If you have a low credit score, traditional credit cards can feel like a locked door. Department store cards are often an easier opening. They're designed to keep customers shopping, so stores tend to approve applicants that banks would decline.
Used the right way, one of these cards can rebuild your credit without a security deposit.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
Why Store Cards Are Easier to Get
Department stores partner with banks that specialize in subprime lending. Their goal isn't to be your main credit card, it's to keep you shopping at that store. That changes the math of approval.
You can often qualify with a credit score in the high 500s or low 600s, and in some cases even lower. Credit limits usually start low ($150-$500), which limits the bank's risk.
The trade-off: interest rates are high, often around 25-30%, and the card usually only works at that store or brand family.
9 Best Department Stores Most Likely to Approve You
Approval odds shift over time, but these retailers are consistently ranked as easier approvals:
- Target RedCard — offers both a store card and a Mastercard; the store version is typically easier to get.
- Kohl's Card — known for approving scores in the high 500s and sending frequent discount coupons.
- JCPenney Credit Card — long-running easy-approval store card.
- Macy's Credit Card — starts with low limits for new credit profiles.
- TJX Rewards Card (T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods) — one of the most accessible store cards for limited credit. Our step-by-step walkthrough for how to apply for the TJ Maxx credit card covers the process and approval odds in detail.
- Walmart Credit Card — a popular big-box option worth checking if you already shop at Walmart. See our guide on Walmart credit card approval odds with bad credit for score ranges, the Capital One underwriting process, and what happens if you get declined. Warehouse-club shoppers should also see our step-by-step guide to applying for the Sam's Club credit card, which uses the same Capital One underwriting and pre-approval flow.
- Victoria's Secret Credit Card — a specialty retail card that typically approves fair to poor credit and reports to the bureaus. See our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Victoria's Secret credit card for requirements and perks.
- Tractor Supply Credit Card — if you shop at TSC for feed, tools, or ranch supplies, see our walkthrough on how to apply for the Tractor Supply credit card for approval requirements and rewards.
- Fingerhut — technically a catalog credit account; often approves very low credit scores.
If you shop Gap Inc. brands like Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta, the Navyist Rewards card is another strong option, see our guide on how to apply for the Old Navy credit card for the details.
All are closed-loop store cards or have an optional upgrade to a network-branded version. If you shop Amazon more than any of these retailers, our Amazon Prime Secured Credit Card review covers a store-branded secured option that bundles credit building with Prime rewards.
For deeper, card-by-card reviews of specific apparel store cards, read our Old Navy Credit Card review covering rewards across the Gap brand family, our Buckle Credit Card review explaining the Buckle Bucks loyalty program at this denim chain, our Woman Within Credit Card review for plus-size apparel shoppers, and our Eddie Bauer Credit Card review for outdoor and workwear buyers.
How to Pick the Right One
Choose a store you actually shop at. A Kohl's card you never use won't help your credit nearly as much as a card you put a small monthly charge on.
Also check the APR, late fees, and whether the card reports to all three credit bureaus. Most major department store cards report to all three. If two stores feel equal, pick the one with the lower minimum interest charge.
Using a Store Card Without Getting Hurt
Store cards are a tool, not a spending license. Follow these rules:
- Charge one planned purchase per month, nothing more.
- Pay in full before the due date, always.
- Keep your utilization below 30% of the low credit limit.
- Never carry a balance at a 25-30% APR unless you absolutely cannot avoid it.
Do this for six months and you'll have a positive tradeline that can raise your score by double digits.
When to Skip Store Cards
If you shop mostly online or at non-department retailers, a store card might not add value. In that case, look at a secured credit card or a credit builder card instead.
And if you can't trust yourself not to overspend at your favorite store, it's better to pass.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the easiest department store credit card to get with bad credit? Kohl's, Target RedCard (store version), JCPenney, and TJX Rewards are consistently among the easiest approvals for lower credit scores. Approval is never guaranteed, but these retailers target credit rebuilders with lenient underwriting.
Will a department store card help my credit score? Yes, as long as the issuer reports to the major credit bureaus, which most major store cards do. On-time payments build credit history, and responsible use can raise your score in 3-6 months.
Can I get a department store card with a 550 credit score? Many store cards approve scores in the 550-600 range. Some, like Fingerhut, have even lower thresholds. Use the store's pre-qualification tool (soft pull, no score impact) to check your odds before applying.
Why are interest rates on store cards so high? Store cards target higher-risk borrowers, so the issuer prices in more risk. APRs of 25-35% are common. Always pay your store card balance in full to avoid these rates.
Should I keep a store card after I qualify for a better credit card? Yes, if it has no annual fee. An older account in good standing improves your credit age and lowers overall utilization. Use it for one small purchase each year with autopay to keep it active.
The Bottom Line
Department store cards are one of the easiest approvals for bad credit, but only worth it if you treat them as a credit-building tool. Pick one store you genuinely shop at, pay on time every month, and upgrade to a better card as your score climbs.
