Macy's American Express® Card

Our review

The Macy's American Express Card is the stronger of Macy's two cards, and it holds up better outside the store than most store cards do. At Macy's it earns 2 to 5 points per dollar depending on your Star Rewards tier. Everywhere else it earns 3 points per dollar at restaurants, 2 at gas stations and supermarkets, and 1 on everything else. Every 1,000 points turns into $10 of Star Money, so each point is worth a penny at Macy's.

That outside earning is what sets it apart. A no-fee card with 3% on dining and 2% on groceries and gas is respectable on its own, and Macy's layers Star Money and frequent promotions on top. The limit is that every point ends up as Star Money, so the card only works if you shop at Macy's often enough to spend it.

Our 4.7 out of 10 rating

Each score weighs the rewards rate, value after the annual fee, welcome offer, points flexibility, and perks, with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. This is our editorial assessment to help you compare cards, not a guarantee of approval or of the value you will get.

Rewards: how it earns

At Macy's the card earns 2, 3, or 5 points per dollar depending on your Star Rewards tier, and your tier rises with how much you spend at Macy's each year, so the heaviest shoppers get the most back. Outside Macy's you get 3 points per dollar at restaurants, 2 at gas stations and supermarkets, and 1 everywhere else. Points convert to Star Money at 1,000 points for $10, which makes each point worth 1 cent, the same value I use for every card. Those outside rates are good for a store card, and they are the reason the Amex version beats the plain Macy's store card. The weak spot is redemption. Star Money only works at Macy's, so points you earn at the grocery store still have to be spent on Macy's purchases.

The fine print on rates: Points convert to Macy's Star Money at 1,000 points for $10, so each point is worth 1 cent, but only at Macy's. The in-store rate depends on your Star Rewards tier (Silver, Gold, or Platinum), which rises with your yearly Macy's spending. Points do not transfer to travel partners.

Every point and mile above is valued at a flat 1 cent, the same honest standard we use for every card. Run your own spending through the calculator to see what this card would actually return for you.

Pros and cons

The welcome bonus

New cardholders get 30% off their macys.com purchases on the day the account opens, up to $100 in savings. It is a one-day window, so plan a real shopping trip around it instead of opening the card at the register for something small. Used well, that discount is worth as much as the cash bonus on a typical free card.

First-year value vs ongoing value

There is no lump-sum welcome bonus, so first-year and ongoing value are about the same, roughly $433 a year on typical spending after the fee. What you see is what you get from day one.

*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent, on average spending.

Benefits and protections

Beyond the rewards, the perks and protections worth knowing about include:

• 3 points per $1 at restaurants
• 2 points per $1 at gas stations and supermarkets
• 1 point per $1 everywhere else
• 1,000 points become $10 in Star Money

Statement credits

This card does not come with recurring statement credits. Its value is in the rewards rate and welcome offer.

Who should get it, and who should skip it

Get the Macy's American Express Card if you shop at Macy's several times a year. The tiered in-store earning, the opening-day discount, and 3% on dining make it one of the better store cards around.

Skip it if Macy's is an occasional stop. The points only become Star Money, so a card that pays real cash back, like the Citi Double Cash, is more useful for everything else you buy.

Frequently asked questions

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