T.J. Maxx Credit Card: 5 Things You Must Know Before You Apply

Bargain hunters and fashionistas all over the country know the name T.J. Maxx, one of TJX Companies’ leading discount apparel and home goods retailers in the U.S. This store chain prides itself on bringing consumers high-quality, name-brand products at prices 20% to 60% below the full prices they may see at other department stores.

If you’re a frequent T.J. Maxx customer, you can use a T.J. Maxx credit card to make purchases at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading Post, and Homesense — all brands in the TJX family of stores. Among the perks are online and in-store discounts, rewards certificates, and exclusive shopping events.

The basics about the T.J. Maxx credit cards

You can get two different types of credit cards from T.J. Maxx, both of which are issued by Synchrony Bank:

• The first is the TJX Rewards Credit Card, which is a store card that can only be used at T.J. Maxx and its partner brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico or through any of the brands’ websites. 
• The second is the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard, which can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. This article will focus primarily on the TJX Rewards Credit Card.

You can apply online or at a T.J. Maxx store for the TJX Rewards Credit Card. If you meet the credit requirements for the Platinum Mastercard, you may be offered that card. If you apply for the Platinum and aren’t approved, you might be offered the store card instead. Both will earn you points toward reward certificates.

Most of the specific terms for each of the cards are the same. Both have a high variable APR (annual percentage rate) that can fluctuate depending on the prime rate. If the prime rate goes up, so will your APR. The same is true if the prime rate goes down.

Once you’re approved for a TJX Rewards Credit Card, you’ll get 10% off your first online or in-store purchase, which is a nice welcome bonus. You’ll also start to earn points in the rewards program. Once you reach 1,000 points, you’ll get a $10 Rewards Certificate, which you can use at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading Post, and Homesense stores. Cardmembers are also invited to participate in exclusive private shopping events.

5 things you need to know about the TJX Rewards Credit Card

1. Earn 5% back on T.J. Maxx purchases

T.J. Maxx promotes “5% back in rewards” when you use a TJX Rewards Credit Card at its stores. This rewards rate means you earn five rewards points for every dollar you spend using your card at T.J. Maxx or another TJX store.

Points don’t expire and will accumulate in your account until you reach 1,000 points, at which time a $10 certificate will be generated. Essentially, you get $10 back for every $200 you spend.

A physical certificate is mailed with your statement within one to two billing cycles after you earn 1,000 points, but you can also access and print your certificates from your online account. The certificates are good for up to two years from the date they’re issued.

You can use the certificates online at TJMaxx.com or in-store at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading Post, and Homesense stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. They can’t be used for buying gift cards, gift certificates, e-gift cards, or any third-party gift cards, nor can they be traded for cash.

2. Get a 10%-off welcome bonus

A discount is always a nice perk when you open up a new credit card with a store. For T.J. Maxx, you’ll get a 10%-off coupon good for your first purchase after you’re approved for a TJX Rewards Card. There are a few conditions to this sign-up bonus, however.

First, you have to use your new TJX Rewards card for the purchase in order to get the discount. Second, if you apply online and get a coupon code, it’s only good for use on the store website that you applied from. However, you also have the option of printing out the coupon so you can use it at any U.S.-based TJX store, like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading Post, or Homesense store.

Third, if you apply for a card through a mobile device and are approved, you can only use your 10% coupon in-store.

3. Special discounts for cardholders

One of the exclusive perks of having a TJX Rewards Card is getting special discount opportunities, such as exclusive private shopping events. When you sign up for the card, you can also opt into receiving special offers via email.

4. Relatively high APR

Like most retail cards, the T.J. Maxx credit card APR is pretty high. If you don’t plan on paying off your balance every month, you’re likely to end up paying much more than you bargained for your purchases when you add in the interest.

And paying high interest means your rewards won’t go as far. If you earned a $10 rewards certificate but paid $20 in interest charges, you’re coming out behind.

5. Must be used at T.J. Maxx stores (and related brands)

One drawback of just about any store credit card is that you can often only use it to make purchases with that one brand. T.J. Maxx is a little better in that you can use your TJX Rewards Card at any of the TJX stores in the U.S.-based TJX family. That means you can use it to shop at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading Post, or Homesense.

While you can use the TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard anywhere Mastercard is accepted, you’d be paying a high interest rate if you don't pay off your balance each month and not getting much in rewards (only one point per dollar spent at outside brands).

Who the T.J. Maxx credit card is best for

The TJX Rewards Card is really best for those who spend a lot with T.J. Maxx or its associated brands, as well as those who are loyal to the brand. If you can keep a close eye on your rewards points, maximize the discount opportunities that pop up during the year, and pay off your balance off each month, you may be able to get some decent value out of using this card.

In addition, the T.J. Maxx credit card also doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. So if you are planning to travel abroad and don't have time to or can't open a new credit card account, you could use your T.J. Maxx card and not incur any costly fees.

How to apply for the T.J. Maxx card

You can apply for a TJX Rewards Card at any T.J. Maxx store. A customer service representative will walk you through the application, which will be processed immediately.

You’re also able to apply online at the T.J. Maxx website. For either application, you’ll need to provide your name, address, phone number, email, Social Security number, and annual income. Unfortunately, you can’t apply for a card over the phone.

Once you’re approved, you can manage your credit card account online. You’ll receive monthly statements, and you can choose for them to be paper or electronic. You can pay your bill through your online account, via mail, or over the phone. T.J. Maxx doesn’t have an in-store payment option.

Alternatives to the T.J. Maxx card

Though the TJX Rewards Card does have some useful features, you may want to look into an everyday rewards card to get the most bang for your buck. These cards offer more flexible spending opportunities, plus the chance to get cashback rewards you can use anywhere.

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card gives you unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase; plus 5% unlimited cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Rewards can be redeemed for any amount at any time. It also has no foreign transaction fees and cardholders receive automatic consideration for a higher credit line as soon as six months after opening their account. 

With the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, you can earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. You can also earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. You’ll get a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months (then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable).

Lastly, the Citi^® Double Cash Card is another option to investigate. You can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Frequently asked questions