Is the IKEA® Visa® Credit Card Worth It? Here’s What CreditVana Thinks
The IKEA® Visa® Credit Card, issued by Comenity Bank, offers generous rewards for loyal IKEA customers — especially those who spend big on furniture, home projects, or installations. But for more casual shoppers, the rewards system may fall short due to its expiration rules.
If you’re an IKEA fan looking to save while upgrading your home, here’s what CreditVana wants you to know before applying.
1. Solid Rewards for IKEA and Everyday Spending
If your home makeover plans revolve around Swedish flat-pack furniture, you can earn rewards faster than you can say “Skärhamn.”
Here’s what you get with the IKEA Visa® Credit Card:
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5% back in rewards on all IKEA purchases — including services like Traemand kitchen installation and TaskRabbit assembly.
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3% back in rewards on dining, groceries, and utility bills.
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1% back on all other purchases.
That’s a pretty strong offering, especially considering there are no spending caps on those reward rates.
2. But Rewards Expire Quickly
IKEA “Reward Dollars” are automatically redeemed in $15 increments as IKEA Reward Certificates. For every 15 Reward Dollars earned, you’ll receive a $15 certificate — redeemable in U.S. IKEA stores or on IKEA’s U.S. website.
But there’s a catch:
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Certificates expire in just 90 days from the date they’re issued.
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Reward Dollars expire 36 months from the date they post.
You also don’t get to choose when to redeem — it’s all automatic. So if you’ve earned $28 in rewards, you’ll only get a $15 certificate and have to wait until you hit the next $15 threshold. If you don’t spend in time, the remaining balance could expire.
➡️ Tip from CreditVana: This setup works well if you shop at IKEA regularly. Occasional shoppers might miss out.
3. No Annual Fee or Spending Caps
The IKEA Visa® Credit Card charges no annual fee, which makes it a low-risk card to carry — even if you don’t use it often. Plus, unlike some no-fee cash-back cards, it doesn’t cap the amount of bonus rewards you can earn.
Let’s compare with a couple of other no-fee cards featured on CreditVana:
🏠 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card
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3% back in a category you choose (like home improvement & furnishings — IKEA included).
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2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
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1% back on all other purchases.
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Bonus categories capped at $2,500 per quarter.
🪑 U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
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5% back in two chosen categories (e.g., furniture stores).
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2% back in one everyday category (e.g., groceries or gas).
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5% applies only to the first $2,000 each quarter in combined category spending.
✅ Verdict from CreditVana: If you’re spending thousands at IKEA, the IKEA Visa® Card beats these capped alternatives. But for modest purchases, one of the flexible rewards cards might offer better value and broader use.
4. No 0% Intro APR Offer
Unlike some credit cards aimed at big spenders, the IKEA Visa® Credit Card does not include a 0% introductory APRperiod. That means if you’re planning a major renovation and can’t pay it off right away, you might end up with hefty interest charges.
➡️ CreditVana Tip: If you need to carry a balance, look for a card with an intro 0% APR offer instead — even if it earns fewer rewards.
5. There’s Another IKEA Card: IKEA® Projekt Credit Card
For financing instead of rewards, consider the IKEA® Projekt Credit Card. It’s designed for big-ticket purchases and offers promotional interest-free financing:
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0% APR for 6 months on purchases of $500+
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0% APR for 12 months on purchases of $1,000+
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0% APR for 24 months on purchases of $2,500+
Important caveat: If you don’t pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period, you’ll be charged interest retroactively from the purchase date — a common “deferred interest” clause.
Also worth noting:
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The Projekt Card can only be used at IKEA.
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It doesn’t earn any rewards.
🧾 Final Thoughts from CreditVana
The IKEA Visa® Credit Card can be a smart pick for frequent IKEA shoppers who pay off their balances monthly and want to maximize rewards on both home goods and everyday essentials like groceries and utilities.
However, if:
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You rarely shop at IKEA
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You need a 0% APR financing plan
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Or you want a more flexible rewards program
…there may be better options available. Be sure to compare your choices using CreditVana’s credit card guides and comparison tools before applying.
