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

No, you can’t use store credit cards anywhere. They only work at the merchants they’re connected with. For example, the Target Credit Card, is solely for Target purchases. It’s not always one retailer, though. If multiple brands are owned by the same parent company, you should be able to use any one of their store cards for purchases from all of the brands. For instance, you can use the store version of the Old Navy Credit Card at Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta in addition to Old Navy. And you can use the Amazon.com Store Card at Hoot.com, Audible.com, Comixology.com along with other Amazon products and services.… read full answer

What’s confusing is that some credit cards are affiliated with specific retailers but qualify as co-branded cards, not store cards. The difference is that a co-branded credit card belongs to a card network: Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. And it can be used anywhere that network is accepted. So if your card doesn’t have a network logo on it, it’s a store credit card.

Here’s why you can’t use store credit cards anywhere:

• Store credit cards can only be used at the retailers they’re affiliated with, which may include more than one merchant.
• The fact that store cards have limited acceptance is part of the reason they’re easier to get, generally requiring just fair credit for approval.
• Store cards are not the same as co-branded cards. Co-branded cards are associated with a particular company or organization but also belong to one of the four major card networks. So you can use them anywhere that accepts credit cards.
• The visual difference between store cards and co-branded cards is that co-branded cards feature the logo of a credit card network (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) while store cards do not.

Many retailers actually offer two versions of their cards: one co-branded and another store-only. And there’s often just one application. The issuing bank decides which one you get, if any, based on your credit standing. You’ll generally need good credit or better to get a co-branded card. The Best Buy® Credit Card, for instance, requires good credit or better (700+), but those with at least fair credit (640+) may qualify for the Best Buy® Store Card. You can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub.

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card networks. Visa credit cards can be used at 44 million merchant locations in more than 200 countries and territories. Mastercard credit cards are accepted at 37 million merchant locations in more than 210 countries and territories.

Mastercard is accepted in more countries than Visa, yet roughly 7 million more merchants worldwide take Visa. Both have a claim to the title of most widely accepted credit card as a result. Visa also is the most widely used type of credit card.… read full answer

There isn’t a single credit card that’s most widely accepted, however, because there are hundreds of Mastercard and Visa credit card offers available.

Most Widely Accepted Credit Cards:

• Most Widely Accepted Internationally: Mastercard (210+ countries and territories); Visa (200+).
• Most Widely Accepted in the U.S.: Visa and Mastercard are both accepted at a little less than 11 million U.S. merchant locations.
• Least Widely Accepted Internationally: American Express (160+ countries and territories); Discover (185+).
• Least Widely Accepted in the U.S.: American Express (8.5 million locations). This includes the 1.6 million U.S. merchants American Express added in 2017.
• Most Widely Used: Visa has the most credit cards in circulation (about 838 million). American Express has the highest purchase volume, at $14,480 per cardholder annually.
• Best Worldwide Credit Cards: Visa or Mastercard credit cards with no foreign transaction fee.

The difference between Visa and Mastercard acceptance is slight. Either should suit your needs almost anywhere in the world. But if you plan on traveling internationally, be sure your Mastercard or Visa credit card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. That will save you up to 3% on every purchase you make abroad.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that store cards are the least widely accepted credit cards. They don’t belong to any of the four major card networks. So, they can only be used at their affiliated retailers.

Yes, you can use a Best Buy® Credit Card anywhere. And the same goes for the Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card. But the Best Buy Store Card can only be used at Best Buy.

The only difference between the Best Buy® Credit Card and the Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card is that the former comes with a $0 annual fee, while the latter charges $59 per year. Your creditworthiness will determine which of the two you get approved for. Both cards offer the same rewards, which include 2.5 points / $1 (5% back) at Best Buy along with 10% back in rewards (5 points per $1 spent) on your first day of purchases made within the first 14 days.… read full answer

Here’s where you can use a Best Buy® Credit Card:

• The Best Buy Store Card can only be used at Best Buy.
• The Best Buy® Credit Card and Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card can be used anywhere that accepts Visa.
• All three cards offer 2.5 points / $1 (5% back in rewards) at Best Buy, and 6% for Best Buy Elite Plus members. Best Buy Elite Plus membership is awarded after spending $3,500 in a calendar year.
• The Best Buy® Credit Card and Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card offer 10% back in rewards (5 points per $1 spent) on your first day of purchases made within the first 14 days.
• The Best Buy® Credit Card and Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card offer 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.

You can use your Best Buy® Credit Card and Best Buy® Gold Visa Credit Card pretty much anywhere as Visa is widely accepted internationally. However, using the Best Buy Store Card is restricted to Best Buy. Regardless of where you use your Best Buy credit cards, you’re still going to get the most bang for your buck at Best Buy. You earn rewards at a higher rate, and those rewards are only redeemable for Best Buy gift certificates.

If rewards on gas and restaurants are what you’re looking for, the PenFed Platinum Rewards offers 5 points / $1 spent on gas purchases. And the Capital One SavorOne gives you 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. And they can both be used anywhere.