For households that rely on BJ’s Wholesale Club for their weekly shopping, the BJ’s One Mastercard is a straightforward and practical financial tool designed to enhance the value of your membership. Issued by Capital One, this credit card is tailored for BJ’s “The Club Card” members and focuses on providing simple, tangible rewards on the purchases your family makes most often.
This guide provides a practical look at how the BJ’s One Mastercard can fit into your family’s budget. We’ll explore how the rewards on groceries and gas can lead to real annual savings, and how the card’s other features provide convenience and security. With no annual fee for the card itself, it’s an easy-to-use tool for getting more back from your essential household spending.
Benefits Tailored for Your Family’s Budget
The BJ’s One Mastercard is full of features that provide practical value for your everyday life.
- 3% Back in Rewards on BJ’s Purchases: This is the core benefit for any BJ’s shopper. You will earn 3% back in rewards on the majority of your purchases at BJ’s clubs, on BJs.com, and in the BJ’s app. For a family that spends $400 a month at BJ’s on groceries and household supplies, this translates to $12 in rewards each month, or $144 per year.
- 1.5% Back on All Other Spending: Your family’s expenses extend beyond the wholesale club. This card continues to provide value by offering a solid 1.5% back in rewards on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted. This includes everything from utility bills and doctor’s co-pays to a meal out with the family.
- An Instant 10¢ Per Gallon Discount on Fuel: This is a simple and immediate saving. You will receive an instant discount of 10 cents per gallon every time you fill up your vehicle at a BJ’s Gas location and pay with your card. For a 15-gallon tank, that’s an instant $1.50 in savings every time.
- No Annual Fee for the Credit Card: You can enjoy all of these savings features without paying a yearly fee for the credit card. It is important to note that you must have an active, paid BJ’s “The Club Card” membership (currently $55/year) to be eligible.
- Rewards That Don’t Expire: The rewards you earn will not expire as long as your membership is active, giving you the flexibility to save them up for a large purchase or use them as you go.
- Simple Rewards Redemption Process: The redemption system is incredibly straightforward. Once you have accumulated at least $10 in rewards, an electronic award is issued to your membership account. You can apply this award directly to your purchase at any BJ’s checkout, instantly lowering your bill.
- Add Family Members for Free: You can add a spouse or a responsible older child to your account as an authorized user at no extra cost. All of their spending will help the household accumulate rewards faster.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: This is a great benefit for family vacations. You can use the card for purchases outside the United States without incurring the typical 3% foreign transaction fee.
- World Mastercard Benefits: The card also includes a package of benefits from Mastercard, which can include practical perks like credits with Lyft and a complimentary membership to ShopRunner for free 2-day shipping at many online stores.
Who Can Apply for BJ’s One Mastercard: Eligibility Criteria
This card is designed for BJ’s members with an established credit history.
- BJ’s Membership: An applicant must be an active member of a paid BJ’s “The Club Card” Membership.
- Credit History: A good to excellent credit score is generally required for approval (typically a FICO score of 670 or higher).
- Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the United States with a valid U.S. address.
- Identification: A valid Social Security Number is required for the application.
How to Apply for BJ’s One Mastercard: A Simple Guide
- Ensure You Have the Correct BJ’s Membership: You must have a current BJ’s “The Club Card” membership.
- Apply Online or In-Club: You can fill out the application on the BJ’s website or visit the Member Services desk at your local BJ’s club.
- Check for Pre-Approval (Recommended): The online application offers a pre-approval check. This allows you to see if you are likely to be approved without impacting your credit score, which is a great, risk-free first step.
- Complete the Full Application: Fill out the secure online application with your personal and household financial information.
- Receive a Decision: Capital One often provides a decision in just a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Household Manager
- Can I use the rewards to pay for my annual BJ’s membership renewal?
Yes, you can. Your accumulated rewards can be applied toward your annual membership fee at the Member Services desk in-club. For many families, the rewards earned throughout the year can completely cover the cost of the membership. - How much can my family realistically save with this card?
A family spending $5,000 per year at BJ’s (about $417/month) would earn $150 in rewards. A family spending $10,000 per year outside of BJ’s on the card would earn another $150. Combined with gas savings, a typical family could easily save over $300-$350 per year with this card. - Are the rewards difficult to use at checkout?
No, it’s very simple. The cashier can see your available rewards when you check out. You can just ask them to apply your awards to your purchase total. You can also apply them yourself at the self-checkout or when shopping online at BJs.com. - Is it worth upgrading to the more expensive BJ’s membership to get the better credit card?
It depends on your spending. The BJ’s One+® card (for “The Club+” members) offers 5% back at BJ’s. You would need to spend more than $2,750 per year at BJ’s for the extra rewards to cover the higher cost of the membership. If you are a very high-volume BJ’s shopper, it is worth considering.
