Ford’s New Rewards Visa: A Solid Card for Ford Fans, but Not a Game-Changer

Ford has just rolled out a brand-new credit card with Comenity, called the Ford Rewards Visa Signature. This comes after they wrapped up their previous FordPass card with FNBO. If you're a Ford owner or just a fan of the brand, you might be curious whether this card is worth adding to your wallet. Let's break it down.

What’s in the Welcome Bonus?

The sign-up bonus is actually two parts. First, you get 15,000 Ford Rewards Points just for making any purchase with the card. That’s worth $75 when you redeem toward Ford service or buying a vehicle. Then, if you spend $1,500 within the first 90 days, you’ll get an extra $100 statement credit. So combined, that’s up to $175 in value. Not bad for a no-annual-fee card, especially if you have a Ford and can use those points for maintenance or accessories.

Earning Rates: Where This Card Shines (and Where It Doesn’t)

The real strength here is for Ford-related spending. You’ll earn 16x points on Ford purchases, which translates to 8% back in reward value. That’s a solid return if you regularly service your Ford or buy parts. The everyday categories aren’t too shabby either: 6x points (3% back) on groceries, restaurants, gas, EV charging, auto insurance, tolls, and parking. That covers a lot of common spending. But everything else only gets 2x points, which is just 1% back – pretty standard for a no-fee card.

One thing to keep in mind: points are worth half a cent each. So when you see 16x, it might sound huge, but the actual cash-equivalent value is 8%. Still, that’s better than most co-branded cards offer.

Perks Beyond Points

The card also comes with Visa Signature benefits, which can include things like extended warranty, purchase protection, and travel perks. Plus, you might get a bump in your Ford Rewards tier – Silver or Blue – which can give you a slight edge in points earning on future Ford purchases. It’s not a huge deal, but if you’re already in the Ford ecosystem, it’s a nice little bonus.

Things to Watch Out For

First, the redemption options are limited to Ford dealerships – you can’t just cash out for a statement credit. So if you don’t own a Ford or don’t plan to buy one, the points are pretty useless. Second, the earning rates on non-bonus categories are just average, so this shouldn’t be your everyday card for everything. Finally, remember that the $100 bonus requires that $1,500 spend in 90 days – if you don’t hit that, you only get the $75 worth of points, which is still okay but less exciting.

Bottom Line

• No annual fee and up to $175 in welcome value – a decent deal for Ford owners.
• Earn 8% back on Ford purchases, 3% on groceries, restaurants, gas, and more – but only 1% on everything else.
• Points are only redeemable at Ford dealerships, so this card is best for loyal Ford customers.
• Visa Signature perks and potential Ford Rewards tier upgrades add extra value.

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