The best store credit cards in September 2024
Published 8:36 PM EDT, Wed January 31, 2024
When you’re checking out at the store or about to hit “Pay now” online, an offer to save a chunk of cash in exchange for signing up for a store credit card can sound very attractive.
However, the best store credit cards will deliver benefits well beyond that sense of instant gratification. Read on to learn more about how store credit cards compare with standard credit cards and when it might make sense for you to open one.
Our team of experts evaluated over 50 store credit cards, evaluating factors such as rewards value, benefits and welcome bonuses. Using a data-based approach, we narrowed down the list to the top nine credit cards that scored highly based on our weightings. Read our full methodology below.
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Prime Visa: *Best store credit card
The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi: *Best for wholesale clubs
The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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myWalgreens Mastercard?: *Best for drugstores
The information for the myWalgreens Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Macy’s American Express? Card: *Best for department stores
The information for the Macy’s American Express? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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REI Co-op? Mastercard?: *Best for outdoor recreation
The information for the REI Co-op? Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Key Rewards Card: *Best for home furnishings and decor
The information for the Key Rewards Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Capital One Walmart Rewards? Mastercard?: *Best for Walmart
The information for the Capital One Walmart Rewards? Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Verizon Visa? Card: *Best for Verizon customers
The information for the Verizon Visa? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Disney? Premier Visa? Card: *Best for Disney
The information for the Disney? Premier Visa? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Prime Visa
*The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi
*The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
myWalgreens Mastercard?
*The information for the myWalgreens Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Macy’s American Express? Card
*The information for the Macy’s American Express? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
REI Co-op? Mastercard?
*The information for the REI Co-op? Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Key Rewards Card
*The information for the Key Rewards Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Capital One Walmart Rewards? Mastercard?
*The information for the Capital One Walmart Rewards? Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Verizon Visa? Card
*The information for the Verizon Visa? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Disney? Premier Visa? Card
*The information for the Disney? Premier Visa? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Our picks at a glance
| Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Best for | Top brand perk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prime Visa * The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. | $0
| $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
| Anyone looking for a store credit card
| 5% cash back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods for Prime members
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Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi * The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. | $0
| None
| Wholesale clubs
| 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com (4% back on up to $7,000 of annual gas and EV charging purchases)
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myWalgreens Mastercard?*
| None
| $25 Walgreens Cash rewards when eligible cardholders open an account and make their first purchase within 45 days
| Drugstores
| 10% cash back on Walgreens-branded purchases
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Macy’s American Express??Card*
| None
| None
| Department stores
| 5 points per dollar spent for Platinum members (minimum $1,200 annual spend at Macy’s)
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REI Co-op??Mastercard?*
| $0
| $100 REI gift card for new cardholder accounts after the first out of store purchase within 60 days of account opening
| Outdoor recreation
| 5% back on REI Co-op purchases
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Key Rewards Card*
| None
| 10% back across seven Williams Sonoma brands for the first 30 days from account opening or special financing for 12 months on qualifying purchases of $750 or more
| Home furnishings and decor
| 5% back at seven stores
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Capital One??Walmart Rewards??Card*
| $0
| 5% back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when using the Capital One Walmart Rewards card with Walmart Pay
| Walmart
| 5% cash back at Walmart.com (standard 2% cash back for in-store purchases after first year)
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Verizon Visa??Card*
| None
| $100 credit applied to your credit card bill after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
| Verizon customers
| 2% on Verizon purchases and $10 AutoPay discount
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Disney??Premier Visa??Card*
| $49
| $300 statement credit after you spend $1000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| Disney
| 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com
|
What didn’t make the cut
You may see some of these names on other lists of the best store credit cards, but here’s why we think you’re better off checking out of the store without stopping to check out these offers.
- My Best Buy? Visa? Card * The information for the My Best Buy? Visa? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : The My Best Buy Visa Card offers some appealing financing options that allow you to avoid paying interest, but there’s a catch: If you don’t pay the balance in full by the end of the promotional period, you’ll have to pay all the interest that accrued over the term. It’s called deferred interest, and it can be an unwelcome surprise that makes that home stereo system cost a lot more than you anticipated.
- Sam’s Club® Mastercard® * The information for the Sam’s Club® Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : The Sam’s Club Mastercard is a reminder of the importance of reading the fine print: Plus members have their rewards capped at $500 per year on Sam’s Club purchases.
- Target RedCard? Credit Card * The information for the Target RedCard? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : If you do the majority of your shopping at Target, the RedCard is worth a look, but this doesn’t make the cut as one of the best store credit cards due to low rewards potential outside the Target walls: It only pays 2% back on dining and gas and 1% on other purchases.
- Lowe’s? Advantage Card * The information for the Lowe’s? Advantage Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : While the 5% discount at Lowe’s is a strong perk of this card, there is a big disadvantage to the Lowe’s Advantage Card: You can’t use it anywhere else. It’s a closed-loop card, which closes the door on its ability to make our list. Plus, the card has a deferred interest disclaimer like the My Best Buy Visa Card: If you invest in a big purchase for your home but fail to pay it off within the promotional period, you’ll wind up paying interest from the start of the term.
