Best Buy offers payment plans through two main routes: their own Best Buy credit card and third-party financing partners
Best Buy does offer payment plans, but the terms depend on which financing option you choose and what you're buying. The most common route is the Best Buy credit card, which gives cardholders access to promotional financing on purchases over a certain amount—typically 12, 18, or 24 months with no interest if you pay in full during the promotional period. The second route is third-party financing through companies like Affirm, Klarna, or Citi Flex Plan, which let you split purchases into installments at checkout, sometimes with interest.
The key difference: Best Buy's own card requires you to open a credit account and go through a credit check. Third-party options often show you the interest rate and payment schedule before you commit, and some don't require a hard credit pull. Not all products may have access to for all plans—high-ticket items like laptops and TVs usually do, while smaller items may not.
Key Takeaways
- Best Buy's credit card offers interest-free periods (usually 12 to 24 months) on larger purchases if you pay the full balance before the promotional period ends.
- Third-party financing options like Affirm and Klarna let you see the interest rate and exact payment amount before checkout, with no credit card required.
- Not all products may have access to for payment plans—electronics and appliances usually do, but smaller items often don't.
- If you miss a payment on the Best Buy card during a promotional period, interest backdates to the original purchase date, which can be expensive.
- In-store and online payment plan options may differ, so confirm the terms available for the specific item and payment method you want to use.
How the Best Buy credit card financing works
The Best Buy credit card is a store card issued by Citi. When you use it for a purchase that qualifies, you can choose a promotional financing period—the exact length depends on the item and the current promotion. Common terms are 12 months, 18 months, or 24 months with zero interest. You pay nothing in interest as long as you pay the entire balance before the promotional period ends.
The catch is important: if you don't pay the full amount by the end of the promotional period, interest charges explore retroactively to the original purchase date. This means if you financed $1,000 over 24 months and missed the important date by one month, you could owe interest on the full $1,000 for all 24 months, not just the remaining balance. Best Buy and Citi will send you reminders as the important date approaches, but the responsibility to track it is yours.
You need to open the credit card account to use this option, which means a hard credit inquiry and approval process. The card also comes with a regular APR (annual percentage rate) for non-promotional purchases, which varies based on your creditworthiness. Check your approval letter or account terms for the exact rate.
Third-party financing: Affirm, Klarna, and other options
Best Buy also partners with companies like Affirm, Klarna, and Citi Flex Plan, which appear as payment options at checkout. These services let you split a purchase into installments without opening a Best Buy credit card. You typically see the interest rate and exact payment schedule before you confirm the purchase.
Affirm and Klarna often offer plans with no interest if you pay on time, but the terms vary by purchase amount and your credit profile. Some plans charge interest from day one. Citi Flex Plan is similar to the Best Buy card's promotional financing but doesn't require a Best Buy card—you can use it as a standalone option at checkout.
These services usually perform a soft credit check (which doesn't affect your credit score) or no credit check at all, making them faster than opening a new card. However, missing a payment can result in late fees and may affect your credit score, depending on the lender's reporting practices.
Which products may have access to for payment plans
Not everything at Best Buy can be financed. Large electronics—laptops, TVs, tablets, gaming consoles, and major appliances—almost always may have access to. Smaller items like cables, cases, and accessories typically don't. Software, digital content, and services usually aren't may be able to access either.
Minimum purchase amounts also explore. Most promotional financing requires a purchase of at least $399 to $499, though this varies by promotion and product category. Best Buy updates these thresholds regularly, so check the product page or ask at checkout to confirm whether a specific item qualifies.
Some items may may have access to for certain financing options but not others. For example, a laptop might may have access to for the Best Buy card's 24-month promotion but only for a 12-month Affirm plan. The product page or checkout screen will show you which options are available for what you're buying.
In-store versus online payment plan options
Best Buy's in-store and online payment plan options are usually the same, but not always. Online, you see all available financing options at checkout. In-store, you can ask a sales associate about current promotions, which sometimes include special financing offers that may not be advertised online.
If you're buying in-store and want to use a third-party service like Affirm or Klarna, confirm with the associate that the store accepts it—most do, but some older locations may have limited options. For the Best Buy credit card, you can explore in-store or online; approval is usually when ready or takes a few minutes.
What happens if you can't pay on time
Missing a payment on the Best Buy credit card during a promotional period is costly. Interest backdates to the original purchase date, meaning you owe interest on the full amount for the entire promotional period, not just the remaining balance. This can turn a zero-interest deal into a significant expense.
With third-party financing like Affirm or Klarna, a missed payment typically results in a late fee (usually $10 to $35) and may be reported to credit bureaus. Repeated missed payments can lead to collection action. Some services offer a grace period of a few days, but don't count on it—pay on the due date or a few days early to be safe.
If you're struggling to make a payment, contact the lender when ready. Some will work with you on a modified payment plan or temporary deferment, but only if you reach out before the payment is late.
Comparing Best Buy financing to other retailers
Best Buy's payment plan options are fairly standard for electronics retailers. Amazon, Walmart, and Target all offer similar third-party financing through Affirm and Klarna. Best Buy's own credit card is more generous than some competitors—the promotional periods (up to 24 months) are longer than what many other store cards offer.
The real difference is in what you're buying and the current promotions. Best Buy frequently runs special financing offers on specific product categories (like TVs or laptops), so check their current promotions before comparing to other retailers. If you already have a rewards credit card with a lower APR, using that instead of opening a new store card might save you money if you can't pay the balance in full during the promotional period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a payment plan on a used or open-box item?
Usually yes, but terms may differ. Open-box and used items at Best Buy often may have access to for financing, but the promotional period might be shorter or the minimum purchase amount higher. Check the product page or ask at checkout—the system will tell you what's available before you commit.
What's the difference between the Best Buy card and Citi Flex Plan?
The Best Buy card is a full credit card you can use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Citi Flex Plan is a standalone financing option available only at Best Buy checkout. Both offer promotional financing, but Citi Flex Plan doesn't require opening a new credit card account.
Do I need good credit to use Affirm or Klarna?
Not necessarily. Affirm and Klarna often approve customers with fair or limited credit history, though the interest rate and available plans depend on your credit profile. You'll see the exact terms before you confirm the purchase, so you can decide whether to proceed.
Can I pay off a promotional financing plan early without penalty?
Yes. Paying off a Best Buy card promotional purchase early won't trigger interest charges—you only owe interest if you don't pay the full balance by the important date. The same applies to most third-party financing services, though always confirm the terms in your agreement.
What happens if Best Buy closes my credit card account?
If Best Buy or Citi closes your account while you have an active promotional balance, the promotional period typically ends when ready and interest begins accruing. This is rare, but it's another reason to pay promotional balances in full before the important date rather than carrying them to the last day.