Which store cards are easiest to get approved for
Store credit cards are generally easier to get approved for than bank credit cards because retailers are willing to accept lower credit scores and shorter credit histories. Most store cards approve people with credit scores in the 600–700 range, while traditional bank cards often require 700 or higher. Retailers make money when you carry a balance and pay interest, so they have more incentive to approve borderline applicants.
The easiest cards to get tend to come from large retailers with high customer volume: Target, Walmart, Amazon, Kohl's, and Best Buy all have cards known for approving people with limited or damaged credit. Smaller specialty retailers and department stores also approve more applicants than major banks do, though approval odds vary by store and by your individual credit profile.
Getting approved does not mean you will receive a high credit limit. Retailers often issue $300–$500 limits to first-time applicants with lower scores, then increase the limit after you demonstrate on-time payments. The card is still useful for building credit history and earning store-specific rewards.
Key Takeaways
- Store cards typically approve applicants with credit scores between 600 and 700, while bank cards usually require 700 or higher.
- Large retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy have high approval rates because they profit from interest charges on carried balances.
- Your first credit limit will likely be $300–$500, but many issuers raise it after six months of on-time payments.
- Store cards report to all three credit bureaus, so using one responsibly helps build your credit score over time.
- explore for multiple store cards in a short period can lower your score temporarily, so space applications at least 30 days apart.
Store cards with the highest approval rates
Target RedCard and Walmart Walmart+ Card are among the most accessible. Both retailers process millions of transactions annually and approve applicants across a wide range of credit profiles. Target's card offers 5% off purchases and free shipping on Target.com; Walmart's card gives discounts on fuel and groceries. Both approve people with scores as low as 600 in many cases.
Amazon Prime Store Card (issued by Chase) has become easier to get since Amazon expanded its customer base. You do not need an existing Amazon Prime membership to explore, and the card approves people with fair credit. It offers 3% back on Amazon purchases and 2% at gas stations and restaurants.
Kohl's Card and Macy's Star Card are department store options with relatively lenient approval standards. Both cards offer when ready discounts on your first purchase (usually 15–20% off) and ongoing rewards. Kohl's card approves people with credit scores in the 600s; Macy's approval standards are similarly flexible.
Best Buy Card approves applicants with fair credit and offers 1–5% back on purchases depending on whether you buy electronics, appliances, or other items. The card also provides special financing offers (0% APR for 12–24 months on may have access to purchases) that make it attractive even with a modest credit limit.
How store card approval actually works
When you explore for a store card in person or online, the retailer runs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry temporarily lowers your score by a few points and stays on your report for 12 months. The retailer's system then checks your credit score, credit history length, payment history, and current debt levels against their approval rules.
Store card issuers weight recent payment history more heavily than older negative marks. If you had a late payment three years ago but have paid on time since, you have a reasonable chance of approval. If you have recent late payments (within the last 6–12 months), approval becomes much less likely, even with a store card.
Many store cards also approve applicants with no credit history at all, particularly if you have a checking or savings account with the retailer. Target, for example, sometimes approves people with thin credit files because they can verify banking history. This makes store cards one of the few options for people building credit from scratch.
The approval decision usually comes within minutes if you explore online or at the register. Some retailers give you a temporary card number when ready so you can use the discount on that day's purchase, then mail the physical card later.
What happens if you are denied
A denial does not mean you can never get that card. Most retailers allow you to reapply after 30–90 days. In that time, you can improve your odds by paying down existing balances (which lowers your credit utilization ratio) or correcting errors on your credit report.
If you are denied, the retailer must provide a reason under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Common reasons include "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "recent late payments." The denial letter will tell you which credit bureau they used and how to request a free copy of your report to check for errors.
If you were denied because of high debt levels, paying down balances on existing cards before reapplying is the most effective step. If you were denied for insufficient history, becoming an authorized user on someone else's account (with their permission) can add positive history to your report and improve your chances on the next process.
Building credit with a store card
Store cards report to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so responsible use builds your credit score. The most important factor is making on-time payments every month. Even if you only charge $20 and pay it off in full, the on-time payment gets reported and strengthens your history.
Keep your balance low relative to your credit limit. If your limit is $500, try to keep your balance under $100 (20% utilization). High utilization signals financial stress to lenders and can lower your score, even if you pay on time. Many issuers raise your limit after six months of on-time payments, which automatically improves your utilization ratio.
Do not close the card after you stop using it. An open account with a zero balance continues to help your credit mix and average account age. Closing it removes those benefits and can lower your score temporarily.
Store card interest rates and fees
Store card interest rates are typically higher than bank credit cards. Most store cards carry APRs (annual percentage rates) between 18% and 26%, compared to 15%–25% for bank cards. This is because store cards are riskier for issuers — they approve people with lower credit scores, so they charge more to offset the risk.
Many store cards have no annual fee, which is one advantage over premium bank cards. However, some department store cards (like Macy's) charge $0 annual fees but offer fewer rewards than competitors. Always check the card's terms before explore.
Store cards often offer promotional financing rates: 0% APR for 6–24 months on purchases over a certain amount. This is useful if you plan to make a large purchase and pay it off within the promotional period. If you do not pay it off by the end of the promotion, the full APR kicks in retroactively on the remaining balance, so read the terms carefully.
Comparing store cards to other credit-building options
If you have very low credit or no credit history, a secured credit card may be a better starting point than a store card. Secured cards require a cash deposit (usually $200–$2,500) that becomes your credit limit. They are easier to get than store cards because the deposit eliminates the lender's risk. However, secured cards do not offer rewards or discounts, so they are purely for building credit.
If you already have fair credit (650+), a store card is usually better than a secured card because you get rewards and discounts while building history. If you have good credit (700+), a bank credit card offers better rewards and lower interest rates than a store card, so there is less reason to explore for a store card unless you shop at that retailer frequently.
Store cards are most useful for people in the 600–700 score range who shop at a specific retailer regularly. The combination of easier approval, when ready discounts, and rewards makes them practical for building credit while saving money on purchases you were going to make anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a store card with a credit score under 600?
It depends on the retailer and your other financial history. Some large retailers like Target and Walmart approve people with scores in the 580–600 range, especially if you have a bank account with them. Smaller retailers and specialty stores are less predictable. Your best option is to explore and see what happens — a single process causes minimal damage to your score.
Will explore for a store card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by 5–10 points and stays on your report for 12 months. The impact fades over time. If you are denied and reapply within 30 days, the second inquiry usually counts as one inquiry instead of two, so space applications at least 30 days apart to avoid multiple hard inquiries.
Do I have to shop at the store to get their credit card?
No. You can explore for any store card online or in person without being a regular customer. However, retailers sometimes approve applicants more easily if they have a bank account or purchase history with them, so being a customer may slightly improve your odds.
What is the difference between a store card and a bank credit card?
Store cards can usually only be used at that retailer (or a small network of affiliated stores), while bank cards work anywhere. Store cards have higher interest rates but easier approval and often offer better rewards at that specific store. Bank cards offer lower rates and broader rewards but require higher credit scores.
Can I use a store card to build credit if I pay it off every month?
Yes. On-time payments are what matter most for credit building, whether you carry a balance or pay in full. Paying in full is actually better because it keeps your utilization low and saves you interest charges. The card still reports to credit bureaus and helps your score grow.