Department store cards are easier to get than bank credit cards, but approval odds vary by store and your credit history
Department store credit cards typically have lower approval thresholds than Visa or Mastercard issued by banks. Most department stores approve applicants with credit scores in the 600–700 range, while bank cards often require 700 or higher. The reason is straightforward: department store cards are closed-loop, meaning you can only use them at that retailer or its affiliated brands. The store controls the entire customer relationship and can manage risk more tightly.
That said, "easiest to get" depends on your credit situation. If you have no credit history, a recent bankruptcy, or significant delinquencies, even department store cards may decline you. If your score is above 650 and you have no active collections, your odds improve substantially. The stores most likely to approve you are those with the highest approval rates: Kohl's, Macy's, and Amazon Store Card tend to approve a broader range of applicants than luxury retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstrom.
Key Takeaways
- Kohl's and Macy's department store cards have among the highest approval rates and often approve people with credit scores between 600 and 700.
- Department store cards are easier to get than bank credit cards because they are closed-loop — you can only use them at that store — so the retailer takes on less risk.
- Your approval odds depend more on recent payment history and active collections than on your exact credit score.
- Getting approved for a department store card does not automatically improve your credit score, but the hard inquiry will lower it slightly for a few months.
Kohl's Card: Highest approval rate among major retailers
The Kohl's Card (issued through Capital One) has one of the highest approval rates of any department store card. Kohl's regularly approves applicants with credit scores in the 600–650 range, and sometimes lower if you have a recent positive payment history. The card offers 30-day returns on Kohl's purchases and rewards points on all spending, which makes it attractive even if your credit is thin.
Kohl's also runs frequent promotional offers: new cardholders often receive $10 or $15 off their first purchase, or bonus points. These promotions are designed to attract new customers, which means Kohl's has built approval for new cardholders into their business model. If you are rebuilding credit, this is often the easiest first step.
Macy's Card: Accessible for mid-range credit scores
The Macy's Card (also issued through Comenity Bank) approves applicants with credit scores around 650–700. Macy's has a large customer base and processes thousands of applications, so they have refined their approval criteria to capture a wide range of creditworthiness. The card offers rewards on Macy's purchases and occasional promotional discounts for new cardholders.
Macy's also offers the Macy's American Express Card for customers with stronger credit (typically 700+), so if you are declined for the standard card, you know where the approval threshold sits. This two-tier structure means Macy's has a clear path for different credit profiles.
Amazon Store Card: Easier approval if you have Amazon history
The Amazon Store Card (issued through Synchrony) approves applicants with credit scores as low as 620–650, particularly if you have an existing Amazon account with purchase history. Amazon values customer loyalty and existing transaction data, so if you have been buying from Amazon for years, your approval odds are higher than your credit score alone would suggest.
The card offers 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and 2% at gas stations and restaurants. Because Amazon is a high-volume retailer with detailed customer data, they can approve riskier applicants when that customer data shows consistent spending and payment patterns.
Target RedCard: Approval possible with thin credit, but variable by type
Target offers two versions: the Target RedCard (debit) and the Target Credit Card. The debit version requires only a bank account and Social Security number, so it is not a credit decision at all. The credit card version approves applicants with credit scores around 650–700, though Target's approval rate is slightly lower than Kohl's or Macy's.
If you are declined for the credit card, the debit version is worth considering because it still offers 5% off Target purchases and free shipping on Target.com. It builds no credit history, but it does not require a credit check either.
What hurts your approval odds, even at department stores
Active collections, recent charge-offs, or an open bankruptcy will disqualify you from most department store cards, regardless of which retailer. A single missed payment from six months ago is recoverable; multiple missed payments in the past year are not. Recent delinquencies (within the last 12 months) weigh more heavily than older ones.
Hard inquiries also matter. If you have applied for multiple credit cards in the past 30 days, each process leaves a hard inquiry on your credit report. Too many inquiries in a short window signal desperation to lenders and lower your approval odds. Space applications out by at least 30 days if you are building credit.
Income is checked but usually not the deciding factor for department store cards. Most retailers verify income through a soft check or self-reported information. Debt-to-income ratio matters more: if you already carry high balances on other cards, approval becomes less likely even if your credit score is acceptable.
How to improve your odds before explore
If your credit score is below 620, wait. Use a secured credit card or become an authorized user on someone else's account for three to six months first. This builds payment history without the risk of another hard inquiry.
If your score is 620–650, explore to Kohl's or Amazon (if you have Amazon history). These two have the highest approval rates in that range. Do not explore to multiple stores at once; explore to one, wait two weeks for a decision, and explore elsewhere only if declined.
If your score is 650–700, you have options across Kohl's, Macy's, Target, and Amazon. Choose based on where you actually shop, because a card you do not use does not help your credit. Using the card for small purchases and paying the full balance each month builds credit faster than letting it sit unused.
Check your credit report before explore. You can view it free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for errors — incorrect late payments, accounts you did not open, or balances that do not match your records. Dispute errors before explore; correcting them can raise your score 10–50 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will getting approved for a department store card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry will lower your score by 5–10 points for about three months. However, if you are approved and use the card responsibly, the positive payment history will raise your score over time. The short-term dip is worth it if you plan to use the card.
Can I get a department store card with no credit history?
It depends on the store. Kohl's and Amazon are most likely to approve you if you have a Social Security number and a bank account, even with no credit history. Target's debit card requires no credit check at all. Start with one of these, use it for small purchases, and pay on time for six months before explore elsewhere.
What if I am declined?
Ask the store for the reason. If it is a low credit score, wait three to six months and build payment history with a secured card or as an authorized user. If it is an error on your credit report, dispute it and reapply after it is corrected. Do not explore to the same store again within 90 days; each process is another hard inquiry.
Does a department store card count as a real credit card for credit building?
Yes. Payment history, credit utilization, and account age all count toward your credit score the same way they do for bank cards. The only difference is that you can only use it at that retailer. For credit-building purposes, a department store card works just as well as a Visa or Mastercard.
Should I get a department store card if I do not shop there regularly?
No. A card you do not use does not help your credit and may hurt it if the issuer closes it for inactivity. explore only to stores where you shop at least a few times a year. If you want to build credit but do not have a store you shop at regularly, a secured credit card from a bank is a better choice.