- Intro offer:N/A
- Annual fee:$39
- Regular APR:23.99% Variable
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
5% Cash Back Rewards on the First $5,000 of Eligible Purchases Each Year. 1% Cash Back.
NextAdvisor’s Take
- Up to 5% rewards on eligible pet-related spending
- Annual 1% donation of your net purchases to Best Friends Animal Society
- No annual fee with excellent credit
- 5% category capped after $5,000 spending annually
- No welcome offer
- Cardholders with “average” credit pay $39 per year
- High APR
Additional Card Details
- Credit One Bank donates 1% of your eligible net purchases to the Best Friends Animal Society each year
- Annual fee of $0 to $39, based on creditworthiness
- Variable APR of 23.99%
- Get pre-qualified with no impact on your credit score
- Access your Experian credit score for free
- Choose your own payment due date
- 3% foreign transaction fees (minimum charge of $1 per purchase)
- Additional cash back rewards up to 10% when you shop with select retailers
Credit One Bank Best Friends Card Full Review
Card Type
The Credit One Bank Best Friends Card is a cash back credit card that lets users earn rewards for a specific cause — the Best Friends Animal Society. This organization raises money to help give homeless pets a second chance in a loving home.
Annual Fee
This card has an annual fee range based on creditworthiness. Credit One Bank says individuals with “excellent” credit pay $0 per year for this card, yet those approved with “average” credit will take on an annual fee of $39.
Welcome Offer
This cash back credit card does not have a welcome bonus.
Introductory Offer
The Credit One Bank Best Friends Card does not have an introductory APR for purchases or balance transfers.
Rewards
Cardholders will earn 5% cash back on eligible purchases at pet shops, pet foods and supply stores for the first $5,000 per calendar year, then 1% back. Credit One Bank will also make an annual donation to the Best Friends Animal Society equal to 1% of your eligible spending each year.
Pet grooming, pet sitting, and boarding are not included in the 5% bonus category, unless they’re ancillary services provided by pet shops or supply stores. Veterinary costs and superstore and wholesale club purchases also don’t apply, even if they’re pet-related.
Fees
Outside of the annual fee of $0 to $39, other fees associated with the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card include a 3% foreign transaction fee (minimum $1) and a 8% cash advance fee (minimum $5). A late payment fee or returned payment fee of up to $39 can also apply.
Other Benefits
This card is pretty light on perks. You can access your Experian credit score for free, choose your payment due date, and track your spending via mobile app. To boost your rewards, you can also access Credit One Bank’s More Program to earn 10% in additional cash back rewards when shopping with select retailers.
Benefits of Credit One Bank Best Friends Card
The main reason to select this card is for its charitable connection. If you spend a lot of money on pet purchases each month, you can earn a solid cash back rate. And if you’re already a supporter of Best Friends Animal Society, this card offers a small way to boost your contributions.
Drawbacks of Credit One Bank Best Friends Card
One major drawback of this card is the potential $39 annual fee, depending on your creditworthiness when you apply. Plus, the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card doesn’t have a welcome bonus like other cash back credit cards do, and the 5% earning rate only applies to a very narrow selection of pet-related purchases.
By contrast, many other cash back credit cards offer welcome bonuses of $200 or more with no annual fee. The majority offer more than 1% back in several categories, but you could also select a cash back credit card that earns a flat 2% cash back on everything you buy instead.
Finally, the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card has hardly any benefits. Many other rewards cards come with intro 0% APR offers, purchase protection, travel benefits, and other perks.
How to Use Credit One Bank Best Friends Card
If you decide to sign up for the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card, use it for all your eligible pet-related purchases, at least up to $5,000 in eligible pet purchases that will earn 5% back. If you meet the $5,000 cap annually (about $416 in pet-related spending monthly), you’ll max out at $250 in cash back each year.
You can also use the card for other regular purchases you make for 1% cash back. Credit One Bank will send Best Friends Animal Society a donation equal to 1% of your overall net purchases throughout the year.
However, don’t carry a balance on this card and make sure you only charge purchases you can afford. If you rack up debt on this card, the 23.99% variable APR will leave you paying a considerable amount of money in credit card interest each month.
Credit One Bank Best Friends Card Compared to Other Cards
Best Friends® Credit Card
- Intro offer:N/A
- Annual fee:$39
- Regular APR:23.99% Variable
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Learn more At our partner’s secure site
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Intro offer:Earn an Additional 1.5% Cash Back
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:17.24% – 25.99% Variable
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Apply Now At Chase’s secure site
Citi® Double Cash Card
- Intro offer:$200 Cash Back
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:16.24% – 26.24% (Variable)
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Learn more At our partner’s secure site
Is the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card Right for You?
Editorial Independence
As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.
If you have a pet and spend a large portion of your budget each month on food and other pet supplies, this card can help you earn money on those purchases while giving back. For pet-related spending, the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card can make a good supplement to other everyday cards in your wallet.
But it shouldn’t be the only card you have if your goal is to maximize rewards. Almost any other cash back credit card will help you earn more rewards and charge fewer annual fees. Then, you can still choose to donate your earnings to animal-related organizations you support throughout the year.
Before you apply, make sure you consider other cards you may qualify for that offer a better rewards rate, a generous welcome offer, or both. Then, you can send along your earnings to any charity of your choice once you’re ready to redeem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What credit score do you need for the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card?
This card is available to consumers with average to excellent credit, and those within the lower range will be charged up to a $39 annual fee.
Does the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card charge foreign transaction fees?
The Credit One Bank Best Friends Card charges 3% in foreign transaction fees with a minimum charge of $1 for each purchase.
What is the minimum credit limit on the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card?
The minimum credit limit for this card is $300, though you may be considered for credit line increases in the future.
What is the annual fee on the Credit One Bank Best Friends Card?
Individuals with excellent credit pay $0 each year while those with “average” credit pay $39 per year.
