Store Cards Worth Having

[Anonymous]

I was denied a credit limit increase and one reason was too few bank cards. I have 5 Prime bank cards... CU, barclay, chase freedom amex PRG, ED, Discover? So I infer that because I have many more store cards in comparison… they made such a comparison. No matter. I closed 3 store anchors last Thursday.

[pipeguy]

Lowes, Home Depot, Amazon Prime, Sam's Club are my current "store cards" although the Sam's is a MasterCard so it's duel use but too high an APR to carry a balance on. The others all offer 0% or promotional financing at low rates (Lowes 84 month 5.99%) - I've had a lot more, but closed them all over time. Note too that all of these cards offer extra cash back if used correctly (usuall if not using financing, Sam's end of year rebate).

[jwduke]

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@tcbofade wrote:

We have a few store cards, mostly for the discount offered at the register.  For those of you who are familiar with Nebraska Furniture Mart, their store card regularly offers zero percent deals, and DW and I are big fans. 

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I too have this card, an enjoy using Warren Buffets money for free!

[dabrian]

My Lowes card is the only one I use. 5% off everyday purchases and the 0% promos if I ever need it. Not to mention along with WM were my first rebuild cards several years ago. Started with a 300 limit and currently have a 25k limit.

[Ariel]

For me:

1). Target for the 5% off

2). Amazon Prime for the 5% cash back or special financing

3). Overstock for the 0% financing when I need to make a larger purchase

4). Blue Nile for the same reason (my highest limit card at 25k actually)

For everything else it's Chase Freedom or Discover depending on the bonus categories.

[CreditDunce]

I have two store cards: Lowes and Target.  Lowes for big ticket items at 5% off (no military discount for me).  Target because I didn't want to link their debit card to my checking account.  I occasionally buy small items from Target.  It is not worth it to me to buy gift cards when I probably will not spend $25 in a year at Target.  I really shouldn't have opened the Target account.

The only other store card I have recently considered is the AKC card.  My pets are getting up in age.  I can see my vet bills going up.  In the end, I would rather have a card with a better sign up bonus than 3% at the vet.

[Anonymous]

I think there might be some confusion between store cards, and co-branded cards.  I see no issue with co-branded cards (although I rarely use them outside the store they are branded to, the one exception was a $25 store gift card if I used my card outside the store 5 times).  I have a few co-branded cards, and as I have been shopping at LL Bean more and more, would add the LL Bean Visa to my wish list.  (As an aside, growing up, LL Bean and Lands End had such a reputation, and I could never afford them.  Now that I can afford them, they don't have as sterling a reputation as they once did)

For true store cards (and since my Target Visa should be in the mail already, I won't include that), I would say that Lowes, Walmart, Best Buy, and Kohls are the only four that I wouldn't want to lose.  Lowes, Best Buy, and Walmart for the 0% deferred interest (I actually only use the WM card when I am buying something offering deferred interest, or shopping online for the 3% back), and Kohls for the perks (free shipping, extra % off).  I doubt I would care or even notice (OK, I do check in often enough that I would notice) if they were closed.

[deltatee]

My only store card is Kohls. I think Blispay is cool because it alleviates a lot of the need for a store cards.  However, for really big purchases some store cards offer really good financing.

[Glkslngr]

Love my Crate & Barrel card! $20 back for every $200 spent in their store with the card. I always shop there so it works out.

[Kidcat]

Talbots- I know my size so can order catalogue/online exclusive clothes.  You earn rewards $25 at a time, and probably the main reason free shipping, otherwise it's $8

Amazon- 5% statement credit no limit.  I order a lot from Amazon coffee, cat litter, pen refills etc.  Stuff I buy anyway and only if it's cheaper than in the store or Costco, and of course free 2 day shipping.

Lowes- either 5% off at the register, 0% financing 18mos (I think), 5.99% financing for 84mos for larger projects (such as a kitchen remodel).

These are the final three I will likely keep.  Things can change.  BTW these are some of my oldest CC too.