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You’ve almost certainly been standing at checkout and staring down the barrel of a painfully rehearsed store credit card pitch. Did you take the bait?
Store credit cards aren’t for everyone—but they’re great for some. Whether you’re interested in bonus cash at stores you frequent or 0% APR opportunities for large purchases, a store card may be right up your alley. But you should take a look at non-store cards to ensure that one of those isn’t a better fit for your spending habits.
Let’s take a look at the best store credit cards to help you find the perfect option.
Why we recommend these store credit cards
Best for Simon Mall shoppers: Simon® American Express® Credit Card
Simon® American Express® Credit Card
Simon® American Express® Credit Card
The Simon® American Express® Credit Card is the perfect cash back tool for mall addicts. You’ll earn $150 back after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening. You’ll also get:
- 5% back in-store at participating retailers such as JCPenney, Aeropostale, Forever 21, Eddie Bauer, etc.
- 5% for online purchases at select online shops.
- 3% back on purchases with other retailers at any Simon Mall, Mills, or Premium Outlet in the U.S.
- 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
You’ll also earn statement credits of up to 10% when purchasing gift cards with merchants like Gap and Banana Republic.
To boost your savings, you’ll also have access to Amex Offers. These are targeted statement credits and bonus rewards incentives that you can add to your card through your online account. Amex Offers change all the time, so be sure to keep an eye out for offers that can help you save on purchases you were planning to make anyway.
Best for Disney fanatics: card_name
Disney® Premier Visa® Card
Disney® Premier Visa® Card
Why we like it:
The card_name serves exclusively one demographic: Big Disney spenders. Here’s why:
- It offers a 10% discount on various Disney shopping (shopDisney.com, merchandise at Walt Disney World, etc.).
- Its rewards can only be redeemed for Disney purchases (and airfare).
- It offers special financing for select Disney packages.
This card earns Disney Reward Dollars for everyday purchases. You’ll get 5% back on purchases made directly with DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESNPlus.com, 2% back at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
The Disney Premier Card charges a annual_fee_disclaimer annual fee. But you’ll also earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening—making the card well worth a test drive for a year to see if it complements your Disney-crazed lifestyle.
Best for grocery delivery: card_name
Instacart Mastercard®
Instacart Mastercard®
Why we like it:
Instacart is a platform that allows you to select and buy groceries (and other things) online from local stores. You can have them delivered, or you can pick them up yourself.
Groceries are the biggest monthly credit card expense for many of us, so getting the absolute biggest return for your grocery spending is important. The card_name offers a huge earning rate on groceries—and a respectable return for other common purchases, too:
- 5% cash back through the Instacart app and on Instacart.com.
- 5% cash back on travel reserved through the Chase Travel Portal.
- 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and on select streaming services.
- 1% cash back for all other eligible purchases.
You’ll even get a $100 Instacart credit and a free year of Instacart+ membership after you’ve opened your credit card account. That means free delivery for purchases over $35, lower service fees, and a 5% credit when you choose to pick up your shopping (instead of having it delivered). Instacart+ is normally $99 per year.
Best for Amazon/Whole Foods purchases: card_name
Prime Visa
Prime Visa
Why we like it:
The Prime Visa is one of the most versatile cash back credit cards you can open because of its monster return rate at Amazon and Whole Foods. Between those two brands, you can get just about anything you’d possibly need.
The card_name is one of the most versatile cash back credit cards you can open because of its monster return rate at Amazon and Whole Foods. Between those two brands, you can get just about anything you’d possibly need.
Here’s what you’ll earn:
- 5% cash back with Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods.
- 5% cash back via the Chase Travel Portal.
- 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and local transit and commuting.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
You’ll also earn 10% back (or more) for a rotating selection of products thanks to a perk called “Prime Card Bonus.”
While this card does not charge an annual fee, only Amazon Prime members are eligible. If you don’t have Amazon Prime (which costs $139 per year), you’re only eligible for the less-premium Amazon Visa with inferior earning rates.
Best for gas stations: card_name
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
The card's annual_fees annual fee by Citi is surprisingly useful outside the brick-and-mortar walls of a Costco warehouse.
Its crowning feature is the ability to earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1% thereafter). This includes gas stations that are not affiliated with Costco. There are some strings attached, though—gas purchased at a supermarket, superstore, convenience store, or warehouse club (other than Costco) will only earn 1%. In other words, only standalone gas stations will earn 4% back.
You’ll also earn:
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco travel
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
While this card doesn’t tout a public bonus, you can ask in-store if you’re targeted for any special offers for applying. You might get lucky.
One other thing: You can only redeem your cash back once per year after your February statement closes. You can ask for cash or simply use it for free merchandise at Costco warehouses within the U.S.
Best for food delivery: card_name
DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®
DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®
Why we like it:
Particularly for no-annual-fee credit card, this is an above-average return for dining, whether you eat at the restaurant or order delivery. You'll get a free year of DashPass, special perks and cash back in DoorDash credits if you opt to pick up, in addition to a solid return for your spending.
