Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops joined forces years ago, yet their co-branded CLUB cards still stand apart as uniquely valuable tools for outdoor enthusiasts.
This guide assembles every benefit, rate, and caveat into one clear roadmap, empowering you to decide whether the card deserves space in your wallet and how to squeeze maximum value from every point worldwide.
What are CLUB Points
Card purchases accumulate CLUB points rather than typical cash back, and those points can be spent like store credit inside both retailers’ ecosystems—online, in physical stores, or through the mobile app.
Every 100 points translates to one US dollar’s purchasing power, and the base rate equals two points per dollar at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops, plus one point per dollar for anything else placed on the Mastercard network across the globe.
Participating Cenex gas stations deliver that same two-point rate, reinforcing value on road trips to the next hunt or fishing expedition. Points never expire as long as the account stays open, eliminating any pressure to rush redemptions during off-season months when gear needs remain light.
Tier Levels That Boost Your Return
Unlock higher payout rates once annual spending climbs past specific thresholds; the rewards grow noticeably richer at each level.
| Tier | Annual Spend Requirement | Brand Earnings Rate | Non-Brand Earnings Rate | Notable Extras |
| Classic | Automatic upon approval | 2 pts / $1 | 1 pt / $1 | Base benefits + new-member bonus |
| Silver | $10,000 per calendar year | 3 pts / $1 | 1 pt / $1 | Priority access to select promotions |
| Black | $25,000 per calendar year | 5 pts / $1 | 1 pt / $1 | Dedicated customer-service line, elite event invites |
Card spending alone qualifies you; no separate enrollment is necessary. Once a threshold triggers, the higher tier lasts through the remainder of the current year and the following year, making large one-time purchases—boats, high-end optics, guided trips—especially strategic.
Redeeming CLUB Points Without Headaches
You may swipe the physical card at checkout and instruct the cashier to apply available points toward the total, or you can tap “Pay with CLUB Points” in the Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops mobile app.
The app route requires only a few taps, immediately debiting points and charging the balance—if any—to the card. Hospitality redemptions extend to Big Cedar Lodge, affiliated restaurants, and other branded destinations, letting you offset travel costs on your next worldwide expedition.
No minimum redemption threshold exists, so even modest balances can clear a box of ammunition or a pair of wool socks instead of sitting idle.
Extra Perks That Matter in the Field
Stretch your hunting or angling budget further through exclusive benefits layered on top of points.
- VIP Owner’s Discount: Ten percent off most Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s merchandise plus on-site restaurants for up to two consecutive years after activation. Exclusions cover gift cards, boats, and firearms under certain regulations, yet core apparel and tackle almost always qualify.
- Member-Only Promotions: Rotating price breaks, free shipping codes, and flash deals arrive via email, app notifications, or in-store announcements, allowing you to stack savings beyond normal sale tags.
- Signature Adventures: Cardholders gain access to hosted expeditions—think Alberta moose hunts or Costa Rica sailfish charters—where the retailer arranges guides, lodging, and meals. Fees still apply, yet spots otherwise sell out quickly.
- Price-Match Plus Five Percent: If another retailer within 100 miles (or an approved website) advertises the identical item for less, the store matches the price and slices an additional five percent for cardholders, ensuring you never overpay for a trail camera or spinning reel.
- New-Member Bonus: Up to $50 in points arrives early—$20 upon approval, another $10 after two brand purchases inside 30 days, and $20 more after five non-brand purchases within the same window.
Interest Rates and Fees: Know the True Cost
Keep balances in check, because savings evaporate under revolving interest on non-brand charges, especially outside promotional 9.99 percent financing for in-store purchases.
- Annual Fee: None.
- Brand APR: 9.99 percent fixed for Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s transactions—a low rate by retail-card standards.
- Everywhere-Else APR: Variable 20.24 percent, 23.24 percent, or 31.99 percent, depending upon credit score. Carrying a balance at those levels can dismantle the financial gains of any point earnings.
- Cash Advances and Penalties: Standard Mastercard fees apply; avoid them unless emergencies dictate.
Responsible users should pay non-brand balances in full each month or shift those expenses to a low-interest or rewards-agnostic card.
Comparing CLUB Points to Straight Cash-Back Cards
Imagine $5,000 in annual purchases at Cabela’s, plus $20,000 elsewhere. Achieving CLUB Black status yields five points per dollar on brand spending, totaling 25,000 points worth $250, and one point per dollar on everything else, 20,000 points worth $200, for a combined $450 in gear credit.
By contrast, a general flat-rate card offering two percent cash back on every purchase would return $500 in cash you could allocate anywhere worldwide.
Therefore, the CLUB card wins only when a large share of spending flows directly to the retailers or when signature perks such as VIP discounts and hunting trips hold personal value beyond pure dollars.
Five Strategic Ways to Maximize Value
Optimize point flow and perk usage through disciplined, field-ready tactics.
- Channel Brand-Specific Big-Ticket Orders: Firearms, optics, or full-body waders purchased during seasonal sales accelerate tier progression and pad point balances quickly.
- Leverage Participating Cenex Stations: Fuel the truck or boat at Cenex locations whenever feasible to earn bonus points on necessary road expenses.
- Stack Price-Match Savings: Before paying, run a quick check across competing websites; matching plus an extra five percent frequently undercuts standalone online deals.
- Schedule Large Trips After Tier Upgrades: Once Silver or Black status is activated, plan gear restocks and guided trips within that elevated window to take advantage of boosted rates.
- Redeem Small Balances for Consumables: Deploy partial points toward ammo, line, or bait during routine visits, preventing idle balances from masking true out-of-pocket expenses.
Who Should Carry This Card
Evaluate your outdoor habits honestly, because the card shines brightest for specific profiles.
- Frequent Brand Loyalists: Shoppers who naturally gravitate to Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s for most equipment will outpace generic cash-back alternatives.
- Hunting and Fishing Travelers: Adventurers booking destination lodges or outfitted experiences gain redemption flexibility for lodging and meals worldwide.
- Big-Game Gear Investors: Individuals eyeing high-priced rifles, optics, or marine electronics appreciate the built-in 9.99 percent financing combined with elevated point multipliers.
- Collectors of Exclusive Experiences: Participation in Signature Adventures unlocks networking and skill-building opportunities unavailable to the public.
If your purchases skew toward groceries, entertainment, or other categories far removed from outdoor supply, consider pairing the card with a broad cash-back product to capture value beyond sporting goods.
Common Questions Answered
You might ask these questions along the way:
- Do points expire? They remain active indefinitely while the account stays open and in good standing, eliminating the typical “use-or-lose” pressure.
- Can the card be used worldwide? Yes, acceptance extends to any merchant displaying the Mastercard logo across international borders, though elevated earnings apply only at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Cenex, or special promotions.
- Is a credit pull required for tier upgrades? Status changes rely solely on spending metrics, not on additional credit inquiries.
- Are firearms or ammunition excluded from VIP discounts? Certain regulated items may fall under legal exclusions; always confirm at checkout or in the online cart for clarity.
Conclusion
The Cabela’s CLUB card delivers category-leading rewards for hunters and anglers who buy gear at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s on a regular basis, appreciate discounted lodge stays, and value access to exclusive events.
Its low brand APR and absence of an annual fee make it cost-effective, yet high variable rates on non-brand transactions demand disciplined payment habits.
Pair the card strategically with a universal cash-back product, funnel brand purchases through the CLUB program, and treat points as currency for future equipment.
