JCPenney Credit Card: Features, Fees, and Rates Review

If you find yourself shopping at JCPenney stores time and again, you might have thought about picking up a dedicated in-store credit card. Offering exclusive perks and rewards, the JCPenney card serves as a loyalty tool, rewarding customers with special discounts, savings events, and promotional financing options for sticking with the brand.

However, like with any store card, it’s important to be mindful of its specific terms—such as interest rates and fees—to make sure the perks don’t get overshadowed by hidden costs. In this JCPenney credit card review, we’ll walk you through the eligibility criteria, features, benefits, and fees. Plus, we’ll line it up against other similar cards so you can make a more informed decision.

JCPenney Credit Card: A Closer Look

First off, JCPenney rolls out two types of credit cards: one you can only use in their store and the JCPenney Mastercard, maintained by Synchrony Bank, which you can take anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

The eligibility criteria differ slightly depending on which one you go for. In both cases, you need to be over 18 years old, have a U.S. address, proof of sufficient income, and a valid SSN. The key difference lies in the required JCPenney credit card score.  The in-house credit card asks for a score of at least 640, while the Mastercard requires a 700 or above.

JCPenney Credit Card Perks

Here are the benefits you can look forward to:

• $0 annual fee;
• 35% on selected purchases as a welcome bonus;
• 1.5 points for every $1 spent at JCPenney (up to 2,000 points on a single purchase);
• 1 point for every $5 spent anywhere Mastercard is accepted (with the JCPenney Mastercard);
• JCPenney card  $10 cashpass bonus issued when you hit 200 points;
• $10 cashpass bonus as a birthday gift;
• Exclusive discounts and promotions that ramp up based on your spending (Gold or Platinum status);
• Special financing, depending on credit approval.

With a JCPenney Mastercard credit card, you get all the same perks plus the flexibility of earning points when making purchases at other stores. The only downside is that no matter where you shop, the rewards can only be redeemed at JCPenney.

Now let’s see how this card stacks up against some other options.

Target Circle Credit Card

Similarly to the JCPenney credit card, Target offers two options—a Mastercard and one strictly for Target purchases. The advantages include no annual fee and a flat 5% off on Target purchases, both in-store and online. Unlike the JCPenney card, Target’s discount is applied right at checkout, so there’s no need to redeem rewards later on. However, the card also has a high interest rate.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card

This general-purpose credit card isn’t tied to any specific store, making it more versatile for everyday use. Additionally, you’ll get higher rewards because you can use it anywhere you shop. The card doesn’t have an annual fee, and you’ll get a 2% cash back on all purchases on top of that. Another significant benefit is a 0% intro APR for 12 months.

While you won’t snag any store-specific perks, the flexibility, and broader rewards make it a strong alternative to brand-specific cards.

JCPenney Credit Card: Everything to Know about Fees

One of the major selling points of this card is the lack of an annual fee. That means you can hang onto it even if you’re not shopping at JCPenney all that often.

JCPenney credit card interest rate, on the other hand, is far from the best, with a variable APR of 34.99%, so you’ll want to avoid carrying a balance. Also, note the late fee of $41.

Here are some tips to help you avoid racking up unnecessary fees:

• If you’re offered a 0% interest promotion, make sure to check the exact duration beforehand to avoid getting into debt. You will need to pay the amount you owe in full within the promotional period. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying interest after the promo period is over.
• To dodge late fees, always make at least the minimum payment. You can even set up an autopay to cover the minimum amount every month so you don’t accidentally miss a payment.

Final Thoughts

Even if you are a regular  JCPenney shopper, you’ll want to think about whether their credit card is the right fit for you, as it clearly has some significant limitations. You can rack up a fair amount of bonuses if you are a frequent shopper, but if you only pop in occasionally, a more general rewards card may be a smarter pick. If you qualify for the JCPenney Mastercard and are leaning toward getting one, it’s worth going for the advanced version, so you can earn points on purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Lastly, we recommend checking JCP credit card reviews online before making your final decision.