Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard Review for [ United States ]

Introduction to the Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard

The Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard is designed for shoppers who love style, convenience, and rewards. This card offers an exceptional combination of perks, from exclusive discounts on your first purchase to ongoing rewards for every dollar you spend. With no annual fee, flexible payment options through digital wallets, and access to free shipping and credit monitoring, this card provides excellent value and convenience. Plus, you can earn rewards not only when shopping across the Gap Inc. family of brands including Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, and Athleta but also for everyday purchases made anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Whether you’re looking to save on your favorite styles, support meaningful causes by donating points, or enjoy benefits like fraud protection and free shipping, this card caters to your needs while making every shopping experience more rewarding.

Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard Rewards and Benefits

1. Save 20% on Your First Purchase When you make your first purchase with your new credit card at Banana Republic, you will enjoy a 20% discount.
2. Earn 1 Point for Every $1 Spent Outside the Brand Family Use your Mastercard to make purchases outside of Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, and Athleta, and earn 1 point for every $1 you spend.
3. Redeem Points Easily For every 100 points you earn, you will receive a $1 reward. You can redeem these rewards at any of the family brands, and there are no restrictions on merchandise.
4. Earn 5 Points for Every $1 Spent with Family Brands Every time you shop at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, or Athleta, you will earn 5 points for every $1 spent.
5. Get Free Fast Shipping When you shop online and spend $50 or more, you will enjoy free fast shipping on your order.
6. $0 Fraud Liability Protection You will not be responsible for any charges on your card that you did not authorize, giving you added security and peace of mind.
7. Two Levels of Approval When you apply, Barclays will first consider you for the Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard, which you can use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. If you do not qualify for the Mastercard, you will automatically be considered for the Banana Republic Rewards Credit Card, which you can use at Gap Inc. stores and websites, excluding Banana Republic Home products and BRHome.com.

Additional Benefits of the Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard

1. No Annual Fee You can enjoy all the perks of this credit card without paying any annual fee.
2. Get Early Access to Select Sales As a cardholder, you will be among the first to access special sales and exclusive deals.
3. Use Digital Wallets for Easy Payments Enjoy the convenience of using digital wallets like Apple Pay® and Google Pay® to make secure and quick payments.
4. Give Back with Your Rewards Pay it forward by donating your rewards to support a good cause and make a difference.
5. Exclusive Offers for Members Only Receive special offers and deals that are exclusively available to cardholders.
6. Track Your Credit with a Complimentary FICO® Credit Score Stay informed about your financial health by accessing your FICO® Credit Score online for free.

Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard Fees & Charges

Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard Interest Rates (APR – Annual Percentage Rate)

1. APR for Purchases
   • If you make purchases using the credit card, the interest rate applied is 33.99% per year.
   • This rate is variable, which means it can change over time. The rate depends on the market conditions and follows something called the Prime Rate, a standard interest rate used by banks.
2. APR for Balance Transfers
   • If you transfer a balance from another credit card to this one, the same 33.99% interest rate applies.
   • Like the purchase rate, this is also variable and changes based on the Prime Rate.
3. APR for Cash Advances
   • When you withdraw cash using your credit card (a “cash advance”), the interest rate is again 33.99%, and it also varies with the Prime Rate.
   • Cash advances often incur higher interest charges, so they can be costly if not paid off quickly.
4. Avoiding Interest on Purchases
   • To avoid paying interest on your purchases, you need to pay the entire balance of your bill by the due date each month.
   • The due date is at least 23 days after the end of the billing cycle, giving you time to pay your bill without extra charges.
5. Minimum Interest Charge
   • If you are charged interest for any reason, the minimum amount you will pay is $2.00, even if your balance is small.
6. Consumer Education
   • If you are new to credit cards or want advice on managing them, you can visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore for tips and resources.

Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard Fees

1. Annual Fee

• The card comes with no annual fee, meaning you won’t have to pay a yearly charge just to keep the card active.

2. Transaction Fees

• Balance Transfer Fee
  • If you transfer a balance from another card, you will be charged $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater. For example:
    • If you transfer $100, you’ll pay $5 because 5% of $100 is $5.
    • If you transfer $1,000, you’ll pay $50 because 5% of $1,000 is $50.
• Cash Advance Fee
  • If you use the card to withdraw cash, you will pay $10 or 5% of the cash amount, whichever is greater. For example:
    • If you take out $100, you’ll pay $10 because it’s greater than 5% of $100 ($5).
    • If you take out $1,000, you’ll pay $50 because 5% of $1,000 is $50.
• Foreign Transaction Fee
  • When you make purchases in a foreign currency, you will pay an additional 3% of the transaction amount. For example:
    • If you spend $100 on a trip abroad, the foreign transaction fee will be $3.

