REI leisure co-op expands credit cardholder benefits

The US retailer is now offering 2% back on mobile wallet purchases an extra savings on foreign trips

REI Co-op, the US outdoor leisure retailer, has launched a new set of credit card benefits for its customers

In addition to 5% back on purchases at REI, cardholders will now get 2% back on mobile wallet purchases, and extra savings on REI’s adventure travel trips when they use their annual dividend. The retailer says there will be no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

“In addition,” it adds, “when cardholders make a purchase, REI helps steward the outdoors. REI is investing up to US$1m in the National Forest Foundation on behalf of its cardholders to restore habitat and trails in National Forests across the country. ”

The co-op says it invests more than 70% of its profits in the outdoor community each year, through member dividends, employee retirement contributions and support for outdoor nonprofits.

“REI connects people to the outdoor places and activities they love. The REI Co-op Mastercard gives people more ways to do just that,” said Pardis Ghorbani, vice president of customer and brand shared services.

“From rewards that can be turned into new gear and outdoor experiences to savings on REI adventure travel and contributions to stewardship efforts in our National Forests, this card makes it easy to live an outdoor life.”

Benefits from the REI Mastercard include:

  • 5% back on purchases at RE, including outdoor gear, equipment rentals, local day programmes and worldwide trips with REI’s active adventure travel company
  • 2% back on mobile wallet purchases: Cardmembers can load their REI Co-op Mastercard into a mobile wallet on their phone and earn rewards.
  • 1% back everywhere else: Cardmembers enjoy 1% back on all other purchases.
  • Savings on outdoor adventures: When members use their REI Co-op Mastercard and their annual dividend to purchase an adventure travel trip with REI, credit will be applied to the trip cost. In addition, cardholders do not incur foreign transaction fees while traveling abroad.
  • Outdoor stewardship: When REI Co-op Mastercard cardholders make a purchase, REI donates 10c to the National Forest Foundation, up to $1m. Since 2017, REI says its investment in the NFF has helped engage more than 1,700 volunteers in stewardship projects that touch more than 160 miles of trail and nearly 65 campgrounds in 16 National Forests across the country.