The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card offers a way to earn rewards on Nordstrom and a few popular spending categories. However, its unimpressive sign-up bonus and inflexible redemption options make it a lackluster card overall. Card Rating: ⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.
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 audiences.
The card has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 740.
Today, we’ll review the card details to help you decide whether this card is a good option for you.
Nordstrom Visa Signature pros and cons
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Nordstrom Visa Signature welcome offer
New cardholders can currently earn a $40 bonus 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 sign-up bonus 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.
Related: 4 reasons store credit cards are (almost) always a bad idea
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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.
You’ll have access to beauty and style workshops, free basic alterations, a $100 alterations benefit for more complicated changes, early access to anniversary sales, curbside pickup, special access to Clear the Rack sales and a personal double points day.
If you spend enough to hit the higher status levels of The Nordy Club, you can get additional alterations credits alongside the other benefits of the individual status levels.
This 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, $500,000 in travel accident insurance, preferred access to events and access to the Visa Signature Hotels collection and the Visa concierge.
Earning and redeeming points on the Nordstrom Visa Signature
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card earns 3 points per dollar spent at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. You’ll also get 2 points per dollar spent on dining, entertainment and travel purchases.
Even though 2 points per dollar may sound enticing, you probably won’t want to use this card for dining, entertainment or travel 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 at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. Nordstrom isn’t included in many typical bonus categories, so 3 points per dollar 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 manually 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 2,000 points for a $20 note to be added to your account automatically.
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 out there that will reward you on Nordstrom purchases.
- If you want customized rewards: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers 5% back on the category of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined bonus category spending), and one of the potential categories is department stores. Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are listed as popular merchants within the category, so you know you’ll earn rewards on those purchases with this card. For more details, read our full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+.
- If you want more general rewards: Go for the Discover it Cash Back. Both offer 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 for both, especially for the Freedom during Q4 for holiday shopping. For more details, read our full review of the Discover it.
- 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). For more details, 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?
Generally speaking, 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.
Bottom line
The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card might make sense if you’re a rare 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.
Related: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online purchases
