What Stores Offer Credit Cards and How to Choose the Right One

Many stores offer credit cards that can help you earn rewards, build credit, and save money on purchases.

Some popular stores that offer credit cards include Walmart, Target, and Kohl's, which offer cards that provide rewards in the form of cash back or discounts on purchases.

Before choosing a credit card, consider your spending habits and needs.

If you frequently shop at one store, a store-branded credit card might be a good choice, as it often offers exclusive rewards and discounts.

You can rebuild your credit history by using retailers to qualify for an account and using it responsibly for at least six months. This will help you get back on track if you have no credit or bad credit.

Retailers offer a variety of credit card options, including co-branded credit cards that can be used anywhere the logo is accepted. These cards often earn points on all purchases, but you'll likely earn less when using them at other retailers.

Some stores, like Bloomingdale's and Macy's, issue both store charge cards and co-branded credit cards. The store charge cards can only be used at the issuing retailer, making it easier to spend now and pay later.

Intro APR Offers can be a lifesaver if you need to float a balance for a little while. The Chase Freedom Flex, for example, offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.

You should make a plan to pay off your balance before the introductory period ends to avoid steep interest charges. This means you'll want to pay off your balance in full within the 15-month time frame offered by the Chase Freedom Flex.

The introductory period may be short, but it can give you some breathing room to get your finances back on track. Just remember to review the terms and conditions of your credit card to understand the interest rate that will apply after the introductory period ends.

The Chase Freedom Flex, for instance, has a Variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49% after the introductory period ends.

Retailers offer a wide range of credit card options that can be confusing to navigate. Many offer co-branded credit cards with American Express, MasterCard, or Visa logos, which can be used anywhere those cards are accepted.

You'll earn points on all your purchases with a co-branded card, not just at the store that issues it. However, you'll probably earn less for using the card at other retailers.

Some large chains, like Bloomingdale's and Macy's, issue store charge cards and co-branded credit cards. Store charge cards can only be used at the issuing retailer, making it easier to spend now and pay later.

Another type of store credit card is designed to finance big purchases. These cards are often issued by electronics or home-improvement stores to grease the sale of expensive merchandise.

If you're considering a card like Apple Rewards Barclaycard, be aware that you'll be charged zero interest charges as long as you make a purchase within 30 days of opening the account and pay off the balance in full by the end of the 18-month period.

Some stores offer credit cards that reward customers for shopping at their locations. For example, American Eagle Outfitters offers a Visa card that earns 15 points per dollar spent at their stores, redeemable for rewards such as $10 coupons.

Other stores offer cards with special financing options, like Rooms To Go, which provides 60 months of interest-free financing on qualifying purchases. The Lowe's Advantage Card offers a 5% discount on all purchases from Lowe's, and also provides a 6-month special financing promotion if your purchase is at least $299.

Here are some examples of store-specific credit cards:

Synchrony's offers a wide range of store-specific credit cards, making it a popular choice for consumers.

Synchrony's has partnered with numerous retailers to offer co-branded credit cards, including American Eagle Outfitters, At Home, and Belk. These cards often come with rewards and benefits tailored to the specific store or brand.

Some of Synchrony's most popular cards include the American Eagle Outfitters Visa, At Home Mastercard, and Belk Rewards Mastercard. These cards offer various rewards and benefits, such as cash-back, discounts, and exclusive promotions.

Synchrony's also offers store-specific credit cards for retailers like Chevron and Texaco, Lowe's, and Sam's Club. These cards often come with rewards and benefits that can be used at the participating store.

Here are some examples of Synchrony's store-specific credit cards:

It's worth noting that Synchrony's has a large portfolio of store-specific credit cards, with over 100 retailers offering co-branded credit cards. This makes Synchrony's a popular choice for consumers who want to earn rewards and benefits at their favorite stores.

If you're looking for store-specific credit cards, Synchrony is a great place to start. They offer a wide range of cards for various retailers, making it easy to find one that suits your needs.

Some of the most popular Synchrony cards include the Amazon Store Card and the American Eagle Outfitters Store Card.

Synchrony also offers cards for big-box stores like Lowe's and Sam's Club, as well as specialty stores like Guitar Center and Musician's Friend.

You can find a comprehensive list of all Synchrony store cards below.

Some of these cards offer promotional offers, such as interest-free financing for a certain period of time. For example, the Rooms To Go credit card offers 60 months of interest-free financing.

American Eagle Outfitters offers a great rewards program with their credit card. You can earn 15 points per $1 spent at American Eagle or Aerie stores, which is a fantastic way to rack up rewards quickly.

All other purchases earn 5 points per $1, so it's a good idea to use this card for everyday expenses to accumulate points. Once you reach 2,500 points, you'll receive a $10 reward coupon to use towards future purchases with either brand.

