Best Buy offers payment plans in store through two main programs: their own Best Buy credit card and third-party financing via Affirm
Yes, Best Buy lets you split purchases into monthly payments both in store and online. The specific plan available depends on what you're buying, the total amount, and which financing option the store terminal offers at checkout. Not every item qualifies, and approval depends on a credit check.
Best Buy's own credit card (the Best Buy credit card issued by Citi) is the primary in-store payment tool. You can also use Affirm, a third-party lender that splits purchases into installments without a credit card. A third option—Best Buy's own 0% financing on select items—appears at checkout for may have access to products, usually large appliances or electronics over a certain price.
Key Takeaways
- Best Buy's credit card offers promotional financing (often 0% for 12 to 24 months on may have access to purchases) and is the fastest payment plan to set up in store.
- Affirm lets you pay in installments without a credit card, but not all Best Buy locations or product categories support it yet.
- Special financing offers (0% for set periods) apply only to specific items—usually appliances, TVs, or computers above a minimum price—and appear at the register.
- If you don't have a Best Buy credit card and Affirm isn't available, you can apply for the card on the spot, though approval takes a few minutes.
- Missing a payment on any plan will end promotional rates and trigger standard interest charges, which can be steep on store credit cards.
Best Buy Credit Card: The Primary In-Store Payment Plan
The Best Buy credit card is the most common way to finance a purchase in store. When you check out, the cashier or kiosk will ask if you want to open a card or use an existing one. If you're approved, you can immediately use it to pay.
The card's promotional rates vary by product and season. Common offers include 0% APR for 12 months on computers, 24 months on appliances, or 18 months on TVs and audio equipment. These rates apply only if you're approved for the card and only on the specific items the promotion covers. A $25 purchase won't may have access to; neither will an item outside the promotion window.
If you miss a payment or don't pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, the card's standard APR (which varies but is typically in the high teens to low 20s) kicks in on the remaining balance. This is where the cost of the plan can spike. A $1,000 TV financed at 0% for 24 months becomes much more expensive if you carry a balance after month 24.
Affirm: Installment Payments Without a Credit Card
Affirm is a point-of-sale lender that lets you split a purchase into 3, 6, or 12 monthly payments. You don't need a credit card or a Best Buy account. At checkout, you choose Affirm, enter your phone number, and Affirm runs a soft credit check (which doesn't hurt your credit score). You get an instant decision.
Affirm's interest rates depend on the loan term and your creditworthiness. Some loans are 0% APR; others carry interest. The exact rate appears on screen before you confirm the purchase. Affirm is not available at all Best Buy locations yet, and some product categories (like gift cards or services) don't may have access to.
Affirm payments come out of your bank account on the date you choose each month. If a payment fails, Affirm will retry it and may charge a late fee. Unlike the Best Buy card, Affirm doesn't have a "promotional period" that expires—the rate you see at checkout is the rate for the entire loan.
Special Financing on Appliances and Large Electronics
Best Buy runs periodic promotions on specific product categories, usually large appliances, TVs, and computers. These offers appear as a third financing option at checkout: something like "0% APR for 24 months on this item." You don't need to open a new card; if you already have the Best Buy card, you can use it. If you don't, you'll be asked to open one.
These promotions are time-limited and product-specific. A 0% offer on refrigerators in January may not apply in March. The minimum purchase amount also varies—some require a $500 or $1,000 minimum. Check the in-store signage or ask a sales associate whether your specific item qualifies.
The same rule applies: if you don't pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, standard interest rates apply to what remains. Setting a phone reminder for the month before the promotion expires is a practical step to avoid surprise charges.
How to Apply for a Best Buy Credit Card in Store
If you don't have a Best Buy card and want to use one of their financing offers, you can open an account at the register. The cashier will hand you a tablet or direct you to a kiosk where you enter your name, address, Social Security number, and income. Citi (the card issuer) runs a hard credit check, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
Approval or denial usually comes within a few minutes. If approved, you can use the card immediately for that purchase. The physical card arrives by mail later. If denied, you can ask the cashier whether Affirm is available as an alternative, or you can pay in full and leave.
Opening a card just to use a promotional rate is a trade-off. You get the 0% financing, but you're adding a new credit account to your report, and you're responsible for the card's terms if you carry a balance. If you're confident you'll pay off the purchase before the promotion ends, the trade-off is usually worth it. If you're unsure, Affirm or paying in full may be safer.
What Happens If You Miss a Payment
Missing a payment on the Best Buy card or Affirm has immediate consequences. On the Best Buy card, a missed payment can end your promotional 0% rate immediately, meaning the full remaining balance is now subject to the card's standard APR. You'll also likely face a late fee ($25 to $35, depending on your card agreement).
On Affirm, a missed payment triggers a retry a few days later. If that fails, Affirm charges a late fee and reports the missed payment to credit bureaus. Your credit score drops, and Affirm may pursue collection action if the debt goes unpaid for several months.
The best protection is to set up automatic payments from your bank account before you leave the store. Both Best Buy and Affirm allow this. Automatic payments ensure you never miss a due date, and they're free to set up.
Items That Don't may have access to for In-Store Payment Plans
Not everything at Best Buy can be financed. Gift cards, digital content (apps, games, movies), services (like Geek Squad repairs), and some clearance or open-box items typically don't may have access to for promotional financing. Smaller items under a certain price threshold also may not be may be able to access.
The register will tell you at checkout whether a payment plan is available for your purchase. If the option doesn't appear, you're paying in full. Some items may may have access to for Affirm but not the Best Buy card's promotional rates, or vice versa. Ask the cashier if you're unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Best Buy payment plan online?
Yes. Best Buy's website offers the same credit card and Affirm options as in-store checkout. You can also use PayPal Credit (another installment lender) online. The promotional rates and terms are the same whether you shop in store or online.
What's the difference between Best Buy's 0% offer and Affirm's 0% offer?
Best Buy's 0% is a promotional rate that expires—if you don't pay off the balance by the end date, interest kicks in. Affirm's 0% (when available) is the rate for the entire loan term; there's no surprise interest later. Affirm also doesn't require a credit card or a new account.
Will opening a Best Buy credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, temporarily. A hard credit inquiry lowers your score by a few points, and opening a new account also has a small impact. The effect usually fades within a few months. If you're planning to apply for a mortgage or car loan soon, opening a store card right before that may not be ideal.
Can I pay off a Best Buy payment plan early?
Yes. Paying off the balance early ends the loan and saves you any interest that would have accrued. There's no penalty for early repayment on either the Best Buy card or Affirm. If you get a bonus or tax refund, using it to pay down a 0% promotional balance is a smart move.
What if I'm denied for the Best Buy credit card?
If Affirm is available at your location, you can use that instead—Affirm's approval standards are often less strict than a traditional credit card. Otherwise, you can pay in full, use a different payment method, or ask whether the store offers any other financing options. Some Best Buy locations also partner with other lenders; ask the cashier.