When it comes to store credit cards, the “best” one can often depend on where you spend the most time and money. Ultimately, a store credit card isn’t any good if you can never use it.
Given this, we picked cards for our list based on which products were most effective for their respective retailers. We placed heavy value on the highest rewards rates. When appropriate, we considered cards with standout benefits.
Why trust us? Unlike our competitors, Finder’s credit card experts research and write about all credit cards, including those from providers who aren’t partners on our site. Our trustworthy, unbiased evaluations are solely meant to help you choose the best credit card for your financial needs.
This card is very similar to the Amazon credit card, offering an excellent 5% off eligible purchases at Target and Target.com. One major difference: Amazon's card requires a Prime membership, while Target's doesn't require any subscription. You'll also receive free two-day shipping on eligible items at Target.com, which gives you an incentive to shop there rather than Amazon. Remember: as a closed-loop card, it's valid only in the Target network.
Pros
Get a 5% discount. Your shopping cart could include clothes, video games, books and appliances and more — get a 5% discount on any of those eligible purchases. This discount is applied at checkout.
Get free two-day shipping on eligible Target.com purchases. Standard shipping is three to five business days, and two-day shipping is always free if you spend $35 or more. The minimum shipping charge is $5.99. When you use your Target REDcard™ Credit Card, you get free two-day shipping at Target.com, regardless of order size.
Get an extended window for returns and exchanges. The Target REDcard™ Credit Card offers an additional 30 days for returns and exchanges. At this time, Target lists only two exclusions for extended returns and exchanges: nonreturnable items and Target Optical purchases.
Get regular discounts and special-access sales. Carrying a Target REDcard™ Credit Card affords you access to “exclusive extras, including special items, gifts and offers.” These benefits change throughout the year. A few examples from past promotions include periodic discounts, savings at Hotels.com, and a 10% off coupon on your birthday.
Cons
Use this card at Target and nowhere else. The Target REDcard™ Credit Card is closed-loop, meaning it’s only valid at Target or Target.com.
High interest rate. The Target REDcard™ Credit Card has just one purchase APR: 27.4% variable. While this rate is standard for a store card, it’s significantly higher than the average credit card APR of around 17%.
No signup bonus. Unfortunately, there’s no signup bonus with the Target REDcard™ Credit Card.
You'll need an eligible Amazon Prime membership to apply for this card. But for the price, you'll earn a stellar 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods. Considering you can find countless items on Amazon.com — many that fall outside the categorization of typical rewards cards — this is a terrific opportunity for earning back on a wide range of products. If that wasn't enticing enough, you'll also earn a solid 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on your Amazon.com and Whole Food Market purchases, earn 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and drug stores, and 1% back on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees. Even though this is not a travel card, you won't pay any foreign transaction fees when you use the card abroad or online with foreign merchants.
Welcome offer. Earn a $100 gift card upon approval.
Cons
You need an Amazon Prime membership. The card doesn't have an annual fee, but you need to be an Amazon Prime member to maximize the card's rewards.
No intro APR. If you’re looking for a 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Not all Amazon-owned companies supported for rewards. Unfortunately, the 5% cash back applies only to Amazon.com purchases. While markets like Audible, Zappos, Prime Now, Prime Music and others are technically Amazon-owned, they don’t run on Amazon.com. I was especially disappointed to find that my Prime Now purchases weren’t eligible, something Amazon should strongly consider.
The information about Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
This card offers 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, which isn't spectacular. But a big part of the card's value is in its travel rewards. You'll find excellent rewards on gas, restaurant and eligible travel purchases. And you can boost those travel purchases even further with Executive Membership, for a total of 5% back — comparable to what you'd find on dedicated travel cards.
Pros
Annual fee. None with your paid Costco membership.
