We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
The former Sears Card tends to offer frequent — and lucrative — limited-time bonuses, but point redemptions are limited.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Chanelle Bessette
Lead Writer & Content Strategist
Kenley Young
Managing Editor
Funto Omojola
Lead Writer & Content StrategistThe Shop Your Way Mastercard, issued by Citibank, effectively replaced the Sears Card in 2023. You can use this version anywhere that accepts Mastercard.
It offers a potentially valuable sign-up bonus for new cardholders, but it stands out from other store credit cards because it tends to also feature recurring — and often lucrative — limited-time bonuses for existing cardholders.
In addition, on an ongoing basis, you'll get decent rewards in some popular everyday spending categories. But there are notable limitations on how you can redeem those rewards, and they expire quite quickly if left unused. Also, the card charges a very high interest rate.
Here are five things to know about the Shop Your Way Mastercard.
Sears filed for bankruptcy in October 2018, but stores aren't disappearing entirely, nor is the Shop Your Way Mastercard.
» MORE: Credit cards with potentially confusing rewards programs
The Shop Your Way Mastercard frequently offers limited-time bonuses for new cardholders. For example, through March 31, 2025, the card offers a statement credit for every 0 you spend, up to 5, on purchases made within the first 90 days of holding the card.
That’s a considerable bonus, especially for a store card. If you max it out by spending ,500 in the first 90 days, you earn 15% back as part of this promotion.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best rewards credit cards
As noted, the Shop Your Way Mastercard frequently features limited-time offers that may snag you actual cash back. But on an ongoing basis, the card typically earns Shop Your Way points, which can be redeemed through the Shop Your Way portal (more about redemption options later).
The card gets you 5% back in points on gas station purchases and 3% back in points on eligible restaurant and grocery store purchases up to the first ,000 of combined spending in those categories per calendar year. (After that, you'll drop down to a rewards rate of 1% back in points.)
In addition, because the Shop Your Way rewards program also functions as an online shopping portal, you'll earn 2% back in points on eligible Shop Your Way merchant purchases and 1% back in points on other eligible purchases.
If keeping track of spending caps and categories is too overwhelming, you’ll fare better with a card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which earns a simple 2% cash-back rate on all eligible purchases. You’ll still get a lot of value from this card, since you’re free to earn rewards without any category restrictions. The sign-up bonus isn’t as large as it is on the Shop Your Way Mastercard, but it's still healthy: Earn a 0 cash rewards bonus after spending 0 in purchases in the first 3 months. It also has an interest-free window as an introductory offer: Get a 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR.
You'll be automatically enrolled in the Shop Your Way rewards program if you're approved for the credit card, but you don't need the credit card to join the program.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best rewards credit cards
With the Shop Your Way Mastercard, the rewards you earn at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores may seem comparable with — or even better than — what's offered by the most competitive store cards on the market. But take a closer look:
With the exception of some limited-time offers, the card offers rewards not as cash back, but as a percentage back "in points." Per the program's terms, 1,000 points are equal to that you can redeem in eligible places. That's a truly paltry point value of 0.001 cent each, but here's how it works in practice: If you earn 5% back (in points) on a gas fill-up, you can expect to collect 1,500 points (worth .50 when you redeem). Using this card requires some math to figure out what you're actually getting.
Regarding those bonus categories, the elevated rates apply only to the first ,000 in spending per year, and that's a combined cap across all bonus areas. You may never hit that limit, but many rewards cards impose no points cap at all.
You can redeem your rewards for eligible in-store or online purchases at Shop Your Way merchants, or for merchandise and third-party gift cards through the Shop Your Way portal. While there are more than 15,000 Shop Your Way merchants including Macy’s, Walmart, Walgreens and Ticketmaster, a general-purpose cash-back credit card would offer even more redemption flexibility.
Unlike other rewards programs, Shop Your Way Mastercard points can expire; they're valid only for 12 months from the date they are awarded. Use them or lose them. With a card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, rewards don’t expire as long as the account is open and active.
The Shop Your Way Mastercard doesn't charge an annual fee. This can make it easier for you to keep the card open for a longer period of time. The average age of your accounts is a factor that affects your length of credit history, so having cards open for longer can impact your credit scores.
» MORE: Your store credit card wants to be your everyday card
The APR for purchases topped 33% as of November 2024. That's much higher than the average rate on credit card accounts that incur interest.
Worse, the card's "special financing" offer on select large purchases can end up costing you hundreds of dollars in interest. That's because the interest in these promotions is not waived, as it is with true introductory 0% APR offers. Instead, it's deferred.
When interest is waived for, say, 12 months, the card issuer doesn't charge you any interest. After the 12-month period ends, the issuer can charge you interest going forward, but only on the remaining balance (if you have any).
But when interest is deferred for 12 months, interest is accruing in the background. As long as you have the purchase fully paid off by the end of the 12 months, you'll owe no interest. But if any of the balance is left over — even 50 cents — you'll pay interest on the entire purchase going all the way back to the day you made it.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best 0% intro APR credit cards
Information related to the Sears Card and Shop Your Way Mastercard has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
Helpful resources
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Download the app
Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product's site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution's Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly.
NerdUp by NerdWallet credit card: NerdWallet is not a bank. Bank services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC. The NerdUp by NerdWallet Credit Card is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Inc.
Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539
NMLS Consumer Access | Licenses and Disclosures
California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812
Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses
NerdWallet has engaged Atomic Invest LLC (“Atomic”), an SEC-registered investment adviser, to bring you the opportunity to open an investment advisory account with Atomic. NerdWallet receives compensation of 0% to 0.85% of assets under management annualized, payable monthly, for each referred client who opens an Atomic account and a percentage of free cash interest earned by clients, which creates a conflict of interest.
Brokerage services for Atomic are provided by Atomic Brokerage LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC and an affiliate of Atomic, which creates a conflict of interest. For more details about Atomic, please see the Form CRS, Form ADV Part 2A and Privacy Policy. For more details about Atomic Brokerage, please see the Form CRS, the Atomic Brokerage General Disclosures. You can check the background of Atomic Brokerage on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Neither Atomic Invest nor Atomic Brokerage, nor any of their affiliates is a bank. Investments in securities are Not FDIC insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged.
NerdWallet™ | 4150 N Drinkwater Blvd, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85251