Best Clothing & Department Store Credit Cards (2026)
By Nick Buinenko · Published · Updated
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Almost every clothing and department store pushes its own credit card at checkout. T.J. Maxx, Kohl’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, Dillard’s, Belk, Ross, Burlington, Old Navy, Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret, and American Eagle all offer one, and so do specialty chains like Lane Bryant, Torrid, maurices, Buckle, LOFT and Talbots, each with its own first-purchase discount and its own rewards program. Most of these only pay off if you’re already a loyal, repeat shopper at that specific store and you pay the balance in full every month. Pick the wrong one and it becomes dead weight in your wallet the moment you shop somewhere else.
This page ranks all 22 clothing and department store cards we’ve reviewed side by side. We’ve personally opened and used a few of these ourselves (TJX Rewards, Ross Mastercard, and Nordstrom Visa), and researched the rest against official issuer terms and other published sources. The short answer is that most of these cards are closed-loop, meaning they only work inside one store or store family, so there’s no single “best” card the way there might be for a category like gas or dining. Which one is right for you depends entirely on where you actually shop and whether you want a card that also earns somewhere else.
A handful of these stores share a parent company or a payment network, and a few of the closed-loop cards here have separate open-loop siblings with different terms entirely, so we’ve flagged those distinctions in each card’s section below. Two of our own head-to-head comparisons, Kohl’s Card vs Macy’s Credit Card and Ross Mastercard vs TJX Rewards Credit Card, already ran the specific spending math for the two pairs on this list that are genuinely comparable. We lean on those findings here rather than re-deriving them.
Quick Picks
| # | Card | Best For | Editor Rating | Annual Fee | Key Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kohl’s Card | Best Overall | 3.5/5 | $0 | 7.5% in Kohl’s Rewards at Kohl’s (closed-loop) |
| 2 | JCPenney Credit Card | Best for JCPenney Shoppers | 3.3/5 | $0 | 7.5% back at JCPenney (closed-loop) |
| 3 | Nordstrom Visa Credit Card | Best for Everyday Spending | 3.3/5 | $0 | 2 points per $1 at Nordstrom and on gas, groceries, dining, and streaming everywhere else |
| 4 | American Eagle Real Rewards Visa | Best Reward Rate | 3.2/5 | $0 | 40 points per $1 (16% back) at AE/Aerie; 5 points per $1 (2% back) elsewhere Visa is accepted |
| 5 | Ross Mastercard | Best for Off-Price Shoppers Who Want a Backup Card | 3.2/5 | $0 | 5% at Ross; 1% everywhere else Mastercard is accepted |
| 6 | TJX Rewards Credit Card | Best Across Several Off-Price Stores | 3.0/5 | $0 | 5 points per $1 (5% back) at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, Homesense (closed-loop) |
| 7 | Macy’s Credit Card | Best for Macy’s Loyalists | 3.0/5 | $0 | 2 to 5 points per $1 at Macy’s, by tier (closed-loop) |
| 8 | Boscov’s Credit Card | Best for Boscov’s Shoppers Who Spend $1,000+ a Year | 2.9/5 | $0 | 2% back, 4% on cosmetics and fragrance, plus $20 per $1,000 spent (closed-loop) |
| 9 | FullBeauty Platinum Credit Card | Best for Plus-Size Shoppers Across Several Brands | 2.8/5 | $0 | 15 to 25 points per $1, about 5% to 8.3% back, across Woman Within, Roaman’s, Catherines and more (closed-loop) |
| 10 | Bloomingdale’s Credit Card | Best for Heavy Bloomingdale’s Spenders | 2.8/5 | $0 | 3 to 10 points per $1, about 1.5% to 5% back, by tier (closed-loop) |
| 11 | Buckle Credit Card | Best for Buckle Shoppers | 2.7/5 | $0 | 2 to 3 points per $1 at Buckle, about 6.7% to 10% back (closed-loop) |
| 12 | Victoria’s Secret Mastercard | Best for VS & PINK Shoppers | 2.7/5 | $0 | 10 points per $1 (5% back) at VS/PINK, more at Gold/VIP tier; 2 points per $1 (1% back) elsewhere Mastercard is accepted |
