The 9 Best Credit Cards for Shopping at Department Stores [2024]

Updated: April 5, 2024, 4:07am CDT

Edited by:

The 9 Best Credit Cards for Shopping at Department Stores [2024]

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In the U.S., there are thousands of department stores. Even though that number is decreasing every year with the advent of e-commerce, department stores are one of the main ways consumers can physically walk into a store to try on clothing.

It’s impossible to tell how department stores will fare long-term. But one thing is for sure — department stores will likely never go totally extinct. Instead, the traditional retail shopping experience may evolve over time to a more experiential business model.

Whenever you go shopping at a department store, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the best credit cards for your needs. And with tons of different store credit cards out there, it’s hard to figure out what the best choices are.

That’s why we’ll be walking you through what you should be looking for in a credit card for department store shopping. We’ll also show you the best personal credit cards for department stores, followed by the best business credit cards for department stores.

Let’s get started!

What To Look for in a Credit Card for Department Stores

Department store credit cards or store credit cards, like those issued by Comenity Bank and Synchrony Bank, are an incredibly siloed bucket of financial products. In most cases, store credit cards are operated under a closed-loop system, which basically means you can’t use the card outside of the store.

For example, the Kohl’s Charge Card can only be used at Kohl’s locations — it can’t be used to pay for other transactions like dinner at a restaurant or gas at a local station.

Also, most department store credit cards offer egregiously high-interest rates that make opening one up a very risky endeavor.

And lastly, department store credit cards usually have terrible rewards and sign-up bonuses. For example, you might only get a 1-time $10 off discount for your store purchase, which pales in comparison to $1,000+ welcome bonuses on the top rewards credit cards out there.

That’s why we have, for the most part, totally avoided store credit cards in this guide. Instead, we’re focusing on the top credit cards that offer the best rewards on department store purchases in general.

Now that we’ve explained our logic, let’s get into the best personal credit cards for department stores.

The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards for Department Stores

Card Summary

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Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Department Store Purchase Benefits
U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card	Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days. Annual Fee of $0	5% cash-back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on 2 categories you choose (including department stores)
Citi Double Cash^® Card	Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. Annual Fee of $0	2% cash-back everywhere (1% when you spend and 1% when you pay your bill)
Chase Freedom Unlimited^®	Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. Annual Fee of $0	1.5% unlimited cash-back on all non-bonused purchases 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95 (rates & fees)	2x miles on all non-bonused purchases
Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express	Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)	3% cash-back on U.S. online retailers (including department stores) on up to $6,000 in purchases each year

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card

U.P. Rating

This card was made for those looking to maximize and rotate their cash-back rewards across a large range of regular expenses.

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card

This card was made for those looking to maximize and rotate their cash-back rewards across a large range of regular expenses.

Welcome OfferEarn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
$200

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card is a great card for those looking to maximize their cash-back rewards by earning up to 5% back from a variety of expense categories.

The cardholder gets to choose 2 categories every quarter. It’s also the best cash-back card to use for utility bills, a tricky expense to get solid rewards back for.

Pros

5% cash-back across a large range of expense categories (you choose 2 categories every quarter), including utility bills (a rare perk for a credit card), home utilities, cell phone providers, fast food, TV, internet and streaming services, gym/fitness centers, and more
5% cash-back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2% cash-back on 1 everyday category, including grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations
1% cash-back on all other purchases
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles; after that, a variable APR currently19.49 – 29.49%
No annual fee

Cons

Your 5% cash-back rewards on the top 2 categories of your choosing are limited to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter
Cash-back for travel expenses must be made through the Rewards Center

$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.74 – 29.74%
No Annual Fee
Terms and conditions apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars or 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency

Card Categories

The best credit card for department store purchases is also one of the most surprising ones, at least in the landscape of points and rewards.

