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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Burlington Credit Card review: A less-than-stellar option for Burlington shoppers
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
October 29, 2024 • 8 min read
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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note:
Quick summary
The Burlington Credit Card is a closed-loop store card usable only at Burlington and its affiliated stores.
Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for certificates, but redemption is limited to Burlington retailers.
Card-exclusive benefits are minimal, with most perks available through the store's free loyalty program.
Rewards and points expire quickly, making it difficult to maximize value.
What to consider
Points and rewards certificates expire within 12 months and 60 days, respectively, from issuance.
Redemption is only possible in increments of 100 points, and certificates cannot be used for taxes, prior purchases, gift cards or certain services.
This card cannot be used for purchases outside Burlington and its sister stores, limiting its everyday utility.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of alternative cards that offer more flexible rewards and broader acceptance.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
When it comes to clothes shopping for a deal, Burlington (formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory) is a well-known option for mallgoers. The most devoted Burlington loyalists may consider opening a Burlington Credit Card to earn rewards on their purchases. However, with restrictive redemption policies and practically zero card-exclusive benefits, there are much better options out there for even the most frequent Burlington shopper. Card rating*: ⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Store credit cards are hardly ever the best addition to your wallet. Though you’ll sometimes hear a pitch at the checkout counter to rack up instant savings by getting approved for a credit card with a store you frequent, these credit cards rarely earn truly valuable rewards.
The Comenity Bank Burlington Credit Card fits into this category, as you can only use it on purchases with Burlington and its sister stores to earn points for rewards certificates that can only be redeemed within Burlington retailers. This makes it a strict closed-loop card with a stringent redemption option.
The Burlington Credit Card has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 640 or higher.
Read on for more reasons why I wouldn't recommend applying for the Burlington Credit Card.
The information for the Burlington Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
After you open the Burlington card, you'll receive a 10% discount on your first purchase made. If you're approved in-store, this discount can be applied on the same day. Those who apply online can expect to receive a 10% discount code in their email inbox within two days of approval.
THE POINTS GUY
That ends the exclusive benefits for cardmembers, as the other perks you'll get with the Burlington card can also be acquired by joining Burlington's loyalty program, which you'll be automatically enrolled in if you choose to get the card.
However, you can be added to the store's loyalty program without paying a dime by simply joining online.
Loyalty program members get extended periods to return items purchased at Burlington, advance notice on deals and new arrivals and a $5 bonus on completed layaway transactions. Again, you can get all these perks without applying for the Burlington card, though you will also receive these perks if you do choose to open the card.
Earning and redeeming rewards on the Burlington Credit Card
The Burlington Credit Card earns 1 point for every dollar spent at Burlington, Cohoes Fashions and MJM Designer Shoes on the card. You can only use the card on purchases at those stores, so this is only valuable if you frequently spend with the retailer and its sister stores.
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There are no bonus-earning categories or status tiers to earn more points, and you cannot use the Burlington card on any outside purchases.
One positive is that points earnings are rounded up, per these terms:
"Reward earn is rounded to the nearest whole point value using standard rounding. Earning calculations that end in .5 will round up to the next whole point value. For example, earn calculated to 1.5 points rounds to 2 points. All calculations that result in less than .5 will round down. For example, calculated earn of 1.4 points would round to 1 point."
As an example, spending $20.50 with your Burlington card would earn 20.5 points; under the above terms, you'd actually earn 21 points on that purchase.
Points can be redeemed for rewards certificates that can be used at Burlington stores. You can't use these cash certificates on "taxes, prior purchases, gift cards or services such as future layaway fees or tailoring," per the card's terms.
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Perhaps one of the most limiting factors of the Burlington card's earning structure is that you can only redeem points in increments of 100 at a rate of $5 per 100 points. While this does mean that 1 point is worth 5 cents, you are restricted to redeeming rewards certificates in increments of 100.
So, if you were to spend $500 with the card, you can expect to receive a $25 rewards certificate in your account within "60-90 days of achieving your reward," per the terms. I view this as a decent return if you are loyal to Burlington, but 100 points at a rate of 1 point per dollar can be a steep threshold to reach.
Also, it's important to note that both your points and rewards certificates earned with the Burlington Credit Card expire. Points will leave your account 12 months after the date they were posted to your points balance. Rewards certificates will no longer be available 60 days from the date they were issued.
These are relatively quick turnarounds to use what you earn — especially for the rewards certificates.
Where can I use my Burlington Credit Card?
You can only use your Burlington card to make purchases with Burlington, Cohoes Fashions and MJM Designer Shoes. If you need a card for everyday use, this is not the card for you.
Which cards compete with the Burlington Credit Card?
If you're open to a card that earns more flexible rewards at more places than just Burlington, here are some options for you:
If you shop online often: The will get you 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). This is a solid option to get more back for your online shopping if that's an area where you spend frequently. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. To learn more, see our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday.
If you're looking for easy-to-earn rewards: The (see rates and fees) earns 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you make your purchase and 1% when you pay it off). Using this card makes stacking up cash back simple and easy, and you don't have to concern yourself with bonus categories. To learn more, see our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
If you're interested in transferable miles: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card accumulates an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase. These miles can be used for travel and transferred to any of Capital One's 15-plus transfer partners for maximum value. To learn more, see our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
Unless you spend a truly significant amount of money at Burlington and wish to earn strictly Burlington-related rewards, I recommend virtually any other card than the Comenity Bank Burlington Credit Card. With rigid rewards and few perks, it is hard to justify the hard inquiry for this card; you're practically just as well off signing up for Burlington's free-to-join loyalty program.
Applying for a store card is rarely a good idea, and the Burlington Credit Card does not contradict this guidance. If you find yourself tempted to go the store card route, consider if it would be a better idea to find a more well-rounded credit card that you can use in multiple places. You may reap more from a card with rewards that are easier to earn, redeem and keep than this one.
