Firestone offers payment plans through Firestone Credit Card and third-party financing partners, but the terms depend on which option you choose and what you're buying.
Firestone Complete Auto Care accepts several payment methods at checkout: cash, debit, major credit cards, and their own Firestone Credit Card. If you want to spread payments over time, your main routes are the Firestone Credit Card (issued by Citi), Affirm, or occasionally in-store promotional financing. The specific plans available vary by location and by the type of service—tire purchases, maintenance, or repairs.
The Firestone Credit Card itself is not a payment plan; it's a credit card you can apply for and use at Firestone locations. If you carry a balance, you pay interest at the card's standard rate. Some Firestone locations run promotional offers—such as "12 months same as cash" on tire purchases over a certain amount—but these are time-limited and not available everywhere.
Affirm is the most transparent third-party option. You can see your exact payment schedule and interest cost (if any) before you confirm the purchase. Payments typically run 3, 6, or 12 months depending on the order total and Affirm's assessment of your creditworthiness.
Key Takeaways
- Firestone Credit Card lets you pay over time but charges interest unless you may have access to for a promotional 0% period, which varies by location and purchase type.
- Affirm shows you the exact payment amount, schedule, and total cost before you buy, and you can choose 3, 6, or 12-month terms based on what's offered.
- Promotional financing (such as "12 months same as cash") is available at some locations on tire purchases but not may provide and not year-round.
- Your approval for any payment plan depends on a credit check, and the terms you receive depend on your credit profile and the purchase amount.
Firestone Credit Card terms and how interest works
The Firestone Credit Card is a store card issued by Citi. When you use it to make a purchase, you're borrowing money from Citi, not from Firestone. If you pay off the full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at the card's standard purchase rate, which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates.
Firestone periodically runs promotional offers tied to the card—most commonly "12 months same as cash" on tire purchases over a set amount (often $200 or $300, but this varies). During the promotional period, you make equal monthly payments with no interest. If you don't pay off the full balance by the end of the promotional period, interest is charged retroactively to the original purchase date at the card's regular rate. This retroactive interest is the key risk: if you miss even one payment during the promotional window, you lose the 0% offer and owe all the interest that would have accrued from day one.
To use the Firestone Credit Card, you must apply in-store or online. The application is a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score. Approval is not may provide and depends on your credit history and income.
Affirm financing: what you see before you buy
Affirm is a third-party lender that Firestone partners with at many locations. When you choose Affirm at checkout, you see the loan terms before you confirm the purchase: the number of months, the monthly payment amount, and the total cost including any interest or fees. You can decline and choose a different payment method if the terms don't work for you.
Affirm typically offers 3, 6, or 12-month plans, though the exact options depend on your order total and Affirm's credit decision. Some purchases may may have access to for 0% interest; others will have interest built into the monthly payment. Affirm performs a soft credit inquiry (which does not affect your credit score) to make an instant decision. You'll know immediately whether you're approved and what your rate is.
Affirm payments are made directly to Affirm, not to Firestone. You can set up automatic payments or pay manually through the Affirm app or website. If you miss a payment, Affirm will contact you and may report the missed payment to credit bureaus.
Promotional financing and seasonal offers
Firestone runs seasonal and promotional financing offers, particularly around tire sales. Common promotions include "12 months same as cash" on tire purchases, "18 months same as cash" on larger purchases, or percentage-off discounts paired with the Firestone Credit Card. These offers are advertised in-store, on the Firestone website, and in email campaigns.
Promotional offers are location-specific and time-limited. Not every Firestone location runs the same promotions at the same time. Before you visit or order online, check the Firestone website or call your local store to confirm which offers are currently active. If you're planning a large purchase, asking about current promotions can save you money.
The terms of promotional financing are always printed on the receipt and in the cardholder agreement. Read them carefully: most require full payment by the end date to avoid retroactive interest, and some exclude certain services or have minimum purchase amounts.
How to apply and what happens after approval
If you choose the Firestone Credit Card, you can apply online at the Firestone website or in-store at any Firestone location. The application takes a few minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Citi performs a hard credit inquiry and makes a decision within minutes in most cases. If approved, you receive a card number immediately (either printed in-store or emailed) and can use it right away.
If you choose Affirm, you don't need to apply in advance. At checkout, select Affirm as your payment method, enter your email address, and Affirm will show you available loan terms. You review the terms and confirm or decline. If you confirm, Affirm sends you a payment schedule and instructions for making payments.
After approval, keep your payment due dates in a calendar or set up automatic payments. Missing a payment on either the Firestone Credit Card or Affirm can result in late fees, interest charges, and damage to your credit score. Both lenders report payment history to credit bureaus.
When payment plans are not available
Not every Firestone location offers every payment option. Smaller or franchised locations may accept only the Firestone Credit Card and not Affirm. Some services—such as oil changes or routine maintenance—may not be may be able to access for promotional financing. Online orders and in-store purchases may have different financing options available.
If you're planning to use a payment plan, confirm availability before you schedule your appointment or place an order. Call your local Firestone store or check the website during checkout to see which options are offered. If your preferred payment method isn't available, you can ask whether it will be available soon or whether the store can refer you to a location that offers it.
Comparing Firestone Credit Card and Affirm
| Feature | Firestone Credit Card | Affirm |
|---|---|---|
| Credit inquiry type | Hard (affects credit score) | Soft (does not affect credit score) |
| Typical terms | Revolving credit; promotional 0% periods vary | 3, 6, or 12 months; terms shown before purchase |
| Interest if you don't pay on time | Retroactive to purchase date during promo; regular rate after | Built into monthly payment or charged if you miss a payment |
| Can you see the cost upfront? | Only if promotional terms are clear; regular rate not disclosed until approval | Yes; total cost shown before you confirm |
| Reusable? | Yes; it's a credit card you can use at Firestone repeatedly | No; each purchase is a separate loan |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a payment plan for an oil change or routine maintenance?
Promotional financing is usually limited to tire purchases and larger repairs. Routine maintenance like oil changes is typically too inexpensive to may have access to. You can always use the Firestone Credit Card and carry a balance, but you'll pay interest unless you pay it off within the billing cycle. Call your local store to ask which services may have access to for current promotions.
What happens if I don't pay off the Firestone Credit Card during the promotional period?
Interest is charged retroactively to the original purchase date at the card's regular rate. If you were promised 12 months same as cash and you miss the deadline, you owe all the interest that would have accrued from day one, plus any remaining balance. This can add hundreds of dollars to your bill, so set a payment reminder well before the promotional period ends.
Does Affirm hurt my credit score?
Affirm performs a soft credit inquiry, which does not lower your credit score. However, if you miss payments on an Affirm loan, those missed payments are reported to credit bureaus and will damage your credit. On-time payments do not help your credit score because Affirm does not report positive payment history to most bureaus.
Can I pay off a Firestone Credit Card or Affirm loan early?
Yes. You can pay off the Firestone Credit Card at any time with no prepayment penalty. Affirm loans can also be paid off early, though paying early does not reduce the interest you've already been charged. Check your loan agreement or contact Affirm directly to confirm the payoff amount.
What if I'm denied for the Firestone Credit Card?
A denial usually means your credit score or income did not meet Citi's requirements. You can still use Affirm (which has a soft inquiry and may approve you even if the credit card did not), or pay with cash or a debit card. You can reapply for the Firestone Credit Card after your credit improves, but multiple applications in a short time will lower your score further.