The 7 Best Store Credit Cards Worth a Spot in Your Wallet
Paying for purchases with a store credit card can offer rewards and additional discounts at retailers where you regularly shop. Many retailers offer a store credit card, but not all of them are worth having.
The cards that made the GOBankingRates list of the best store credit cards represent the cream of the crop, and all have benefits that warrant a closer look. Use this guide to help you discover the best store credit cards available now, as well as what store credit cards are easy to get.
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What Stores Offer Credit Cards?
A store credit card offers exclusive rewards and discounts for a specific store. Almost all major retailers have store credit cards, including Macy’s, Dillard’s, Kohl’s, The Home Depot and Walmart.
Closed-Loop Cards vs. Open-Loop Cards
Store-branded cards that don’t have a Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover symbol are examples of closed-loop credit cards. Closed-loop cards are only accepted at the retailer that issued them, such as Lowe’s or Target.
Open-loop cards are co-branded with the store’s name and a major credit card network. You can use them at the store and everywhere Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover credit cards are accepted. The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard and Amazon’s Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card are open-loop options.
Closed-loop cards focus on discounts and special access events for a particular store. Open-loop cards, however, can provide perks like zero- or low-interest balance transfers, insurance, extended warranty and travel rewards.
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Best Store Credit Cards
So, what are the best store credit cards to get? Here are some that are worthy of a spot in your wallet.
Best Overall: Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard
APR: Depending on credit score, 17.99%-26.99% annual percentage rate
Annual Fee: None
Benefits:
Open-loop card — can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted
5% rewards on Walmart Pay app, Walmart.com and Walmart Grocery Pick Up and Delivery purchases
5% rewards on in-store purchases when using Walmart Pay for the first 12 months after approval
After first 12 months, 2% rewards on in-store purchases at Walmart, Walmart fuel stations and Murphy USA
2% rewards on travel and restaurants
1% rewards on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Redeem rewards for travel, gift cards, as payment during online checkout at Walmart.com and as statement credits
Drawbacks:
Higher credit scores required to qualify
Why Shoppers Like This Card: The Capital One Walmart Rewards Card tops this list of store credit cards because it checks all the boxes. The card rewards both the purchases you make at Walmart and purchases made anywhere else you use the card. Rewards can be redeemed for travel, cashed in for gift cards or applied as statement credits or during online checkout.
Notable digital features come with the card. Customers can use the Walmart Pay app instead of carrying the card. “We are excited to offer a truly digital experience for customers where, for example, Walmart shoppers can apply for the card in-store via the Text to Apply feature, and if approved and eligible, use their new card digitally at checkout moments later,” said Ritin Dhawan, vice president of customer experience and partner operations at Capital One, in a news release.
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Best for Everyday Items: Target RedCard
APR: 22.90% APR
Annual Fee: None
Benefits:
5% discount on all eligible Target purchases
Free shipping on most items at Target.com
10% discount coupon each year on card anniversary
30 extra days for returns for most Target and Target.com purchases
Can pay with Target Wallet on your smartphone for faster store checkout
Save 10% at Hotels.com
Exclusive Target RedCard coupons through the Circle feature of the Target app
Drawbacks:
Can only be used at Target and Target.com
Why Shoppers Like This Card: Target’s RedCard rewards its loyal shoppers with 5% off every purchase and an extended return time of 30 days. You can even get 5% savings at Target Starbucks locations.
The web portal and smartphone app make it simple to manage and pay for your card. Download the Target app to get access to special coupons through Circle and pay with your smartphone at store checkouts with the Wallet feature.
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Best for Clothes: Gap Visa Credit Card
APR: Variable purchase APR is 25.99%
Annual Fee: None
Benefits:
Can be used anywhere Visa is accepted
Extra 10% off every time you shop at Gap and Gap Factory stores
Other opportunities throughout the year to earn more loyalty benefits
Can earn points at Gap brand stores such as Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy
Five points for every $1 spent in-store or online at the Gap brands family of stores
One point per dollar spent elsewhere
Special bonus-point shopping days
Can redeem points for credit to use at Gap, Gap Factory and Gap brand stores
Can return purchases without receipts
20% sign-up bonus for purchases made in the first 14 days
Free shipping on orders of at least $50
Special gift on your birthday
Drawbacks:
Great for discounts but not for redeeming rewards — one point is worth only one cent
Rewards limited to $250 per billing cycle
Very high APR
Why Shoppers Like This Card: The Gap Visa is the best clothing store credit card available because of its reach. You can earn and redeem points at Gap and Gap Factory stores, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. You can also earn points for everyday purchases wherever Visa is accepted. This card shines when it comes to discounts, with 10% off at Gap and Gap Factory stores. Points can be redeemed at all Gap brands; however, upon redemption, each point is only worth a penny.
