Citi
My Best Buy Credit Card
Earn 5% back in rewards on all purchases at Best Buy or enjoy flexible financing with low monthly payments. Limited welcome offers for new cardmembers.
Annual fee
None
Top rate
5x online shopping
Quick look
5% Back Rewards at Best Buy
Earn rewards or choose flexible financing options
3.0
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Frequent Best Buy shoppers who can reliably pay balances in full each month and leverage promotional financing on large electronics purchases.
The verdict
This card's value hinges entirely on where you shop. Earn 5% rewards at Best Buy—a respectable rate that ranks 7th among category specialists—but that upside evaporates outside the store. The 1% rate everywhere else ranks a dismal 56th in the catalog, and without a signup bonus to sweeten the deal, casual users should look elsewhere. Best Buy shoppers who pay in full monthly to sidestep the punishing 30.74% APR will find genuine value here; everyone else is better served by a flat-rate no-fee card like the Capital One VentureOne (5% flat) or the Chase Freedom Unlimited (3% flat on all purchases).
The card's true power lies in promotional financing—12, 18, or 24 months interest-free on purchases of $399, $599, or $799+—but only if you can commit to paying the balance before the promo ends. Miss that deadline and the full 30.74% APR applies retroactively. It's a trap that Best Buy cardholders fall into often; use it only if you have an ironclad repayment plan.
Pros
- No annual fee—a genuine advantage over the $59 Gold Visa variant
- 5% back at Best Buy is a competitive rate among category specialists
- Promotional financing up to 24 months interest-free on large purchases (if paid off on time)
- Accessible to applicants with good (not excellent) credit scores
Cons
- 1% elsewhere is weak—56th in the catalog for all-other-purchases rates
- No signup bonus to justify the application
- Punishing 30.74% APR; deferred interest traps unpaid promo balances
- Rewards locked to Best Buy redemption only—no flexibility
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Online shopping | 5x | 5% back in rewards on all qualifying purchases at Best Buy |
| Everything else | 1x | 1% back in rewards on other purchases where Visa is accepted (with My Best Buy Visa Card) |
The 5% rate at Best Buy is solid for a category specialist, but the 1% everywhere else is genuinely weak—you're better off with a flat-rate no-fee card like Capital One VentureOne (5% flat) or Chase Freedom Unlimited (3% flat) if you spend outside Best Buy. Rewards are locked to Best Buy gift certificates; you cannot redeem them as cash or statement credits.
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
Zero annual fee makes this accessible, though the $59 Gold Visa variant exists for those who want additional perks. The lack of a real signup bonus means you're starting with no immediate value—you have to earn your way in through category rewards.
Welcome bonus
Is it worth chasing?
This card offers no standalone signup bonus. Citi occasionally runs limited-time welcome offers (discounts, bonus rewards, or financing promos) but these are not guaranteed and vary by campaign. Do not apply expecting a cash or points bonus to offset the application.
Similar cards
Better general-use alternative: 5% rotating categories (including online shopping and gas stations) plus 1% elsewhere, with a $200 bonus after $500 spend—no Best Buy lock-in
Amazon specialist alternative: 5% back at Amazon (similar depth to Best Buy 5%) but 2% at Whole Foods and gas, 1% everywhere—broader rewards if you shop at multiple retailers
Frequently asked questions
Should I apply if I only shop at Best Buy occasionally?
No. Without frequent Best Buy purchases, the 1% everywhere else doesn't justify the application. Grab a flat-rate no-fee card instead—Capital One VentureOne's 5% flat, or Chase Freedom Unlimited's 3% flat, will serve you better.
What happens if I don't pay off promotional financing before the promo ends?
The full 30.74% APR applies retroactively to the entire balance, not just future interest. If you bought a $1,000 TV on 24-month financing and miss the deadline by even one payment, you'll owe interest from day one. Only use promo financing if you have a concrete repayment plan.
Can I redeem rewards as cash or a statement credit?
No. Rewards are issued as Best Buy gift certificates and can only be spent at Best Buy stores or BestBuy.com. There is no cash-back option or flexibility.
How does this compare to the My Best Buy Visa?
The Visa variant offers 3% back at gas and 2% on dining and groceries in addition to the 5% at Best Buy, but carries a $59 annual fee. Unless you spend heavily in those bonus categories, the regular card's $0 fee is the better deal.
What credit score do I need to apply?
Citi typically approves applicants with good credit (670+), though exact requirements vary. Best Buy store cards are generally easier to qualify for than travel rewards cards, making this a reasonable second card if your score is fair but not excellent.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 10, 2026