Samsung launches first US credit card with rewards

Samsung has launched the Samsung Galaxy Card in the United States, marking its first credit card.

Issued by Barclays US Consumer Bank on the Visa network, the card is available as both a virtual card and a metal physical card. Applications will open online and at Samsung retail stores in the US, with early access already available for some customers.

The launch adds a financial product to Samsung's broader consumer ecosystem, linking spending incentives to purchases made directly with Samsung and through Samsung Wallet. It also gives the company a new way to tie rewards to future device sales, including a 5% cash reward offer tied to preordering the next Galaxy device.

Cardholders will receive 5% cash rewards on eligible purchases made directly with Samsung, 3% on purchases made with Samsung Wallet, 2% on streaming services including Netflix, Disney+ and Spotify, and 1% on all other purchases. Samsung is also offering 20% off Samsung VIP Advantage, along with 5% cash rewards on purchases or renewals of that membership.

New customers can earn an additional USD $200 in bonus cash rewards after spending USD $2,000 in the first 90 days of opening an account. The card is positioned as both a rewards product for everyday spending and a financing option for Samsung purchases.

Wallet link

The card is integrated with Samsung Wallet, where users can store payment cards alongside compatible identification documents, passes, and digital keys. The wallet is designed to keep commonly used items in one place while linking with third-party services.

Its security features are tied to Samsung Knox, the company's on-device security platform, which Samsung highlighted as part of the card's integration with its mobile software and services.

Woncheol Chai outlined Samsung's rationale for the launch.

"For years, users have relied on Samsung products to enhance their daily life - from staying connected with friends, to relaxation, to productivity. Today, Samsung Galaxy Card offers users a new way to be rewarded every time you pay," said Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of the Digital Wallet Team at the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics.

"Users are busy, they need a credit card that simplifies their life and offers them real value - Samsung Galaxy Card does both," said Chai.

The arrangement brings together three companies with distinct roles. Barclays is the issuing bank, Visa provides the payment network, and Samsung is linking the product to its retail and mobile services.

For Barclays, the deal expands its co-branded card business into another major consumer technology brand. It also reflects how card issuers are increasingly seeking distribution through digital wallets and device ecosystems rather than relying solely on conventional banking channels.

"Partnering with Samsung is a strong example of Barclays partner-first strategy and the innovation we're bringing to the market with some of the world's most recognized brands," said Denny Nealon, Chief Executive Officer of Barclays US Consumer Bank.

"Together, we're creating seamless, rewarding digital banking capabilities and products that meet customers where they are - in their Samsung Wallet - and fit naturally into how they live, shop, and connect," said Nealon.

Payments push

The move also gives Visa another example of card payments being embedded in consumer technology platforms, as smartphone makers and wallet providers seek a larger role in everyday transactions. Such partnerships can help brands keep users within their own software and retail channels for longer.

Samsung's reward structure appears designed to encourage that behaviour. Higher rates apply to spending directly with Samsung and through Samsung Wallet, while lower rates apply elsewhere, creating a clear incentive to use the company's own commerce and payment services.

Kirk Stuart described the launch as part of a broader shift in how people expect to pay.

"Consumers expect payments to be embedded into the digital experiences they use every day," said Kirk Stuart, SVP, Head of North America Enablers, Merchants and Fintechs at Visa.

"By bringing together Samsung's innovation, Barclays' co-brand capabilities, and Visa's trusted network, Samsung Galaxy Card delivers a connected experience that helps consumers earn rewards while providing the security and acceptance needed to support commerce wherever they choose to shop," said Stuart.