You probably remember the pink bags. Or maybe the smell of the mall hallway as you walked past a storefront that seemed to have every blazer and "wear-to-work" trouser imaginable. If you’ve got an old Lerners New York credit card gathering dust in a drawer—or if you're wondering why you haven't seen that specific logo on a billing statement in years—you aren't alone.
Retail moves fast.
One minute you're the king of the shopping center, and the next, you’re a digital-only brand navigating the aftermath of a bankruptcy filing. The story of the Lerner credit card isn't just about a piece of plastic; it’s a weirdly complex history of corporate rebranding, bank takeovers, and the slow death of the American mall.
The Name Change That Confused Everyone
Let's clear up the biggest misconception right now. Lerner Shops, which eventually became Lerner New York, didn't just disappear into thin air. It evolved.
By the mid-1990s, the brand was trying to shed its "old-fashioned" image. It transitioned into New York & Company. If you were holding a credit card that said "Lerner" on it back then, it basically became a New York & Company card overnight. Honestly, it was a smart play at the time. The name sounded more sophisticated, more "Big Apple," and less like a store your grandmother frequented.
But the plastic in your wallet changed names too.
Who Actually Issues This Card Now?
If you're looking for the bank behind the curtain, it’s Comenity Bank. They are the heavy hitters of the store card world. They handle everything from Victoria's Secret to Wayfair. Specifically, the card is now officially part of the Runway Rewards program.
🔗 Read more: Philippine Peso to USD Explained: Why the Exchange Rate is Acting So Weird Lately
Wait.
Is the card even still around? Yes and no. While New York & Company (the parent brand) hit some major speed bumps in 2020—including a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by its then-parent company, RTW Retailwinds—the brand survived as an online entity.
Here is the current state of affairs as of early 2026:
The physical stores are mostly a memory. If you want to use your credit line, you're doing it at their website. Comenity still manages the accounts, but the "Lerners" branding is officially a relic. If you try to call a "Lerner" customer service line, you’re going to get a dial tone or a redirect to the New York & Company / Runway Rewards portal.
The Brutal Reality of Store Card Interest
Let’s talk numbers. It isn't pretty.
Store cards are notorious for high APRs, and the Lerner-turned-New York & Company card is no exception. We are talking rates that often hover around 35.99%. That is astronomical. If you carry a balance of $1,000, you are essentially lighting money on fire every month just to keep the account open.
💡 You might also like: Average Uber Driver Income: What People Get Wrong About the Numbers
- Annual Fee: Usually $0. (At least they give you that).
- Late Fees: Up to $41.
- The "Perk": You get points for shopping, but those points usually expire if you don't use them within a few months.
Basically, if you aren't paying this card off in full every single month, the "rewards" you’re earning are costing you way more than they’re worth. It’s a trap many people fell into during the mall's heyday.
Managing a Ghost Account
Maybe you haven't used the card in five years. You’re worried it’s still open, or maybe you want to close it to protect your credit score.
Here is the deal.
If you haven't used a Lerners New York credit card (or its NY&C successor) in over 12 to 24 months, Comenity Bank has likely already closed it for inactivity. They don't always send a letter. They just snip the line.
If you do still have an active balance, you need to head to the Comenity Bank Account Center. You won't find a "Lerner" login page. You have to search for "New York & Company" or "Runway Rewards."
Why Did the Brand Shift?
It wasn't just a marketing whim. Lerner Shops started in 1918. By the time Limited Brands (the same people behind Bath & Body Works) bought them in 1985, the world was changing. Fast fashion started eating everyone's lunch.
📖 Related: Why People Search How to Leave the Union NYT and What Happens Next
Lerner tried to compete by rebranding to NY&C and leaning heavily into celebrity partnerships. Remember the Eva Mendes or Gabrielle Union collections? That was the Hail Mary pass to keep the brand relevant. It worked for a while. But the debt load and the decline of foot traffic in malls eventually caught up.
What You Should Actually Do Now
If you still have an old account or you're thinking about reviving it, you need a plan.
1. Check Your Credit Report. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for "Comenity Bank" or "NY & Co." If it says "Closed by Grantor," the bank shut it down because you weren't using it. This is normal. It might have dinged your score slightly because your "length of credit history" changed, but it's not a disaster.
2. Don't Reopen It for the Discount. The 15% or 20% "first purchase" discount is a classic retail hook. But with a 35%+ interest rate, if you don't pay that balance off immediately, the interest will eat that discount in two months.
3. Use the Digital Portal. If you actually want to use the card for the online store, make sure you’ve registered on the Comenity EasyPay site. It’s the only way to ensure your payments actually go through on time. Mailing checks for store cards in 2026 is a recipe for "lost in the mail" late fees.
Actionable Next Steps
- Locate the account status: Log into the Comenity Bank portal or check your latest credit report to see if the account is even still active.
- Compare the APR: If you are carrying a balance on this card, look into a balance transfer credit card. Moving that debt to a 0% intro APR card could save you hundreds in interest over the next year.
- Update your records: If the card is closed, cut up the physical plastic. It’s a security risk to keep active-looking cards with old branding lying around.
- Redeem remaining points: If the account is active, check the Runway Rewards section of the NY&C website. Points often expire in 60-90 days; use them or lose them before you close the account.
The era of Lerner New York is over, but your credit history doesn't have to suffer for it. Clean up the old accounts and move on to cards that actually offer competitive value.