Everybody who has been to a retail store has heard the question “Would you like to sign up for our store credit card and save 10% (or more) on every purchase?” The idea sounds enticing. 10-20% off on every purchase, that too without having to pay there and then! The question requires a split-second decision and the next thing you know, you have a store credit card in your pocket. But do you really know what you are up for?

A store credit card is a card given by retail store or chain of stores that is used as a medium of exchange to purchase items from only that particular store on credit. It bears the name of the retail store so it serves as a means of advertisement for the issuer.

Are Store Credit Cards Beneficial?

Store credit cards come with several incentive and perks:

• Promotions and Discounts

The cardholder can take advantage of exclusive special offers, promotions and discounts. When the store credit card is used as a medium of exchange, the payment for purchases can be made on a later date – maybe the…Read More.

• Build Credit History 

Issuers of store credit cards are lenient when it comes to the credit history of a consumer before issuing a card. So if you are trying to establish or restore your credit history, a store credit card is a good … Read More

• Higher Interest Rate

Store credit cards have a higher Average Percentage Rate (APR) than standard credit cards. You might want to consider how much you will …. Read More 

• Low Credit Limit

On average, a store credit card could have a credit limit as low as $1000. This makes it fairly easy for a consumer to cross the credit limit and hurt … Read More 

• Lower Credit Score

Applying for a new credit card sets off an inquiry on your credit report that can lower your credit score by …. Read More

It depends. If you can keep a tab on your expenditure and pay your balances diligently, you can benefit from a store credit card. You might also want to consider how the card measures up against a standard credit card. Also consider alternatives such as reward credit cards.

Credit reports may affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals, apartment requests, or even your job application. Reviewing credit reports helps you catch signs of identity theft early.  Learn More about Credit Reports.

Top 10 Store Credit Cards

1. JCPenney
   Your JCPenney Credit Card offers customers best rewards such as earning rewards for every penny spent. Special birthday gifts. Special bonus points. Sales events and offers exclusively to cardmembers.
2. Walmart
   The Walmart credit card offers many card benefits. No annual fee. When using your card you save five cents per gallon at Walmart gas stations.
3. Kohls
   With your Kohls Card you can maximize your savings.  Combine discounts with sale prices and offers. 
   
4. Sears
   Your Sears Credit Card can be used ast Sears, Kmart and Land’s End in-stores and online.  You will receive monthly savings, valuable coupons and more.
5. Disney
   Use your disney credit card on everyday purchases and redeem points toward most everything Disney.
6. Target
   Charge at Target stores or at Target.com and save 5% on all purchases. No annual fee.
7. American Eagle
   Get 15% off the month of your birthday with an American Eagle credit card. Member only sales and events.  Don’t miss it.
8. Apple Store
   Purchase an Apple Gift Card for any occasion.  Depending on which Apple Gift Card you choose to give, they can be used for Apple products, accessories, music, movies, games, apps, and more.
9. Bloomingdale’s
   Earn 6 points per dollar in cosmetics and fragrances when you shop with your Bloomingdale’s card.
10. Victoria’s Secret
    Become an Angel and start enjoying card benefits.  Earn $10 rewards for every 250 points earned.  Exclusive savings for Victoria’s Secret cardmembers.

View ALL Store Credit Cards

How do I apply for a credit card?

A little planning can go a long way to make sure that you don’t only apply for a credit card, but also get approved for it. Applying for too many credit cards simultaneously is going to get adversely reflected on your credit score and that is the reason why this may not be the best way to go about it. When you apply, make sure that you plan it in a way so that your APR is low and the terms are suitable for you. There are some factors that you cannot change, for example, if you filed for bankruptcy or have many missed payments in your credit history. Here are tips that will help you apply for a credit card with a high chance of getting approved.

BEST STORE CREDIT CARD REWARD PROGRAMS
If you shop a lot at a favorite departmental store, then getting a store credit card might seem like a good decision. May be it is and maybe it is not. It depends on how you see it. However, to start out, we bring to you some of the credit card rewards programs that are being offered at the moment by popular stores in the United States.

