Borders Credit Card Review
Summary - The Chase Borders 3.2.1SM Visa® Card will appeal to those who buys frequently from Borders®, Borders Express, Borders.com, Waldenbooks® and Waldenbooks.com and would like to earn reward points to get better deals at Borders and Waldenbooks. What is interesting about this card is that you can exchange your points for both gift certificates or cash rebates. Find out more...
Reward Formula - With this card, you earn three points for every dollar you spend at Borders®, Borders Express, Borders.com, Waldenbooks® and Waldenbooks.com. You earn two points for every dollar spent on eligible Gas, Dining and Grocery purchases and one point for every dollar you spend on "other purchases". Once you have accumulated 2,500 points, you can exchange them for either a $25 Borders gift certificate, any other $25 gift certificates (of merchant partners including hotels, merchandise etc) or $25 in cash rebates. You can earn unlimited points. New cardholders get 1,000 bonus points.
Fees - The Borders 3.2.1.SM Visa® Card has no annual fee. The apr is either prime rate plus 6.99%, 10.99% or 14.99%. You also get a 0% introductory apr for twelve billing cycles for both purchases and balance transfers. The two-cycle average daily balance method is used to calculate monthly balances.
Verdict - If you shop very frequently at either Borders®, Borders Express, Borders.com, Waldenbooks® and Waldenbooks.com, the Borders 3.2.1SM Visa® will enable you to earn reward points and help you save money on your book purchases. What I like about this card is that you can also earn extra points for grocery, gasoline and dining expenses, and that you can exchange points for cash rebates and other non-borders gift certificates as well.
Note : Chase is no longer offering this card.
Positives
- Earn 3 points for Borders purchases
- Earn 2 points for grocery, gas and dining expenses
- Flexibility in redeeming points
| Chase Borders 3.2.1.SM Visa® Card | |
| Reward Formula | |
| Point Formula |
Earn 3 point for every dollar you spend at Borders®, Borders Express, Borders.com, Waldenbooks® and Waldenbooks.com Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on grocery, gasoline or dining expenses Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend on other purchases |
| Cost/Fees/Interest rates | |
| Introductory rate | 0% fixed APR for 12 billing cycles (purchases and balance transfers) |
| Annual Fees | No annual fee |
| Purchase APR | Prime Rate plus 6.99%, 10.99% or 14.99% |
| Balance Transfer APR | Prime Rate plus 6.99%, 10.99% or 14.99% |
| Cash Advance APR | Prime Rate plus 14.74% |
| Penalty/Default Rate | Prime Rate plus 23.99% |
| Min Finance Charge | $1.00 |
| Grace Period | 20 days |
| Balance Calculation Method | Average Daily Balance (including new purchases) |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% min $5.00 max $75.00 |
| Cash Advance fee | 3% min $10.00 |
| Foreign Currency Conversion fee | 3% |
| Over-the-credit-limit fee | $35.00 |
| Late Payment fee |
$15.00 - up to but not including $250.00 $39.00 - more than $250.00 |
References
1. Chase, Borders launch 3-2-1 Rewards Visa