7 Things To Know About the T.J. Maxx Credit Card (2024)

Vault’s Viewpoint on the T.J. Maxx Credit Card

• T.J. Maxx offers two credit cards: the TJX Rewards® Credit Card and the TJX Rewards® Platinum Mastercard®.
• You’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases at the T.J. Maxx family of stores (and 1% back everywhere else if you have the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard).
• Beware of both cards’ steep APRs, and note there are limited benefits if you aren’t a frequent T.J. Maxx shopper.

There Are Two Versions of the T.J. Maxx Credit Card

First things first: The TJX Rewards credit cards are rewards credit cards, not loyalty programs. If you apply, the company will run a hard credit check, which could temporarily affect your credit score. If you don’t want to risk that, you can see whether you prequalify for the credit card without impacting your credit score, then make a formal application only if it looks like you’ll be approved.

That being said, there are actually two versions of the T.J. Maxx Credit Card:

• The TJX Rewards Credit Card, which is a store credit card
• The TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard, which you can use anywhere Mastercard is accepted

When you apply for a T.J. Maxx credit card and are approved, you’ll either qualify for the store TJX Rewards Credit Card or the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard, depending on your credit profile. Prequalifying will let you see which card you could qualify for. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive your card number and can start using your card right away at T.J. Maxx stores online.

The TJX Rewards Credit Card is a store card, designed to be used only on purchases at the T.J. Maxx family of stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico: T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls, Sierra and HomeSense. You can use your TJX Rewards Credit Card both in-store and for online purchases at the TJX family of stores, such as tjmaxx.com.

Because it’s a store credit card, you won’t be able to use your TJX Rewards Credit Card with other merchants or retailers. That’s reserved for cardholders who qualify for the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard.

You Can Use the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard Anywhere

Unlike the basic store card, the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard is a credit card you can use anywhere you can use a Mastercard. The card lets you earn 1% cash back on every purchase, no matter where you shop or spend. So, feel free to use your TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard for everyday spending rewards at Target, Walmart, gas stations, grocery stores or anywhere else—your purchases will earn 1% back, and you can redeem toward purchases at T.J. Maxx.

However, you’ll earn extra rewards when you use your TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard at the T.J. Maxx family of stores. Purchases at any of those stores (in person or online) will earn an unlimited 5% cash back.

The TJX Rewards Credit Cards Have a 32.24% APR

Before you apply for a TJX credit card, you should know they have relatively high APRs. Both the store card and the Mastercard version have a 32.24% variable APR on purchases. Considering the national average credit card interest rate is 22.63%, that’s almost 10 percentage points higher. Further, for the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard, the rate is 29.99% variable APR on cash advances (there are no cash advances available with the store card).

Keep in mind the APR is variable, so it can change when the prime rate changes. If the prime rate goes up, your APR will go up, too.

Since the APR on both TJX credit cards is so high, it’s best to pay your balance in full each billing cycle. To avoid finance charges, which can add up fast, don’t carry a balance on your TJX credit card and don’t spend more than you can afford to pay off each month.

You might also want to download the T.J. Maxx app or bookmark the T.J. Maxx website to make it easier to pay your card balance on the go.

You’ll Earn Big Rewards on T.J. Maxx Purchases

The best feature of the T.J. Maxx credit cards is the rewards you’ll earn on purchases at T.J. Maxx stores. Whether you shop at Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, Sierra or T.J. Maxx itself, you can earn 5% cash back every time you use your card in store or online at the store’s website.

Cash back is technically earned as points. For every 1,000 points you earn, you’ll receive a $10 Rewards Certificate, which you can redeem toward a purchase at T.J. Maxx stores or online. There’s no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn, and your points don’t expire if you keep your account in good standing. TJX Rewards Certificates, though, last only two years.

Redeeming TJX Rewards Certificates

You can redeem your TJX Rewards Certificates either online at checkout (when you’re signed in at tjmaxx.com) or in store by bringing your printed certificate or scanning your digital certificate at checkout.

To streamline the redemption process, link your TJX rewards credit card to your account. That will let you pull up your electronic rewards certificates right in the app or on the T.J. Maxx website. Linking your card requires you to set up an online account, register your card and link your card with your account.

T.J. Maxx Shoppers Get Additional Perks

Earning 5% cash back isn’t the only benefit T.J. Maxx shoppers receive with the TJX rewards credit cards.

First, there’s the 10% off coupon. When you apply and are approved, you can earn a coupon for 10% off your first purchase with the card. Applying for the card in store will let you use your 10% immediately. If you apply online via a computer or tablet and are approved, you’ll receive a 10% off coupon that can be used online or in stores. Applications made on mobile phones will receive a 10% off coupon that can be redeemed only in stores.

If you have a big purchase planned, wait until you apply and are approved for a TJX rewards credit card so you can get the most out of your 10% off coupon.

TJX rewards credit card members also get access to exclusive shopping events as well as what the brand calls “surprise and delight opportunities”—the kind of treasure hunt T.J. Maxx stores are known for.

You may also receive exclusive cardmember-only free shipping deals as well as a monthly sweepstakes entry to win a $100 gift card (terms apply).

There’s No Annual Fee on the TJX Card

Unlike some rewards credit cards, there’s no annual fee on the TJX Rewards Credit Card or Rewards Platinum Mastercard—so it won’t cost you to add either card to your wallet. There’s no foreign transaction fees, either, so feel free to bring the card with you when you cross the border.

However, there are other fees and costs to be aware of. For instance, there is a late payment fee, which will be assessed if you fail to make your minimum payment by 5 p.m. ET on the due date. If it’s your first late payment, the fee is $27; if you have missed a payment in any of the preceding six billing cycles, the late fee will be $38.

There is also a fee for credit card cash advances on the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard. If you use your card for a cash advance, the fee is $10 or 4% of the cash advance, whichever is greater. Keep in mind that if you make a cash advance at an ATM, you may have to pay an ATM fee, too.

Finally, if you are charged interest, it will be a minimum of $2. Cash advance interest and card purchase interest begins to accrue the day you receive the advance or make the purchase (with some exceptions).

There are a variety of other no-annual-fee cards that may offer better value for your money than the TJX rewards credit cards, so be sure to check them out before you apply.