Manage your account through the card website or the Gap app, and follow your rewards progress at Gap.com.
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Best for Home Improvement: Lowe’s Advantage Card
APR: Standard APR is 26.99%
Annual Fee: None
Benefits:
5% off every Lowe’s eligible purchase or order
20% discount on first in-store purchase through Jan. 31, 2022
0% interest rate for six months on eligible purchases over $299
Fixed monthly payments on purchases or orders over $2,000 at 7.99% APR for 84 months
Special financing of 12 months on appliances
Special financing of 12 months for installed heating, air conditioning and ventilation
Exclusive cardholder events
Drawbacks:
Closed-loop card can only be used at Lowe’s
Different financing terms per product can be confusing
Deferred interest accrues if the promotional balance isn’t paid in full in time
High standard APR
Why Shoppers Like This Card: Lowe’s is more than a huge hardware store — you can also pick up home furnishings, decor, appliances and garden supplies. Buying with the Lowe’s Advantage Card gives you options. Finance your larger purchases with zero or low interest and receive 5% back on all your purchases and orders.
Manage your card through the card website and set up email or text alerts on account activity.
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Best Open-Loop Card: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
APR: Depending on credit score, 14.24%-22.24% APR
Annual Fee: None
Benefits:
Open-loop card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted
$100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores
1% back on all other purchases
10% or more back on select products at Amazon.com
Travel rewards credit card perks like no foreign transaction fees, travel and emergency assistance, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and travel accident insurance
Exclusive benefits at Visa Signature Luxury hotels
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fee
Cardmembers can choose % back OR 0% promo APR for 6-18 months on purchases $50 or more
Drawbacks:
An annual $119 Amazon Prime membership is required
Why Shoppers Like This Card: The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa card is the ideal combination of store credit card and travel rewards card. Besides earning savings at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, you’ll have access to traveler perks that cover mishaps like lost or delayed luggage and travel emergencies. Plus, you get exclusive benefits at Visa Signature Luxury hotels. And you won’t have to worry about where you use the card — no foreign transaction fee means you can shop anywhere Visa is accepted, without any currency exchange penalties.
Manage your card through the Chase online portal or Chase mobile app, where you can make payments, add users and set up email or text alerts on account activity.
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Best for Discounts: Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
APR: Variable rate of 15.24% APR
Annual Fee: None
Benefits:
Can be used anywhere Visa is accepted
4% rewards rate on eligible gas purchases
3% reward on restaurants and eligible travel
2% back on all Costco and Costco.com purchases
1% back on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Bonus reward categories
Can use the card as a Costco membership ID
Damage and theft purchase protection included
Extended warranty on purchases
Drawbacks:
Requires a Costco membership of $60 a year or more
Cash-back rewards are paid once a year, at the end of the February billing cycle, and must be redeemed at Costco
Why Shoppers Like This Card: Costco is a wholesale club for shoppers who love volume and big discounts. Every time you purchase something or get gas, you’re earning rewards you can later redeem at Costco.
You’ll receive cash-back rewards in the form of an annual reward certificate, which can be applied to your Costco in-store purchases. The wait is long, but consider how much your reward certificate might be worth after a year of gas and purchases.
