How to Apply for a Sears Credit Card

If Sears is one of your favorite department stores to shop then chances are you may benefit from obtaining a Sears credit card. Although these cards traditionally have high interest rates, you can get substantial overall discounts if you pay the balance in full every month. Applying for a Sears card is really easy, but getting approved for the card may not be so easy for people with less than perfect credit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide which type of card to apply for. Sears offers more than one type of credit card to consumers as well as to businesses. If you don't know which Sears card you want to apply for then submit an application and if you are approved you will receive the most appropriate credit card with regards to your creditworthiness.

2. Apply at the counter at a Sears store. Clerks at Sears can take a credit application right from you and may even receive an instant reply. If you are approved you may be able to use the credit line immediately, but if you aren't approved you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason for the denial. Don't panic if the clerk isn't able to give you an instant approval because sometimes the inquiry system is down and the credit decision can't be made on the spot.

3. Fill out a paper application and mail it in. This is a good option for someone who does not feel comfortable with standing at a Sears counter and giving personal information to the salesperson. This method will take longer than other methods, but it is still an option.

4. Apply online. It's possible to get an instant credit decision when applying online. Since the cards are issued through Citibank it will be the Citibank website that accepts the approval instead of the Sears website, so be sure to apply for the correct card. The Citibank website is a secure site.

5. Apply over the phone. You can apply for a Sears card by calling [phone]. Be prepared to answer questions regarding your personal financial information. It is possible to receive an instant credit decision by applying over the phone, and in some instances you may get immediate access to a credit line and not have to wait for your card to arrive in the mail.

Tips & Warnings

• Your credit report will be reviewed when you apply for a Sears credit card.
• Applying for several department store credit cards in a short period of time can lower your credit score.

Resources

• Citibank website for Sears credit cards