Rewards. Great cash back for several categories. Earn 4% cash back on your first $7,000 in eligible gas purchases (then 1%), 3% back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases, 2% back on Costco and Costco.com purchases and 1% back on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees. Use this card freely online with foreign merchants or abroad and you won't pay any foreign transaction fees.
Cons
Limited reward redemption. You can only redeem your rewards once every year.
No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfer, or a 0% deferred interest on Costco purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
19.99% variable Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Welcome Offer
N/A
Rewards
Up to 4% cash back
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
Up to 4% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
740
Best store card for flexible spending
My Best Buy® Visa® Card
With the My Best Buy® Visa® Card, you can choose between 5% back in rewards at Best Buy or deferred interest on eligible purchases at the retailer. The card is also surprisingly good for everyday purchases, offering 2% back on dining and grocery purchases and 3% back on gas for a limited time. The card has no annual fee. But depending on your credit, you may receive the Gold version, which comes with a $0 annual fee. Take care: With a credit score lower than 670, you might receive the My Best Buy® Visa® Card, which is a closed-loop card.
Pros
No annual fee for the Platinum version. Pay no annual fee for this card if you qualify for the Platinum version.
Choice of rewards. Choose to either earn 5% back in rewards at Best Buy, and 6% back for My Best Buy Elite Plus members, or get access to deferred interest on select purchases.
Strong reward variety. Most store cards tend to only earn rewards on store purchases. This card not only earns at Best Buy, but on dining and grocery purchases too.
Cons
Two versions. If your credit score isn't strong enough, you may end up with the Gold version, which sports a $59 annual fee.
Annual fee
Up to $0
Purchase APR
11.9% intro for the first up to 48 months reduced rate (then from 30.74% variable)
This Capital One offering comes in two versions: The Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® and the closed-loop Walmart Rewards card. The Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® is an open-loop product, valid in all stores, not just Walmart and Walmart-associated retailers. With that said, you'll find your biggest rewards value when shopping at Walmart.com or in-store during the 12-month introductory period, a hearty 5% back on purchases. In-store purchases revert to 2% after the intro period. You'll also earn a decent 2% back on restaurants and travel and 1% back everywhere else.
Pros
No annual fee. A $0 annual fee is a terrific value for a card that can earn up to 5% back on purchases.
Earn big rewards online. Earn 5% back on purchases made at Walmart.com and on purchases made through Walmart Grocery Pickup and Delivery. Earn 2% back on restaurants and travel and 1% back everywhere else.
No foreign transaction fees. If you happen to use this card abroad, you won't incur any foreign transaction fees on your purchase.
Cons
In-store purchases limited. Earn 5% back on in-store purchases made with Walmart Pay for the first 12 months after approval. After the introductory period however, you'll earn 2% back on in-store purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
17.99%, 23.24% or 26.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
17.99%, 23.24% or 26.99% variable
Welcome Offer
5% on in-store purchases made with Walmart Pay for the first 12 months (then 2%)
Previously outclassed by the Costco's card, the Sam's Club® Mastercard® has received a refresh that pumps some great value into the card. Now you'll earn up to 5% back on Sam's Club purchases, which is a market-leading rate on warehouse club purchases. The card also earns excellent rewards at Sam's Club gas stations, which already offers a terrific discount for Sam's Club members.
Pros
Cash back. Earn up to 5% cash back on eligible Sam’s Club purchases (3% with Sam's Club® Mastercard® in addition to the 2% you earn with Plus membership), 5% back on gas purchases on up to $6,000 annually (reverting to 1% after), 3% back on dining and takeout, and 1% back on all other purchases.
No annual fee. The Sam's Club® Mastercard® doesn’t carry an annual fee, though you’ll need to be a Sam’s Club member to apply. Basic membership is $45 and Plus membership is $100.
Cash advance at register. Request up to $100 as a cash advance at checkout. You should generally stay away from cash advances, but this can prove useful in an emergency.
Cons
One annual redemption. You can only redeem your rewards in February of each year for that prior year’s earnings. Redeem your rewards online at SamsClub.com or at any Sam’s location.
