Store Cards guides

A store credit card carries a retailer's brand, and it is for you if you shop regularly with that retailer and will pay the balance in full each month. Some store cards are closed-loop and work only at that store or its family of brands; others are co-branded Visa, Mastercard or American Express cards you can use anywhere, usually with higher rewards at the retailer.

Compare the discount or rewards at the store with what a general cash back card would pay you there, and check the APR, which on many store cards is higher than on general-purpose cards. Read promotional financing offers closely: many store cards use deferred interest, which means that if you do not pay the full promotional balance by the deadline, interest is charged back to the purchase date. A store card with a low limit can also push up your credit utilization.

Read are store credit cards worth it before you apply at checkout. For examples, compare the Target RedCard with the Amazon Prime Visa, and see how credit card APR works.