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When you shop regularly at Staples or office supply stores, a store credit card might seem like an easy way to earn rewards and get discounts. But like any credit card, the Staples credit card comes with tradeoffs worth understanding before you apply.
The Staples credit card is a store-branded card issued by Staples that you can use for purchases at Staples locations and online. Store cards are different from general-purpose credit cards (like Visa or Mastercard) because they only work at that retailer or a small network of affiliated stores.
Staples has offered different credit card products over time, and the available options and terms can change. If you're considering applying, you'll want to verify current offerings directly—terms like interest rates, annual fees, and rewards structures vary and are updated regularly.
| Factor | Store Card | General Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can use it | Staples and affiliated retailers | Accepted virtually anywhere |
| Rewards structure | Usually tied to specific store categories | Rewards often flexible across many merchants |
| Interest rates | Often higher, especially for deferred interest offers | Variable, but typically competitive |
| Annual fees | Frequently none, but check the terms | Common on premium cards; absent on many standard cards |
| Credit building | Reported to credit bureaus (if managed well) | Reported to credit bureaus (if managed well) |
Store cards typically advertise rewards or deferred-interest promotions to attract shoppers. These might include:
These offers sound appealing, but the important distinction: deferred-interest promotions charge significant interest retroactively if you don't pay off the full balance by the deadline. This is very different from a promotional 0% APR card that extends your payment window without penalty.
Store credit cards often carry higher standard APRs than general-purpose cards, especially for consumers with fair or limited credit history. This matters most if you carry a balance month-to-month.
If you plan to pay off your balance in full each month, the APR is irrelevant. If you expect to carry a balance, compare the standard APR to what you'd pay on another card you could qualify for—the difference can be substantial over time.
A store card can make sense if:
A store card is usually not the best choice if:
Applying for any credit card triggers a hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. The new account will also lower your average account age over time, though this effect diminishes as the account matures.
On the positive side: store cards reported to credit bureaus help build credit history if you use them responsibly (pay on time, keep balances low). On the negative side: store cards count toward your total available credit, which affects your credit utilization ratio.
The right decision depends entirely on your shopping habits, credit goals, and what other cards you have access to. Take time to compare before applying. 💳
