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Petco Pay Credit Card Review – Is It Paw-sitively Worth It?
February 6, 2025
What is the Petco Pay Credit Card?
The Petco Pay Credit Card is Petco’s co-branded credit card for pet owners. In fact, Petco offers two versions of this card:
- Petco Pay Credit Card (Store Card): Can only be used at Petco stores and petco.com (closed-loop).
- Petco Pay Mastercard: Can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted (open-loop), making it more versatile.
Both versions have no annual fee and earn rewards in Petco’s Vital Care (Pals Rewards) program. Petco heavily markets the card’s benefits – “8% back at Petco” on purchases, plus 20% off your first purchase with the card. But what do those rewards really mean? Let’s break it down.
Key Rewards and Perks
Double Petco Points (≈6% Back)
Every purchase with the card earns 2 Vital Care points per $1 spent at Petco. In practical terms, that’s roughly a 6% reward rate for Petco spending. Petco calls it “8% back” in marketing, but the effective additional reward is 6% because all Petco loyalty members already earn 1 point per $1 (3%) without the card. In other words, the card adds ~3% extra on top of the normal 3% you get as a Pals/Vital Care member.
Mastercard Version – Extra Everyday Rewards
If you qualify for the Petco Pay Credit Card, it offers rewards beyond Petco: 2% back in points at grocery stores and 1% back on all other purchases. This is a nice bonus for pet owners who spend on pet food at supermarkets or want to use the card for other bills. Additionally, new Mastercard cardholders can earn a $25 Petco rewards bonus after spending $500 outside Petco in the first 90 days – a small “signup bonus” to kickstart your earnings.
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Special Financing Options
For larger pet purchases, the card occasionally offers promotional financing: e.g. 6-month special financing on purchases of $299+. But caution: these are typically deferred-interest plans. If you don’t pay off the purchase in full by the end of the promo period, you’ll be charged all the accrued interest from the purchase date. It’s a handy perk if you’re diligent, but not unique – plenty of general cards offer 0% intro APR with less fine print.
Other Notable Perks
Petco sprinkled in a few fun extras:
- Personalized Card & Surprises: You can customize your card with your pet’s photo, so Fido or Fluffy is always in your wallet. Petco also mentions a “birthday gift” for the pet parent each year (often a coupon or reward).
- Charity Component: Every time you swipe, Petco donates $0.25 to Petco Love. It’s automatic and doesn’t reduce your rewards – a nice feel-good bonus for using the card.
- No Annual Fee: As mentioned, it costs $0 to carry this card. You just need to be a Petco Vital Care member to apply – which most Petco regulars likely are.
- Extended Rewards Expiration: Cardholders get some leeway on their Petco rewards. Points convert to Pals Rewards Dollars that expire after 1 year instead of 30–45 days for non-cardholders. This gives you more time to use your rewards on future pet purchases.
The Downsides: High APR and Limitations
While the Petco card has appeal for pet lovers, it comes with significant drawbacks that you shouldn’t ignore.
Hefty Interest Rates (Don’t Carry a Balance!)
The APR on the Petco Pay Credit Card is a whopping 34.49% (variable) as of the latest data. The Mastercard version can be a bit lower for some. These rates are far above average – in fact, ~90% of store cards have APRs over 30%, with an average of ~32.7%. The Petco card is on the high end of that range. This means if you don’t pay your statement in full, interest charges will mount quickly. Tip: If there’s any chance you’ll carry a balance, a general card with a 0% intro APR or lower ongoing rate is a much better choice. The Petco card should really only be used by those who can pay in full monthly.
Rewards Are Petco-Only
The value you earn is in Pals Rewards (store credit), not cash back or points you can use elsewhere. That ~6% back on Petco purchases is generous, but it’s only useful if you continue to spend at Petco. You can’t, for example, use those rewards for groceries or vet bills outside Petco. Also, remember that your reward certificates expire 12 months after issuance. In contrast, many general cash-back cards’ rewards never expire and can be used for anything. So, if your pet expenses span beyond Petco’s ecosystem, the flexibility is limited.
Moderate Approval Requirements
Petco doesn’t publish a specific credit score needed. Officially, “there is no specific score” requirement. In practice, good credit improves your odds. Many users report that if you have fair credit, you might get approved for the store-only card, but the Mastercard version typically requires a higher score. If you’re rebuilding credit, approval isn’t guaranteed; consider a general secured card or subprime card instead, which might offer rewards without as high an APR.
Is the Petco Credit Card Worth It?
If you’re a devoted Petco shopper and spend a significant amount on pet supplies exclusively at Petco, the Petco Pay Card can reward you handsomely on those purchases. For example, an average dog owner spends about $900 per year on pet expenses.
