Last updated on September 11th, 2023
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American Kennel Club Visa®
American Kennel Club Visa®
American Kennel Club Visa®
- 12.98%, 18.99% or 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 26.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 24.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 3X points per $1 spent at pet stores, veterinary offices, and AKC purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on gas and groceries
- 1X points for everything else
- No annual fee
- Customizable card image
- Regular Purchase APR: 12.98%, 18.99% or 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 26.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: $10 or 5% of the amount of the balance transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 24.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- N/A
American Kennel Club Visa® Review
The American Kennel Club Visa® is offered by Comenity Bank and makes it simple to save on animal care – all breeds welcome. While dog owners who participate in AKC events will have the easiest time maximizing their rewards, this card has a surprisingly wide reach. It can be used by more than just dog owners who have their four-legged friends participate in shows and sporting events; cat lovers, reptile fans and bird keepers alike have an opportunity to benefit from this card. The AKC Visa has the potential to be a practical rewards card for those with multiple pets (of any type) who end up having large vet and pet food expenses every year.
The best features of the AKC credit card are that (1) there is no annual fee and (2) cards can be customized to feature a picture of your furry, feathered, or scaly friends.
Earning Rewards
Cardholders will earn up to 3% back on pet-friendly purchases – which could go a long way depending on the needs of your pet(s). AKC credit card earnings can be redeemed for statement credit (practical, which is always a plus).
When it comes to reward categories, the card is delightfully pet-centric and will be most rewarding in the wallet of a multi-pet owner:
- 3X points on pet store purchases, veterinary offices, and AKC purchases
- 2X points on gas and grocery purchases
- 1X points on purchases everywhere else
If you mainly purchase your pet supplies online through Amazon, Walmart, or other large non-specialty distributors, those won’t count towards your point earnings with the AKC Visa® card. If this is your case, you would be better off using a different rewards card.
Redeeming Rewards
Points expire 3 years after they are posted – which is a decent amount of time that would allow one to take their time accumulating points. Earnings can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, and travel at www.comenity.net/akc – but actually getting to use your rewards may be easier said than done.
As is the case with most other retail cards, points are worth the most when redeemed for store credit/certificates. Unfortunately, the card’s awkward and strangely non-digitized redemptions put a huge hitch in the card’s efficacy. AKC gift certificates must be physically mailed to cardholders via UPS and can take up to 4 weeks to be delivered – a big inconvenience if you were hoping to use your reward towards an upcoming purchase.
Should You Apply for the American Kennel Club Visa?
The American Kennel Club Visa does not make a great first impression. The card offers no signup bonus of any kind, nor any membership perks for those shopping directly at akc.org as one would expect from a retail card. New cardholders will have to rely on their spending alone in order to see any rewards within the early days of opening their account.
The American Kennel Club Visa® card is a niche card that provides rewards for an otherwise wholly overlooked industry. Still, the card isn’t particularly appealing due to the lack of bonuses – both in the short term and the long term. Pet owners can get similar returns with a flat-rate 2% cash back card, which would allow them to purchase pet supplies at places that may have lower prices than traditional pet stores. Unless you have a pet that is participating in an AKC event or are a pet owner anticipating your animals will extensive veterinary attention in the upcoming months or years, the AKC credit card likely won’t be a worthwhile endeavor.
Additionally, this card claims that a portion of all purchases will be donated to the American Kennel Club but the exact amount is not disclosed. While not a true detriment, potential applicants who were excited at the prospect of using this credit card to generate funds for this organization will find little evidence of such.