| 13 | Burlington Credit Card | Best for Burlington, Cohoes Fashions & MJM Shoppers | 2.7/5 | $0 | ~5% back at Burlington, Cohoes Fashions, MJM Designer Shoes (closed-loop) |
| 14 | Lane Bryant Credit Card | Best for Lane Bryant & Cacique Shoppers | 2.7/5 | $0 | 15 to 25 points per $1, about 5% to 8.3% back, by tier (closed-loop) |
| 15 | Belk Rewards+ Credit Card | Best for High-Spend Loyalists | 2.7/5 | $0 | 4 to 7 points per $1 at Belk, by tier (closed-loop) |
| 16 | Dillard’s Credit Card | Best for Easier Approval | 2.7/5 | $0 | ~1.33% back at Dillard’s (closed-loop) |
| 17 | LOFT Credit Card | Best for LOFT & Ann Taylor Shoppers | 2.6/5 | $0 | 5 points per $1 (5% back) at LOFT and Ann Taylor; Mastercard versions add 2 points on gas and grocery |
| 18 | Talbots Credit Card | Best for Talbots Shoppers | 2.6/5 | $0 | 5% back in Style Rewards at Talbots; the World Mastercard version also earns elsewhere |
| 19 | Torrid Credit Card | Best Instant Discount for Plus-Size Shoppers | 2.6/5 | $0 | 5% off Torrid purchases at checkout (closed-loop) |
| 20 | Maurices Credit Card | Best Ongoing Discount | 2.5/5 | $0 | Extra 10% off every maurices purchase, on top of free mRewards (about 5%) (closed-loop) |
| 21 | Bealls Inc. Credit Card | Best for Bealls-Family Shoppers | 2.4/5 | $0 | 5% back across five Bealls-family brands (closed-loop) |
| 22 | Old Navy Credit Card | Best for Gap Inc. Family Shoppers | 2.3/5 | $0 | 5 points per $1 at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta (closed-loop) |
Don’t read the “Key Rate” column as one scale. Most of these 22 cards are closed-loop, meaning the rate only applies inside one store or store family and the card earns $0 anywhere else. Four, American Eagle, Nordstrom, Ross, and Victoria’s Secret, run on a real Visa or Mastercard network and earn something everywhere that network is accepted, even outside the store the card is named for. Two more, LOFT and Talbots, may arrive as a Mastercard or as a store-only card, and the bank decides which. A few “rates” are discounts taken at the register (maurices, Torrid) rather than rewards you redeem later. All 22 charge no annual fee, so the fee isn’t what separates them: where you shop, and whether you want a card that still works when you’re not shopping there, are what actually matter.
Card-by-Card Breakdowns
1. Kohl’s Card — Best Overall
The Kohl’s Card earns 7.5% in Kohl’s Rewards on every Kohl’s and Kohls.com purchase, the only category it earns in at all since it’s closed-loop. What sets it apart is the welcome offer: 40% off one qualifying purchase, valid within 30 days of the credit becoming available, with no minimum spend.
Purchase APR runs 29.49% variable, and there’s no foreign transaction fee. Approval requires Good credit, 670 or higher. This card ties JCPenney for the highest flat rewards rate of any closed-loop card here (maurices’ 10% is a register discount, not a reward), and pairs it with the single best welcome offer on this page.
This is a research-based pick. For a shopper who already plans to spend at Kohl’s regularly, 40% off on day one, on top of an ongoing 7.5% rate, is hard for any other closed-loop card here to beat.
2. JCPenney Credit Card — Best for JCPenney Shoppers
The JCPenney Credit Card earns 1.5 CashPass points per $1, worth 7.5% back, on JCPenney purchases in-store and at jcp.com, and $0 anywhere else. It matches Kohl’s flat rate but trades Kohl’s percentage-off welcome offer for a flat-dollar discount instead: $35 off a $35-$499.99 purchase, or $125 off $500 or more, valid through 11/30/2026.
Purchase APR is 33.49% variable, and there’s no foreign transaction fee on this closed-loop card. That last point matters because a separate JCPenney Mastercard exists with a 3% foreign transaction fee; the closed-loop card reviewed here is not that card. Approval requires Good credit, 670 or higher.