No intro APR. You won’t find an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers with this card.
Tied to Plus membership. If you don’t have a Sam’s Club Plus membership, you can only earn 1% back on your Sam’s Club purchases with this card.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.4% to 28.4% variable
Balance transfer APR
20.4% to 28.4% variable
Welcome Offer
Get a $30 statement credit when you open a new account and make $30 in Sam's Club purchases within 30 days.
While its easy to overlook given the branding, the Apple Card on Apple products, and the card itself has no fees. This makes it a very consumer friendly card, and a good choice if you just want to earn rewards without worrying about juggling spending caps or points.
Pros
No fees. The Apple Card has no fees, including late fees or an annual fee. This makes it one of just a handful of credit cards to offer such a perk.
Straightforward cash back. Cash back earned with your Apple Card is deposited directly into your account daily as “Apple Cash.” You can use this cash back as soon as you earn it.
Financial management tools. The Apple Card app features several tools to help you track your spending over time.
Cons
Apple iPhone required. The Apple Card requires you to own an eligible iPhone to apply and qualify.
Digital payment focused. You need to use your digital wallet extensively to earn the most back on your Apple Card.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
19.24% to 29.49% variable
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Rewards
Up to 3% cash back
Welcome Offer
$50
Rewards
Up to 3% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
Compare all store credit cards
Browse more store credit card to earn rewards and get store benefits.
There are countless rewards credit cards available through retailers. Choosing one comes down to a few key factors:
Review which stores you shop at most. This is probably the easiest place to start. If you don’t normally shop at a given store, you won’t find much value in the corresponding store card.
Look at the rewards. Check the rewards rate you’ll earn on store purchases. For example, with an open-loop card, you may earn bonus rewards for other bonus categories too.
Consider the store perks. A store card can sometimes be worth picking up just because of its benefits. You might want access to free shipping, for example, or invitations to exclusive events. Carefully check a card’s benefits page to see if there are any can’t-miss features.
How easy is the card to use? Store credit cards can sometimes have more restrictions than general credit cards. You may, for example, need a store membership in order to apply for a card. And you’ll want to check whether a card is open-loop or closed-loop. With store cards, you often earn a rewards certificate only after you reach a specific number of points. Check what this threshold might be, and consider how easily you can reach it.
What is the APR? Store cards tend to have very high interest rates. Check the APR before signing up.
How do store credit cards work?
Store cards work like any other card where you use it at the store to make purchases and get some benefits like rewards, free shipping or deferred interest. But unlike other cards, store cards have two versions: closed-loop and open-loop.
A closed-loop card means you can use the card only with the issuing store or its designated partners. An open-loop card means you can use the card anywhere that accepts its card network. For example, you might see a Visa logo on the card, meaning the card is valid anywhere Visa is accepted.
Pros and cons of using store credit cards
Like any other product, there are advantages and disadvantages of store credit cards.
Pros
Rewards. Store credit cards reward you with points you can use to shave a few dollars off your next purchase.
Bonuses. Some store credit cards have sweeteners like gift certificates or bonus points on signup.
Shopping benefits. You may be eligible for exclusive extras such as special financing or free shipping.
Build credit. Most store credit cards report your usage to the three major credit bureaus. For potential cardholders with poor or fair credit scores, this can prove a decent supplement to a secured card.
Deferred interest. This feature is offered with some store credit cards, and it’s a double-edged sword. If used correctly, it can be an incredibly useful feature.
Cons
High interest. Store credit card debts generally accrue interest at a higher rate than other credit cards. They may also come with higher fees than you’d find on a nonstore card.
Limitations. You may earn fewer points per dollar spent when you shop at a retailer not affiliated with the store card provider, or may be restricted in where you can redeem your rewards. Many store cards also may have reward limitations, such as earning store points rather than cashback rewards.