3. Penalty Fees

• Late Payment Fee
  • If you do not pay your bill on time, you may be charged up to $41 as a penalty.
  • The exact amount depends on the state where you live.
• Returned Payment Fee
  • If a payment you make is returned (for example, if you write a check that bounces), you may also be charged up to $41, depending on your state.

Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard Fees & Charges Summary

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	33.99%
APR for Balance Transfers	33.99%
APR for Cash Advances	33.99%
Minimum Interest Charge	If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $2.00
Annual Fee	$0
Balance Transfer Fees	Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance Fees	Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
Foreign Transaction Fees	3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Late Payment Fees	Up to $41 (the amount of the fee varies by state, see below)
Returned Payment Fees	Up to $41 (the amount of the fee varies by state, see below)

Special Offer Eligibility

• The special offer (like the discount or bonus points) is only available once per approved applicant.
• You won’t qualify for this offer if:
  • You already have (or previously had) a similar account.
  • The bank suspects that you’re trying to misuse the card, such as:
    • Opening multiple accounts just to collect rewards.
    • Using the card in ways that aren’t normal for typical consumers.

Key Tip: Make sure you’re applying for this card with genuine intent, and you haven’t had a similar account before to be eligible.

First Purchase Discount

• If your application is approved, you can get a 25% discount on your first purchase made with the new card. Here’s how it works:
  1. If you open the account in-store, the discount will apply immediately when you make your first purchase in the store.
  2. If you open the account online, you’ll receive a discount code that you must use within 14 days of opening the account.

Important Dates:

• If you want the 25% discount, you need to apply before 12/25/2024.
• If your application is delayed but approved after this deadline, you’ll only get a 20% discount instead.

Restrictions:

• You can only use this discount once per account.
• The discount cannot be combined with:
  • Other Family of Brands Discounts (like those for Gap, Old Navy, or Athleta).
  • The employee discount for Gap Inc. employees.
• It excludes:
  • Gift cards.
  • Taxes and shipping fees.
  • Items sold by third-party sellers or Banana Republic Home products.
  • Clearance centers or other Gap Inc. brands like Old Navy.

Additional Promotional Offers

• Sometimes, there will be other special offers (e.g., “20% extra off”) that you can combine with this first-purchase discount.
• Check the Banana Republic website for these details.

Earning Points

• You’ll earn points when you use your Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard, but the Gap Inc. Credit Card must be your sole payment method to qualify.
• Check the program terms online at bananarepublic.com to understand exactly how you can earn and redeem these points.

Free Shipping on Purchases Over $50

• Eligibility:
  • To get free shipping, you must:
    • Be signed in to your online account.
    • Spend at least $50 on your order after discounts but before taxes.
• Delivery Details:
  • Standard shipping (3-5 days) is free for all eligible members.
  • If you’re an Icon member, you’ll get free expedited shipping (2-3 days).
• Conditions:
  • Orders must be shipped to a single address in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
  • Faster shipping options may require additional payment.

Donating Points to Charity

• If you don’t want to use your reward points for personal discounts, you can donate them to select charities.
• How it Works:
  • 100 points = $1 donation.
  • There’s a limit (or “cap”) on how much can be donated in total, and Gap Inc. selects the eligible charities.

Simplified Summary

1. The 25% discount is a one-time offer and applies to your first purchase with the card.
2. Free shipping is available for orders of $50+ as long as you’re signed into your account.
3. Reward points can be earned, redeemed for purchases, or even donated to select charities.
4. Be mindful of exclusions and deadlines to make the most of these benefits.

Pros and Cons of the Barclays Bank Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard:

Pros	Cons
No Annual Fee: Enjoy the benefits of the card without paying an annual maintenance fee.	High APR: The 33.99% interest rate is significantly higher than average.
First Purchase Discount: Get 25% off your first purchase with the card.	Limited First Purchase Discount Window: Online discount code expires after 14 days.
Rewards Program: Earn 5 points per $1 spent at Gap Inc. brands and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.	Restrictions on Discounts: Cannot combine first purchase discount with certain offers or employee discounts.
Flexible Point Redemption: Redeem points as rewards across the Gap Inc. family of brands.	Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% fee on transactions made in foreign currency.
Charitable Giving: Donate your rewards to select charities, with 100 points equaling $1 donation.	Earning Points Limited to Certain Payments: Must use the Gap Inc. Credit Card as the sole payment method.
Free Shipping: Get free shipping on online orders of $50 or more.	Exclusions for Free Shipping and Discounts: Excludes certain items like gift cards and third-party merchandise.
Fraud Liability Protection: No liability for unauthorized transactions, ensuring secure usage.	Balance Transfer and Cash Advance Fees: High fees (5% of the amount or $5 minimum).
Digital Wallet Support: Use Apple Pay® and Google Pay® for secure and convenient transactions.	Limited Eligibility for Bonuses: Previous account holders or suspicious activity may disqualify applicants.
Complimentary FICO® Credit Score: Monitor your credit health at no extra cost.	Limited Brand Coverage: Rewards and benefits are primarily for Gap Inc. brands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard

