Big Lots Credit Card: What Happens to It & How to Pay (2025)

If you’re a Big Lots shopper and you’ve been wondering whether that store credit card in your wallet still works, you’re not alone. The company’s bankruptcy filing has left many cardholders unsure about account status, payments, and rewards. This guide cuts through the confusion with verified facts and clear next steps.

Card Issuer: Comenity Capital Bank (Bread Financial) ·
Card Type: Closed-loop store credit card ·
Annual Fee: $0 ·
Rewards: 5% back on Big Lots purchases ·
Customer Service: 1-888-566-4353

Six facts, one pattern: the Big Lots credit card offered decent rewards but was always tied to a single retailer, and that retailer’s financial troubles now put the card’s future in jeopardy.

What happens to Big Lots credit cards?

The biggest question for cardholders is whether their account will survive the company’s restructuring. Here’s what the record shows.

What is the current status of Big Lots’ bankruptcy?

• Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024 (Pari Passu / Restructuring Newsletter). The case later converted to Chapter 7 on November 4, 2025 (same source).
• At filing, Big Lots secured a $707.5 million debtor-in-possession financing package that included a $550 million ABL commitment and a $157.5 million term loan (Pari Passu).

Will the credit card be discontinued?

• NerdWallet reported that Big Lots credit card accounts were closed as of February 2025 (NerdWallet).
• Community discussions on Reddit indicate the card was included in the bankruptcy sale order (Reddit community discussion), but whether a buyer will revive the program remains unknown.

The implication: even if the card is technically still on your credit report, you should not count on using it for future purchases. Focus on paying off any outstanding balance instead.

Can you still use your Big Lots credit card?

If your account has been closed, the answer is straightforward. But here are the details for those with active cards.

Is the card valid for online and in-store purchases?

• The Big Lots credit card is a closed-loop card that only works at Big Lots stores and on BigLots.com (NerdWallet).
• As of early 2025, NerdWallet reported that accounts were closed, so it cannot be used for new purchases (NerdWallet).

What if my card is lost or expired?

• If your account is still open, you can request a replacement by calling customer service at 1-888-566-4353 (Comenity Credit Card Agreement).
• Given the bankruptcy, replacements may be limited. Check the Comenity portal for your account status.

The trade-off: you lose the 5% rewards and deferred-interest financing, but you also avoid the risk of new debt on a card tied to a struggling retailer.

Who handles Big Lots credit cards?

Knowing the issuer is critical for payments and disputes.

What bank issues the card?

• Big Lots credit cards are issued by Comenity Capital Bank, which is part of Bread Financial’s consumer card servicing ecosystem (Comenity / Bread Financial Credit Card Agreement).
• The agreement is governed by the terms on the Comenity website.

How to contact customer service?

• Phone: 1-888-566-4353 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-819-4904) (Comenity).
• Online: log in at d.comenity.net/ac/biglots to manage your account.

What this means: your card is backed by a major financial institution, so normal cardholder protections apply. But the issuer’s actions are bound by the bankruptcy proceedings.

How do I make a payment on my Big Lots credit card?

Even if the account is closed, you still need to pay off any remaining balance. Delinquency can hurt your credit score.

What are the payment methods?

• Online: Visit d.comenity.net/ac/biglots and log in to make a payment (Comenity payment portal).
• Phone: Call 1-888-566-4353 to pay by phone (Comenity).
• Mail: Send a check or money order to the payment address listed on your monthly statement. The address varies by account; check your statement or contact customer service.

How to pay online without logging in?

• Some issuers offer guest payment portals. For Big Lots, you typically need to log in. If you’ve forgotten your credentials, use the “Forgot User ID” link on the Comenity login page.

Where to mail payment?

• The mailing address is printed on your statement. If you don’t have a statement, call customer service to request the correct address.

The pattern: keep paying until you see a zero balance on your credit report. Any missed payment could lower your score.

Does Big Lots have a credit card?

Yes, a store-branded card was available, and while accounts now appear closed, its features are worth knowing for comparison with other retail cards.

What are the features of the Big Lots credit card?

• Closed-loop card: works only at Big Lots (NerdWallet).
• No annual fee (NerdWallet).
• 5% back on Big Lots purchases (NerdWallet).
• Deferred-interest financing: 6 months on purchases of $250+, 12 months on $750+ (NerdWallet).
• Late fee: $30, and $41 for subsequent late payments (Comenity agreement).
• APR: 29.99% variable as of February 2023 (NerdWallet).

How to apply?

• Applications were available at BigLots.com or in-store. New applications may no longer be accepted given the bankruptcy.

The implication: the card was decent for loyal Big Lots shoppers, but the high APR and deferred-interest risk made it a poor choice for carrying a balance.

Four categories, one pattern: the Big Lots credit card had competitive rewards but also carried the risk of deferred-interest and a high APR. The table below summarizes the key specs.

Step-by-Step Payment Instructions

If you have an outstanding balance, follow these steps to pay it off safely.

1. Check your account status – Log in at d.comenity.net/ac/biglots to see your balance and due date.
2. Choose a payment method – Online (fastest), by phone at 1-888-566-4353, or by mail. Make sure to use the correct address from your statement.
3. Set a reminder – Note the due date and schedule auto-pay if possible to avoid late fees.
4. Verify the payment clears – Check your account after 2-3 business days to confirm the transaction posted.
5. Monitor your credit report – After paying off the balance, check that the account shows $0 owed and the status is “closed by consumer” or “closed” (whichever applies).

The catch: if the account is already closed, you may not be able to set up auto-pay. In that case, pay manually each month until the balance is zero.

Big Lots Credit Card Timeline

• September 2024 – Big Lots files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (Pari Passu).
• April 2024 – Big Lots obtains a FILO delayed-draw term loan from Gordon Brothers, capacity up to $200 million (Pari Passu).
• February 2025 – NerdWallet reports that Big Lots credit card accounts are closed (NerdWallet).
• November 4, 2025 – Chapter 11 case converts to Chapter 7 (Pari Passu).
• Current (2025) – Future of the card program remains uncertain; no buyer has been announced.

Why this matters: the timeline shows a rapid deterioration from bankruptcy filing to account closure within about five months. Cardholders should not expect the card to be revived.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Card issued by Comenity Capital Bank (Comenity)
• No annual fee (NerdWallet)
• Closed-loop card only for Big Lots (NerdWallet)
• Late fees of $30 and $41 (Comenity)

What’s unclear

• Long-term viability if a buyer purchases the card portfolio
• Whether new applications are still accepted
• Specific changes to terms after the sale
• 5% rewards on Big Lots purchases – source is editorial (NerdWallet)
• Accounts reported closed as of Feb 2025 – source is editorial (NerdWallet)

The pattern: more is uncertain than confirmed, and the future depends on court decisions that are still unfolding.

Expert and User Perspectives

The Big Lots credit card is a closed-loop card that only works at Big Lots stores and on BigLots.com.

— NerdWallet (personal finance editorial site)

According to Reddit users, the credit card is included in the bankruptcy sale order.

— Reddit community discussion (user reports)

For customer service, call 1-888-566-4353 or TDD/TTY 1-888-819-4904.

— Comenity Capital Bank official agreement

What these perspectives show: the official issuer line is still active, but editorial and community sources both indicate the card has been effectively shut down.

For Big Lots cardholders, the decision is clear: pay off any remaining balance as soon as possible, continue making at least minimum payments until the balance is zero, and monitor your credit report for closure status. Otherwise, you risk late fees and credit score damage from a card that no longer works.

Frequently asked questions