I have elite status in a shopping loyalty program … and honestly, I’m really glad that I do.
Now, it may not get me first class upgrades or suites the way some of my other travel-focused elite status tiers do, but it’s still valuable status all the same. I’m talking about my status with Nordstrom’s “Nordy Club” loyalty program.
After years as a Nordstrom Ambassador member, here’s how I maximize my Nordy Club status.
Nordstrom Nordy Club basics — and why I’m a fan
I’m a Nordy Club member for many reasons: I already shop there and the Nordy Club perks save my family hundreds of dollars annually between alterations and Nordy Notes. Plus, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is legitimately one of the best retail events of the year. (Psst, early access for elite status members kicks off July 14, and the sale opens to everyone on July 18.)
There are four Nordy Club status tiers: Member, Influencer, Ambassador and Icon. As your annual spending increases, so do your benefits.
Here’s a quick look at what each Nordy Club tier includes.
| Tier | How to qualify | Anniversary Sale access | Alteration credit | Double Points Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Join for free |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
$500 annual spend or Nordstrom credit card |
2 days early |
$200 annually |
3 per year |
|
|
$5,000 annual spend |
3 days early |
$300 annually |
4 per year |
|
|
$15,000 annual spend on a Nordstrom credit card |
4 days early |
Unlimited |
5 per year |
Nordy Club is a program where you should let your shopping determine your status, not the way you might chase the next status level in a hotel or airline program. Unless you’re just mere dollars away from the next tier, I don’t think it’s worth making extra purchases to unlock another benefit.
Related: I got a credit card for one reason — to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Earning Nordy Notes and how much Nordstrom points are worth
Since this is The Points Guy, let’s put a value on those points that become Nordstrom Notes.
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And in this case, the valuation is pretty simple math as 1 Nordstrom point = 1 cent in value toward a Nordstrom Note that you can use to save on a future Nordstrom purchase, essentially the same as a gift card.
It takes 2,000 Nordstrom points to earn a $20 Nordstrom Note, making every point worth exactly 1 cent. Unlike many types of airline miles or hotel points, there’s no strategy needed to maximize redemption value — the value is fixed. Instead, the goal is to earn points as quickly as possible.
How quickly you earn those fixed-value points depends on whether you have a Nordstrom card and your status tier. Here’s what that looks like in terms of your effective return on spending at Nordstrom.
| Tier | Without a Nordstrom card | With the Nordstrom card |
|---|---|---|
|
1% back |
— |
|
|
1% back |
2% back |
|
|
1% back |
3% back |
|
|
— |
3% back |
Based on redeeming Nordy Club points at their standard value of 1 cent each (2,000 points = a $20 Nordstrom Note).
In other words, outside of any other promotions, you’re effectively earning 1% to 6% back in Nordstrom rewards on your spending.
Overlooked perks of Nordy Club
Nordy Club is a fairly straightforward loyalty program, but there are some lesser-known perks worth knowing about, especially at the higher tiers.
First, in a nod to the airline status model, a few lounges are available to higher-tier Nordy Club elite members at some Nordstrom flagship stores.
Related: These are our favorite airport lounges of the year
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Nordstrom Icon Lounge in New York City. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Specifically, Icon cardmembers get complimentary access to the lounge at the Bellevue Square and Downtown Seattle stores and both Icon and Ambassador cardmembers get access to the lounge at the New York City store. On a recent visit to the New York City location, I was very impressed by the menu items included at no cost for me, a guest or both of my kids.
Nordy Club Icon members can also choose a spa experience for themselves and a guest at locations with spa services.
At the highest two Ambassador and Icon levels, you can even have a Nordstrom stylist come to your home, which feels like a taste of Hollywood-level A-list service for us mostly normal people.
I’m also a big fan of all the alteration credit you can enjoy starting at the Influencer level, with $200 included per year, and it then just goes up from there at the higher tiers. The amount spent on eligible alterations at Nordstrom is paid back in the form of Nordy Notes. If you shop at Nordstrom frequently and value those Notes at roughly face value, you can have tailored fits on your purchased items at no extra charge.
Related: These are the best rewards credit cards right now
My tips to maximize Nordy Club
Even if you never get the chance to step foot in a Nordstrom Lounge or enjoy the top-tier Icon black card-esque status, you can still get some meaningful perks out of the Nordy Club. Here are my top tips:
- If you regularly shop at Nordstrom, the Nordstrom card is worth strongly considering. Be cognizant of 5/24 slots (here’s what that means) if you are in the market for Chase Ultimate Rewards cards and get those first, but you’ll earn more points and get a much better overall return as a regular Nordstrom shopper with a Nordstrom card than without.
- Use your Double Points Days strategically on your big shopping days of the year, such as the first day you can shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and on large holiday purchases around Black Friday.
- Speaking of, shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale on the first day you are eligible. If you’re unsure about size or color, order both during early access — you can always return what doesn’t work. Popular Anniversary Sale items often sell out quickly.
- Earn cash back on top of Nordy Club rewards by starting your online Nordstrom purchases via Rakuten or similar shopping portals.
- Use the alteration benefit to ensure your purchases fit perfectly.
- Don’t overlook the Nordstrom Rack perks. Nordstrom cardholders receive an extra 5% off eligible Rack purchases and higher status tiers receive free Rack shipping, which is a great way to get the lower Nordstrom Rack prices without being on the hook for shipping charges.
Bottom line
No, Nordy Club won’t earn you business-class flights, and you can’t strategize the program to turn a few small purchases into giving you a closet full of “free” new clothes.
But if Nordstrom is already part of your shopping routine, Nordy Club is one of the better retail loyalty programs around and an obvious way to maximize purchases you were making anyway.
Between free alterations, early Anniversary Sale access and up to 6% back in rewards with strategic use of the Nordstrom card and Double Points Days, Nordy Club has saved my family hundreds of dollars over the years. That’s why, even though it doesn’t come with airport lounges or first-class upgrades, it’s one elite status I’m genuinely happy to keep earning.