If all of that was at Petco, the card’s double points could yield $54 in Petco rewards (6% of $900) – that’s double what a 3% baseline member would get, and more than a standard 2% cash-back card ($18) would return for Petco purchases. Plus, the 20% first-purchase discount and occasional financing offers add some upfront value.
However, for the average pet parent, the card may not be the best option:
- Limited Use: It’s only really beneficial at Petco. If you split your pet spending across other stores, a general rewards card that gives 2%–5% back everywhere will serve you better in the long run.
- Risk of Interest: If you ever carry a balance, the high interest could wipe out all the rewards you earned and then some. It only takes one or two months of finance charges at ~34% APR to negate a 6% reward savings.
- Alternative Pet Perks: There are other ways to save on pet expenses. Some general credit cards offer bonus categories that cover pet spending. Also, pet insurance or vet financing cards (like CareCredit) might be better for big vet bills thanks to longer 0% financing on medical expenses.
Bottom line: The Petco Pay Credit Card is worth it only for die-hard Petco loyalists who always shop there and can maximize the rewards. If that’s you, the card essentially serves as a VIP pass to earn extra Petco Bucks and enjoy a few pet-parent perks. For everyone else – especially those seeking flexible rewards or lower interest – a general cashback card or another pet-friendly credit card might fetch more value.
FAQ: Petco Pay Credit Card
Here are some common questions and concise answers to help you decide if the Petco card is right for you.
What credit score do I need for the Petco Pay Credit Card?
Petco’s issuer doesn’t specify a minimum score, but typically you’ll want at least fair-to-good credit for approval. The Petco Pay Mastercard usually requires a higher score than the store-only card. Petco does allow you to prequalify with a soft credit check on their site. Remember, other factors also affect approval.
How do Petco Pay Credit Card rewards work?
The card earns Vital Care (Pals) points: 2 points per $1 at Petco, which is effectively ~6% back in Petco rewards. For the Mastercard, you also get 2% back at grocery stores and 1% everywhere else. Points automatically convert to Pals Rewards Dollars (every 167 points = $5) that you can apply toward Petco purchases at checkout.
Does the Petco credit card offer any signup bonus or discounts?
Yes. New cardholders get 20% off their first purchase made with the card. If you’re getting a big-ticket item or a hefty first haul of pet supplies, that’s a substantial one-time discount! Additionally, the Petco Pay Mastercard version offers a $25 reward bonus if you spend $500 outside Petco in the first 90 days. Aside from these, the ongoing rewards are the main perk; there isn’t a large cash bonus like some bank credit cards offer.
Can I use the Petco Pay Credit Card for veterinary services?
If the vet is inside a Petco (Vetco clinics) or Petco’s partner services, yes – it will earn points like a regular Petco purchase. For other vets or pet hospitals, only the Mastercard version would work (since it’s accepted anywhere Mastercard is). However, veterinary bills might be better charged to a card that offers a 0% intro APR or a dedicated healthcare credit line, especially if you need to carry that balance. The Petco card’s interest is high, so unless you can pay it off immediately, consider alternatives for big vet expenses.
How does the Petco card compare to other pet-friendly credit cards?
The Petco Pay Credit Card stands out by directly rewarding pet store spending – something general cards don’t specifically target. If nearly all your pet spending is at Petco, it could outperform a typical card. However, other cards might be more versatile. There’s also the route of general 2% cashback cards which give a flat 2% everywhere – when combined with Petco’s own loyalty points, that nets about 5% on Petco purchases.
Conclusion
The Petco Pay Credit Card can be a valuable card for dedicated pet parents – especially those who practically live at Petco and want to maximize their Pals Rewards. It offers strong Petco-specific rewards, a feel-good charity angle, and fun perks like a custom pet photo on your card. However, for many consumers, a flexible cash-back card or a low-interest card will be more rewarding in the long run.
Before applying, honestly assess your pet spending habits: if Petco is your go-to, this card could put some $$ back in your pocket (or rather, your pet’s toy fund). If you shop around or prefer cash back you can spend anywhere, you might sit, stay, and think twice. No matter which card you use, remember that paying off your balance in full is key – at 34.49% APR, carrying a balance on the Petco card would be one expensive dog walk!
Lastly, to keep all your pet finances in check, consider using Kudos. It’s a free smart tool (available as a browser extension and app) that helps you manage multiple credit cards and even suggests the best card to use at checkout for maximum rewards. Whether you’re buying kibble or cat trees, Kudos can ensure you’re getting the most out of your wallet – and maybe even uncover a better card for your pet purchases. 😉 Sign up for Kudos and let your credit cards start fetching real savings for you!
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos 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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