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December 9, 2021
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Whether you’re looking to pocket some cash back from Amazon purchases, get a discount at checkout on your next Target run or be rewarded for stocking up on a variety of goods from Costco, there’s a store credit card to fill that niche.
Based on our research of cards available through LendingTree, as well as top cards offered by major issuers, here is a list of the best store credit cards on the market right now.
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases..
Plus, get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval.
For a card with a $0 annual fee, this card offers generous cash back.
If you already have an Amazon Prime membership, applying for this card is a no-brainer. It offers a generous cashback rate on Amazon shopping, and allows rewards to be redeemed for cash back (as a statement credit or a deposit into an eligible checking or savings account), gift cards, shopping with points on Amazon, booking travel and sometimes for other products and services from third-party merchants.
However, if you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, you’ll have to do the math on whether it’s worth signing up to be eligible for this card. The card itself has a $0 annual fee, but a Prime membership costs $139 annually — or, if you’re a college student, $69 annually. Spending $2,780 a year on purchases eligible for 5% cash back will recoup the annual membership fee, while spending $1,380 will recoup the student amount.
If your Prime membership expires, you’ll be downgraded to the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card , which earns 3% cash back on all your Amazon.com purchases, and 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores (1% back elsewhere).
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases..
Plus, get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval.
For a card with a $0 annual fee, this card offers generous cash back.
If you already have an Amazon Prime membership, applying for this card is a no-brainer. It offers a generous cashback rate on Amazon shopping, and allows rewards to be redeemed for cash back (as a statement credit or a deposit into an eligible checking or savings account), gift cards, shopping with points on Amazon, booking travel and sometimes for other products and services from third-party merchants.
However, if you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, you’ll have to do the math on whether it’s worth signing up to be eligible for this card. The card itself has a $0 annual fee, but a Prime membership costs $139 annually — or, if you’re a college student, $69 annually. Spending $2,780 a year on purchases eligible for 5% cash back will recoup the annual membership fee, while spending $1,380 will recoup the student amount.
If your Prime membership expires, you’ll be downgraded to the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card , which earns 3% cash back on all your Amazon.com purchases, and 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores (1% back elsewhere).
Earn 5% cash back at Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery. 2% back at Walmart stores and fuel stations, at restaurants and on travel. 1% back everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
Plus, 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months after approval when you use your card with Walmart Pay
If you do much of your shopping in the Walmart ecosystem, it’s hard to beat the cash back thecard earns, especially for an annual fee of $0. Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, to cover purchases, for gift cards or for travel.
Getting the Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card is a smart choice for consumers who shop frequently on Walmart.com and in the Walmart app. For the first year, it’s also an excellent choice for those shopping in-store and paying with Walmart Pay on their smartphones. However, after the first year, your in-store cashback rate will drop, meaning it’s best to shop online as much as you can instead.
Earn 5% cash back at Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery. 2% back at Walmart stores and fuel stations, at restaurants and on travel. 1% back everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
Plus, 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months after approval when you use your card with Walmart Pay
If you do much of your shopping in the Walmart ecosystem, it’s hard to beat the cash back thecard earns, especially for an annual fee of $0. Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, to cover purchases, for gift cards or for travel.
Getting the Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card is a smart choice for consumers who shop frequently on Walmart.com and in the Walmart app. For the first year, it’s also an excellent choice for those shopping in-store and paying with Walmart Pay on their smartphones. However, after the first year, your in-store cashback rate will drop, meaning it’s best to shop online as much as you can instead.
Cardholders get 5% off at Target in-store and online Whereas many other credit cards earn points or cash back that you must redeem at a later date, this card keeps it simple by giving the discount right when you check out.
In addition to the discount, cardholders get free shipping on most items ordered from Target.com and an extended return policy.
The Target REDcard™ Credit Card is ideal for consumers who shop regularly at Target and want to knock a little bit off the cost of each shopping trip. With a $0 annual fee, you’re saving money right from the start, at least as long as you don’t carry a balance and incur interest charges at a stiff APR of 25.15% (variable).
There’s also a debit card version, the Target RedCard Debit Card, which also offers 5% discount on Target and Target.com purchases. The debit card works by linking your existing checking account, and also allows you to withdraw up to $40 in cash at checkout.
However, when using either of these cards, be aware there are a variety of items and services not eligible for the discount, including Target gift cards, eye exams, prescriptions and over-the-counter items located behind the pharmacy counter and clinic services.
