What are the best store credit cards that can be used anywhere?

The best store credit cards that can be used anywhere include the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card, which earns 3% cash back for each dollar you spend on Amazon.com. The Costco Anywhere Visa gets you 2% cash back per $1 spent on Costco and Costco.com purchases.

Store credit cards that can be used anywhere are known as co-branded, or open-loop cards. In addition to its traditional store cards, which can only be used for store-related purchases, retailers will offer a store card linked to a credit card network such as Mastercard or Visa. Co-branded credit cards are issued by banks that include Comenity, Synchrony, Citi, and Chase.

Co-branded store credit 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:

• Best for online purchases: Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card. 3% back per $1 spent on Amazon.com/. 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores. Prime members get 5% back on Amazon.com purchases. No annual fee.
• Best for wholesale club purchases: Costco Anywhere Visa. Get 4% cash back per $1 spent on gas purchases, up to $7,000 a year, at Costco and other gas stations. Earn 3% on restaurant and travel purchases, and 2% back on purchases at Costco and Costco.com. No annual fee with a paid Costco membership.
• Best for gas purchases: Sam's Club MasterCard. Earn 5% back per $1 spent on gas purchases at Sam’s Club and other gas stations, up to $6000 a year. 3% on dining and travel purchases. No annual fee.
• Best for high-end shopping: Nordstrom Visa Signature Card. Receive a $40 store credit when you spend $100 at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, or HauteLook the day you're approved. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on in-store and online purchases. No annual fee.
• Best for electronics purchases: My Best Buy Visa. 5% cash back per $1 spent on Best Buy purchases (6% for Elite Plus members); 2% cash back on dining out and grocery purchases; 1% on all other purchases. No annual fee.

Store credit cards that can be used anywhere offer more flexibility than traditional store credit cards, but you may still find better and more value with a general rewards card.

The Citi Double Cash card earns 2% on all purchases; 1% when you buy, and an additional 1% when you pay. The Bank of America Cash Rewards card earns 2% per $1 spent at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 3% on gas purchases. There’s also a $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 in the first 90 days.