Which Department Store Credit Cards Have the Lowest Approval Barriers

Department store cards are easier to get than most bank credit cards, but approval still depends on your credit score and income

Department store credit cards typically approve people with lower credit scores than Visa or Mastercard issuers do. Most department stores run their own credit checks and set their own approval rules, which means they're often willing to work with people who have fair credit (usually a score around 600 to 669) rather than requiring good credit (700 and up). That said, you still need to show some income and a reasonably clean payment history — they're not approving everyone.

The easiest cards to get tend to be from stores where you already shop or have an existing relationship. Retailers like Kohl's, Macy's, and Target have reputations for approving applicants with lower credit scores than department stores did ten or fifteen years ago. But "easiest" is relative — your actual approval odds depend on your specific credit report, not just the store's general reputation.

Key Takeaways

• Department store cards typically approve people with credit scores around 600 to 669, while bank credit cards usually require 700 or higher.
• Kohl's, Macy's, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond are known for approving applicants with fair credit, though approval is never may provide.
• A hard inquiry (the credit check itself) will lower your score by a few points for several months, so apply only to cards you actually plan to use.
• Store cards usually offer discounts on your first purchase and rewards on future purchases, but carry higher interest rates than bank cards if you carry a balance.
• You can call the store's customer service line before applying to ask what credit score range they typically approve, though they won't give you a definitive yes or no.

Why department store cards approve lower credit scores

Department stores make money when you shop there, not primarily from interest charges. That means they have a financial reason to approve more applicants — the goal is to get you to use the card in their store, not to maximize lending profit. A bank credit card issuer makes money both ways (from merchant fees and from interest), so they're pickier about who they approve.

Store cards also have a built-in advantage: they only work at that store or its partner locations. That limits the damage if someone defaults, because the store can't rack up charges everywhere. A Visa or Mastercard can be used anywhere, so the issuer takes on more risk with each approval.

This doesn't mean store cards have no standards. You still need a Social Security number, a verifiable income, and a credit report that doesn't show recent missed payments or collections. But the bar is genuinely lower than it is for general-purpose credit cards.

Which stores have the most approvals for fair credit

Kohl's has a long track record of approving applicants with credit scores in the 600 to 669 range. The Kohl's Card (their store card) and the Kohl's Visa (which works anywhere) both exist, and the store card is typically easier to get. You can apply in-store at checkout or online through Kohl's website.

Macy's offers the Macy's Card, which works only at Macy's and Macy's.com, and the Macy's American Express, which works everywhere. The store card is the easier approval path. Macy's has historically approved people with fair credit, though they've tightened standards in recent years. You can apply online or in-store.

Target issues the RedCard, which comes in three versions: a debit card, a credit card, and a prepaid card. The credit card version is easier to get than many bank cards, and Target is known for approving applicants across a wider credit score range. Apply online or in-store.

Bed Bath & Beyond (now operating under new ownership after bankruptcy) issued a store card, though availability varies by location and online. If you shop there regularly, it's worth asking at checkout whether they're currently accepting applications.

Other stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Best Buy also have store cards with relatively accessible approval standards, though they tend to attract people who already shop there for specific categories (tools, appliances, electronics).

What happens to your credit score when you apply

Each time you apply for a credit card, the issuer runs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry shows up on your credit report and typically lowers your score by a few points — usually between 5 and 10 points, though the exact impact varies by scoring model. The inquiry stays on your report for about 12 months but stops affecting your score after about six months.

Multiple applications in a short time (say, three applications in two weeks) can add up. Each hard inquiry is a separate hit, so if you're applying to several store cards at once, you could see a 15 to 30 point dip. That's temporary, but it matters if you're also applying for a mortgage or car loan in the next few months.

The strategy most people use: apply to one or two store cards you actually plan to use, then wait at least a few months before applying to others. This spreads out the hard inquiries and gives your score time to recover between applications.

Interest rates and rewards on store cards

Department store cards almost always carry higher interest rates than bank credit cards. A typical store card might charge 19% to 26% APR (annual percentage rate), while a bank card with good approval odds might charge 15% to 21%. That difference matters only if you carry a balance — if you pay in full each month, the interest rate is irrelevant.

The real value of a store card is usually the upfront discount and the ongoing rewards. Most store cards offer 10% to 20% off your first purchase (sometimes 15% off, sometimes more during promotional periods). After that, you typically earn 1% to 5% back on purchases at that store, depending on the card and the promotion running that month.

These rewards are only valuable if you shop at that store regularly. A Kohl's card that gives you 5% back on Kohl's purchases is worthless if you never go to Kohl's. But if you're already shopping there monthly, the rewards can add up to $50 to $100 a year in discounts.

How to find out your approval odds before applying

You can call the store's customer service line and ask what credit score range they typically approve. They won't tell you whether you personally will be approved — that requires a hard inquiry — but many will give you a general range. For example, a representative might say "we typically approve people with scores of 600 and above" or "we look at the whole application, not just the score."

You can also check your own credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com (the official federal site) or through many banks and credit card issuers, which offer free score monitoring to customers. Knowing your score before you apply helps you decide whether it's worth taking the hard inquiry hit.

If your score is below 600, you might want to wait a few months and work on paying down existing balances or correcting errors on your credit report before applying. If your score is 620 or above, most department store cards are worth trying.

What to do if you're denied

If a store card issuer denies you, they're required by law to send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "delinquent accounts on file." Read the letter carefully — it tells you what to fix.

You can also request a free copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and look for errors. If you find a mistake (a payment marked late that you made on time, an account that isn't yours, a duplicate entry), you can dispute it with the credit bureau. Fixing errors sometimes improves your score enough to get approved on a second application a few months later.

If the denial letter mentions "too many recent inquiries," wait at least three to six months before applying to another card. Each hard inquiry ages off your report after 12 months, so time is on your side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a department store card with no credit history?

It's harder but possible. If you have no credit history at all (never had a credit card or loan), you might be approved for a store card if you have a steady income and a Social Security number. Some stores will approve a first-time applicant with a co-signer or by starting with a secured card. Call the store's customer service to ask about options for people building credit.

Does applying for a store card hurt my chances of getting a bank credit card later?

Not directly. One hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points temporarily, but it doesn't disqualify you from a bank card. However, if you apply to five store cards in one month, the cumulative effect of five hard inquiries could lower your score enough to affect a bank card application. Space out applications by at least a few months.

What's the difference between a store card and a store-branded Visa?

A store card (like the Kohl's Card) only works at that store and its partners. A store-branded Visa or Amex (like the Kohl's Visa) works anywhere Visa or Amex is accepted. Store cards are usually easier to get approved for, but store-branded Visas give you more flexibility. The approval standards are different for each version.

If I get approved, do I have to use the card right away?

No. You can get approved, receive the card, and use it whenever you want. There's no penalty for letting it sit unused. However, some issuers will close inactive accounts after 12 to 24 months of no activity, so if you want to keep the card open, use it at least once every year or two.

Can I negotiate the interest rate after I'm approved?

You can ask, but store card issuers rarely negotiate rates. Your rate is set based on your credit score and the store's pricing. However, if you're approved and then your credit score improves significantly (say, you pay down debt), you can call and ask for a rate review after six months or a year.