Many are closed-loop. With a closed-loop store card, it means you can only use it for purchases within the affiliated store. This drastically cuts down on the overall utility of the card.
Lower credit limits on average. Since store cards tend to have more forgiving credit requirements than other kinds of cards, they tend to offer smaller maximum credit limits compared to a standard rewards card.
When is a store card card worth it?
Because of its features such as rewards, deferred interest, store-exclusive benefits and discounts, store cards are often worth it.
Get a store card if you often shop at the store and you always pay your balance on time.
Don’t get a store card if you tend to carry your balance and the card doesn’t offer a deferred interest or an interest-free period.
You asked, we listened: Top 3 common questions
Where else can I use a store credit card? This depends on whether the card is closed-loop or open-loop. If it’s closed-loop, you can use it only within the issuing store network. If it’s open-loop — meaning it has a card network on it, such as Visa or Mastercard — you can use it anywhere the network is accepted.
How do I transfer my credit card balance to a store credit card? Store credit cards often don’t allow balance transfers. You might not be able to make these transactions even with an open-loop card. However, some cards do allow them. If you’re unsure whether your card allows balance transfers, check its terms and conditions. Alternatively, call your provider and ask to speak with a representative.
What credit score do I need to apply for a store credit card? Unfortunately, there’s no hard-and-fast rule, but many applicants have luck applying with fair credit scores. Of course, you’ll have better odds with a good to excellent credit score.
How are store cards different than traditional credit cards?
The difference between traditional and store credit cards largely depends on the latter. If the store card is Visa or Mastercard, it’s often the same as a traditional credit card. The difference comes with a close-loop store card.
Store card
Close-loop. Close-loop cards can only be used at the store or at partner stores and nowhere else. This makes it a poor choice if you want to use it for purchases at other retailers.
Deferred interest. Store cards may offer a deferred interest. This means you can make a purchase at the store and pay it off in many months without paying interest. However, if you fail to pay it off by the time the deferred interest period is up, you’ll pay interest accrued from the moment you made your purchase.
Limited redemption options. Store cards rarely allow you to redeem your rewards for travel purchases, gift cards or anything other than credit to use at the store.
Poor signup bonus. Store cards rarely offer a signup bonus that rivals standard credit cards. This is typically a discount or a gift card you can use at the store up to $50.
Traditional credit cards
Open-loop. Use your credit card wherever cards are an accepted payment method in the US and abroad.
Intro APR period. Unlike deferred interest, a 0% intro APR period doesn’t charge interest retroactively if you fail to pay off your balance by the time the interest period is up. You only start to accrue interest once the intro APR period is over and on any remaining unpaid balance.
Various redemption options. You can often redeem your rewards for statement credit, cash deposit into your account, on travel purchases, gift cards, merchandise, to pay for Amazon.com purchases and more.
Generous signup bonus. Depending on the card, you can earn up to $400 in redemption value as a signup bonus all without paying an annual fee. If you pay an annual fee, you can earn a value of up to $4,000.
What’s the customer service like on these cards?
Any customer service you require when it comes to your store credit card is handled by the card’s provider, not the store itself. That means if you’re having problems with your My Best Buy® Visa® Card, no one at Best Buy is going to be able to help you with your problem. Instead, you’ll get in touch with either American Express, Mastercard, Visa or Discover to handle your service request.
Calling the number listed on the back of your store credit card will connect you with the proper customer service rep that can help.
Bottom line
The best store card depends on where you like to shop. If our top picks don’t include your favorite store, compare more store cards to find the one that’s right for you.
Credit card ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our team evaluates credit cards to determine their value against similar cards on the market.
We rank card types — travel, cash back, business — on a set of factors that are most relevant to that type of card. We create these rankings to help you narrow down a credit card that best suits your spending and budget.
Kevin Chen is a personal finance expert and a former writer at Finder. His expertise has been featured in CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com, among other top media.
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