What the Bass Pro Shops Credit Card Is

The Bass Pro Shops credit card is a store card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations. It works like any other credit card — you make purchases, receive a bill, and pay it back — but the rewards and financing offers are tied specifically to those two retailers. You do not need to be a member of anything to open one, and the card itself has no annual fee.

The main draw for most cardholders is the financing offer: you can make large purchases and pay them back interest-free for a set period if you meet the terms. Outside that promotional window, the card charges a standard interest rate, which varies based on your credit history and the current market. The card also earns rewards points on purchases at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, though the earning rate is modest compared to general-purpose cards.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bass Pro Shops card offers interest-free financing for 12, 18, or 24 months on purchases above a minimum amount, but interest charges explore if you miss a payment or don't pay the full balance by the important date.
  • You earn one point per dollar spent at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, and points can be redeemed for merchandise discounts, but earning is limited to those two retailers.
  • The card has no annual fee, but the regular interest rate (called the APR) typically ranges from 18% to 28% depending on your credit score and current rates.
  • Synchrony Bank, the card issuer, reports your payment history to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score and late payments hurt it.
  • The card is easiest to use if you shop at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's regularly; if you shop there rarely, a general-purpose rewards card may offer better value.

How the Interest-Free Financing Works

When you see an offer like "12 months interest-free" or "24 months same as cash," it means Synchrony will not charge you interest on that purchase if you pay it off completely within that window. The catch is that the offer applies only to purchases above a certain amount — often $99 or $199, depending on the current promotion — and only if you are approved for the card and the purchase qualifies.

If you do not pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period, interest charges kick in retroactively. That means if you took 24 months interest-free and still owed $50 on day 730, Synchrony would charge you interest on the entire original purchase from day one, not just the remaining $50. This is called "deferred interest," and it is the most expensive mistake cardholders make with store cards. To avoid it, set a phone reminder for one month before the promotional period ends so you can pay the balance in full.

The financing terms change frequently and vary by promotion. When you explore or receive a new offer in the mail, the terms will be spelled out clearly. Read them before you buy, because the terms explore to that specific purchase, not to all purchases you make with the card.

Rewards Points and How to Use Them

You earn one point for every dollar you spend at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's. Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You can redeem them for discounts on merchandise at either retailer — typically $5 off for every 500 points, though the exact redemption rate varies and is shown in your account.

Points are earned only at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's. If you use the card elsewhere, you earn nothing. This is a significant limitation compared to general-purpose rewards cards, which earn points everywhere. If you shop at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's multiple times a year, the points add up; if you shop there once a year or less, the card's rewards are not worth much.

You redeem points through your online account or by asking a cashier in-store. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can cash in 100 points if you want, though the value per point is usually better when you redeem larger amounts.

Interest Rates and Fees

Outside the promotional financing period, purchases on the Bass Pro Shops card carry a regular interest rate, called the APR (annual percentage rate). This rate is not fixed — it depends on your credit score, your payment history, and the current market. Most cardholders see rates between 18% and 28%, though some with excellent credit may may have access to for lower rates and some with poor credit may see higher ones.

The card has no annual fee, which is a genuine advantage over some store cards. However, there are other fees you should know about: if you pay late, Synchrony charges a late fee (usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment, more for repeat offenses). If you exceed your credit limit, you may be charged an over-limit fee. If you use the card to get cash, you pay a cash advance fee plus interest from day one (no grace period).

The most important number to watch is the APR. If you carry a balance month to month without a promotional offer, you will pay interest at that rate. On a $1,000 balance at 24% APR, you would pay roughly $20 in interest the first month alone. This is why the card makes sense only if you plan to pay off promotional purchases before interest kicks in, or if you pay your full statement balance every month.

How the Card Affects Your Credit

Synchrony reports your Bass Pro Shops card activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. This means opening the card and using it responsibly can help your credit score. On-time payments show lenders you manage debt reliably. A low balance relative to your credit limit (called your utilization ratio) also helps your score.

Conversely, late payments, high balances, or defaulting on the card will damage your credit score and stay on your report for years. A single 30-day late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more. This is why setting up automatic payments or a calendar reminder is worth the two minutes it takes.

Opening a new credit card also triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. This effect fades within a few months. The card itself adds to your available credit, which can help your utilization ratio if you do not use it heavily.

When the Bass Pro Shops Card Makes Sense

The card is most valuable if you shop at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's regularly and plan to use the promotional financing offer. If you need to buy a boat, truck bed cover, or other large item and can pay it off within the promotional window, the interest-free period saves you real money. A $2,000 purchase at 24% APR would cost roughly $480 in interest over two years; interest-free financing saves you that entirely.

The card is less useful if you shop at these retailers only occasionally or if you cannot commit to paying off a promotional purchase before interest kicks in. In those cases, a general-purpose rewards card (like a Visa or Mastercard) that earns points everywhere will give you more value. The Bass Pro Shops card also does not make sense if you carry a balance month to month, because the interest rate is high and the rewards are limited to one retailer.

If you already have a Bass Pro Shops card and use it responsibly, there is no reason to close it — the account history helps your credit score. But if you are deciding whether to open one, think honestly about how often you shop there and whether you can pay off promotional purchases on time.

how the process works and What Happens Next

You can explore for the Bass Pro Shops credit card in-store at any Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's location, or online through the Synchrony website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony will run a hard inquiry on your credit report to decide whether to approve you and what interest rate to offer.

You will usually get a decision within minutes if you explore online or in-store. If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it online or by phone and start using it when ready. If you are denied, Synchrony will send you a letter explaining why, and you can request a copy of your credit report to see what factors influenced the decision.

Before you explore, check your credit score if you can. You do not need to pay for it — you can get a free score from your bank, your credit card issuer, or sites like Credit Karma. If your score is below 650, your chances of approval are lower, and if you are approved, your interest rate will be higher. If your score is 700 or above, you have a good chance of approval at a reasonable rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Bass Pro Shops card anywhere besides Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's?

No. The card works only at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations and their websites. If you try to use it at another retailer, it will be declined. This is why it is a store card, not a general-purpose credit card.

What happens if I miss a payment on the promotional financing?

If you miss a payment, the promotional offer is usually canceled when ready and interest charges explore retroactively to the original purchase date. This can result in a large bill. Contact Synchrony as soon as you realize you will be late — sometimes they will work with you, but the promotional offer is almost always lost.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Bass Pro Shops card?

No. The Bass Pro Shops card does not offer balance transfers. You can only use it to make new purchases at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's.

Do I have to use the promotional financing, or can I just pay as I go?

You can use the card however you want. You can make small purchases and pay them off monthly, or take advantage of the promotional financing on larger purchases. There is no requirement to use the financing offer — it is just available if you want it.

What is the credit limit, and can I increase it?

Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Synchrony will tell you your limit when you are approved. You can request an increase after you have had the card for at least six months and have made on-time payments. Call the number on the back of your card to ask.