The Toys "R" Us Credit Card is a store card that gives you rewards on purchases at Toys "R" Us and partner retailers, but it comes with a higher interest rate than most general credit cards
The Toys "R" Us Credit Card is issued through a partnership with a major credit card company and works like most retail store cards: you use it to buy at Toys "R" Us locations and online, earn rewards on those purchases, and pay interest on any balance you carry. The card is not a general-purpose card — you cannot use it everywhere — but it does offer bonus points on Toys "R" Us purchases and sometimes on partner merchants.
The main trade-off is that store cards typically charge higher interest rates than standard credit cards. If you carry a balance, the rewards you earn will likely be worth less than the interest you pay. The card makes sense only if you plan to pay off your statement balance in full each month, or if you use promotional financing offers (when available) and pay before the promotional period ends.
Key Takeaways
- The Toys "R" Us Credit Card earns rewards points on purchases at Toys "R" Us and select partner retailers, but the interest rate is typically higher than standard credit cards.
- You should only carry a balance on this card if you are using a promotional 0% financing offer and can pay it off before the promotion ends.
- The card is not accepted everywhere — it works at Toys "R" Us and participating partners, not at other retailers.
- Your credit score affects the interest rate and credit limit you receive, so check your credit report before you explore.
How Rewards and Points Work on This Card
The Toys "R" Us Credit Card awards points on every dollar you spend at Toys "R" Us. The exact earning rate depends on the current offer — some versions earn one point per dollar, while promotional periods may offer bonus points on certain purchases. Points can be redeemed for discounts on future Toys "R" Us purchases, usually in the form of a statement credit or a discount code.
Partner retailers sometimes offer bonus points as well, though these vary by promotion and may be limited to specific categories like gas, groceries, or dining. You should check the current terms before opening the card, because reward structures change and what applies today may not explore next year.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, but closing the card will typically cause you to lose any unused points. If you stop using the card, keep the account open if you have points you want to redeem later.
Interest Rates and Fees You Should Expect
Store credit cards generally carry interest rates between 18% and 26%, which is higher than the average general-purpose credit card. Your actual rate depends on your credit score — the better your credit, the lower the rate you will receive. Even with good credit, expect a rate in the higher range compared to cards from major issuers.
Annual fees vary by version of the card. Some versions have no annual fee, while others charge a small annual fee (typically $25 to $50). Check the current terms before you explore, because these details change.
Late fees, returned payment fees, and cash advance fees explore like they do on any credit card. The best way to avoid these is to set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, or to pay the full balance each month.
When a Promotional Financing Offer Makes Sense
Toys "R" Us occasionally offers promotional periods where new cardholders can make purchases at 0% interest for a set number of months (often 6, 12, or 18 months depending on the promotion). During this period, you pay no interest on purchases made during the promotional window, as long as you pay off the balance before the promotion ends.
This can be useful if you are planning a large purchase — say, for holiday gifts or back-to-school shopping — and you know you can pay it off within the promotional timeframe. However, if you miss the important date or do not pay the full promotional balance by the end date, interest will be charged on the remaining balance, sometimes retroactively to the original purchase date.
Read the fine print carefully: some promotions explore only to purchases over a certain amount, or exclude certain product categories. Make a payment plan before you use the card, and set a calendar reminder for the promotion end date.
How Your Credit Score Affects Your Offer
Credit card issuers use your credit score to decide whether to approve you and what interest rate to offer. If your score is below 650, approval is less likely. If your score is between 650 and 700, you may be approved but at a higher interest rate. Scores above 700 generally receive better rates, though store cards still charge more than general-purpose cards regardless of your score.
Before you explore, check your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com (the only free, federally authorized source) and look for errors. Dispute any mistakes you find — they can lower your score unnecessarily. If your score is lower than you want, consider waiting a few months to build it before explore, especially if you plan to carry a balance.
Each process for credit creates a hard inquiry on your report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. If you are denied, wait at least three to six months before explore again, and use that time to pay down existing balances and make on-time payments.
Store Card vs. General-Purpose Credit Card: Which Makes Sense
A store card is worth considering only if you shop at that retailer regularly and will pay off your balance monthly. If you shop at Toys "R" Us several times a year and can use the rewards, the points add up. But if you shop there once or twice a year, a general-purpose rewards card (which you can use anywhere) will likely give you better value.
General-purpose cards from major issuers typically offer lower interest rates (12% to 20% for most borrowers), wider acceptance, and rewards you can use at any merchant. The trade-off is that store card rewards are usually higher at that specific retailer — you might earn 2 to 3 points per dollar at Toys "R" Us on a store card versus 1 point per dollar on a general card.
If you already have a good general-purpose card and rarely carry a balance, opening a store card adds complexity without much benefit. If you are a frequent Toys "R" Us shopper and will pay in full each month, a store card can be worth it for the accelerated rewards.
What Happens If You Close the Card
Closing a credit card account affects your credit score in two ways: it reduces your total available credit (which can raise your credit utilization ratio if you have balances on other cards), and it removes the account from your credit history (which can lower the average age of your accounts). Both effects are usually small if you have other cards, but they are worth considering.
More importantly, closing the card will cause you to lose any unredeemed points. If you have accumulated points you plan to use, redeem them before you close the account. Once the account is closed, those points are gone.
If you decide the card is not worth keeping, you can straightforward stop using it and leave it open with a zero balance. This preserves your available credit and keeps the account history intact, with minimal downside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Toys "R" Us Credit Card outside of Toys "R" Us?
No, the card is a store card and works only at Toys "R" Us locations and online, plus any partner retailers included in the current program. You cannot use it at other retailers. If you need a card for general purchases, you will need a separate general-purpose credit card.
What is the difference between this card and a Toys "R" Us gift card?
A gift card is prepaid — you load money onto it and spend that amount. A credit card is a line of credit — you borrow money, earn rewards, and pay interest if you carry a balance. The credit card offers rewards and financing options; the gift card does not.
Do I need good credit to get approved?
Store cards are generally easier to get approved for than premium general-purpose cards, but you still need fair credit (usually a score of 650 or higher). If your score is lower, you can work on building it by paying bills on time and reducing existing balances before you explore.
What happens to my points if I do not use the card for a long time?
Points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, if you close the account, you lose any unused points. Keep the account open if you plan to redeem points later.
Can I transfer my balance from another credit card to this one?
Most store cards do not offer balance transfer options. You would need to pay off the other card with cash or another method, then use the Toys "R" Us card for new purchases. Check the current terms to confirm, as this can vary.