With the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card, you will earn 5% cash-back on 2 categories you choose for the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter, 2% cash-back on 1 everyday category, and 1% cash-back elsewhere. You’ll also enjoy a nice welcome bonus and some basic perks.

And while the list of 5% cash-back categories can change a bit over time, they are generally pretty consistent:

Cell phone providers
Department stores and select clothing stores
Electronics stores
Fast food
Furniture stores
Ground transportation
Gyms/fitness centers
Home utilities
Movie theaters
Sporting goods stores
TV, internet, and streaming services

One of the important caveats here is that Walmart, Target, and Costco do not qualify.

There’s a $25 minimum for statement credits and deposits. There’s also a $10 minimum for Real-Time Rewards.

The biggest benefit is that you can earn 5% cash-back at all department stores — no need to stick to a single chain of stores like Bloomingdale’s or Macy’s.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome OfferEarn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash back

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros

Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Flexible redemption options
No annual fee

Cons

No bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Lack of premium travel benefits

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

The Double Cash card is one of our favorite credit cards because of its ability to earn 2% cash-back (1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay). Earning 2% cash-back is tracked as ThankYou Points — that’s a 3.2% return on spend!

Normally, earning 2% cash-back is nothing out of the ordinary, but the Double Cash card’s ThankYou Points can be transferred to limited travel partners, which can drastically increase the return on spending that you’d get.

The main drawback of this credit card is that it doesn’t usually offer a welcome bonus — you will, however, find an introductory 0% APR benefit.

This card offers flexible pay dates, zero liability for unauthorized purchases, fraud protection, a 1-time late fee pass, and access to Citi Private Pass for event tickets.

With no annual fee, it’s easy to see why this card is incredibly appealing. But what we haven’t talked about in great detail is what happens when you transfer your points.

Why We Like Earning Citi ThankYou Rewards Points

If you hold the Double Cash card by itself, the ways you can use your Citi ThankYou Points are incredibly limited.

However, if you hold the Double Cash card and a ThankYou Rewards credit card like the Citi Premier^® Card, you can access the full list of transfer partners.

And the benefits don’t end there because by leveraging transfer partners, you can redeem your Citi ThankYou Points for some incredible value via flights like Emirates and Etihad first class.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome OfferEarn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Travel
Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
Ability to pool points

Cons

3% foreign transaction fee

INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Unlimited card is actually our #1 recommended personal credit card for everyday purchases.

That’s because the ability to earn at least 1.5% cash-back on all purchases is noteworthy.

The card will earn you up to 5% cash-back in the following earning structure:

5% cash-back on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal
3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% cash-back on all other purchases

The story gets even better here because if you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, or Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card, you can convert your cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points.

You’ll convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points at a 1%-to-1x ratio. That means your 5%, 3%, and 1.5% cash-back can be converted to 5x, 3x, and 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points — doubling your return on spending for department stores to 3%!

Currently, this credit card comes with a great welcome bonus in the form of additional cash-back to add to your rewards.

The other benefits of the Freedom Unlimited card include secondary auto rental collision damage coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability protection, fraud protection, and more.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

With the Freedom Unlimited card alone, you can’t redeem your rewards for outsized value. You can get cash-back, gift cards, and book travel via the Chase travel portal. You can also redeem your rewards for Shop at Amazon.

But once you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points that can then be transferred to the Chase transfer partners for luxury business and first class travel.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome OfferEnjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

$95 annual fee (rates & fees)
Limited elite benefits

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture card is one of the best rewards credit cards for everyday purchases out there.

Capital One is famous for offering intuitive cash-back rewards. But the bank has also expanded to offer transferable rewards, which is great news for those interested in booking luxury travel.

With a huge welcome bonus to start, you’ll also notice that the Capital One Venture card earns an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on all purchases, regardless of bonus categories.

Whether you’re shopping at Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, or McDonald’s, you’ll get 2x Capital One miles.