If you’re one of the many who have become hooked on food-delivery services over the past few years, you know how expensive the service fees and delivery-driver tips can make a reasonably priced meal. The annual_fee_disclaimer-annual-fee card_name can go a long way in keeping your costs low.
First, you’ll receive a free year of DashPass (normally $96 annually) after account opening. This comes with perks like $0 restaurant-delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible DoorDash orders. You’ll even get 5% in DoorDash credits when you opt to pick up the food yourself. Each year you spend $10,000 on your card, you’ll get another free year of DashPass.
You’ll also get a solid return for your spending:
- 4% cash back on DoorDash and Caviar orders
- 3% cash back on dining when purchased directly from a restaurant
- 2% cash back on grocery stores online or in-store
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Particularly for a no-annual-fee credit card, this is an above-average return for dining, whether you eat at the restaurant or order delivery.
Best for Apple purchases: Apple Card
Apple Card
Apple Card
The Apple Card doesn’t have ground-breaking rewards. It doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and its bonus categories are a bit on the niche side. But there are some unique aspects to what it offers.
The card earns “Daily Cash,” which is effectively cash back that you can redeem toward a statement credit on your card (or in other ways within the Apple universe). Daily cash is deposited instantly into your rewards account—so when you swipe your card, your available cash balance will increase the same day. Pretty handy, as many other credit cards won’t deposit your rewards until after your billing cycle.
The card earns:
- 3% back at Apple when you use Apple Pay
- 3% back at Nike, Panera, Walgreens, T-Mobile, Duane Reade, Uber/Uber Eats, Exxon Mobil, and Ace Hardware
- 2% back on all purchases when you use Apple Pay
- 1% back on all other eligible purchases
One of the big selling points of the card is the ability to set up monthly installments for Apple purchases. If you’re always purchasing Apple products, this card gives you the power to buy new Apple products and pay over time without incurring interest.
Best for home renovations: Lowe’s Advantage Card
Lowes Advantage Card
Lowes Advantage Card
The no-annual-fee Lowe’s Advantage Card has a very generous return rate for in-store purchases that’ll interest anyone who does meaningful spending at Lowe’s. But the real winners are folks like contractors who are in charge of purchasing their own materials (though exclusions may apply based on your situation).
This card comes with an intro offer of 20% off (up to $100) on your first purchase. You’ll then earn a flat 5% back on eligible purchases on Lowes.com and in U.S. Lowe’s stores.
You can also opt to forego the 5% return for special six-month financing on qualifying purchases. Or, you can go with 84 fixed monthly payments at a reduced APR of 9.99%. This only applies to purchases totaling at least $2,000. It’s obviously never a good idea to carry a balance, but this gives you a reasonable interest rate if you need to.
Best for Walmart purchases: Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card
Capital One Walmart Rewards Card
Capital One Walmart Rewards Card
The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card is another no-annual-fee credit card with wide appeal thanks to its solid return rate at Walmart—a merchant that’s got just about everything. You’ll earn:
- 5% cash back at Walmart.com (including pickup and delivery)
- 2% cash back in Walmart stores, at restaurants, and for travel
- 1% cash back for all other eligible purchases
As a welcome bonus, you’ll get 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months of account opening with Walmart Pay.
Beyond its earning rates, the card doesn’t offer much in terms of benefits. It’s got some fair travel and purchase insurances, and its status as a World Elite Mastercard confers cellphone protection (up to $800 per claim, $1,000 per 12-month period) with a $50 deductible. Not bad for a no-annual-fee credit card.
Best for electronics purchases: My Best Buy® Visa® Card
My Best Buy® Visa® Card
My Best Buy® Visa® Card
The My Best Buy® Visa® Card is frustrating in that it’s got valuable benefits but can be downright predatory for anyone who fails to read the fine print carefully.
Let’s start with the good stuff. You’ll earn:
- 5% back on Best Buy purchases
- 3% back on gas purchases
- 2% back on dining and grocery purchases
- 1% back for everything else.
The rewards you earn can only be redeemed for items at Best Buy. You’ll also receive exclusive financing thanks to your card. This includes interest-free windows between 12 and 36 months, depending on what you’re buying.
Now for the ugly. If you take advantage of the card’s interest-free financing, but you fail to pay off the purchase in full before the 0% APR period ends, you’ll be retroactively charged all the interest you would have accrued. This is called “deferred interest,” and it’s very dangerous. Don’t opt for it if you aren’t absolutely certain that you can pay off your purchase in time.
To make matters worse, the My Best Buy Card charges a variable interest rate above 30%. Very few cards do this. It can spell huge trouble if you find yourself carrying a balance month-to-month.
It’s also worth mentioning that this card’s annual fee is between $0 and $59, based on your creditworthiness. You won’t know whether your card charges an annual fee until after you apply.
Best store credit cards comparison chart
| Card name | Annual fees | Credit score | Bonus rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
$0 | Good | $150 cash back | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
$0 | Good | N/A | |
Lowe’s Advantage Card | $0 | Good | 20% discount |
$0 | Good | 5% cash back in Walmart stores | |
$0 - $59 | Good | 10% back |
Our Methodology
There are loads of store credit cards out there. Choosing the right one isn’t always easy—even if you know which store you want to shop at.
