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Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Macy’s vs. JCPenney Credit Card: Which Gives You The Most Value?

Macy’s vs. JCPenney Credit Card: Which Gives You The Most Value?

The Macy's Credit Card is a clear winner with higher points rewards ratio and overall cashback value for the same spend than JCPenney Card
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
  • Article update: November 29, 2024
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
  • Article update:November 29, 2024

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Choosing between Macy's and JCPenney credit cards depends on your shopping preferences and where you often make purchases. Both cards offer perks, but the value you get varies. Let's compare them side by side.

General Comparison: Macy’s vs. JCPenney Credit Card

The Macy's Credit Card offers exclusive perks for frequent Macy's shoppers. You earn rewards points for every dollar spent, which turn into discounts on future purchases. Plus, cardholders get access to special discounts, exclusive events, and birthday surprises.

Meanwhile, the JCPenney Credit Card is perfect for those who love shopping at JCPenney. Like Macy's, you earn points with every purchase, which can be redeemed for discounts on future buys. JCPenney cardholders also enjoy special financing options, exclusive savings events, and birthday gifts.

Here’s a quick comparison of the key features:

macy amex card

jcpenney credit card
Macy's Credit Card
JCPenney Credit Card
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards
spend $1,200 or more annually to get 5X points per dollar on purchases made at Macy's, 3X points if you spend $500 to $1199 and 2X points if you spend up to $500. Also, get 3X points at restaurants including delivery, 2X at gas stations & supermarkets and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else
1 point for every dollar at JCPenney, 200 points worth $10 -> $10 per $200 spend on JCPenney = 5% back
Welcome bonus
30% discount on Macy's on the day you are approved and the following day, up to $100
Extra 5% – 35% off on selected merchants in the first purchase on the same day the card has been opened
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
3%
Purchase APR
33.74% variable
30.24%
Read Review
Read Review
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold
Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards
Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review
Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Macy's vs. JCPenney Cashback Analysis: Which Card Wins?

Based on our analysis, the Macy's credit card is a clear winner when it comes to how much you can get for the same spend. The Macy's points rewards system is not limited to its specific brand like JCPenney, and you can earn points on a variety of categories:

macy amex card

jcpenney credit card
Spend Per Category
Macy's Credit Card
JCPenney Credit Card
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
30,000 points
/
$4,000 – Macy's/JCPenney
20,000 points
4,000 points
$5,000 – Restaurants
15,000 points
/
$4,000 – Travel
4,000 points
/
$4,000 – Gas
8,000 points
/
Total Points / Cashback
77,000 points
4,000 points
Estimated Redemption Value
1 point ~ 1 cent
1 point ~ 5 cents
Estimated Annual Value
$770
$200

Additional Benefits: Comparison

The JCPenney benefits are provided upon a $1,000 annual spend. On the other hand, Macy's credit card provides members exclusive savings and perks, birthday surprise, and free shipping.

Here's a comparison of the additional perks:

Macy's Credit Card

macy amex card

  • Star Passes: Exclusive savings reserved for cardholders, providing special discounts on purchases.

  • Star Money Bonus Days: During these exclusive periods, cardholders can accelerate their rewards accumulation, making their shopping experiences more rewarding.

  • Birthday Surprise: Cardholders receive a delightful birthday surprise as a token of appreciation.

  • Member Exclusives: Enjoy bonus points when shopping for your favorite brands and other exclusive perks available only to cardholders.

  • Free Shipping at Macy’s with your card:

    • Silver Tier: Free shipping on purchases of $25 or more.
    • Gold & Platinum Tiers: Enjoy free shipping with no minimum purchase requirement, enhancing the convenience of online shopping for cardholders.
JCPenney Credit Card

jcpenney credit card

  • Birthday Gift: JCPenney Credit Card holders receive a special gift to celebrate their birthdays.
  • Special Savings Days: Cardholders enjoy exclusive savings on designated days throughout the year.
  • Special Financing: The credit card offers special financing options for certain purchases.
  • Passbook of Coupons: Members receive a passbook containing coupons for additional discounts.
  • Unique Offers for Top Members: Exclusive offers and benefits are provided to the top-tier members of the JCPenney Credit Card program.
  •  

When You Might Prefer The Macy's Credit Card?

You might prefer the Macy's Credit Card If:

  • Better Rewards Program: Macy's has a tiered rewards system that includes points for various spending categories like dining and groceries. If you want more flexibility in how you earn rewards, Macy's card could be a good fit.

  • Diverse Shopping Choices: If you shop for a wide variety of products beyond clothing, Macy's might be better, as they offer a broader range of items, including home goods and beauty products.

Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold
Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards
Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review
Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

When You Might Prefer The JCPenney Credit Card?

You might prefer the JCPenney Credit Card If:

  • JCPenney Frequent Shopper: If JCPenney is your go-to for clothing, home goods, and more, their credit card might be the perfect fit, offering rewards and benefits designed for loyal customers.

  • Special Financing Offers: For those bigger purchases, the JCPenney Credit Card offers special financing

Compare The Alternatives

If you're looking for a store credit card with great rewards for online shopping – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:

Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card review

Apple card

Sam's Club® Mastercard®
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Apple Credit Card
Sam's Club® Mastercard®
Annual Fee
$0 ($60 Costco membership fee required)
$0
$0 ($50/$110 for Club/Plus membership – MUST)
Rewards
1-4% 4% cash back on on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 1% cash back on all other purchases
1% – 3% 3% cash back at Apple and select Apple pay partners. 3% Daily Cash back at Ace Hardware, Duane Reade, Exxon, Mobil, Nike, Panera Bread, T-Mobile, Uber, Uber Eats, and Walgreens. 2% on other Apple pay purchases, and 1% on all other purchases
1-5% 5% cash back on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members, 3% on dining and takeout and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
None None
N/A
None $30 statement credit after making $30 in Sam’s Club purchases within the first 30 days
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
N/A
Purchase APR
19.99% – 27.99% (Variable)
15.99% – 26.99% Variable
20.40% or 28.40% Variable
Read Review
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Compare Macy's Credit Card

The Target RedCard is our winner especially if you focus on groceries and dining, with much better cashback rates than Macy's Credit Card.

Target Red Card vs. Macy's Credit Card: What Store Card Offers The Highest Rewards?

The Macy's Credit Card is a clear winner with higher points rewards ratio and higher cashback value for the same spend than Nordstrom Card.

Nordstrom vs. Macy’s Credit Card: Which Store Card Gives You The Most Value?

Unlike Kohl's card, the Macy's Credit Card offers points rewards on all categories, making it more attractive for the average consumer.

Macy's Credit Card vs Kohl's Charge Card by Capital One: Which One Wins?

Compare JCPenney Credit Card

The Kohl's card cashback rate is higher than JCPenney, and both cards offer extra perks such as gifts, exclusive offers, and special coupons.

Kohl’s Charge Card by Capital One vs. JCPenney Credit Card: How They Compare?

Since JCPenney Credit Card offers rewards only on its brand store, the Nordstrom Credit Card takes the lead with higher annual cashback value.

Nordstrom vs. JCPenney Credit Card: Which Gives You The Most Value?

The target RedCard is our clear winner, with a higher cash-back rate and estimated annual value. Here's what you can get with each card.

JCPenney Credit Card vs Target Red Card: How They Compare?

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Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.

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The Smart Investor (this website) is an independent financial website. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website may receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The Smart Investor does not include all companies or all offers available in the marketplace and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete.

©2024 Mann Media LLC. All rights reserved.

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

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