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July 2024 Update: The biggest sale of the year — the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale — starts July 15! (Unfamiliar with the NAS? Check out this page for more info on why it's the best sale of the year.) Sign up for our newsletter to stay on top of all the major workwear sales, or check out our roundup of the latest sales on workwear!
N.B. This post is sponsored by Nordstrom, but written by your usual friendly blogger, Kat Griffin.
So here's my dirty little secret: I've never had a Nordstrom card, despite the fact that for YEARS now I've been hearing about how you get early access to the Anniversary Sale and other perks. My main reason for holding out? I usually wait to get a store card until I'm about to make a huge purchase (a fancy bag, a particularly large order, etc) because most store cards give you a special discount ONLY on the day you sign up. After looking at the Nordstrom Rewards card a bit more closely, though:
- Card members earn 2 points per net dollar spent at Nordstrom on your Nordstrom credit or debit card.
- Every 2,000 points earns you a $20 Nordstrom Note to spend on anything at Nordstrom. Card holders get early access to Anniversary Sale so they can shop online and in stores before every else.
- Get a $20 bonus Note when you spend $100 at Nordstrom with your Nordstrom card the day you apply. (Nudge nudge!)
- You can get reimbursed for some or all alterations on Nordstrom purchases with a Nordstrom Note in the exact dollar value of the charge. (There are different levels of Rewards, and members at higher levels can get more alterations reimbursed.)
And then, once a year, you can also pick a day to earn TRIPLE points — so if you want to use it for the day you shop the Anniversary Sale, you get even more points than usual. (You can just click a box during checkout to choose to use your Triple points that day, or you can call the store to set up a day to use them in person.
The customer service rep I spoke with noted that it's really easy to set up your triple points day — it isn't a problem to schedule it; just let them know the day of. Triple points can apply to both in-store and online purchases if they're made the same day.) (As you move “up” the levels of membership, you can earn more triple point days.)
I went through the signup process in less than 10 minutes (it would have been faster if I'd had my driver's license at the computer with me), and because I applied through my Nordstrom.com account, the info is already saved in my account and I can already begin earning points (and have access to the sale). (The card will come in the mail in 7-10 days.) Sweet!
Readers, are you excited for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? Cardholders, what purchases are you hoping to make?
Social media credit: Public Domain.
Anon for this
Seems like it would make more sense to just get a cash-back rewards card that doesn’t require you to spend your rewards at Nordstrom . . .
Anon replier
I think it depends how many of the features you use. For sure, 1% cash back is offered by many credit cards. I get most of my clothes at Nordstroms, shopping twice a year with a personal shopper (I spend a few hundred dollars each visit). In this pattern of shopping I can time it for a double points day (or just take a triple points day) and increase the effective cash back. Also the free $100 of alterations is *really* useful for me. If I were buying clothes from a variety of retailers, or just shopping more continually (instead of in spurts) you’d probably be right.
k-padi
+1 to all this (including the part about seeing my personal stylist 2x per year). The great part about the Nordstrom notes is that, unlike other cash back cards I’ve had in the past, they come to me automatically. I don’t have to go to a rewards website, login, confirm that I have “enough” points to cash in, and wait 6 weeks for a check that I then have to cash via my bank.
The notes, if I’ve earned some that month, come in the mail automatically. Plus, they show up on the Nordstrom website at checkout if I’m buying something online and my stylist can access my notes to redeem for me even if I forgot the paper notes at home. And, this is important for me, they send me a reminder to use them if the are close to expiring (12 months).
So yeah, the notes are really just 1% cashback but it’s a better system. And the card have some amazing services too. The call center people are very friendly and there isn’t usually a long wait to talk to someone.
Anonymous
Agree, the $100 alterations allowance makes this card for me. I don’t have to spend anything to get it–it’s just a free $100 for having the debit card and putting my alterations on it.
Kathryn
I have to agree with your point. I have the Capital One Venture and get 2x points on everything. If it was only 1x points I would agree that the Nordstrom card was better. With the Venture you can also effectively get “cash back”, even though it’s not a cash back card, by reimbursing yourself for any past travel expenses. I swear I don’t work for them, I just really like the card.
Although I will say, if I ever decide to open a store credit card it will be Nordstrom’s.
AnonLawMom
I love my Nordstrom card. I have had it for about 12 years and have had zero complaints. Customer service is great, interest rate is low, the rewards are good, and (because my husband bought two custom suits last year) I get unlimited free alterations. I pretty much only shop at Nordstrom because no other retailer even comes close to their service and quality.
Shopping's My Cardio
100% agree! The card is totally worth it, just for Early Access to the Sale! Without fail, everything I want is gone by the time it opens up to the rest of the world.
