Can I use my BrandSource Credit Card anywhere?

The best store credit card that can be used anywhere is the Amazon.com Credit Card. With this card you can earn 3 points per $1 spent at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and drug stores, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

What You Should Know Before Applying for a Store Credit Card

Store credit cards that can be used anywhere are known as open-loop cards. Usually, the traditional store cards can only be used for store-related purchases. However, retailers will sometimes offer a store card linked to a credit card network such as … read full answerMastercard or Visa.

Open-loop cards tend to have stricter requirements for approval than their store credit counterparts. You'll typically need good credit or better to qualify. These cards can also earn significant benefits when used outside of the store. At the same time, they still enjoy all the perks and discounts that come with in-store and online purchases.

Here are the best store credit cards that can be used anywhere:

The Amazon.com Credit Card offers $50 Amazon.com gift card upon approval ($100 for Prime members). Plus, you can earn 3 points per $1 spent at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and drug stores, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. The card has a $0 annual fee. It requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.

With the Costco Credit Card you can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas (up to $7,000 spent per year), 3% back on restaurants and travel, 2% back on Costco and Costco.com purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases. The card has a $0 annual fee with a paid Costco membership. It requires a credit score of 750, at a minimum. That means you need excellent credit for approval.

With the Walmart Credit Card you can earn 5% cash back in Walmart stores using Walmart Pay for the first 12 months, 5% back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% back at Walmart stores and fuel stations, 2% back on restaurant and travel purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases. The card has a $0 annual fee. It requires a credit score of 640, at a minimum. That means you need fair credit or better for approval.

The Sam's Club® Credit Card offers $30 statement credit after spending $30 in the first 30 days. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on gas (up to $6,000 spent per year), 3% back on dining, takeout and on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members, and 1% back on all other purchases (up to $5,000 earned in cash back rewards per year). The card comes with a $0 annual fee. It requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.

With the Nordstrom Credit Card you can receive a $40 Note when you make any purchase with Nordstrom. Plus, you can earn 1 - 2 points / $1. The card has a $0 annual fee. It requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.

With the Best Buy® Credit Card you can earn 2.5 points per $1 spent on Best Buy purchases, 1.5 points per $1 spent at gas stations, 1 point per $1 spent at restaurants, bars and grocery stores, and 0.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. The card comes with a $0 annual fee. It requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.

Store credit cards that can be used anywhere offer more flexibility than traditional store credit cards, but unless you want supplemented rewards at a specific store, you may still find more value with a general rewards card.

With the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer, for instance, you can earn 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay for those purchases). Alternatively, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card gives 3% cash back in a category of your choice and 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 spent quarterly), plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, it offers $200 for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

The best home improvement credit card is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it offers an introductory APR of 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases and gives unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Wells Fargo Active Cash also offers $200 cash rewards after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. By using this card for home improvements, you’ll have over a year to pay back a costly project and will recoup some of the expense through rewards.… read full answer

Best Home Improvement Credit Card

If you’re looking to buy everything in one place, the best home improvement store credit cards are the Lowe's Store Card (5% discount on every purchase at Lowe’s) and the Home Depot® Credit Card ( 0% deferred interest for 6 - 18 months).

If you choose to go with a store-branded home improvement credit card, beware of deferred interest. While it might let you go a long time without paying interest, it’s dangerous. You only owe no interest if you pay in full by the end of the 0% APR period. If you don’t pay in full, you owe all the interest you would have been charged during the intro period if the regular APR had been in place.