We examined the store credit cards that offered the most upside in terms of:
- Return rate.
- Complimentary memberships.
- Special financing.
- Welcome bonuses.
- Annual fee.
We also considered the ubiquity of each store. In other words, if a credit card had excellent perks but has only a small footprint in the Midwest, we did not include it.
How to pick the best store credit cards
Identify your spending habits
Too often, customers get talked into opening a card at checkout just to receive a 15% discount on their $70 cart. Don’t acquiesce unless you shop at that particular store a lot—and you know that opening another credit card will be a net positive to your wallet.
And don’t let the cashier’s rousing spiel cause you to make any decisions you otherwise wouldn’t.
Weigh the benefits
Credit cards can sometimes become little more than an accessory. If you’re passionate about your favorite store, you may just want a credit card that signals to everyone else your enthusiasm about the retailer.
Make sure the benefits that come with the card are actually worth your application. If a card’s main feature is its ability to confer special financing for large purchases, and that’s something you’ll never use, a simple cash back card would likely be a bigger win for you.
Understand the fees
You can bet that whichever store card you’re considering has its share of nickel-and-dime terms and conditions buried in the mouse type. Whether its astonishingly high interest rates for balances carried month-to-month or big fees, read carefully before you sign up.
More on store credit cards
What is a store credit card?
A store credit card is not to be confused with a “store card.” While both offer unique perks for a specific merchant, they’ve got one massive difference.
A store card can only be used at the issuing store. It can’t be used, for example, at the gas station on the way home. A store credit card can be used anywhere, just like any other credit card. Store credit cards are valuable for those who do a lot of shopping at the same place, but want the freedom to use the card elsewhere if they want.
Store credit cards: pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Statement credits and memberships for specific brands | Welcome bonuses much smaller than the best rewards credit cards |
Rewards are focused on your favorite merchants | Limited value outside the cobranded store |
Special financing occasionally offered for store purchases | High interest rates |
When should you get a store credit card?
If you find yourself consistently shopping at the same merchant, it could be worthwhile to check out its credit card options. Even if you use a cash back credit card with a solid return on all spending as your daily driver, a store card could have an even higher earning rate, opportunities for 0% interest financing, and big discounts at checkout.
Tips to leverage a store credit card
Read the fine print. Store cards can come with less-than-friendly terms. You want to know where the booby traps are so you can avoid them. For example, when a card charges deferred interest, that means it won’t charge you interest for carrying a balance for a specific amount of time. If you fail to pay off your purchase within that window, you’ll receive one massive interest fee in the amount of all the APR that you would have accrued during the months you carried a balance.
Time the welcome bonus. Some store credit cards come with a welcome offer in the form of a rebate for your next purchase (or series of purchases). If the card you want has a similar time-sensitive bonus, be sure you open it at the right time to maximize its value.\ \ Practice healthy credit card habits. Use your store credit card as you do your other credit cards. Pay your balances in full each month to avoid interest charges; keep your credit utilization low. If you're taking advantage of a 0% intro APR offer, pay your bill in full before it ends.
Alternatives to store credit cards
It’s often the case that a credit card not affiliated with a specific merchant can give you the biggest bang for your swipe. You’ll find many cash back and travel rewards cards have more generous purchase protection, higher welcome bonuses, and more versatile rewards.
For example, the no annual fee Citi Double Cash® Card earns 1% back when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay off that purchase. An effective 2% everywhere is a solid return that may not outperform some store credit cards when shopping in-store, but it can make up for it by earning 2% on all your other expenses, as well. The card also offers an extremely generous balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration. Learn more from our full review.
Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
TIME Stamp: Store credit cards are typically only valuable if you use them a lot
With a little bit of research, you’ll find rewards credit cards with welcome bonuses worth $1,000+ in cash. You’ll find travel credit cards that come with many hundreds of dollars in statement credits each year. These are things you won’t find on a store credit card.
For the most part, store credit cards are (understandably) the most competent when used at whichever store name is on the front of the card. Be sure you make enough purchases at that particular store to warrant an application.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the easiest store credit card to get with no credit?
If you have no credit, you’ll likely have more luck applying for a closed-loop store card—that is, a “credit” card that only works at the store that issues it. In other words, you can’t use it as a regular credit card for purchases anywhere credit cards are accepted.
The Fingerhut Credit Card has been known to approve applicants with limited credit history.
Which store credit cards can I get with a 580 credit score?
If you have a credit score of 580, you shouldn’t be focused on rewards credit cards. It’s possible to get a store card, such as the Fingerhut Credit Card, but it’s better to work on improving your score to at least “good” (defined as 670 or above by FICO) before prioritizing rewards.
Which store credit cards are hard to get?
Store credit cards aren’t particularly hard to get. If you can qualify for any other rewards card, you can likely qualify for the store credit card you’ve got your eye on.
Which retail stores have their own credit card?
Dozens of stores around the country offer their own rewards card—from drugstores like CVS to furniture stores like IKEA to giants like Walmart to clothing stores like Banana Republic. If your favorite store is a nationwide chain, there’s a good chance it’s got some type of credit card.
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