The Capital One Venture card comes with an up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, in addition to other travel perks like lost luggage insurance, roadside dispatch, and travel assistance services.

This credit card also has purchase security, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and access to the Capital One Miles landscape.

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

Capital One Miles is the name of Capital One’s transferable rewards program, and the miles you redeem are called Capital One miles.

In the past, you could only redeem Capital One miles on travel booked via Capital One Travel or for statement credits, gift cards, experiences, or merchandise.

Today, however, Capital One has expanded the ways you can redeem Capital One miles. Now, you can get exceptional value from Capital One miles by transferring your miles to travel partners to book flights like Singapore Airlines first class and Qatar Airways QSuites.

Your transfer ratios will typically be 1:1, though you might see a ratio of 2:1.5 or 2:1 on a few transfer partners.

Your 2x Capital One miles earned from the Capital One Venture card, which we equate to a 3.6% return on spending.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Welcome OfferEarn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200

Annual Fee

APR

19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express apart from the rest?

This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

Pros

3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
Monthly credit towards Home Chef

Cons

Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday^® Card. Enrollment required.
Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday^® Card.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Our last choice is a cash-back card that’s a little different because it earns rewards at department stores but only when you’re shopping online. The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card earns 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailerson up to $6,000 in purchases each year.

Since so many of us do a lot of our shopping online these days, using this card is an easy way to earn some extra cash-back when making purchases from a department store’s website.

Other benefits of this card include:

3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)

The 4 Best Business Credit Cards for Department Stores

Every business is built differently. If you routinely make trips to department stores for business purposes, such as shopping for client gifts, then you’ll want to make sure that you have the best business credit card available.

So in this next section, we’ll walk you through our favorite business credit cards for department store purchases.

Card Summary

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Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Department Store Purchase Benefits
The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express	Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Annual Fee of $0 (rates & fees)	Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday purchases on the first $50,000 every calendar year, 1x after that
Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card	Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $0	Unlimited 1.5% cash-back on every purchase made for your business
Capital One Spark Miles for Business (Independently collected and not reviewed by Capital One)	Earn 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months. Annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that	Unlimited 2x miles per dollar on every purchase
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card	Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)	2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spending, 1% after that

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

U.P. Rating

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Welcome OfferEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$330

Annual Fee

No annual fee

APR

18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-840)

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros

2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost

Cons

No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Charges foreign transaction fees

Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
*The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is the best business credit card for department store purchases. With this card, you can earn plenty of transferable rewards without shelling out an annual fee. In a world of premium credit cards, this is getting increasingly rare, so don’t take it for granted!

Earn 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on the first $50,000 spent every calendar year on everyday business purchases. After that, the Amex Blue Business Plus card earns 1x Membership Rewards points.

You’ll notice that there’s a 0% introductory APR benefit on purchases.

This credit card also offers no-fee employee cards and access to the world-famous Membership Rewards program (rates & fees).

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

Amex Membership Rewards points are the most valuable transferable points available, and the Amex Blue Business Plus card offers the ability to earn these points without an annual fee.

Earning 2x Amex points is equivalent to an approximate return on spend of 4.4%!

Sure, you can use Amex points for statement credits, gift cards, travel booked via AmexTravel.com, and on Amazon purchases, but these redemptions yield some pretty lackluster value.

The best way to use Amex points, as you can imagine, is to use the Amex transfer partners for luxury travel bookings. That way, you’ll really maximize the value of the points you earn.

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$750

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$750

Annual Fee

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

Pros

1.5% cash-back on all purchases
No annual fee
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
Earn flexible rewards

Cons

3% foreign transaction fee

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.
Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Unlimited card is the runner-up in our best business credit cards for department store spending. This credit card earns a flat 1.5% cash-back on your business purchases without any caps.

Also, the card boasts a 0% introductory APR benefit, no-fee employee cards, zero liability fraud protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, and even primary rental car coverage!

The Ink Business Unlimited card doesn’t earn transferable points by itself — however, if you have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card, you can convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points.

