Lane Bryant Credit Card Review
Did you know Lane Bryant was founded in 1904 when a young widow borrowed $300 from her brother-in-law to open a small shop on Fifth Avenue? By focusing on fashion and fit – not merely size – they’ve grown to be one of the best plus size clothing retailers. But is their credit card also among the best? Here’s what you need to know…
What type of card is it?
The Lane Bryant card is your typical store credit card – it can only be used at their affiliated stores. Even though it’s not a major credit card (like a MasterCard, Discover, etc) there will still be a “hard pull” credit check done during the Lane Bryant credit card application process. Something to keep in mind is that “hard pull” inquiries can reportedly have an adverse effect on your credit score, which is why you should not apply for credit needlessly.
What is the interest rate?
At the time of this review, the APR was 22.99% to 24.99% depending on your credit. With a high rate like that, this card would be a horrible choice to carry any kind of balance on.
What are the rewards?
Here’s how the rewards program works:
- 2 points per $1 spent at Lane Bryant stores
- 1 point per $1 spent at affiliated stores (Catherines, Fashion Bug)
Base level accounts will get $10 rewards in exchange for 400 points (that equals a 2.5% rebate). After you spend $400, you achieve “Premier” status which gives $25 rewards for 600 points (that equals just a bit over a 4% rebate).
What is the signup offer?
Usually they seem to offer the typical 10% or 15% off the first purchase made with the Lane Bryant credit card. This is what most store cards usually offer. Is it worth it? Well this is what John Ulzheimer of Credit.com recently said in an “Ask John: Store Card Dangers” article; “Never, ever, ever take advantage of these types of “save 10%” offers. It’s simply not worth the damage you’ll do to your credit scores.” (referencing the store card industry in general, not the Lane Bryant card specifically)
Verdict?
After combing over this credit card’s application, I don’t see any good reasons to apply. The rewards are only average for a store card and the APR is extremely high.
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So done with this card. It’s a headache to pay online as I don’t want to give out my banking information, and I don’t use checks. I’d rather use a credit card not tied to my bank account in case there is any fraud and I can’t do that. I was only using it for the rewards but the window of opportunity to take advantage seems too narrow and rarely coincides with my fiscal fortune. I’m not impressed with its benefits over hassle.
Lane Bryant does have high prices. Like every other department store LB marks up the clothes, sends out a bunch of coupons, and has a bunch of sales so that you end up paying what the regular retail SHOULD be.
I have absolutely no problems paying online, if I get too close to my due date before I make a payment then I pay with my bank’s online banking system.
My advice to those who have problems with the online system… STOP USING IT IF IT DOESN’T WORK! You can also pay in the store which I frequently do. I make the purchase with my Lane Bryant card to get rewards, then I turn right around and say “now I want to make a payment” and I use cash or a debit card to do that on the same day. Irresponsible people should NOT have credit cards.
I got this card in October or 2011. I thought part of the rewards is supposed to be a $25.00 per month restaurant coupon. It is now nearly April, 2012, and I have yet to found a restaurant coupon or instructions to use such coupons on the L. Bryant site or my e-mail. I have contacted the company several times and been given instructions to find this perk, but too no avail.
Why does the company either advertise a perk that cannot be retrieved, or conversely provide customers with the needed instruction to attain such perk? I have, however, been billed every month, without fail for the charge to keep this reward. I am a retiree on a limited income who can ill-afford even this small charge when there is nothing in return.
I’m sorry these people had such experiences, but that has not been the case for me. I’ve been a LB card holder since 2003 and I’ve had no problems…
Not getting the card in the mail… and waiting so long to call customer service has got to be a joke. Furthermore I’ve had no problem paying my bill ONLINE EVERY MONTH with a few simply clicks of my mouse or on my phone.
People need to own their own mistakes and stop blaming or bad-mouthing companies. Sure the interest rate is high… Which store card do you know that has a low APR?
Be adults and live with the consequence of using a high interest store credit card… Spend what you can pay off or just shut up OR pay the interest if you don’t pay off your balance…. IF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE CREDIT ACCOUNT THEN YOU’LL END UP WITH THE BENEFIT OF A GOOD REPORT FROM LANE BRYANT ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT…
Completely agree. Be responsible people! Don’t wait until you are late to pay on the account. That is the same on any credit card. If you have problems getting your bill or card, go to the store and pay it. The being it’s are pretty good. You get 25 points for every $50 spent. They can be used for 50% of your purchase so basically 25 % savings on any purchase. Charge it up and pay the balance. Be smart.
