Nordstrom Visa Signature Card review: Only useful for Nordstrom enthusiasts
Editor's Note
Nordstrom Visa Signature Card overview
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card offers a way to earn extra rewards on Nordstrom and a few popular spending categories. However, its inflexible redemption options make it a lackluster card overall. This card will only be useful in the hands of the biggest Nordstrom enthusiasts. Card Rating: ⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Are you a frequent shopper at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack? The retail brand offers a store credit card that can help you rack up rewards on eligible purchases. In general, department store cards like this aren't worth your while, but there are some instances where this one may appeal to specific consumers.
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card has no annual fee and we recommend applicants have a credit score of 640 to increase their chances of approval.
Let's review this card's details to help you decide whether it's a good option for you.
The information for the Nordstrom Visa Signature has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Nordstrom Visa Signature pros and cons
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Nordstrom Visa Signature welcome offer
New cardholders can currently earn a $40 bonus note to spend on Nordstrom purchases later if they make a Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom online purchase on their new card on the same day they're approved.
A $40 welcome bonus note isn't great, regardless of the card. To make it worse, the bonus can only be redeemed for eligible Nordstrom purchases. If you're going to apply for the card anyway, you might as well apply on a day you plan to shop with the brand to get the $40 bonus, but it's certainly not a strong pull to get the card.
It's important to note that previous Nordstrom cardholders and current Nordstrom employees are not eligible for this welcome offer.
Related: 4 reasons store credit cards are (almost) always a bad idea
Nordstrom Visa Signature benefits
As a Nordstrom Visa Signature Card holder, you'll receive instant Influencer status with Nordstrom's loyalty program, The Nordy Club. Influencer status typically requires $500 in annual spending.
In addition to elite status, you'll have access to beauty and style workshops, free basic alterations, early access to anniversary sales, free two-day shipping (in select areas on select purchases), up to $300 in Nordstrom Notes after using the card to pay for alterations, special access to Clear the Rack sales and up to four personal double points days.
Note that to get the maximum value from the Nordstrom Notes for alterations and personal double points days benefits, you'll need to reach Ambassador status with The Nordy Club. This requires $5,000 in spending in a year with Nordstrom.
This Nordstrom store card is a Visa Signature card, so you will also receive the benefits associated with that, including purchase protection, zero liability for fraud losses, auto rental collision damage protection, roadside assistance, lost luggage reimbursement, $750,000 in travel accident insurance, preferred access to events and access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and the Visa concierge. Terms may apply for select benefits.
Earning and redeeming points on the Nordstrom Visa Signature
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card earns 3 base points per dollar spent online or in stores at Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack if you have reached Ambassador or Icon status. You'll get 2 base points per dollar spent online or in stores at Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack with Influencer status, which the card automatically comes with.
You'll earn 1 base point per dollar spent on all other spending with the card, including spending outside of Nordstrom brands.
Even though earning Nordstrom points on all of your spending may sound enticing, you probably won't want to use this card outside of Nordstrom purchases. We recommend using a card that earns more valuable rewards for these purchases.
If you apply for this card to get the Nordstrom benefits and bonus points, you should only use it online or in stores at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. Nordstrom isn't included in many typical bonus categories, so up to 3 points per dollar spent isn't a horrible return on those purchases specifically.
Like many department store cards, your reward points can only be used on store purchases. You can redeem your Nordstrom points for a Bonus Note, which is essentially like a gift certificate to the store. You can redeem 500, 1,000 or 1,500 points for $5, $10 or $15 notes, respectively, through the Nordstrom app.
Or, you can wait until you earn 1,000 points for a $10 note or 2,000 points for a $20 note to be added to your account automatically, depending on whether you hold Influencer or Ambassador status.
These rewards are incredibly inflexible. In general, you'd be better off with a standard cash-back card that you could redeem for any purchase (including Nordstrom) at the same redemption rate.
Which cards compete with the Nordstrom Visa Signature?
Department stores aren't a super common bonus category across cards, but there are still plenty of options that will reward you for Nordstrom purchases.
- If you want customized rewards: The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offers 5% back on two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined bonus category spending each quarter), and one of the potential categories is department stores. That's a much better return rate on your Nordstrom purchases. To learn more, read our full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+.
- If you want more general rewards: Go for the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card. It offers 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate each quarter (up to $1,500 in combined bonus spending each quarter). Department stores are a common bonus category. To learn more, read our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
- If you want a flat-rate cash-back card: Try the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees). It earns a straightforward 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay). It can be nice to have a card that doesn't have bonus categories to keep track of. To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
For additional options, check out our list of the best cash-back cards.
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+ and Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card
Is the Nordstrom Visa Signature worth it?
Store cards are rarely a great deal; unfortunately, that applies to the Nordstrom Visa Signature Card. While there are a few benefits (such as instant Influencer status), most people will be better off with another card option. Because of this, we only recommend the Nordstrom credit card to the biggest Nordstrom enthusiasts.
Bottom line
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card might make sense if you're a super Nordstrom loyalist.
If not, however, you'll be better off with any general cash-back card that offers you plenty of value at Nordstrom and beyond. Make sure to always research all of your options before deciding to open a new credit card.