How to Choose a Department Store Credit Card
When choosing a department store credit card, look for a card with an appealing intro offer, ongoing cardholder perks and few fees. Department store cards may offer unparalleled benefits to loyal shoppers, and may be easier to qualify for than a general purpose credit card—but don't assume a store card is always the best choice. In some cases, a general rewards card or card with a low interest rate might be a better option.
Choosing a Department Store Card
Department store cards are co-branded credit cards offered by department stores and card issuers. Similar to other types of retail credit cards, department store cards come in two varieties:
- Closed-loop cards: You'll only be able to use a closed-loop card at the department store that offers the card. However, if the department store has multiple brands, you may be able to use the card at all of its locations.
- Open-loop cards: This card will have a payment network logo on it, such as Visa or Mastercard. You can use these cards at any store that accepts cards from that network.
Many department stores offer both closed- and open-loop cards. An open-loop card will offer the most flexibility, and may even offer more rewards since you can earn benefits wherever you shop. However, you may find it's easier to get approved for a closed-loop card.
What to Consider Before Getting a Department Store Card
Choosing the right card will depend on your financial situation and lifestyle. There are a lot of features and fees to compare, and with department store cards, you may want to examine four areas in particular:
Interest Rates
Rewards cards can save you money, but also tend to have a higher annual percentage rate (APR), which makes carrying a balance more expensive. It's often best to opt for a low-interest credit card rather than a rewards card if you frequently carry a balance. This is even more important with closed-loop department store cards, which may have higher APRs than general purpose rewards cards.
Best credit cards of 2026
Compare cards from our partners with intro bonuses, cash back or points offers, and annual fees as low as $0.
Offers from our partners
Citi Double Cash® Card
Intro APR:0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Discover it® Chrome
Intro bonus:INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 6 Months on Purchases and 0% intro APR for 18 Months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1% - 2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Revel® Platinum Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.90% Fixed
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$75 - $125
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Intro APR:0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases
Ongoing APR:16.49% - 27.24% (Variable)
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
American Express Platinum Card®
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Ongoing APR:See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards:1x - 5x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$895
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Intro bonus:Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:2% (Cash Rewards)
Annual Fee:$0
Discover it® Cash Back
Intro bonus:INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:29.99%*
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
The opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Ongoing APR:23.89% Variable
Rewards:10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$35
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 6% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Intro APR:0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0*
Credit One Bank® Secured Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:1x - 10x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$95
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Ongoing APR:18.74% - 26.74% (Variable)
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:Introductory fee of $75 for the first year. After that, $99 annually.*
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:3x - 7x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:2x - 6x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$650
Discover it® Miles
Intro bonus:UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match. You could turn 35,000 Miles into 70,000 Miles.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1.5x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Credit One Bank® Premier American Express® Unlimited Rewards Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 175,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:2x - 6x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$250
PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card
Ongoing APR:See Rates & Fees
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:See Rates & Fees
One Key™ Card
Intro bonus:Limited Time Offer: Earn $300 in OneKeyCash™ after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia®, Hotels.com® and Vrbo®. To learn more, please refer to the One Key Terms and Conditions at www.expedia.com/one-key-terms.
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1.5x - 3x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard® - With A Higher Credit Limit
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$125*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75*
See all our best credit cards for 2026.
Fees
Regardless of whether you carry a balance, you may have to pay fees to keep and use a credit card. You may be charged an annual fee, as well as fees for late payments, cash advances and balance transfers. You can avoid the latter three by making your payments on time and only using your card for purchases. Some cards don't charge an annual fee, but those that do may offer more rewards or benefits. Compare the annual fee to the card's benefits to see if it may be worth paying.
Cardholder Benefits and Rewards
Department store credit cards sometimes offer a variety of benefits to cardholders, such as:
- Free shipping on eligible orders
- Discounts on purchases
- Early access to sales
- Birthday surprises or coupons
You may also be able to earn rewards in the store's loyalty program by using your card for purchases.
The value of the rewards can vary depending on the program, as can the rules for how and when you can redeem rewards and whether they expire. If you're not already familiar with the store's rewards program, review the terms to make sure you don't overvalue the rewards or let your rewards go unused.
Introductory Offers
Many department store cards offer an intro bonus or coupon for new cardholders. These can be enticing, particularly when you have a full basket and are ready to pay. However, non-store cards also offer intro bonuses, and some of those may be even bigger.
Department store cards and general purpose cards also sometimes have introductory interest rates, such 0% APR on your purchases during a promotional period. Carefully read the fine print on these offers and make sure you understand the APR you'll be charged once the promotional period ends.
With general purpose cards, your remaining balance will usually start to accrue interest at your standard rate after the promotional period ends. However, store cards may have a deferred interest promotion, meaning you'll have to pay all of the interest that would have accrued if you don't pay off the balance by the end of the promotional period.
When Getting a Department Store Credit Card Makes Sense
A department store credit card could make sense if you're making a large purchase and the card has a promotional interest offer or you'll receive a big discount. But the cards are probably best for people who frequent the store.
If you're a loyal shopper, you can benefit from extra savings, increased rewards on purchases, special discounts and the other perks the card offers. Don't let opening a store card keep you from comparison shopping, though. Even after accounting for the perks, the same purchase might be cheaper at a different store.
Can I Get a Department Store Card With Bad Credit?
It may be easier to get approved for a department store card than a general purpose card, particularly if you apply for a closed-loop card. If you're new to credit or rebuilding your credit, one of these cards could be a stepping stone even if you don't frequent the store.
Alternatively, you can look for a secured card. With a secured credit card, you provide the card issuer a security deposit, which becomes your credit limit. Some secured cards have high fees and, similar to store cards, may have high interest rates.
Know that applying for a department store card could initially hurt your credit, as the application will lead to a hard inquiry on your credit report. However, if you make your payments on time and keep your balance low, the card could help your credit in the long run.
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About the author
Louis DeNicola
Louis DeNicola is freelance personal finance and credit writer who works with Fortune 500 financial services firms, FinTech startups, and non-profits to teach people about money and credit. His clients include BlueVine, Discover, LendingTree, Money Management International, U.S News and Wirecutter.
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