Cardholders get 5% off at Target in-store and online Whereas many other credit cards earn points or cash back that you must redeem at a later date, this card keeps it simple by giving the discount right when you check out.
In addition to the discount, cardholders get free shipping on most items ordered from Target.com and an extended return policy.
The Target REDcard™ Credit Card is ideal for consumers who shop regularly at Target and want to knock a little bit off the cost of each shopping trip. With a $0 annual fee, you’re saving money right from the start, at least as long as you don’t carry a balance and incur interest charges at a stiff APR of 25.15% (variable).
There’s also a debit card version, the Target RedCard Debit Card, which also offers 5% discount on Target and Target.com purchases. The debit card works by linking your existing checking account, and also allows you to withdraw up to $40 in cash at checkout.
However, when using either of these cards, be aware there are a variety of items and services not eligible for the discount, including Target gift cards, eye exams, prescriptions and over-the-counter items located behind the pharmacy counter and clinic services.
This card has a generous rewards structure: Cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases.
Be aware of the $7,000 spending cap on the higher earning rate for gas. After that, your rate drops down to 1% back for the remainder of the year. However, if you max that out, that’s can get you $280 in cash back earned at the higher rate.
Cash back earned with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi will be issued as a reward certificate once a year after your February billing statement closes. This certificate can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses.
If you’re the type who likes to fill up your gas tank and then pop into Costco to stock up on bulk goods (and perhaps pick up one of their famous rotisserie chickens while you’re at it), the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi probably belongs in your wallet. However, be aware that while the annual fee is $0, you do need a Costco membership to shop at Costco. Here’s how much the various Costco membership tiers cost:
This card has a generous rewards structure: Cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases.
Be aware of the $7,000 spending cap on the higher earning rate for gas. After that, your rate drops down to 1% back for the remainder of the year. However, if you max that out, that’s can get you $280 in cash back earned at the higher rate.
Cash back earned with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi will be issued as a reward certificate once a year after your February billing statement closes. This certificate can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses.
If you’re the type who likes to fill up your gas tank and then pop into Costco to stock up on bulk goods (and perhaps pick up one of their famous rotisserie chickens while you’re at it), the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi probably belongs in your wallet. However, be aware that while the annual fee is $0, you do need a Costco membership to shop at Costco. Here’s how much the various Costco membership tiers cost:
Save 5% off your eligible purchase, or get 6 months special financing with purchases of $299 or more, or get 84 fixed monthly payments with a minimum purchase of $2,000 at 7.99% APR. Terms apply. Plus: Get a one-time discount of 20% off your purchase, up to a $100 discount, when you open and use a new Lowe’s Advantage Card
Homeowners planning home improvement projects are likely to visit either Home Depot or Lowe’s for their supplies, and both home improvement stores offer a store-branded credit card. However, what sets the Lowe's Advantage Card apart from the The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card is that the former offers a discount on every purchase (except when you take advantage of special financing).
Do be aware that if you take advantage of a special financing period, you can’t get the 5% discount. Also know that financing on this card involves deferred interest, which means if you don’t pay off the purchase in full within the promotional period, you’ll be charged interest from the date of the purchase. With an APR of 26.99% variable, that’s likely to be expensive.
Save 5% off your eligible purchase, or get 6 months special financing with purchases of $299 or more, or get 84 fixed monthly payments with a minimum purchase of $2,000 at 7.99% APR. Terms apply. Plus: Get a one-time discount of 20% off your purchase, up to a $100 discount, when you open and use a new Lowe’s Advantage Card
Homeowners planning home improvement projects are likely to visit either Home Depot or Lowe’s for their supplies, and both home improvement stores offer a store-branded credit card. However, what sets the Lowe's Advantage Card apart from the The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card is that the former offers a discount on every purchase (except when you take advantage of special financing).
Do be aware that if you take advantage of a special financing period, you can’t get the 5% discount. Also know that financing on this card involves deferred interest, which means if you don’t pay off the purchase in full within the promotional period, you’ll be charged interest from the date of the purchase. With an APR of 26.99% variable, that’s likely to be expensive.
Once approved, take an extra 35% off your first purchase in-store or online when you use your Kohl's Charge card. Plus, save even more by stacking that offer with Kohl’s Cash coupons and Yes2You Rewards.
In addition to the new cardmember offer, the Kohl's Charge offers regular promotions and coupons that can knock off anywhere from 15% to 30% of your Kohl’s purchases. If Kohl’s is your go-to department store, this credit card can help you save quite a bit.
