The best store credit cards to build credit with are the Amazon Store Card (5% back on Amazon.com with a Prime membership) and the Target Credit Card (5% back at Target and Target.com). Both require just fair credit (640+ credit score) for approval. And like all major store credit cards, they report to the three major credit bureaus every month. That will help you build credit history. But keep in mind that store cards can only be used at the retailer they’re affiliated with.… read full answer
Unfortunately, you need at least a fair credit score to be approved for most store credit cards. If you have bad or limited credit, your options are slim. In fact, the only real “store card” for limited or bad credit is the Fingerhut credit account, which you can only use at the online retailer Fingerhut. As a result, you might be better off expanding your search beyond store credit cards to include secured credit cards and general-purpose credit cards for people with limited or bad credit. Then when you reach fair credit, you can accelerate your credit building and maximize your savings with a store credit card from your favorite retailer.
Here are the best store credit cards to build credit with:
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Best bad-credit store card: Fingerhut Credit Account. No rewards. Only usable at the online retailer Fingerhut. No annual fee. Bad/limited credit accepted.
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Best for shopping online: Amazon.com Store Card. 5% back on Amazon purchases with a Prime membership. $10 Amazon gift card after approval. 0% deferred interest for 6-24 months on purchases. No annual fee. Fair credit needed.
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Best department store card: Target Credit Card. 5% off Target and Target.com purchases. Free 2-day shipping at Target.com. Extended 30-day returns. No annual fee. Fair credit needed.
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Best clothing store card: TJX Store Card. 10% off your first purchase in-store or online. 5 points per $1 at T.J. Maxx, tjmaxx.com, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading Post and sierratradingpost.com. No annual fee. Fair credit needed.
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Best office supply store card: Staples Credit Card. 5% back in rewards on Staples purchases. Free next-day delivery on $50+ orders. $2 in rewards for recycled ink cartridges up to 20 times per month. $20-$25 off printing and technical services each year. 0% deferred interest for 6-18 months on purchases. No annual fee. Fair credit needed.
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Best home maintenance store card: Lowe’s Store Card. 5% off Lowe’s purchases or 0%-7.99% deferred interest for 6-84 months. No annual fee. Fair credit needed.
Some of the best store credit cards to build credit with have “deferred interest.” Don’t confuse this with a normal 0% offer, where you only owe interest on the balance remaining after your intro periods ends. With deferred interest, you must pay off your entire balance by the end of the promotional period. If you don’t, you owe interest at the card’s regular APR from the date of purchase instead.
It’s also good to note that many stores offer co-branded credit cards. These are cards you can use everywhere, not just at the store. But they require at least good credit, so you’ll have to build some credit before you can qualify.
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