That would net you a return on spend of 3%, which is awesome!

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

U.P. Rating

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Welcome OfferEarn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$900

Annual Fee

$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that

APR

26.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

Pros

Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Access to Capital One transfer partners
No foreign transaction fees
Free employee cards
Extended warranty coverage

Cons

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that

Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases

Financial Snapshot

APR: 26.24% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Spark Miles card is Capital One’s premium business credit card. Earning an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on every purchase, this card draws plenty of comparisons to the Capital One Venture card.

This card offers a welcome bonus, as well as the ability to earn 5x Capital One miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel.

So your return on spending with 5x or 2x miles would either be ~6.75% or ~2.7% — for department store spending, you’ll earn a 2.7% return.

With this card, you can get a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, as well as employee cards for no additional fee, roadside assistance, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero fraud liability, and no foreign transaction fees.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

U.P. Rating

Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.

Welcome OfferEarn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
$250

Annual Fee

APR

0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.

This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.

Pros

2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spend, then 1% back thereafter
No annual fee
Travel and purchase protection

Cons

Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas

Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Our last business credit card option for department store spending is the Amex Blue Business Cash card. This card will help you earn cash-back rewards on your business purchases, department stores included.

To be specific, the Amex Blue Business Cash card earns 2% cash-back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter.

All of your cash-back gets credited automatically to your balance on every billing statement, so this card offers a headache-free way to earn cash-back for your business!

Final Thoughts

When it comes to picking the best credit cards for your department store spending, you have a lot of options.

The list of store credit cards is dizzying — but luckily, most of the credit cards associated with a specific store like Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Belk aren’t worthwhile credit cards to hold in the long run.

Between the mediocre rewards, high purchase APRs, lack of customer service, and restrictiveness of closed-loop credit card systems, it’s easy to see why we don’t recommend most store credit cards.

Instead, our favorite personal credit cards for department store purchases include the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card, Double Cash card, Freedom Unlimited card, Capital One Venture card, Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.

Conversely, our favorite business credit cards for department store purchases include the Amex Blue Business Plus card, the Ink Business Unlimited card, the Capital One Spark Miles card, and the Amex Blue Business Cash card.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The information regarding Kohl’s Charge Card, Target RedCard™, Walmart Rewards™ Card, Fingerhut Credit Account, and the Amazon Prime Store Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Deman via Shutterstock

Frequently Asked Questions

Which department store has the best credit card?

There are tons of department store credit cards. While you might think cards from stores like JCPenney and Bealls might be worthwhile, the reality is that these cards don’t offer great rewards. Plus, their interest rates are extremely high.

Instead, check out some of our favorite card picks like the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card, the Citi Double Cash card, the Freedom Unlimited card, the Capital One Venture card, and the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.

If you make a lot of business purchases at department stores, you’ll find the Amex Blue Business Plus card, Ink Business Unlimited card, Capital One Spark Miles card, and the Amex Blue Business Cash cards to be incredibly rewarding, especially compared to store credit cards.

Do department store credit cards hurt your credit?

When you first apply for them, yes. You’ll see a small drop of around 3 to 5 points. However, after a few months of using the card and making on-time payments, your score will increase. This is true of almost all credit cards.

What is the easiest department store credit card to get?

In general, department store credit cards are easy to get because they tend to offer very low credit limits and are closed-loop, meaning you can only use that credit card in the specific department store.

Some of the easiest cards to get include the Target RedCard™, Walmart Rewards™ Card, Kohl’s Charge Card, Fingerhut Credit Account, and the Amazon Prime Store Card.

What do I need to get a department store credit card?

You need to have a Social Security number (SSN) or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). You must also fill out an application to get approved.

Where can I get a department store credit card with bad credit?

Many of the easiest credit cards for bad credit are issued by Comenity Bank and Synchrony Bank, so it’s a good idea to start there.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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