It’s a credit card. Plan and simple. Your credit is your responsibility. read the fine print before you apply. It is not the company’s fault that you didn’t recieve your statements. Whether you get a statement or not, that bill you charged is still due! READ EVERYTHING
I love the store, even though it’s so terribly expensive to shop at. I applied for a Lane Bryant card on a purchase of less than $150 in the store. I expected, like the only other credit card I have (Which, mind you, has no annual fee’s at ALL, so I only have to pay it off when I actually purchase something with it), to receive the card within two weeks.
That was months ago, before summer started, and I never received a card in the mail. Statements? Yes. The ads? Yes. I received a call to pay off the bill in June, and the gentleman was super pleasant on the other line and took off the late fee for me. We talked about the fact that I never received a card, and after verifying my address he noted that it was entered wrong into the system, and so he fixed it and told me that it would be sent out within a week.
It’s almost August, and I still don’t have the card. I still get the statements, still get the ads, and am still getting charged for it. Just today I paid off $91 from collections, most of that being late fee’s.
Needless to say, I called customer service to close my account, and I think she took off one of the late fee’s for me because she noticed the card was never even sent out the second time. The whole thing was just rediculous. The only upside to this was the fact that the people I’ve talked to over the phone were nothing but understanding and apologetic.
Save yourself the hassle. Use the gift checks and pass on the card.
But wait, there’s more!
When I closed my account on the 30th of September (It wasn’t August, that was a typo…), I had assumed that would not have to deal with them again. I was quite mistaken.
I received a call a few days before Christmas saying I owed $52 on the card that I had closed. Of course, with it being a holiday, I could not contact the customer service line until today, the 27th. After talking with the gentleman from customer service, it was brought to my attention that since I had paid off the $91 with a card over the phone, my Lane Bryant card was charged an additional $15 because it was with a card. He offered to take off the late fees if I paid off the $15. I asked him if I paid again with a card, if I would be charged ANOTHER $15. His answer was yes. I would be.
Apparently, every time you pay your bill over the phone using a credit or debit card, you’re charged $15.
He told me my only options would be to either give them my social security number at the store and pay it there, mail in a payment, or to pay by check over the phone. After paying it off using the latter option, I am now, hopefully, FINALLY done with the card.
I hope…
What does not getting the card have to do with you not paying your bills and letting it go to collections? Sounds like irresponsibility on your part to me. Not excusing them for not sending a card, but I’m just trying to make the connection.
Used the credit card 1 time in March for a $31 purchase. Received bill in May. Paid bill 2 weeks later in June. They are charging me over $50 in late fees.
They are charging late fees on top of late fees.
BAD BAD MOVE.
Favorite store card. Have had no problems with it at all and the rewards are great. Love it.
Leave this card and store alone. I went into the store and applied using my drivers license to vertfy my address. After I received my purchase I thought that I would receive a card or statement. I received nothing after about 30 days. I went into the store to question why I had not received anything. I was told to keep looking in the mail. Well, I finally recieved a call from someone who english and attitude was RUDE. I told her my problem and she promptly told me that a statement was sent out and I requested what address and she gave me a P.O. Box as my address. When I told her that is not what I had supplied the clerk who was holding my drivers license. I gave her my correct address but this RUDE non-english person kept telling me I HAD TO GIVEN THE CLERK WHEN I APPLIED THIS ADDRESS. When I had enough of her I ask to speak with her supervisor she TOLD ME SHE WAS NOT GOING TO CONNECT ME I HAD TO DO THIS MYSELF and she rush a number to me: 888-4163 and hung up. NO THANK YOU KEEP THE CARD AND THE COMPANY
I opened up an account last year, I charged less than $150, but due to NUMEROUS problems with their online payment system, I am still paying it off. I estimate that I have spent more than $300 paying this damned charge down. DO NOT OPEN A CARD WITH THEM UNLESS YOU HAVE THE CASH TO IMMEDIATELY PAY IT OFF AND CLOSE IT. What a waste, it has completely ruined my credit and has kept me from opening any cards elsewhere.