Credit One Best Friends Credit Card: Pet Lovers’ Guide
Understand how the Credit One Best Friends Credit Card works, from rewards and donations to fees, benefits, and pet-friendly perks.
The Credit One Bank Best Friends Credit Card is a co-branded rewards card created with Best Friends Animal Society, designed for people who want to earn cash back while helping support animal welfare with every purchase. This guide explains how the card works, how donations are generated, and what to consider before applying.
What Is the Best Friends Credit Card?
The Best Friends Credit Card is a cash-back rewards credit card that also functions as a charity affinity card. When you use it for eligible purchases, you earn rewards, and a separate donation is made by the bank to Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit working to reduce the killing of dogs and cats in U.S. shelters.
- Issuer: Credit One Bank, N.A.
- Network: Visa (accepted widely at merchants and online retailers)
- Annual fee: $0 annual fee, according to product marketing from related sources.
- Type: Cash-back & charitable support card
Unlike generic rewards cards, this product is aimed at pet owners and animal advocates who regularly spend on pet-related categories and want their spending to support a recognized animal welfare organization.
How Cash-Back Rewards Work
The standout feature of this card is enhanced rewards on pet-related spending. While exact terms can change over time, public information from Credit One Bank and Best Friends Animal Society describes a tiered cash-back structure.
Pet-Focused Bonus Categories
Cardholders can earn elevated rewards on qualifying pet-related purchases each calendar year.
- 5% cash back on eligible purchases at pet shops, pet food stores, and pet supply retailers up to a yearly spending cap (such as $5,000 per calendar year).
- 1% cash back on those same categories after you exceed the annual cap.
- Standard cash-back rate (such as 1%) on other eligible purchases outside the pet categories, depending on the latest card terms.
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Because terms and earnings structures can change, it is essential to read the current cardholder agreement and rewards disclosures on the issuer’s official site before applying.
Sample Pet Spending Scenario
Here is an illustrative example (for educational purposes only) of how the rewards might work if the 5%/1% structure is in effect:
- You spend $3,000 in a year at pet food and pet supply stores.
- All of that spending is under the annual pet-category cap.
- At 5% cash back, you would earn $150 in rewards on those purchases.
If you spent $6,000 on qualifying pet-category purchases under similar terms:
- First $5,000 x 5% = $250 rewards.
- Remaining $1,000 x 1% = $10 rewards.
- Total rewards on pet-category spend = $260.
Actual earnings will depend on the final terms in effect at the time you use the card.
How Donations to Best Friends Animal Society Work
The defining mission-driven feature of this card is that Credit One Bank makes a donation linked to your eligible spending to Best Friends Animal Society.
Donation Structure
- Credit One Bank commits to donate an amount equal to 1% of net eligible purchases made with the card to Best Friends Animal Society.
- Donations are typically made periodically throughout the year, based on aggregate spending by cardholders.
- These donations are paid by the issuer, not deducted from your rewards balance.
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading U.S. animal welfare nonprofit focused on achieving a no-kill country for dogs and cats in shelters, and has helped reduce shelter euthanasia from millions per year in the 1980s to hundreds of thousands annually. Credit One Bank has also pledged a separate $1 million commitment to support Best Friends’ work.
Key Card Costs, Rates, and Fees
Like most rewards credit cards, the Best Friends Credit Card carries variable interest rates. Public materials indicate a relatively high variable APR compared with low-rate cards. Specific APRs and fees depend on creditworthiness and can change over time, so it is critical to review the official pricing disclosures before applying.
| Feature | Typical Detail (Example – Verify Current Terms) |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 annual fee referenced in independent card overviews; always confirm with the issuer. |
| Purchase APR | High variable APR based on creditworthiness (for example, around the high-20% range). |
| Balance transfer APR | May match purchase APR or be set separately; check current terms from the issuer. |
| Cash advance APR & fees | Typically higher than purchase APR and includes transaction fees; avoid unless necessary. |
| Penalty fees | Late or returned payment fees apply if minimum payments are missed. |
Given the relatively high APRs common on rewards cards for consumers with fair-to-good credit, this product is usually best suited for people who pay their statement balance in full and avoid carrying revolving debt.
Who This Card May Be Right For
The Best Friends Credit Card is tailored to a specific type of consumer: the pet-focused spender who values supporting animal welfare while earning rewards.
Potentially Good Fit
- Pet owners with substantial recurring pet expenses on food, supplies, grooming, and accessories.
- Animal welfare supporters who want their credit card usage to help fund a recognized nonprofit.
- Consumers with fair-to-good credit who may not qualify for premium-tier cards but want cash back and a $0 annual fee, based on typical profile data shared by third-party credit education platforms.
- People who typically pay in full every month so high APRs do not erode the value of rewards.
Potentially Not Ideal
- Consumers who regularly carry balances and should prioritize low-interest cards over rewards.
- People who have minimal pet spending and would not benefit much from the pet-category bonus.
- Users seeking luxury travel benefits like airport lounge access or premium protections—this is more of a mainstream affinity rewards product.
Credit Profile and Eligibility Considerations
While the card does not publish a strict minimum credit score, aggregated approval data from third-party education sites suggests it is most commonly matched with consumers in the subprime to near-prime credit range.
- Third-party data show an average matched credit score around the high 500s for this or similar cards, indicating the issuer may approve some applicants below prime levels.
- Average reported credit limits for matched users are modest (around the low-thousands), reflecting a card oriented toward building or strengthening credit over time.
Each issuer uses its own underwriting standards, considering factors like income, existing debts, payment history, and recent credit inquiries. Prospective applicants should review their credit reports, understand their utilization, and ensure they can handle another line of credit responsibly.
Benefits and Features Beyond Rewards
In addition to rewards and donations, the card typically includes a set of standard Visa and issuer benefits.