JCPenney also runs a separate “Special Financing” program on furniture and mattress purchases of $499 or more, and it’s deferred interest rather than a true 0% rate — worth understanding why some store financing offers charge interest retroactively before you use it for a large purchase.
For a shopper who already knows roughly what they’re about to spend, a flat-dollar welcome discount is simpler math than a percentage-off coupon, even if the headline number looks less flashy than Kohl’s 40%.
3. Nordstrom Visa Credit Card — Best for Everyday Spending
The Nordstrom Visa Credit Card is the most versatile card in this lineup. It earns 2 points per $1 at Nordstrom, Nordstrom.com, and Nordstrom Local (up to 3 points per $1 at the Ambassador tier, which requires $5,000 or more in annual spend), plus a 5% instant discount at Nordstrom Rack. Outside Nordstrom, it still earns 2 points per $1 on gas, EV charging, groceries, dining, and streaming, and 1 point per $1 on everything else, because it’s a real Visa.
New cardholders get a $40 Nordstrom Note, issued on approval with no spend requirement. Purchase APR is 32.15% variable, based on TD Bank’s official Account Opening Disclosure. Approval requires Good credit, 670 or higher, and there’s no foreign transaction fee.
I hold this card myself, and the everyday categories are what make it worth keeping in rotation even on weeks I’m not shopping Nordstrom at all. A genuine 2% on groceries and dining, on top of the in-store bonus, is something none of the closed-loop cards on this page can match.
4. American Eagle Real Rewards Visa — Best Reward Rate
The Real Rewards by American Eagle & Aerie Visa pays 40 points per $1, worth 16% back, on AE and Aerie purchases, the single highest raw reward rate of any card on this page. Because it’s a real Visa, it still earns 5 points per $1 (2% back) everywhere else Visa is accepted, also the best “everywhere else” rate in this lineup.
The sign-up bonus is 20% off your first AE or Aerie purchase, with no spend requirement beyond making that first purchase. Purchase APR is 33.49% variable, and the card carries a 3% foreign transaction fee, worth knowing if you plan to use it while traveling. American Eagle doesn’t publish a minimum credit score for this card.
This is a research-based pick rather than a card we’ve personally carried, but the math is straightforward: nothing else on this page pays 16% at its own store while still earning a genuine 2% everywhere else. That combination makes it the strongest reward rate here by a wide margin.
5. Ross Mastercard — Best for Off-Price Shoppers Who Want a Backup Card
The Ross Mastercard earns 5% in Ross Rewards Dollars at Ross Dress for Less, and 1% everywhere else Mastercard is accepted, since it’s a real Mastercard rather than a closed-loop card. That makes it a low-value but genuinely usable backup card for spend outside Ross, something none of the fully closed-loop cards here can offer.
The sign-up bonus is 10% off your first purchase, and purchase APR runs 30.74% variable. There’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, and approval requires Fair credit, 640 or higher. The tradeoff to watch is redemption speed: Reward Dollars certificates expire in just 60 days, one of the tighter windows on this page (only Kohl’s Cash and Macy’s Star Money, at 30 days, are shorter).
I’ve carried this card, and the certificate clock is the thing that catches people off guard. Earn 5% at Ross all you want, but if a certificate sits unredeemed past 60 days, it’s gone. Our Ross Mastercard vs TJX Rewards Credit Card comparison walks through how that plays out against TJX Rewards’ looser redemption terms.
6. TJX Rewards Credit Card — Best Across Several Off-Price Stores
TJX Rewards has the widest merchant footprint of any closed-loop card in this lineup. One card earns 5 points per $1, worth 5% back, across T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense, both in-store and online. It’s closed-loop, so it earns $0 anywhere outside those five banners, but few off-price shoppers stick to just one of them.
New cardholders get 10% off their first purchase, with no minimum spend required. Purchase APR runs 30.74% variable, and there’s no foreign transaction fee, which is a moot point on a closed-loop card that can’t be used internationally anyway. Approval sits at Fair credit, 620 or higher, the most accessible bar of any card on this page.
I’ve carried this card myself for T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods runs, and the flat 5% rate across five different store banners is genuinely rare for a closed-loop card. If your off-price shopping is spread across the TJX family rather than locked to one chain, this is the card to get, and its 620 credit bar is the most accessible on this page.
