Department store cards approve applicants with lower credit scores than most bank cards
Department store credit cards typically approve people with credit scores in the 600 to 650 range, while bank-issued cards usually want 670 or higher. The reason is straightforward: store cards make money when you carry a balance and pay interest, so they accept more risk. They also know their cardholders shop in their stores regularly, which gives them a way to collect if you stop paying.
The easiest cards to get approved for are those from retailers that have high customer turnover and don't rely on a premium customer base. Macy's, Kohl's, and Walmart cards are among the most commonly approved, though approval odds shift based on your specific credit history, income, and existing debt. A store card is not a may provide — you can still be denied — but your odds are better than with a Chase or American Express card.
Key Takeaways
- Department store cards approve applicants with credit scores around 600 to 650, while traditional bank cards usually require 670 or higher.
- Macy's, Kohl's, Walmart, and Target cards are among the most frequently approved, though approval depends on your full credit profile, not just your score.
- Store cards charge higher interest rates (often 20% to 30% APR) because they target people rebuilding credit, so carrying a balance is expensive.
- A store card can help you build credit history if you use it responsibly, but the high interest rate makes it a poor choice for carrying debt long-term.
Why store cards approve lower credit scores
Retailers issue their own credit cards through partnerships with banks like Synchrony and Comenity. The store, not the bank, sets the approval standards. Because store cards are designed to increase in-store spending and capture customers who can't get traditional cards, they use looser approval criteria.
A store card issuer also has an advantage that a bank doesn't: they can see your shopping history. If you've been a regular customer for years, that history counts in your favor even if your credit score is weak. They know you have a reason to keep shopping there and a reason to pay the bill.
Which store cards have the highest approval rates
Macy's, Kohl's, and Walmart cards are reported to approve applicants with credit scores as low as 600, though approval is never may provide. Target's card is slightly stricter but still approves scores in the 620 to 650 range. Amazon's store card (issued through Chase) is harder to get — it typically requires a score around 670 — because Amazon is a larger, more premium retailer.
Approval rates also depend on the type of card. A store-only card (usable only at that retailer) approves more people than a store Visa or Mastercard (usable anywhere). The Macy's card, for example, is store-only and approves more applicants than the Macy's American Express card, which can be used at other merchants.
Smaller regional retailers and discount chains like Bed Bath & Beyond (before closure) and Rent-A-Center historically approved people with scores below 600, though availability changes as retailers restructure or close.
What happens during the approval process
When you explore for a store card in-store or online, the issuer pulls a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. They review your credit score, payment history, income, and existing debt. The decision usually comes within minutes if you explore online or in-store.
If you're denied, you can ask the issuer why. Common reasons are a credit score below their minimum, recent late payments, or debt-to-income ratio that's too high. Some issuers will reconsider if you reapply after 30 to 90 days, especially if you've paid down debt or corrected an error on your report in that time.
The real cost of store card interest rates
Store cards charge 20% to 30% APR on average, compared to 15% to 25% for bank cards and 10% to 20% for premium cards. That difference matters enormously if you carry a balance. On a $1,000 purchase at 25% APR, you'll pay roughly $250 in interest over a year if you make minimum payments. At 20% APR, that same purchase costs roughly $200 in interest.
The high rate reflects the higher risk the issuer is taking on. But it also means a store card is a tool for building credit, not for borrowing money. If you need to carry a balance, a store card is one of the worst ways to do it. Use it to make small purchases you can pay off in full each month, and your credit will improve without the interest cost.
How to improve your odds of approval
Check your credit report before you explore. You can get a free report from each of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Look for errors — a late payment that wasn't yours, an account you didn't open, or a balance that's been paid off but still shows as open. Dispute errors before you explore, because correcting them can raise your score 10 to 50 points.
Pay down existing debt before you explore, especially credit card balances. Issuers look at your debt-to-income ratio and your credit utilization (how much of your available credit you're using). If you're using more than 30% of your available credit, paying that down improves your odds. If you have recent late payments, wait at least 6 months after the last one before explore — the older the late payment, the less it hurts your approval odds.
explore in-store rather than online if possible. In-store applications sometimes use slightly different criteria, and a store associate can sometimes advocate for you or explain your situation to the issuer. Online applications are faster but have no human judgment involved.
Store cards versus secured cards for building credit
A secured credit card is another option if you're rebuilding credit. You deposit cash with the issuer (usually $200 to $2,500), and that becomes your credit limit. Secured cards charge lower interest rates than store cards — typically 18% to 24% APR — and they report to all three credit bureaus, which helps you build credit faster.
The tradeoff is that a secured card requires upfront cash, while a store card doesn't. If you have the cash and can afford to lock it up for 6 to 12 months, a secured card is often the better choice because the interest rate is lower and the credit-building effect is the same. But if you don't have cash on hand, a store card is a real option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a department store card with no credit history?
Yes, but approval is less certain. If you have no credit history, issuers can't see a pattern of payment behavior. You'll improve your odds by being an established customer at that store, having a steady income, and explore in-person rather than online. Some issuers will approve you with a co-signer if you're denied alone.
What's the difference between a store card and a store Visa?
A store card works only at that retailer. A store Visa or Mastercard works anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. Store Visas have higher approval standards because they're riskier for the issuer — the issuer can't rely on your shopping history to predict whether you'll pay. If you're rebuilding credit, a store-only card is easier to get.
Will explore for a store card hurt my credit score?
The hard inquiry will lower your score by a few points temporarily. If you're approved and open the account, a new account will also lower your score slightly because it reduces your average account age. But these effects fade within a few months, and the account itself will help your score long-term if you pay on time.
Can I use a store card to build credit if I never carry a balance?
Yes. The issuer reports your payment history to the credit bureaus whether you carry a balance or not. Making small purchases and paying them off in full each month builds your credit history without costing you interest. This is the best way to use a store card.
What should I do if I'm denied for a store card?
Ask the issuer for the reason. If it's a low credit score, focus on paying down debt and correcting errors on your report, then reapply in 60 to 90 days. If it's a high debt-to-income ratio, pay down existing debt before reapplying. If you've had recent late payments, wait at least 6 months after the last one.