Cardholders also get free standard shipping, a 20% off birthday coupon, a personal shopping day coupon, and special cardholder events. These perks can definitely make your shopping experience more enjoyable and convenient.

Belk offers a store card with three versions, but you have to meet spending thresholds to upgrade from the basic Belk Rewards card.

The Belk Rewards card earns 1 point per dollar at Belk and allows returns without a receipt, which is super convenient.

If you spend $600 in a calendar year, you get additional benefits like special savings offers.

With $1,500 in spending in a calendar year, you'll also get free shipping, quarterly "Pick Your Own Sales Days" that provide 20% off, and a 20% off coupon for your birthday.

Belk's store card is definitely worth considering if you shop there regularly, especially if you can reach those spending thresholds.

The Chevron and Texaco Visa cards are a great option for those who frequently fill up at Chevron or Texaco gas stations. You can earn 3 cents per gallon in fuel credits on purchases with Chevron and Texaco.

These cards also offer a unique perk - you can earn 10 cents per gallon in fuel credit when you spend $300 at other merchants each month.

If you're a heavy spender, you'll be happy to know that spending $1,000 at other merchants in a given month will get you a discount of 20 cents per gallon.

Lowe's offers a 5% discount on all purchases from their store. This discount is available to anyone who applies for and receives a Lowe's Advantage Card.

You can also choose to receive a 6-month special financing promotion if your purchase is at least $299. This means you won't have to pay any interest on your purchase for six months.

If your project will cost over $2,000, you'll be eligible for project financing. This can be a big help if you're planning a large home improvement project.

Lowe's also offers 2 business credit cards through Synchrony, which provide the same 5% discount as the Advantage Card. These cards are designed for business use and can be a great option if you're a business owner who frequently makes purchases at Lowe's.

American Express also provides a co-branded Lowe's card that provides a 5% discount at Lowe's, but can be used at other merchants as well.

The TJX Rewards card is a great option for frequent shoppers at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra Trading Post stores.

It earns 5X points per dollar spent at these stores, which can be redeemed for a $10 certificate for every 1,000 points earned.

The card is part of the Mastercard network, allowing you to use it at other merchants as well.

The store card version can only be used at TJX Companies stores, but both cards offer the same rewards benefits.

This card is a great choice for those who frequently shop at TJX stores, as the rewards can add up quickly.

The Kohl's Credit Card is an excellent option for those who shop frequently at Kohl's. It offers a 40% discount on your first purchase within 30 days, which is a significant savings opportunity.

If you have fair credit or better, you should consider applying for the Kohl's Credit Card. Cardholders also get 7.5% back in rewards on every qualifying purchase made at Kohl's, and there’s no annual fee to detract from all the savings.

However, be aware that the interest rate applicable to balances carried from billing period to billing period is very high. So, it's essential to pay in full by the due date each month to avoid any additional charges.

Overall, the Kohl's Credit Card is a great choice for those who want to save money while shopping at Kohl's, but it's crucial to be mindful of the potential interest rates.

Amazon offers a range of store credit cards that can help you maximize your rewards and savings. The Amazon Prime Store Card earns 5% cash-back on all purchases on Amazon, making it a great option for frequent Amazon shoppers. You must have an eligible Amazon Prime membership to receive the 5% cash-back.

The Amazon Store Card is another popular option, offering 5% back on purchases to cardholders with Amazon Prime, and all new cardholders get a $10 Amazon gift card upon approval for an account. However, you need to be a Prime member to get ongoing rewards, and the card's special financing offers include deferred interest.

For those with bad credit, the Amazon Secured Credit Card is a good choice, offering 2% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and more purchases for Prime members, with $0 membership fees. This card will also help you build credit if you pay the bill on time every month.

The Prime Visa is a solid choice for Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers, offering a welcome bonus of a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members, with no annual fee. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on Amazon, Whole Foods, and Chase Travel℠ purchases with a Prime Membership.

Using an online shopping portal is also a great way to maximize your rewards, especially when shopping on Amazon. By clicking through a portal like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Rakuten, you can earn bonus loyalty points in addition to your rewards credit card earnings.

If you have no credit or bad credit, you can still use Amazon's credit cards to rebuild your credit history. By using these cards responsibly for at least six months, you can improve your credit score and qualify for better credit cards in the future.

The Target Credit Card is a great option for frequent shoppers at Target. It offers 5% back on Target purchases, which can add up quickly.

The card also comes with free 2-day shipping for online orders and 30 extra days to make returns. This can be a huge convenience for those who shop online or prefer to have more time to return items.

Target also offers a Target Mastercard, which can be used anywhere, not just at Target stores. However, you'll need to have fair credit or better to qualify for this card.

