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.com Credit Card, which earns 3 points per $1 spent at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and drug stores, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. And Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi gets you 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco and Costco.com purchases, 1% on all other purchases.

Store credit cards that can be used anywhere are known as co-branded, or open-loop cards. In addition to their traditional store cards, which can only be used for store-related purchases, retailers will sometimes 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.com Credit Card.
  $50 Amazon.com gift card upon approval ($100 for Prime members). 3 points per $1 spent at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and drug stores, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 annual fee. Requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.
• Best for wholesale club purchases: Costco Credit Card.
  Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco and Costco.com purchases, 1% on all other purchases. $0 annual fee with a paid Costco membership. Requires a credit score of 750, at a minimum. That means you need excellent credit for approval.
• Best for grocery shopping and everyday purchases: Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
  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. $0 annual fee. Requires a credit score of 640, at a minimum. That means you need fair credit or better for approval.
• Best for gas purchases: Sam's Club® Credit Card.
  $30 statement credit for making a purchase of $30 in the first 30 days. 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). $0 annual fee. Requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.
• Best for high-end shopping: Nordstrom Credit Card.
  Receive a $60 Note when you make any purchase with Nordstrom. Earn 1 - 3 points / $1. $0 annual fee. . Requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.
• Best for electronics purchases: Best Buy® Credit Card.
  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. $0 annual fee. 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 better and more value with a general rewards card.

The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer earns 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay for those purchases). And Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card earns 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.