Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card Review: Full details
Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card Overview
The Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card comes with a decent earning rate at Victoria’s Secret and Pink stores, and offers bonus categories outside of stores. However, the card’s rewards are limited to low-value spend, making it a generally poor option unless you’re an extremely loyal Victoria’s Secret shopper. Card rating*: ⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
With Victoria’s Secret credit cards, it’s important to note the difference between the Victoria’s Secret Credit Card and the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card. The Victoria’s Secret Credit Card is a closed card, meaning you can only use the card (and, thus, earn rewards) for purchases at Victoria’s Secret and Pink stores. Meanwhile, the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard can be used to earn rewards anywhere the Mastercard is accepted, further expanding your ability to collect points to spend on Victoria’s Secret or Pink purchases.
Since the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard is very similar to the cards we usually include at TPG, this will be the version of the card discussed in this review.
The Victoria’s Secret Mastercard is issued by Community Bank and has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of at least 670. Let’s learn more about the card and see if it can be a good fit for you.
Victoria’s Secret Credit Card and Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card information on this page has not been updated or provided by the card issuer.
Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card pros and cons
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Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card welcome gift
The Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card comes with a small welcome gift of up to $55 in rewards that can be used toward purchases at Victoria’s Secret or Pink.
First, you’ll automatically get $25 off your first purchase once you’re approved for the card. This is not a lucrative offer, as some store cards give you a percentage-based discount that can be applied to a higher amount when you make your first purchase on your card. With this option offered by the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard, you have a hard limit of $25 off in the form of a one-time use code.
Additionally, you can earn a $30 reward for spending more than $500 in purchases outside of Victoria’s Secret and Pink stores with your Victoria’s Secret Mastercard within 90 days of account opening.
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Honestly, this isn’t that important either, but it might be worth pursuing if you’re a frequent shopper at Victoria’s Secret or Pink and can take advantage of a discount. Plus, there’s no reason to leave rewards on the table if you choose to get a card.
Related: The best credit card acceptance offers available right now
Benefits of the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card
The Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card comes with a few benefits. However, it automatically offers a higher ranking within the Victoria’s Secret & Pink Rewards program.
As a cardholder, you will receive the middle status level – Silver – automatically. You can get to this level without having a Victoria’s Secret Mastercard, but you have to spend $300 a year on the program to get there.
With Silver Status, you’ll earn 20 points per dollar spent with the card at Victoria’s Secret and Pink, which doubles the member’s base rewards category earnings (10 points per dollar). Silver members also get two days a year to earn double points, a 15% discount on a birthday gift, a $10 birthday reward and 30 points per dollar spent on bras purchased at Victoria’s Secret or Pink.
You’ll get the benefits associated with Mastercard with this card, including no credit card fraud.
While these benefits are limited and not as great as those of many cash back and travel rewards cards, they are a decent offering for a store credit card.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Earn and redeem rewards with the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card
Since the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard comes with automatic Silver status, you’ll earn 20 points per dollar spent at Victoria’s Secret and Pink.
In addition to higher rewards at Victoria’s Secret and Pink stores, you’ll also earn 4 points per dollar spent on dining, travel and streaming services and 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
While it’s easier to accumulate points than most other store credit cards, you’re still limited in terms of how you can use them. You’ll receive a $10 reward for every 2,000 points accumulated within the rewards program — meaning points are worth 0.5 cents each.
This offers 10% cash back on Victoria’s Secret and Pink purchases, but there are some drawbacks. Rewards are only redeemable as discounts on purchases at Victoria’s Secret and Pink and expire 90 days from issue.
While earning 20 points per dollar spent on Victoria’s Secret and Pink and 4 points per dollar spent on general purchases may seem enticing, these points are limited and not worth much. Plus, they expire quickly, which means you have to use them when you get them or risk losing your hard-earned rewards. And since they’re only 0.5 cents each, the highest return you’ll get on your bonus purchases outside of Victoria’s Secret is 2% back — which you can earn on every purchase with a few cash back cards.
However, if you’re a fan of Victoria’s Secret and Pink and are looking for a way to earn money for those regular purchases, this could be a decent option if that’s where most of your spending is.
Related: Are cash back credit cards worth it?
What cards compete with the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card?
If you’re looking for a card that earns flexible rewards for your purchases, here are some options:
- If you are looking to earn a lower rate of return: I Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) you get 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay) with no annual fee. It’s a solid option to get extra cash on all your purchases, including those at Victoria’s Secret and Pink. To learn more, check out our full Citi Double Cash review.
- If you want to increase spending in popular sectors: I Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns higher cash back rewards across multiple categories of everyday spending, including 3% cash back on purchases at US supermarkets, US online shopping and gas at US gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then is 1%). Plus, the card has no annual fee (see rates and fees). To learn more, check out our full Amex Blue Cash Everyday review.
- If you would like to rotate the bonus categories: The Chase Freedom Flex® earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in rolling credits each quarter you open, so you’ll be getting more from your various expenses with no annual fee. Plus, you’ll always get 3% cash back on grocery and drugstore purchases. To learn more, check out our full Chase Freedom Flex review.
For more options, check out our full list of the best cash back credit cards.
Related: Why I got the Chase Freedom Flex and how I’m getting more money this quarter
Is the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card worth it?
While you can use your Victoria’s Secret Mastercard anywhere to earn points and rewards, you’re probably best off with a more flexible rewards card at a better value. The rewards earned with the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard are very limited and offer little value. However, it offers high returns on Victoria’s Secret and Pink purchases, so it might be worth getting if you’re extremely loyal to the brands.
Bottom line
Unless you’re devoted to Victoria’s Secret and Pink, the Victoria’s Secret Mastercard Credit Card issued by Community Bank isn’t the best card to add to your wallet. While it’s tempting to earn rewards points at the highest rate between stores, you’re probably better off with a regular card as the rewards are flexible and valuable.
Related: Save vs. cash back credit cards: Which one should I get?
For Blue Cash Everyday rates and fees, click here.
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