One of the downsides of the Target Credit Card is its high interest rate for balances carried from month to month. So, it's essential to pay your balance in full each month to avoid any interest charges.

If you're a regular Target shopper and have fair credit or better, the Target Credit Card is definitely worth considering.

The Shell Gas Card is a great option for those who frequently fill up at Shell stations. It rewards cardholders with 50¢ per gallon on their first 5 Shell fuel purchases, saving them money upfront.

You can earn 10¢ per gallon in savings on each fill-up after the initial 5 purchases, which can add up over time. This card also offers 10% rebates on $1,200 in non-fuel Shell purchases per year.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can only use the Shell Gas Card at Shell gas stations, so it's not a versatile option for those who shop elsewhere.

The Jcpenney Mastercard is a great option for those who frequently shop at JCPenney. It offers 1.5 Cash Pass points per $1 spent on JCPenny purchases, up to 2,000 points on a single purchase.

You'll also earn 0.2 Cash Pass points per $1 spent on everything else. This makes it a versatile card for everyday purchases.

One of the best perks is the 35% off your first purchase, which is a nice discount to get you started.

Cardholders don't have to worry about paying an annual fee, which is a big plus.

If you're a Costco fan, you'll want to consider the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi. It earns cash back at the following rates: 4% on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging, 3% on restaurants and travel purchases, 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com, and 1% on all other eligible purchases.

The card's 4% return rate on gas stations and electric vehicle charges is particularly attractive, as you don't have to fill up at Costco to get this rate. You can earn 4% anywhere as long as you pay with this card.

The card also offers purchase protection and no foreign transaction fees, which can be a big plus for travelers. However, it's worth noting that the card doesn't come with a sign-up bonus at this time.

Here are the key benefits of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi at a glance:

The card's $0 annual fee makes it a free option, so you can keep it forever without worrying about extra costs.

The Costco Anywhere by Citi is a store-specific credit card that offers excellent rewards for frequent Costco shoppers. This card earns cash back at various rates, including 4% back on gas and electric vehicle charging, 3% back on restaurants and travel purchases, 2% back on all other Costco and Costco.com purchases, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.

The card's rewards structure is well-suited for Costco customers who spend a lot on gas, travel, dining, and Costco purchases. In fact, you can earn 4% back at gas stations and on electric vehicle charges, which is a great return rate. However, you'll need to spend up to $7,000 in a year to get the 4% rate, after which you'll earn 1%.

One of the benefits of the Costco Anywhere by Citi is that it comes with a $0 annual fee, making it a free card to keep forever. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to get approved for the card, and your rewards earnings are only paid out once per year.

Here's a breakdown of the card's rewards rates:

Sam's Club offers two versions of the Mastercard: a business and personal one. Both earn 5% cash-back on gas station purchases and 3% cash-back at restaurants.

The 5% cash-back at gas stations is limited to the first $6,000 spent. Additionally, a maximum of $5,000 in cash-back may be earned in total per calendar year.

The Sam's Club Mastercard can be used at any merchant that accepts Mastercard. A Sam's Club membership is required, and there is no annual fee for the card.

The Verizon Visa Rewards Card is a no-annual-fee card option that's perfect for Verizon Wireless customers. It earns Verizon Dollars that can be redeemed for any Verizon products or services.

Each Verizon dollar is equivalent to $1 in value, and there are no caps on earning or expiration dates. The rewards rate is quite strong, offering 4% back on gas and grocery purchases, 3% back on dining purchases, 2% back on Verizon purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases.

Cardholders receive up to $100 in wireless bill credits over 24 consecutive months for monthly bill payments, which breaks down to about $4.16 each month. You'll also be eligible for an auto-pay discount of $5 to $10 each month when you use your card to pay your Verizon bill, depending on the type of plan you have.

If you're looking to maximize your shopping rewards, consider using an online shopping portal. These portals award bonus loyalty points in their respective programs when you click through from the portal to a retailer's website.

Some credit cards, like the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, offer cash back on select U.S. streaming services, in addition to other rewards categories.

The Target Credit Card has a $0 annual fee and gives 5% back on Target purchases, making it a great option for frequent Target shoppers.

To get the most out of your store-specific credit card, be sure to read the terms of your card agreement and rules regarding the rewards. For example, rewards from L.L. Bean come in the form of coupons for savings only on Bean gear and apparel.

If you don't spend a lot of money in a particular store every year, you might find that you don't earn much in rewards. The JCPenney Mastercard, for instance, offers 1.5 Cash Pass points per $1 spent on JCPenny purchases, but points don't roll over or accumulate from one month to the next.

Some cards, like the Prime Visa, offer 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, making them a great option for frequent Amazon shoppers.

Here are some store-specific credit cards that offer great rewards:

Be sure to check the terms and conditions of your card to see how rewards are earned and redeemed.