BJ’s Wholesale Club offers two credit cards through Capital One, and the card you qualify for affects both your earning rate and your total rewards potential. The BJ’s One Mastercard is the standard version, while the BJ’s One+ Mastercard delivers higher rewards rates for members who spend more at BJ’s. Both carry no annual fee for the card itself, though BJ’s membership is required to apply.
Capital One’s involvement as the issuer shapes the approval process more than the BJ’s branding suggests. Here’s what credit score each card requires, how they compare to competing warehouse club cards, and what Capital One evaluates before approving your application.
The Two BJ’s Credit Cards
The BJ’s One Mastercard is the standard card, earning rewards on BJ’s purchases, gas, and dining, with 1% back on everything else. It works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which gives it everyday utility beyond BJ’s locations.
The BJ’s One+ Mastercard delivers higher earning rates for members who spend more at BJ’s, with up to 5% back in rewards based on card tier. Both cards feature rewards that never expire for the life of the account, no annual card fee, and redemption options in-club, on BJs.com, or through the BJ’s app.
The tier structure rewards heavier BJ’s spenders with better earning rates, which makes the One+ the more compelling target for members who make BJ’s a primary shopping destination for groceries, household supplies, and gas.
Recommended Credit Score for a BJ’s Credit Card
The BJ’s One Mastercard generally requires a credit score of 660 or higher. The BJ’s One+ Mastercard, as the higher-tier product with better earning rates, typically requires a credit score closer to 700.
Capital One’s pre-approval tool uses a soft pull with no impact on your credit score, and it’s worth checking before you commit to a hard inquiry. The tool gives you a realistic signal of which card you’re likely to qualify for before the formal application process begins.
How BJ’s Compares to Competing Warehouse Club Cards
The warehouse club card space is dominated by three players: BJ’s through Capital One, Costco through Visa, and Sam’s Club through Synchrony. Each card rewards loyalty to its specific warehouse while offering competitive rates on gas and other everyday categories.
The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 4% on gas up to $7,000 annually, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% at Costco, and 1% elsewhere, but requires a Costco membership and carries no annual card fee. The Sam’s Club Mastercard earns 5% on gas up to $6,000 annually, 3% on dining, and varying rates at Sam’s Club depending on membership tier.
The BJ’s cards compete most directly with the Sam’s Club Mastercard on the gas and grocery earning structure. For members who shop primarily at BJ’s and want rewards that never expire with flexible in-store and online redemption, the BJ’s cards deliver meaningful ongoing value without an annual card fee.
What Else Does Capital One Look At?
Capital One applies its own underwriting standards to both BJ’s cards. These factors carry the most weight alongside your credit score:
- Active BJ’s membership: Membership is required to apply for either card. Having an active, paid membership in good standing is a prerequisite before the credit review even begins.
- Income relative to existing debt: Capital One wants to see that your monthly obligations leave meaningful room for a new credit line. Higher income relative to your debt load strengthens the application for either card tier.
- Existing Capital One relationship: A prior Capital One account in good standing supports this application. A prior negative Capital One account can work against you regardless of your current credit score.
- Recent payment behavior: The past twelve months carry more weight than your overall credit history. A late payment during that window raises concerns even when the credit score is in qualifying range.
- Capital One’s one-card-per-six-months guideline: Capital One informally limits most applicants to one new Capital One card every six months. If you’ve recently opened another Capital One card, waiting until that window passes improves your odds.
How to Strengthen Your Application Before Applying
These steps address the factors Capital One weighs most heavily for both BJ’s cards:
- Use Capital One’s pre-approval tool first: It runs a soft pull and gives you a realistic signal before a hard inquiry hits your credit report. It also tells you which card version you’re likely to qualify for.
- Check your existing Capital One history: A prior negative Capital One account can affect this application. Resolving any prior Capital One issues before applying gives you a cleaner starting point.
- Target the right card for your credit score: Applying for the One+ with a 665 credit score is a harder sell than starting with the standard One card. Let your current profile guide the decision.
- Confirm your BJ’s membership is active and current: An expired or lapsed membership can complicate an application before Capital One’s credit review even begins.
- Pull all three credit reports and dispute errors: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each maintain independent credit reports. An inaccurate negative item on one won’t automatically appear on the others.
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Bottom Line
The BJ’s credit card program rewards active BJ’s members with flexible cash back and rewards that never expire. A credit score around 660 puts you in range for the standard One card, while 700 or above gives you a realistic shot at the higher-earning One+ version.
Capital One’s pre-approval tool is the right first step, and active BJ’s membership is the prerequisite that comes before credit score in the application sequence. Get those two things in order and you’ll have a clear picture of which card you qualify for before a hard inquiry hits your credit report.
