[UPDATE: Some offers mentioned below have expired and/or are no longer available on our site. You can view the current offers from our partners in our credit card marketplace. DISCLOSURE: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
Are you someone who spends plenty of time and money shopping? Maybe you have a large family and you’re constantly stocking up on staples. Or perhaps you really like to shop for the latest and greatest, but you like to find the best deals too, including the best credit card to use.
If this sounds like you, you may want to consider a store credit card. The right store credit card will offer lucrative rewards, coupons, discounts and other benefits for frequent shoppers including cash back for purchases made at that particular store or chain. Furthermore, store credit cards don’t require a credit score as high as some other types of credit cards. The drawback? Store credit cards tend to have higher standard interest rates than non-store cards.
Let’s dive into some of the best store credit cards on the market, and then we’ll take a look at how they compare to some non-store rewards cards that can give you good rewards for all your spending.
1. Target REDCard
This giant discount retailer sells everything from sporting goods to groceries, and offers 5% off of most items purchased from Target with the store’s REDCard. (Exceptions include prescription pharmaceuticals and gift cards.) Other benefits include free shipping of online purchases and an extra 30 days for returns. There is no annual fee and the standard interest rate is a variable 23.15%.
2. Lowe’s Consumer Credit Card
If your shopping list is heavy on lumber, tools, appliances and the like, then you’ll want to take a look at the Lowe’s Consumer Credit Card. It features 5% off most purchases or your choice of promotional financing offers. The standard interest rate for this card is 24.99% and it has no annual fee.
3. Kohl’s Charge Card
Kohl’s charge card applicants get a 20% discount on their first purchase. In addition, a 15% off coupon will arrive in the mail with the new card, plus 12 more discounts of 30%, 20% or 15% every year. Those who spend $600 a year or more at Kohl’s stores will become a Most Valued Customer (MVC) and receive at least 18 discounts a year. One caveat: Kohl’s discounts and coupons are not valid for some of the products they sell. There is no annual fee for this card and the standard interest rate is a variable 24.24%.
4. Macy’s Credit Card
This department store credit card offers new applicants a 20% discount on purchases for a maximum of $100 in savings for the day you’re approved and the following day. Other benefits include Macy’s Star Pass discounts and regular coupons in the mail. This card has a variable 24.75% APR and no annual fee.
Non-Store Rewards Cards Can Pay Off Too
Store credit cards can offer valuable rewards, but so can standard credit cards. Here are two cards that frequent shoppers can make the most of.
1. American Express Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred
The Everyday version of the Blue Cash card offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent each year, 2% cash back at U.S. department stores and gas stations and 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no annual fee. See
The Preferred version features 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent each year (then 1%), 3% cash back at U.S.gas stations and 1% cash back on all other purchases. However, the Preferred card has a $95 annual fee.
2. U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Credit Card
This card offers 5% cash back on up to $2,000 spent in combined purchases each quarter on two different categories that you can choose. Eligible categories include clothing stores, electronic stores, department stores and sporting goods. In addition, cardholders can choose to receive 2% cash back on either gas, groceries or restaurants. All purchases outside of these categories earn 1% cash back. There is no annual fee and it carries a variable 13.24% to 24.24% APR based on your creditworthiness.
With the right card, frequent shoppers can get rewarded for their spending. The key is to take a close look at where you shop and how much you shop to determine which rewards will pay off most for you. Before you apply for any credit cards, you should know where your credit stands so you can understand how a new card would impact you. You can check your credit scores for free every month on Credit.com.
At publishing time, the American Express Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for this card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
Image: Creatas