How to Maximize Rewards With the REI Co-op Mastercard
A store card, the REI Co-op Mastercard earns the most rewards at REI stores and REI.com on REI retail and travel purchases and donations to the REI Cooperative Action Fund. REI purchases earn 5% back in REI rewards, and all other purchases earn 1.5% back.
Rewards can be redeemed as Total REI Rewards, which are good for shopping with REI in person, online or in the mobile app. You can also use rewards to book an REI adventure trip.
REI Co-op Mastercard rewards do not expire as long as your account is active, but they can only be redeemed by the primary cardholder.
Comparisons With Other Credit Cards
Annual fee: Neither card requires one, but you’ll pay a one-time $30 membership fee to join the REI Co-op when you apply for the REI Co-op Mastercard. An Amazon Prime membership is not required for the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card, but you’ll earn better rewards if you pay the $139 annual Prime membership fee.
Rewards: You’ll earn 5% back in REI rewards for card spending at REI stores and REI.com and for donations to REI Cooperative Action Fund, plus 1.5% on all other purchases. The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 3% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market; 2% back at drugstores, gas stations and restaurants; and 1% back on all other purchases.
Sign-up bonus: Get a $100 REI gift card when you make your first non-REI purchase within 60 days of opening the REI Co-op Mastercard. With the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card, earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval, or a $100 card if you’re an Amazon Prime member.
Benefits: The REI Co-op Mastercard’s benefits include a $50 annual credit when you book REI Co-op Experiences, plus the chance to use your preferred name on the card and no foreign transaction fees. The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card comes with lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, roadside dispatch and extended warranty protection.
Annual fee: Neither card charges an annual fee, but the REI Co-op Mastercard includes a one-time $30 REI Co-op membership fee.
Rewards: With the REI Co-op Mastercard, you will earn 5% in REI rewards on REI retail and adventure travel purchases and 1.5% on everything else. Donations to the REI Cooperative Action Fund also earn 5% in REI rewards, which are good at REI stores, REI.com and the mobile app and for REI adventure travel. Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in quarterly bonus categories you activate; 5% back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases; and 1% back on everything else.
Sign-up bonus: Make your first non-REI purchase within 60 days of opening your REI Co-op Mastercard and you’ll earn a $100 REI gift card. Chase Freedom Flex offers a $200 sign-up bonus after you spend $500 on the card in the first three months.
Benefits: The REI Co-op Mastercard provides a $50 annual credit when you book REI Co-op Experiences, plus the chance to use your preferred name on the card and no foreign transaction fees. Chase Freedom Flex cardholders get extended warranty protection, purchase protection and fraud protection.
What Are the Fees Associated With the REI Co-op Mastercard?
- Annual fee: The fee is $0, but a $30 lifetime co-op membership fee is required.
- Balance transfer fee: The fee is 3% for balances transferred at a promotional rate or no fee for balances transferred at the transfer APR.
- Cash advance fee: Cardholders pay either $10 or 4% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater.
- Foreign transaction fee: This card charges no foreign transaction fees.
- Late payment fee: The fee may be up to $40.
Should You Get the REI Co-op Mastercard?
- Frequently shop with REI and value REI rewards.
- Want to avoid paying an annual fee.
- Are an REI Co-op member or want to become one.