It boasts two welcome bonuses and high rewards rates, all for no annual fee. The welcome offers are ideal for saving money on car expenses, while the card’s ongoing rewards are geared toward everyday spending. However, points earned with the card are worth only around 0.5 cent per point, half the industry standard.
If you need a card to help you afford a new car or pricey car repair, the Ford Rewards Visa could be a viable option. But a general rewards credit card would likely prove more valuable in the short and long term. Here’s what you need to know about the Ford credit card, issued by Bread Financial.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
The Ford Rewards Visa Signature card is different from the FordPass Rewards Visa credit card, which was discontinued in May 2025.
1. There are two welcome offers
Unlike most rewards credit cards that have one welcome bonus, the Ford Rewards card comes with two. As of this writing, cardholders get 15,000 points worth $75 after making just one purchase within 90 days of card opening. You get an additional $100 statement credit after spending $1,500 within the same time frame. A collective bonus worth $175 is better than what most other co-branded automotive credit cards offer.
2. Reward rates are generous
The Ford Rewards Visa earns solid ongoing rewards on Ford purchases and in several everyday categories. Cardholders get:
Up to 16 points per $1 spent on Ford.com and eligible Ford dealership service purchases. (Cardholders get 6 points for spending with the Ford Rewards Visa and 10 points for being a Ford Rewards member; more on that below.)
6 points per $1 spent on grocery stores, restaurants, gas, EV charging, auto insurance, tolls and parking.
2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
There’s no cap on the amount of points you can earn, but they expire after 18 months of account inactivity.
3. Joining Ford’s loyalty program is a must
Most credit cards simply need to be activated in order to start earning rewards. The Ford Rewards Visa adds another step. To earn rewards, cardholders must join the Ford Rewards loyalty program and activate a rewards account within 60 days of qualifying activity on the Ford Rewards Visa. New members can join Ford Rewards online at FordRewards.com or in the Ford app.
And as noted earlier, Ford cardholders get an additional 6 points per $1 spent on eligible Ford purchases for being Ford Rewards members.
4. Redemption options are limited to Ford purchases
The value of one point may vary depending on the redemption option, according to a Bread Financial spokesperson. They can be redeemed for Ford service, Ford accessories, Ford parts, Ford connected services, and toward the purchase or lease of a new or Certified Blue Advantage used vehicle at any participating Ford dealership.
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features.
5. Installment loan terms may be unfavorable
Ford cardholders have access to Bread’s installment loan program, Bread Pay, which lets you pay down larger purchases over time. However, this option may be financially risky depending on the terms of the loan that you qualify for. The loan term can be as short as three months, while the interest rate can be as high as nearly 35%, as of this writing.
A safer self-financing option is a credit card with a 0% promotion, such as the Chase Slate®. It offers a 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 21 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR.