But be aware that certain brands and types of merchandise aren’t eligible for discounts and coupons. For example, Levi’s and Timberland are among the excluded brands, and toys and beauty and fragrance are among the merchandise categories that are excluded.
Also make sure you don’t carry a balance on this card, because the APR is a hefty 27.49%.
Once approved, take an extra 35% off your first purchase in-store or online when you use your Kohl's Charge card. Plus, save even more by stacking that offer with Kohl’s Cash coupons and Yes2You Rewards.
In addition to the new cardmember offer, the Kohl's Charge offers regular promotions and coupons that can knock off anywhere from 15% to 30% of your Kohl’s purchases. If Kohl’s is your go-to department store, this credit card can help you save quite a bit.
But be aware that certain brands and types of merchandise aren’t eligible for discounts and coupons. For example, Levi’s and Timberland are among the excluded brands, and toys and beauty and fragrance are among the merchandise categories that are excluded.
Also make sure you don’t carry a balance on this card, because the APR is a hefty 27.49%.
Get 20% savings on your first purchase at Ulta Beauty. And for ongoing rewards, earn 2 points for every $1 spent at Ulta Beauty.
You can redeem Ultamate rewards points when making a purchase online or by telling the cashier when checking out in the store how many points you want to use. You must follow predetermined increments which we’ll cover in the next section (you are able to combine increments).
When redeeming your rewards, you can choose whether you want to redeem all or just some of your points.
If Ulta is your usual stop for everything from foundation to moisturizing face masks, the Ultamate Rewards® Credit Card offers a chance for great savings. Ultamate rewards can only be redeemed for dollars off Ulta merchandise, but the redemption value (which varies depending on how many points you have) is quite good.
Here are the details:
| Ultamate rewards points earned | Dollars off merchandise |
| 100 | $3 |
| 250 | $8 |
| 500 | $17.50 |
| 750 | $30 |
| 1,000 | $50 |
| 2,000 | $125 |
Do note that points will expire at the end of the quarter one year after the date on which they were earned. If you only shop at Ulta occasionally, a better choice would likely be a cashback or rewards card on which your cash back or points don’t expire.
Get 20% savings on your first purchase at Ulta Beauty. And for ongoing rewards, earn 2 points for every $1 spent at Ulta Beauty.
You can redeem Ultamate rewards points when making a purchase online or by telling the cashier when checking out in the store how many points you want to use. You must follow predetermined increments which we’ll cover in the next section (you are able to combine increments).
When redeeming your rewards, you can choose whether you want to redeem all or just some of your points.
If Ulta is your usual stop for everything from foundation to moisturizing face masks, the Ultamate Rewards® Credit Card offers a chance for great savings. Ultamate rewards can only be redeemed for dollars off Ulta merchandise, but the redemption value (which varies depending on how many points you have) is quite good.
Here are the details:
| Ultamate rewards points earned | Dollars off merchandise |
| 100 | $3 |
| 250 | $8 |
| 500 | $17.50 |
| 750 | $30 |
| 1,000 | $50 |
| 2,000 | $125 |
Do note that points will expire at the end of the quarter one year after the date on which they were earned. If you only shop at Ulta occasionally, a better choice would likely be a cashback or rewards card on which your cash back or points don’t expire.
If you want a card that earns a flat rate on every purchase no matter where you make it, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good choice. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). This $0-annual-fee card also offers a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
If you’re considering a store card because you need to improve your credit score, a good card for building credit is the AvantCard Credit Card. It’s a no-frills card designed for people with fair/poor/limited credit. While it charges a $59 annual fee and does not earn rewards, it does report your activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Just make sure not to carry a balance, because of the 27.99%* Variable APR. Also, before applying, be aware that the card is not available to consumers living in Colorado, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.
Store cards are typically easier to get approved for applicants with lower credit scores than general-use credit cards. However, this applies mainly to private-label store cards rather than co-branded cards. Know that your initial credit limit will most likely be low if your credit needs work.
Co-branded store cards are credit cards that display the logo for the credit card issuer (generally American Express, Mastercard or Visa), along with the store brand. These cards can be used anywhere the payment network is accepted — in contrast with private-label store cards, which can only be used at one brand or family of brands.
Many retail credit cards are issued by Synchrony or Comenity. But other issuers, such as Capital One, may also issue store cards.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