7. Macy’s Credit Card — Best for Macy’s Loyalists
The Macy’s Credit Card runs on Star Rewards tiers: 2 points per $1 at Silver (new cardholders, under $500/year in Macy’s spend), 3 points per $1 at Gold ($500-$1,199/year), and 5 points per $1 at Platinum ($1,200 or more/year). It won’t beat Kohl’s or JCPenney’s flat 7.5%, and its Silver tier only ties a flat 2% cash-back card; Gold and Platinum clear it.
The welcome offer is 30% off macys.com on the day of approval, with an in-store discount that varies (Macy’s standard new-account discount is 20%), capped at $100 total; sources vary on whether that window is strictly the day of approval or the first two days, so we’re stating the more conservative version. Purchase APR is 32.99% variable, and there’s no foreign transaction fee on this closed-loop card. That matters because a separate Macy’s American Express co-brand exists with a 3% foreign transaction fee; the card reviewed here is not that card. Approval requires Fair credit, 640 or higher.
Our Kohl’s Card vs Macy’s Credit Card comparison already ran the head-to-head math between these two department store cards if you’re deciding between them specifically.
8. Boscov’s Credit Card — Best for Boscov’s Shoppers Who Spend $1,000+ a Year
The Boscov’s Credit Card earns 2 points per $1 at Boscov’s (2% back, at 500 points per $5 certificate) and 4 points per $1 on cosmetics and fragrance (4%), plus an uncapped 2,000 bonus points ($20) for every $1,000 spent in a program year. On $100 a month that’s $24 a year at the base rate, up to $44 once the bonus posts.
New cardholders get 15% off their first purchase, capped at $300 on non-Travel purchases, paid as a statement credit. Purchase APR is a variable 33.24%, and no minimum credit score is published. Points expire every January 31 and certificates 120 days after issue.
This is a research-based pick. At the base rate it only ties a flat 2% card, so the $1,000 bonus or the cosmetics rate is what makes it worth carrying.
9. FullBeauty Platinum Credit Card — Best for Plus-Size Shoppers Across Several Brands
One Comenity account works across the FullBeauty family, including Woman Within, Roaman’s, Catherines, Jessica London, KingSize and BrylaneHome. It earns 15 points per $1 at Silver (about 5% back), 20 at Gold (about 6.7%) and 25 at Elite (about 8.3%), with the tier set by points earned in a calendar year. Points convert to a $10 certificate per 3,000 points after a 30-day vesting period.
The welcome offer is $10 off a first purchase of $25 or more, plus a $10 bonus reward emailed later. Purchase APR is a flat 35.99%, and no minimum credit score is published. Certificates expire 90 days after issue and unconverted points after 12 months, so this card rewards steady shopping rather than one big order a year.
This is a research-based pick. The brand spread is the reason to choose it over a single-brand plus-size card.
10. Bloomingdale’s Credit Card — Best for Heavy Bloomingdale’s Spenders
The Bloomingdale’s Credit Card earns Loyallist points at 3 per $1 at the starting tier (1.5% back), 4 at Top of the List (2%) and 10 at Top of the List Unlocked (5%), which a published summary of the program puts at $15,000 in net purchases in a calendar year. Every 5,000 points becomes a $25 reward. A separate Bloomingdale’s American Express Card earns outside the store too, but caps its top tier at 4 points per $1.
The welcome offer is 20% off Bloomingdale’s purchases on the day of approval and the next day, up to $250 in total savings. Purchase APR is a variable 32.99%, and no minimum credit score is published. Points and rewards can expire, so check the Loyallist terms before saving up.
This is a research-based pick. At the starting tier it earns less than a flat 2% card; Macy’s, from the same issuer, reaches 5% at $1,200 a year of spend. Our Macy’s vs Bloomingdale’s credit card comparison runs the two Citi department-store cards through the same spending profiles.
11. Buckle Credit Card — Best for Buckle Shoppers
The Buckle Credit Card earns 2 points per $1 on Buckle purchases made with the card (Premier), rising to 3 points per $1 at Premier+ once you put $1,000 of purchases on the card in a calendar year. Every 300 points earns a $10 reward, so that’s about 6.7% and 10% back. Free Buckle Rewards members earn 1 point per $1, so the card doubles the free tier. On $100 a month it returns $80 a year at Premier and up to $120 at Premier+, which is $40 to $80 more than the free membership.