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Best for: Kitchen and Home Decor Shopping: West Elm Key Rewards Credit Card
APR: Variable rate of 24.99% or 26.99%
Annual Fee: None
Benefits:
10% back for the first 30 days the card is used at West Elm or any of its six other sister companies
$25 birthday reward annually
0% interest for the first 12 months on purchases of at least $750 or 5% rewards back on every ongoing purchase
Visa cardmembers earn an additional 4% in rewards at grocery stores and restaurants (excluding fast food)
Visa cardmembers also earn 1% in rewards on all other purchases
No annual fee
Relatively easy to qualify for
Free standard shipping on Williams-Sonoma purchases within the 48 contiguous states
Sustainable card made out of recycled plastic
Drawbacks:
High APR
Can only be used at seven stores under the Williams-Sonoma banner
Why Shoppers Like This Card:
For fans of West Elm, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and their sister companies, the West Elm Credit Card essentially offers free benefits for shopping they would already be doing. The no annual fee card only costs customers if they carry a balance, which would effectively negate all of the benefits. Between a generous award rate and free anniversary bonuses, the card is a no-brainer for fans of these brands.
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Are Store Credit Cards Worth It?
Getting a store credit card can be a good idea. If you are a loyal customer of a retailer, you can grab some serious discounts and bonuses by getting approved for a store card. And while store cards are not always the best value, they can help build or rebuild your credit.
Many store cards, including Amazon cards, have an instant approval process. However, cards that offer the best rates often require a FICO credit score of 670 or higher.
Even if you have marginal scores, there are store credit cards for fair credit. Store credit cards for no credit history and store credit cards for bad credit are also available. A card that is easier to qualify for, however, may have higher interest rates and a lower credit limit.
What To Consider When Choosing a Store Credit Card
When deciding on a store credit card, see if it offers the following features:
Can Store Credit Cards Hurt Your Score?
Store credit cards can affect your credit score if you don’t manage your accounts wisely. For example, your credit scores can suffer if your credit utilization is too high or you open and close too many accounts. Here are some important things to watch out for when using a store credit card.
Avoid Overspending
It’s not worth it to overspend or carry a balance simply to earn more rewards or perks. Pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that might offset any earned rewards.
Make Timely Payments and Avoid Carrying a Balance
Always make your payments on time — not doing so could cost you expensive late fees and affect your credit.
Todd Christensen, education manager at Money Fit, has a good tip on how to stay on top of your bill: “Never leave the store without paying off the entire balance at the customer service desk first.”
Understand the Difference Between Deferred and 0% Interest
Deferred interest is not the same as 0% interest. If you’re offered 0% interest, no interest will be added to your balance during the promotional period. Deferred interest means that if you pay off the balance by the end of the promotional period, you won’t owe any interest. Otherwise, interest charges will begin accruing.
Avoid Maxing Out Low-Limit Credit Cards
Store credit cards often come with low credit limits that can be maxed out in a single trip. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you should keep your use of credit at no more than 30% of your total credit limit to avoid a hit to your credit score. So, if you have a card with a $500 limit, don’t spend more than $150.
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Store Credit Cards Offer Exclusive Discounts and Rewards at Your Favorite Retailers
Don’t leave money on the table when you shop at your favorite retailers. Having a store credit card can give you exclusive access to discounts and perks you might not get if you simply pay cash.
Before you sign up for a card, however, make a store credit card comparison to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Additionally, spend responsibly and pay your card balance off in full each month to avoid the cost of high interest rates.
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John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article.
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Information is accurate as of Oct. 8, 2021. Rates and fees are subject to change.
The information related to the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has been collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
GOBankingRates is a personal finance and consumer interest rate website owned by ConsumerTrack Inc., an online marketing company serving top-tier banks, credit unions and other financial services organizations. Some companies mentioned in this article might be clients of ConsumerTrack Inc., which serves more than 100 national, local and online financial institutions. Rankings and roundups are completely objective, and no institution, client or otherwise, paid for inclusion or specific placement. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the companies included in the article. All fees and rates are subject to change at the issuers’ discretion. Some interest rates might be short-term or promotional offers only, and it is possible additional terms and conditions must be met to obtain the interest rates listed. Rates and availability might vary by region. Verify terms and conditions before opening an account.
GOBankingRates bases its assessment of “best” and “top” products on the above-stated parameters to create a baseline for comparison. This assessment is an approximation of “best” and “top” designed to help consumers find products that might be appropriate for them. There could be other options available as well. Consumers should consider various options appropriate for their circumstances.
Last updated: Oct. 8, 2021
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 7 Best Store Credit Cards Worth a Spot in Your Wallet