- Kohl’s Card * The information for the Kohl’s Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : The Kohl’s Card may look appealing with a 7.5% rewards rate, but you won’t be able to rack up rewards anywhere else because it’s only accepted at Kohl’s. Its lack of versatility kept it off our list.
What is a store credit card?
- Store credit cards can deliver big rewards. If you’re a loyal customer who spends a sizable chunk of money at one specific retailer, that store’s co-branded credit card might be a great pick.
- Store credit cards have two set-ups. Open-loop cards can be used just about anywhere, while closed-loop cards are solely accepted by the specific merchant or brand.
- Store credit cards tend to have above-average interest rates. Some store credit cards charge high annual percentage rates, which makes carrying a balance very expensive.
- Store credit cards can help you build your credit. If you make your payments on time and keep your balance low, a store credit card can have a positive impact on your credit score.
What to consider when choosing a store credit card
Look beyond the bold messages on promotional material and comb through the fine print to figure out whether a store credit card is right for you. If you’re thinking about opening a store credit card, consider these key questions:
- How much do you spend with this retailer? Think about your past spending and how much the card earns on purchases with this store. If you’re a regular customer who is there every week, perhaps it’s wise to put all those purchases to use. Some store cards offer discounts on your first purchase with the card. If you’re trying to cash in on one big purchase, make sure you determine any maximum savings thresholds, as there may be a cap.
- Can you use it outside the store? Open-loop credit cards provide more convenience and flexibility since you can use them anywhere the card is accepted. While closed-loop credit cards aren’t necessarily bad, you can’t do much with them.
- Is there an annual fee? While some rewards cards make the annual fee worth it with lucrative rewards, big travel benefits or other savings opportunities, it’s less likely that store credit cards will give you the value to offset a yearly charge.
- How do you earn rewards? Will you earn bonus points on purchases solely at the store, or are there opportunities to earn elevated rewards when shopping elsewhere? In addition to how you earn points, make sure you understand how you can cash them in. Can you convert them to cash back, or can you only redeem them at the store? Also, see if there are different rewards levels depending on how much you spend at the store.
- What is the APR? You should aim to never carry a balance on any credit card, but that’s not always possible. Some store credit cards have punishingly high APRs above 30%. That creates high-cost debt that will quickly negate any rewards.
Methodology
Our money and data analytics teams evaluated over 50 store credit cards. We then narrowed down our list of the best store cards by giving them a star rating out of five, based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:
Rewards value (30%)
Many store credit cards rewards, but not all credit card points and miles are worth the same amount. We used spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and estimates of rewards values from The Points Guy to determine which cards dole out the best rewards value.
Pricing and fees (25%)
Cards with no annual fee and competitive variable APRs received a boost compared to cards with higher annual fees and rates.
Welcome bonus value (20%)
Many store cards offer incentives in the form of additional rewards to new consumers. These bonuses can come after opening the card or after meeting a spending requirement We calculated how much those bonuses are worth using points valuations from The Points Guy, and boosted cards that offer more value.
Benefits (20%)
Cards that offer benefits such as cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers received a boost.
Annual credits and bonuses (5%)
Credit cards that come with credits and bonuses for spending in categories including groceries, dining, entertainment and gas received a boost.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You can pay with a store credit card outside the store if it is an open-loop card. The easiest way to tell if a card is an open-loop card is if it has a logo for a common payment network such as Mastercard, Visa or American Express on it. If it doesn’t, you’re probably stuck with using it only for purchases at the specific store.
Store credit cards can play an important role in helping you establish a strong credit history. As long as the issuer reports to the main three credit agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), you can benefit from demonstrating responsible behaviors like making your payments on time and using 30% or less of your overall credit limit. Mistakes such as missing a payment will hurt your credit history.
It’s probably wise to keep a store credit card open even if you aren’t using it anymore. The length of your credit history plays a role in your credit score; the longer the card has been open, the better off you’ll be. However, if the card charges an annual fee and you no longer shop at the retailer regularly, you’re likely better off closing the account to eliminate that cost.
Store credit cards are generally easier to get than general-purpose rewards credit cards. However, don’t assume that you can get one with bad credit. In many cases, you’ll need at least a fair credit score (a FICO score of 580 or more) to be approved for a store credit card. That said, some store credit cards approve customers with lower credit scores depending on other factors. The fine print of some of these products offers an indication of what it takes to get approved. For example, one of the requirements of the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card is to have a monthly income of at least $425 more than your monthly housing payment.
All information about Capital One Walmart Rewards? Mastercard?, Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi, Disney? Premier Visa? Card, Key Rewards Card, Kohl’s Card, Lowe’s? Advantage Card, Macy’s American Express? Card, My Best Buy? Visa? Card, Prime Visa, REI Co-op? Mastercard?, Sam’s Club® Mastercard®, Target RedCard? Credit Card, Verizon Visa? Card and myWalgreens Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.
Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.
