Burlington Credit Card review: A less-than-stellar option for Burlington shoppers
Burlington Credit Card overview
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.
Related: Torrid credit card review: A store card that isn't worth it
Burlington Credit Card pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Burlington Credit Card benefits
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.
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.
Related: The best store credit cards
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.
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.
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.
Related: Store vs. cash-back cards: Which one should I get?
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 Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express 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 Citi Double Cash® Card (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.
For additional options, check out our full lists of the best cards for everyday spending and the best cash-back cards.
Related: Why the Citi Double Cash will always have a place in my wallet
Is the Burlington Credit Card worth it?
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.
Related: 4 reasons store credit cards are (almost) always a bad idea
Bottom line
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.
Related: Best rewards credit cards
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.