Popular Store Credit Cards

• American Eagle Visa: With 4% in-store rewards and perks that include a 10% off birthday coupon and 15% off on your first purchase, this is as good as they come. The base reward rate is 1%.
• Apple: The Apple card fetches you 2% in in-store rewards. You get 10% off on your 2^nd purchase at the store.
• Best Buy Reward Zone MasterCard: Enjoy 4% in-store rewards and after you make your first purchase, you will get a $25 gift coupon to use at the store.
• Bloomingdales AmEx: This card gives you 1.5% in in-store purchases and double points on fragrances and perfumes. When you buy 5 shoes from here, you get the 6^th one at 25% off.

Getting a store credit card just for the sake heck of it is not a good idea. You can see why that is so. The main problem with specific store cards is that you enjoy benefits only when you shop at the particular store. And if you are like most people, you don’t shop at only one store. There are some great credit cards out there and if you research well, you will be able to find something that gives you awesome benefits when you go shopping!

REWARDS PROGRAMS

For those who want to save on purchases made at their best retailers, store cards a boon for them. But all the time store cards might not always bring the best perks with them. Some of them are specifically tied up to particular retail shops while there are many that gets the card holders lucrative rewards programs. The safe deal is therefore to go with such cards. 2015 has some of the best store credit cards on offer available to those with credit ranging from average to excellent. Store credit cards not only helps in getting initial bonuses but also offer surprises like a 0% intro term or a discount on the first very purchase.
Some of the worth considering best store credit cards rewards programs of this year are:
Discover it– This store credit card offers 5% cash back on rotating charges and other discounts that comes through the Discover Deals. There is a 14 months 0% purchase and balance transfer APR. There is also a 5% cash back on all the rotating bonus categories. There is no annual fee and foreign transaction fee.

Blue Cash from American Express – Is a favorite for many typically because of the generous rewards it earns the credit holder. An unlimited 2% rewards across all department stores  is hard to resist that this store credit card earns. The card offers 6% back on groceries, 3% at gas stations and department stores.

Chase Freedom– Compared to others in the list, this store credit card is everyone’s first choice. There are a lot of bonus to avail throughout the entire years. For example, the first quarter earns bonus at Starbucks, grocery stores and movie theaters. The second quarter at restaurants, the third quarter at gas stations and the last quarter at Amazon.com. Outside these categories, the card holders earn 1% back.

Walmart® Business Store Card- With a variable APR of 14.8%, one gets to enjoy low Walmart prices.

TJX Store Card– With a variable APR of 26.99%, the card holder gets to enjoy special shopping hours.

Stage Stores Credit Card– Earn a $10 Payback Reward for every $250 spend. Plus, there is a variable APR of 24.99%.

Amazon.com Store Card – This store card earns 0% for 6 to 24 months and a variable APR of 25.99% after that. The credit card earns 6 months financing on any purchase made that totals up to $149 or more. The card holder gets 12 month financing on a purchase totaling to $599 or more.

Sony Store Card – The Sony Store Card has APR of 0% for 6-36 months with a variable APR of 29.99% onwards. There is a special financing available on purchases of $199 or more. Valid throughout June, there is a 12 months special financing that is valid on purchases of $499 or more.

Carson’s Credit Card– Earn a $20 Rewards Card after spending $200. The $20 Rewards Card can be used for any purchase that is above $50 or more. Plus. There is no APR.

American Eagle Outfitters Store Card– This store credit card is simple. There is no annual fee and the variable APR that is to be paid is 24.99%.

Lowe’s Store Card– Earn 6 months special financing on a $299 minimum purchase. Plus, the APR is 0% for 6 months and a variable APR of 24.99% after that.

Walmart® Store Card – Card holders can get 0% APR for 6 to 24 months and a variable APR of 22.9% after that. No interest would be levied promotional purchase if the card holder pays in full within 6 months of any purchase ranging between $150 to $298.99; 12 months on a purchase of $299-$428.99; 18 months on purchase of $429- $598.99 or 24 months on purchasing totaling over $599 and more. This offer is valid in-store only throughout the month of August, 2015.

Retail– A great website to see all Retail store credit cards including cards like the Disney Star Wars Credit Card is SelectCreditCard.com It’s a website dedicated to all Retail Store Topics.