Does the Best Buy Credit Card report to credit bureaus?

The credit score that you need for the Best Buy Store Card is 640, at a minimum. That means Best Buy Store Card requires fair credit or better for approval. There are other things besides your credit score that are taken into account for Best Buy Store Card approval.

Here's what you need to get approved for the Best Buy Store Card:

• The basics. You will need a U.S. mailing address and a Social Security Number (SSN). You also need to be at least 18 years old (21, if you’re a resident of Puerto Rico).
• At least fair credit. That means a credit score of 640+, but your approval odds only increase as your score gets higher.
• Income and other information. You will need to provide information about your total annual income. Your spending and the amount of debt you owe will also get factored in to the final decision.

So, your debt-to-income ratio needs to be favorable enough to show that you can afford a credit card. The issuer may also consider other factors, such as how many recent credit inquiries you've had and the length of your credit history.

What you should know before applying for the Best Buy Store Card:

• Keep in mind that when you apply, you will initially be considered for the Best Buy® Credit Card.
• If you do not meet the Best Buy® Credit Card’s requirements, you will also be considered for the Best Buy Store Card and the Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card.
• The Best Buy® Credit Card requires good credit or better (a score of 700+) for approval, while the Best Buy Store Card and Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card require fair credit or better (a score of 640+).

Applying for a Best Buy® Credit Card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit, which can lead to a temporary dip in your credit score. So, if you don't know where you stand, you can check your score for free, right here on WalletHub. And if your score needs improvement, feel free to check out our guide on how to improve your credit score.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 10 business days to get approved for the Best Buy® Credit Card. Certain applications that meet the issuer’s exact criteria may be approved instantly. However, if you don’t get a decision immediately after applying, it doesn’t mean you won’t have a shot after your application is reviewed in more detail. Most applicants are notified by mail of the issuer’s final decision within 10 business days of applying.... read full answer

You can also check your Best Buy® Credit Card application status online or by by calling customer service at (888) 574-1301.

Provided your application is approved, you can expect your new card to arrive by mail within 14 days of approval.

No, you probably cannot get a Best Buy® Credit Card with bad credit (a score below 640), as this card requires at least good credit (700+). You’ll also have a hard time getting approved for the Best Buy® Store Card, which requires fair credit or better (640+).

So, if you apply for the Best Buy® Credit Card, your application will probably get denied. On top of that, the application will result in a ... read full answerhard inquiry on your credit report, which can damage your score further. Your best bet at the moment is to focus on improving your credit score, which will in turn improve your Best Buy Store Card approval odds.

Steps to Increase Your Best Buy® Credit Card Approval Odds

1. Catch up on credit card bills. Make up missed payments to prevent old problems from getting in the way of new improvement.
2. Get a secured credit card. Secured cards have the highest approval odds. To open one, you must put down a security deposit that will serve as your credit line.
3. Use your new card responsibly. Always pay your credit card bill on time, and in full if possible. You should also use less than 30% of your credit limit.
4. Pay down debts. The less debt you have relative to your income, the better.
5. Check your score often. Once you get to 640+, you’ll have decent Best Buy® Credit Card approval odds.

It’s not wise to try to get a Best Buy® Credit Card with bad credit. But it’s not too difficult to move from bad credit to fair credit and drastically up your odds of approval for the store card version. Just use a secured card responsibly.

Alternatively, feel free to take a look at our editors picks for the best credit cards for bad credit to weigh your options.