Other Important Questions Regarding Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard

Rewards Program Questions

1. What is the updated Rewards Program?
   • As of July 20, 2021, the Rewards Program was unified into one program called Banana Republic Rewards. This includes the Banana Republic Rewards Credit Card, Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard®, and Banana Republic Rewards World Mastercard®.
   • With this program, you can shop across the four Gap Inc. brands (Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, and Athleta) and enjoy your membership benefits everywhere.
2. When did the new membership program start?
   • The changes to the membership program began on July 20, 2021. For more details, check the full Terms & Conditions.
3. What are the different membership levels?
   • Membership levels are based on annual spending or points earned (for cardholders). The levels are:
     • Core: Spend less than $500 annually.
     • Enthusiast: Cardmembers start here or members reach this level with an annual spend between $500 and $999.
     • Icon: Cardmembers earn 5,000 points or spend $1,000+ annually to reach this level. Banana Republic Rewards World Mastercard® holders start at Icon level.

Earning and Redeeming Points Questions

1. How many points are needed for a reward?
   • You can redeem 100 points for a $1 reward.
2. How do I earn points?
   • For in-store shopping, provide the phone number linked to your membership at checkout.
   • For online shopping at participating Gap Inc. websites, log in with your registered email address.
   • Cardmembers earn points on purchases made with their Gap Inc. Credit Card, both in-store and online.
3. What is the points-earning rate?
   • Cardmembers earn:
     • 5 points per $1 spent at Gap Inc. brands.
     • 1 point per $1 on non-Gap Inc. purchases with the Gap Inc. Mastercard®.
     • 2 points per $1 on non-Gap Inc. purchases with the Gap Inc. World Mastercard®.
   • Members earn 1 point per $1 spent.
4. When will points appear in my account?
   • Points are added to your account within 1 day of the purchase. Initially, points are pending and become active after 14 days.
5. Do points expire?
   • Points remain valid if you make at least one purchase every 12 months. If there’s no activity within a year, the points expire.
6. How can I redeem rewards?
   • Use your phone number or email to apply rewards at checkout in-store or online at Gap Inc. brands.
7. How can I check my points balance?
   • Log in to your Gap Inc. account to view your points and rewards.
8. Can I donate my rewards?
   • Yes, you can donate rewards to select charities through the Earn & Redeem section of your account. One dollar is donated for every 100 points.
9. Will points from multiple Gap Inc. Credit Cards combine?
   • Yes, as long as the email address and phone number for all accounts match. If you notice discrepancies, call 1-888-BRSTYLE for help linking accounts.

Benefits and Membership Perks Questions

1. Can I use my benefits at other Gap Inc. brands?
   • Yes, your membership benefits apply across all Gap Inc. brands, regardless of where you joined.
2. How can I get free shipping?
   • Members and cardholders receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more. Icon members get 2-3 day shipping, while Core and Enthusiast members enjoy 3-5 day shipping. Ensure you’re signed into your online account at checkout.
3. How do I access my membership benefits?
   • Log in to your account to see benefits like birthday bonuses and special offers like “Create Your Own Sale Day.”
4. How can I get free alterations at Banana Republic stores?
   • Icon members can bring their Banana Republic items and proof of membership to the store for basic alterations, like hemming pants, skirts, and dresses. Check with the store for details.
5. What is the obé Fitness trial, and how do I qualify?
   • If you’re an Athleta shopper and a Rewards member, you can get a free trial based on your membership level:
     • Core: 1-month trial.
     • Enthusiast: 2-month trial.
     • Icon: 3-month trial.
   • You’ll receive a promo code via email after qualifying.

Credit Card-Specific Questions

1. Can I still use my Gap Inc. Credit Card at all brands?
   • Yes, you can use your Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, or Banana Republic Rewards Credit Cards across all Gap Inc. brands.
2. Do I keep my Luxe for Life status?
   • Yes, Luxe for Life members retain their status, now called Icon in the updated program.
3. How do I activate my card?
   • Activate your card online at bananarepublic.com/activate or by calling 866-503-9448.
4. What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?
   • Report lost or stolen cards by logging in at bananarepublic.barclaysus.com or calling 866-951-5248. Barclays will close the account and issue a new card.
5. Can I use rewards to pay my credit card bill?
   • No, rewards can only be used for purchases at Gap Inc. brands, not for credit card payments.
6. How can I pay my credit card bill?
   • Payments can be made online at bananarepublic.barclaysus.com, by mail, or by phone. Stores do not accept credit card payments.