If you’re a store credit phobe like me, Nordstrom also has a great debit card that links up to your checking account. All the points and benefits, none of the scary bills at the end of the month. I’m a big fan.
Loving the Sale goods this year, by the way…managed to get my favorites up on SMC a day early, which has to be some kind of record ;) http://www.shoppingsmycardio.com/2014/07/09/nordstrom-anniversary-sale-2014-picks/
anon
great picks!
EduStudent
+1! I love a lot of what you posted, particularly the new Sam Edelman boots and that Rag and Bone jacket. Thanks for making my day when I saw the post yesterday!
LackingLuster
Also you can get a debit card version with the same rewards.
Interrobanged
Hmm. Here’s the stuff I bought at the sale. I’m just going to do item number/name because the links always get this hung up.
1) Shimera two-way seamless tank (#295299)
2) Halogen Print Pencil Skirt (#219330_1)
3) Joe’s Ali Ankle Strap Pump (#762436)
4) Nordstr*m “Everyday” opaque tights (#668012)
5) SPANX Tight End Shaping Tights (#57096)
6) ECCO Sullivan Leather Boot (#824985)
7) NYDJ Ami Stretch Super Skinny Moto Jeans (#761272)
8) Zella Live-In Leggings (#265458)
9) Sam Edelman Zachary Cutout Ankle Cuff Pump (#768729)
There were a few other things I was looking at, but these were the ones I picked for now. The NAS usually involves several purchases and returns for me as I figure out what I need/want and what looks good. I am looking for a good pair of black knee-high boots and Cole Haan had a gorgeous pair. I am tempted to get them in case they sell out. But I didn’t want to spend that much on boots. DECISIONS.
anon
Love those ECCO boots… I may have added them just now.
Aggie
+1 I cannot decide between the Espresso and the Moon Rock.
Interrobanged
I loved the Moon Rock and wanted that pair, too. But I promised myself: ONE pair of boots. So, yeah, black it was.
Aggie
I am on a needs only shoe diet and ultimately decided that I needed the brown ones to fill a hole in my wardrobe.
Interrobanged
OoO. I forgot to mention that I also got this, and I am very excited about it:
10) MARC by Marc Jacobs Hobo (#899378_1)
HSAL
I’ve missed you, Interrobanged!
Anonymous
Whoops, meant this as a reply to Interrobanged.
I bought the Joe’s Ali pumps too! So excited, they look really cute.
I also got the Halogen cashmere crewneck in a few colors. I’ve been looking for a staple crewneck sweater to replace my J crew ones that either don’t fit or just haven’t held up, and this will hopefully work.
anon
I bought one of the Halogen cashmere sweaters in last year’s sale. It has pilled, but less so than any of my JCrew cashmere from the past few years, and not within the first three wears like JCrew. For the price, well worth it IMO.
Interrobanged
Hmm. This is good to know. Maybe I will go back through and see if Halogen has any v-necks available…
Anonymous
Really good to know, thanks!
BigMed does the NAS
I was considering the Nordstrom Rewards and this post tipped me toward it. We are a family of 5 and do a ton of shopping at Nordstrom, and Nordstrom is almost the only brick and mortar store I ever go to (otherwise almost all on-line). I considered the direct debit (because I had been resisting mostly because I didn’t like the idea of getting another credit card). However, I didn’t like the idea of the card being directly linked to my bank account for security reasons. So I caved and went with the Nordstrom card. Glad I did. I bought:
1) 2 Calvin Klein t-shirt bras that i know fit well.
2) Hanky Panky thongs (not many original rise colors in this sale).
3) Halogen Suit skirt. I didn’t love any of “The Skirt” colors. I am not a huge fan of the color-blocked styles and I look younger than age in a job where I need to not look so young, so I can’t wear the magenta one.
Elle
I have gotten rid of (or stopped using) all my store cards … but I would never give up my Nordstrom card. +1 to all praise above – automatic points, easy redemption, basically free alterations, bonus days, etc etc. And to clarify the double/triple points day, I was able to “activate” one at the cash register in a store. Didn’t call in advance, didn’t go online. I was buying a lot of stuff (holiday shopping), and I happened to bemoan the fact that I hadn’t signed up for my bonus points day. The clerk cheerfully said that she could take of it for me, right then and there. There is no better service anywhere than Nordstrom.
Coach Laura
This will date me but I got my first Nordy’s card in 1978 with a $100 student limit. I was 18. The rewards program with early access plus the $100 alterations credit per year is what makes me happy.
Em
Ugh, I went through the whole process to apply and THEN got a message saying the application system is down. Poorly done, Nordstrom.