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Store credit cards are as much a part of the shopping experience as a sales associate asking if you’re “looking for anything in particular.” They’re almost unavoidable during the checkout process. And while that 10% discount for opening the card on the spot can be tempting, it’s usually not worth the hassle due to high interest rates and limited rewards.
In general, the rewards you earn from these cards aren’t as valuable as the points and miles you can earn from travel credit cards. However, if you’re looking to build your credit or if you shop a lot at a particular retailer, a store credit card could make sense. The credit limits on store credit cards are usually low, so there’s not a high qualification threshold, and, they offer perks to loyal shoppers.
If you’ve been thinking about store credit cards, here are the ones on the scene that have proven to be truly rewarding.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Compare the best store credit cards
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
If you’re like millions of Americans, you likely purchase things like household goods and appliances, skincare, and snacks on Amazon. The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card acts as more of a regular cash-back credit card than a store credit card, making it an ideal addition to any shopper’s wallet.
There are great Amazon-specific benefits, like 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods (for Amazon Prime members only — you’ll receive 3% back if not a member). You’ll also get:
2% back at restaurants2% back at gas stations2% back at drugstores1% back for all other eligible purchases
There is no minimum rewards balance to redeem — so you can claim a $5 redemption or wait and save your points for big-ticket items. As a bonus, you’ll also get a Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card . This is one card Amazon shoppers rave about because you can find nearly anything on the site, and you get equal cash back on grocery shopping at Whole Foods.
You’ll also appreciate the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card annual fee and other perks like:
No foreign transaction feesTravel insuranceExtended warranty/purchase protection
Review: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card review
Costco Visa
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is valuable even for those who don’t frequent the super-popular wholesale club. For a Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi annual fee card, it’s got strong earning rates in select categories:
4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging worldwide (on up to $7,000 in spending each year, then 1%)3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and costco.com1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
4% cash back on gas purchases is impressive — and the other bonus categories are no slouches, either. Remember, if you’ve got a Costco Executive membership, you’ll earn 2% back on Costco purchases. This card gives you the ability to earn a total of 4% back at Costco warehouses.
The card also comes with purchase protection and no foreign transaction fees.
A big downside to this card is the way rewards are redeemed. You can only receive cash back after your February billing statement closes. You’ll get a “reward certificate” that you’ll have to take to a Costco warehouse. You can request a check for all the cash back you’ve earned over the past year.
Also, this card doesn’t offer a public welcome bonus. Some Costco members have had success inquiring at a Costco warehouse to see if they’re targeted for a special promotion, so don’t use our links for this credit card if you can help it.
Review: Costco Anywhere Visa Card review
Walmart credit card
If you shop online or elect for grocery pickup with regularity, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® could be a powerful tool in your cashback strategy. This Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® annual fee card earns:
5% cash back at Walmart.com (including pickup and delivery)2% cash back at Walmart stores in the US and Puerto Rico, and at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations2% cash back on gift cards purchased through Walmart2% back at restaurants and on travel1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
A 2% return is common among no-annual-fee cards. But the ability to earn 5% back on the lion’s share of your grocery purchases (with no cap) simply by shopping online is excellent.
As a welcome bonus, you’ll get Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®. The card also comes with perks like:
Purchase assurancePrice protectionExtended warrantyCell phone protection*Identity fraud expense reimbursement*Travel insurances*
*World Elite Mastercard version only.
Review: Walmart Credit Card review
Starbucks credit card (not currently accepting applications)
The Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card earns rewards that are only valid at Starbucks. It earns Starbucks Stars, which vary dramatically in value. But if you spend them wisely, it’s not difficult to get a return of 6+ cents per star.
Here’s what the card earns:
Up to 3 Stars per dollar at Starbucks (1 Star per dollar for using your Starbucks Visa to digitally loading your Starbucks Card, and 2 Stars per dollar when you use that card at Starbucks)1 Star per $2 spent at grocery stores1 Star per $2 spent on local transit and commuting1 Star per $2 spent on internet, cable, and phone services1 Star per $4 for al other eligible purchases
You’ll also receive Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card. And you’ll get 300 more bonus Stars the first time you use the card to add money to your Starbucks account.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the value of a Starbucks Star, but here’s what you can use them for:
25 Stars: Drink customizations (extra shot, dairy substitute, syrup, sauce)50 Stars: Hot brewed coffee, bakery item, hot brewed tea150 Stars: Handcrafted drink, hot breakfast, parfait200 Stars: Lunch sandwich, protein box, salad400 Stars: Select merchandise, packaged coffee
If you can manage to squeeze at least 6 cents from a Starbucks Star, the three Stars you’ll receive at Starbucks is an effective return of 18%.
If you can live with restricted credit card rewards, you can get a lot of value from the Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card. Just note that the card comes with a Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card.
Through 2022, the Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card will issue cardholders one complimentary beverage coupon worth up to 150 Stars each month. Coupons expire within 14 days after they’re loaded.
Verizon Visa card
The Verizon Visa Card is another credit card that has a favorable return rate, but earns very limited rewards. This card has a Verizon Visa Card annual fee, and it’s exclusively for Verizon customers.
The Verizon Visa Card earns Verizon Dollars — not standard cash back that you can use anywhere. However, because you can use your rewards for just about anything Verizon-related, including your monthly phone bill, you may be able to reason that your savings easily translates to cash back. Here’s what you’ll earn:
4% at grocery stores and gas stations3% on dining2% on Verizon purchases1% for all other eligible purchases
The card offers a welcome bonus of a Verizon Visa® Card.
You can also save potentially hundreds per year on your phone bill as a cardholder and member of Verizon Up (Verizon’s loyalty program). New enrollees to Verizon’s Auto Pay can receive up to $10 per month off each eligible account or line (max 12 lines) on select plans.
Store credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How did we choose the best store credit cards?
Personal Finance Insider analyzed dozens of cards to determine which of the most popular store cards offer the best benefits. We exclusively chose cards that you can use for any purchase (not just cards that can be used at the co-branded store). That way you’ve got the opportunity to earn more rewards more often.
We also prioritized each card’s return rates over welcome bonuses. If you’re opening a store card, you’ll likely be using it for specific purchases long after the bonus has disappeared.
Are store credit cards worth it?
Store credit cards can be worthwhile, especially for those with less-than-perfect credit. That’s because it’s generally easier to be approved for a store card than a travel credit card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Should I open a store credit card?
The biggest downfall to many (not all) store cards is that they only earn rewards that can be redeemed with their respective store.
If you’re choosing such a card, be sure the savings will be more meaningful to you than spending with a pure cash-rewards card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which earns a flat 2% cash rewards on purchases.