJX Rewards credit cards. Just educate yourself on the risk vs. reward… with so many horrible reviews on these cards, they may be more hassle than they’re worth.
Lastly, there are several other quality cash-back rewards cards out there. Many of these cards have excellent reviews and can earn you some serious returns in big categories like groceries, gas, and even some department stores. Plus, they’re true cash-back cards, meaning you can use your earnings any way you want!
The information regarding the TJX Rewards® Platinum Mastercard, TJX Rewards® World Mastercard®, and TJX Rewards® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, click here.
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