The Macy's Credit Card is two cards in one application: a basic store card for Macy's-only purchases, and the Macy's American Express for use everywhere. Citi issues both and determines which you receive. Both share the same Star Rewards tiered structure — the more you spend at Macy's annually, the higher your earn rate climbs from 2% to 5%. For Macy's loyalists who cross the $500 or $1,200 annual spend threshold, the card delivers genuinely competitive store rewards. Below those thresholds, the 2% base rate is matched or beaten by general cash back cards with more flexible redemption.
Two Versions: Store Card vs. American Express
When you apply for a Macy's credit card, you submit one application and Citi considers you for both:
- Macy's Credit Card (store card): Usable only at Macy's, Macy's Backstage, and macys.com. Accessible with fair credit (640+). Earns Star Rewards points only at Macy's.
- Macy's American Express® Card: Usable anywhere American Express is accepted. Requires good credit (700+). Same Star Rewards at Macy's plus bonus categories outside.
If you qualify for both, you can choose which to receive. If you only qualify for the store version, that's what Citi will issue. The Amex version is meaningfully more valuable for most shoppers due to the outside-Macy's earning categories.
Star Rewards Tiers — The Core of the Card
Automatic at account opening
All new cardmembers start here
Free shipping on all orders
Birthday offer included
Free shipping · birthday offer
12 Star Passes/year
Points convert at 1,000 pts = $10 Star Money, redeemable on Macy's merchandise only. Star Money expires 30 days after issuance — a short window that catches many cardholders off guard.
Macy's Amex: What You Get Outside Macy's
The Amex version adds meaningful bonus categories for everyday spending outside Macy's:
| Category | Points | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Macy's purchases (Platinum) | 5 pts/$1 | 5% back |
| Macy's purchases (Gold) | 3 pts/$1 | 3% back |
| Macy's purchases (Silver) | 2 pts/$1 | 2% back |
| U.S. Restaurants (incl. delivery) | 3 pts/$1 | 3% back |
| U.S. Gas Stations | 2 pts/$1 | 2% back |
| U.S. Supermarkets | 2 pts/$1 | 2% back |
| Everything Else | 1 pt/$1 | 1% back |
Remember: all points earned — whether at Macy's or a restaurant — redeem only for Macy's merchandise, and Star Money expires 30 days after issuance. The Amex's dining and gas bonus is only useful if you spend regularly at Macy's to use up the rewards before they expire.
Star Money Expiration Is a Real Problem
Once you accumulate 1,000 points, Macy's automatically issues a $10 Star Money reward — which then expires in 30 days. If you're not checking your Macy's account regularly or aren't in the habit of shopping at Macy's at least monthly, these rewards will expire unused. This is the most common complaint about the card and a meaningful structural weakness compared to most cash back alternatives where rewards never expire.
Cardholder Benefits by Status
- 30% off first purchase (up to $100): Applied same day as account opening — requires immediate approval
- Star Passes (3–12/year based on status): Discount codes for specific Macy's purchases throughout the year
- Free standard shipping (Gold & Platinum only): On all Macy's orders, no minimum
- Birthday offer: Bonus points or discount during your birthday month (Gold and Platinum)
- Star Money Bonus Days: Occasional promoted days when you earn bonus points on Macy's purchases
- Pick Your Own 25% Off Day: One day per year to shop at 25% off any Macy's purchase
- Amex Experiences (Amex version only): Access to Amex's ticket presales, cardholder events, and dining reservations
- Limited-time travel bonus: Currently 10 pts/$1 on airline, hotel, car rental, rail, cruise purchases
28.99% APR — Always Pay in Full
The Macy's Credit Card carries 28.99% variable APR. Like all store cards, this rate makes carrying a balance prohibitively expensive — a $400 Macy's purchase carried for 12 months costs ~$116 in interest. The welcome discount and Star Rewards only make sense for cardholders who pay the statement balance in full every billing period.
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- 30% off first purchase (up to $100) — excellent for a no-fee store card
- 5% back at Platinum status — genuinely competitive if you spend $1,200+/yr at Macy's
- Macy's Amex adds 3% dining and 2% gas/groceries — useful outside Macy's
- Pick Your Own 25% Off Day is a meaningful annual benefit
- No annual fee — zero cost to keep open
- Two-card system means fair-credit applicants can still get the store version
What to Watch Out For
- Star Money expires 30 days after issuance — the biggest structural weakness
- All rewards redeem at Macy's only — zero flexibility
- 28.99% APR — carrying any balance wipes out reward value
- 2% base rate (Silver) is unimpressive and matched by general cash back cards with no expiration
- 30% welcome discount capped at $100 — only useful on purchases under $333
- No foreign transaction fee on Amex version, but store card charges 3%
Macy's Credit Card
30% off first purchase · 2–5% back at Macy's · Amex version adds dining + gas bonuses · $0 annual fee
Apply Now →Bottom Line
The Macy's Credit Card is worth carrying for regular Macy's shoppers — particularly those who can reach Gold status ($500+/yr at Macy's) for 3% back, or Platinum ($1,200+/yr) for 5% back. The 30% first-purchase discount is a strong opening offer, and the Amex version's outside-Macy's categories add genuine utility. The 30-day Star Money expiration window is a real weakness that catches casual shoppers off guard. If you can commit to paying in full monthly and using your rewards before they expire, the Macy's card delivers solid store loyalty value.