- Access to your account online and via mobile app for payments, statements, and alerts (standard with major U.S. issuers).
- Fraud monitoring and $0 liability for unauthorized charges, consistent with Visa and federal protections under the Truth in Lending Act.
- Regular account reviews and potential credit line increases for responsible borrowers, a practice highlighted across Credit One products.
- Pet-merchant offers or promotions from time to time, as noted by Best Friends Animal Society for cardmembers.
As with any credit product, exact benefits can evolve, so it is important to confirm the latest list of cardmember perks on the issuer’s website.
Comparing This Card With Other Options
Before applying, it helps to compare the Best Friends Credit Card with both general cash-back cards and other affinity cards that benefit charities or animal organizations.
| Card Type | Best Friends Credit Card | Typical General Cash-Back Card |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Pet spending + animal welfare donations | Broad everyday spending with flexible rewards |
| Top rewards category | Pet shops, pet food, and pet supplies at an elevated rate | Often groceries, gas, or rotating categories |
| Charitable component | Issuer donates an amount equal to ~1% of net purchases to Best Friends Animal Society | Typically none unless it is a dedicated charity card |
| Annual fee | Marketed with no annual fee in multiple references (confirm current terms) | Ranges from no-fee cards to premium cards with high annual fees |
| Target user | Pet owners and animal advocates, often with fair-to-good credit | Broad consumer market from entry-level to premium |
If you prioritize maximum rewards value across all categories, a general cash-back card with higher overall rates might be more profitable. However, if your priority is to support animal welfare with every swipe while still earning reasonable rewards, this card offers a unique blend of value and mission.
How to Use the Card Strategically
To make the most out of the Best Friends Credit Card, consider a few basic strategies grounded in sound credit management principles promoted by U.S. regulators.
- Concentrate pet spending on this card to maximize the high cash-back rate on eligible categories.
- Pay the full statement balance by the due date to avoid interest charges that would outweigh the value of rewards.
- Track your annual pet-category spending so you know when you have hit the bonus cap.
- Monitor your utilization ratio (credit used vs. total credit limit) and aim to keep it under about 30%, a level often cited by credit experts as healthier for credit scores.
- Set up automatic payments or reminders to protect against late payments, which negatively affect credit history and trigger penalty fees.
Top Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Pet-focused rewards at a high cash-back rate on common pet expenses.
- No annual fee referenced by multiple independent sources, which means rewards are not offset by a yearly charge (always verify current fee schedule).
- Automatic charitable support to a respected animal welfare nonprofit.
- Potential accessibility for consumers with less-than-perfect credit, based on third-party approval data.
Drawbacks
- High variable APR relative to low-interest or prime-credit cards, making carrying a balance costly.
- Category concentration on pet-related merchants means limited upside if you spend heavily on other categories.
- No direct tax deduction for the user on the bank’s charitable donations, since the issuer, not the cardholder, is the donor.
- Rewards terms can change at the issuer’s discretion, requiring periodic review of your card agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do my rewards get reduced because Credit One Bank donates to Best Friends Animal Society?
No. Based on public disclosures, the donation—equal to around 1% of net eligible purchases—is made by Credit One Bank out of its own funds and is separate from the cash-back rewards you earn as a cardholder.
Q: Can I claim a charitable tax deduction for the donations generated by my card spending?
Generally, no. For U.S. tax purposes, the issuer is the donor because it pays the money directly to the nonprofit, so the cardholder ordinarily cannot claim a deduction for those contributions. For personal tax questions, consult IRS guidance or a tax professional.
Q: Is this card only for people who already support Best Friends Animal Society?
Not necessarily. Anyone who meets the issuer’s credit and income criteria can apply. However, the card is most appealing to people who appreciate Best Friends’ mission and like the idea of supporting animal welfare with everyday purchases.
Q: How can I check if my purchases qualify for the higher cash-back pet categories?
Eligibility is typically based on the merchant category code (MCC) assigned by the payment network to the business, such as pet shops or pet supply retailers. If a store is coded under a different category, it may earn only the base rewards rate. The issuer’s rewards terms explain how categories are defined.
Q: Is this a good first credit card for building credit?
It can help build credit if used responsibly—on-time payments and low utilization are key factors in credit scores. However, new users should compare this card with other entry-level options, especially if interest rates or fees are lower elsewhere for their profile.
References
- Best Friends Credit Card | Credit One Bank — Credit One Bank, N.A. Accessed 2024-2025. https://www.creditonebank.com/credit-cards/best-friends-visa
- Credit One Bank Launches Credit Card to Support Best Friends Animal Society — Credit One Bank (Newsroom). 2021-05-06. https://www.creditonebank.com/corporate/about-us/news-press/credit-one-bank-launches-credit-card-to-support-best-friends
- Credit One Bank Receives 2022 “Best Credit Card” Award From WalletHub.com — Credit One Bank (Newsroom). 2022-01-26. https://www.creditonebank.com/corporate/about-us/news-press/credit-one-bank-receives-2022-best-credit-card-award-from-wallet
- Best Friends Credit Card — Best Friends Animal Society. Accessed 2024-2025. https://bestfriends.org/donate/our-partners/corporate-partners/best-friends-credit-card
- Credit One Bank Best Friends Credit Card Overview — Intuit Credit Karma. Accessed 2024-2025. https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/insights/credit-one-bank-best-friends-credit-card
- Credit One Bank Pledges $1 Million to Best Friends Animal Society — Credit One Bank (Newsroom). 2020-11-17. https://www.creditonebank.com/corporate/about-us/news-press/credit-one-bank-pledges-1-million-to-best-friends-animal-society
- Choosing a Credit Card — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). 2023-06-07. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-cards/choosing-a-credit-card/
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