New cardholders get 10% off their first Buckle Credit Card purchase once approved (one time only; excludes tax and shipping). Purchase APR is a flat 35.99%, with a penalty APR of up to 39.99%, and a $2.99 paper statement fee applies in months with a balance above $3.50 unless you go paperless. Buckle and its bank publish no minimum credit score.
This is a research-based pick, and a strong one for a regular Buckle shopper who pays in full. At 35.99%, carrying about $222 for a year erases the $80 Premier reward.
12. Victoria’s Secret Mastercard — Best for VS & PINK Shoppers
The Victoria’s Secret Mastercard earns 10 points per $1 (5% back) at Victoria’s Secret and PINK on the Base/Silver tier, rising to 15 points per $1 (7.5% back) once you reach Gold/VIP status after $750 or more in annual spend. Bras earn an even higher rate, 30 points per $1 on Base/Silver or 45 points per $1 on Gold/VIP. On Mastercard purchases outside those categories, it earns 4 points per $1 (2% back) on dining, travel, and streaming, and 2 points per $1 (1% back) on everything else. Points redeem at 2,000 points = $10.
The sign-up bonus is $25 off your first Victoria’s Secret or PINK purchase. Purchase APR runs 35.99% variable, tied for the steepest on this page, and approval score isn’t published. The foreign transaction fee is 3%, a correction worth flagging: this Mastercard version carries the fee per Comenity’s own cardholder terms and a CFPB-filed agreement, even though “no foreign transaction fee” is correct for the separate closed-loop VS store card.
This is a research-based pick. A real Mastercard paying a strong 5% at VS/PINK (7.5% once you hit Gold/VIP), with an even higher rate on bras and useful bonus categories elsewhere, is a genuine value for a loyal VS/PINK shopper.
13. Burlington Credit Card — Best for Burlington, Cohoes Fashions & MJM Shoppers
The Burlington Credit Card earns 1 point per $1 across Burlington, Cohoes Fashions, and MJM Designer Shoes, with 100 points converting to a $5 Rewards certificate, roughly 5% back. It’s closed-loop and earns $0 outside those three banners.
The welcome offer is 10% off your first purchase, usable same-day in-store or within 2 days of approval online via an emailed code. Purchase APR is the steepest of this off-price sub-group at 33.99% variable, and approval requires Fair credit, 640 or higher. The foreign transaction fee isn’t confirmed by a clear numeric statement from either Comenity or WalletHub, though as a closed-loop, U.S.-only card, it isn’t a practical concern either way.
This is a research-based pick. A genuine 5% back across three banners with no annual fee is solid, but it shares Ross’s tight 60-day certificate expiration, so redeem promptly rather than letting a balance sit.
14. Lane Bryant Credit Card — Best for Lane Bryant & Cacique Shoppers
The Lane Bryant Credit Card earns 15, 20 or 25 points per $1 at the Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers, and every 1,500 points becomes a $5 Reward, so that’s about 5%, 6.7% and 8.3% back at Lane Bryant, Cacique and affiliated outlets. Through December 31, 2026, bras bought with the card earn double points (about 10% to 16.7%). Lane Bryant doesn’t print the tier thresholds; NerdWallet lists Gold at $350 and Platinum at $800 of annual spend.
The welcome offer is $20 off a first purchase of at least $20.01, used the same day the account opens. Purchase APR is a flat 35.99%, with a penalty APR of up to 39.99%. The recommended credit score is about 670 (Good, per The Points Guy), tied with Kohl’s, JCPenney and Nordstrom for the highest bar on this page.
This is a research-based pick. At Silver it pays the same 5% as Torrid’s discount; our Torrid vs Lane Bryant comparison shows when the tiers make the difference.
15. Belk Rewards+ Credit Card — Best for High-Spend Loyalists
Belk Rewards+ runs on a tiered structure: 4 points per $1 at Insider status (the entry tier), rising to 5 points per $1 at Premier status after $300 in net Belk spend in a calendar year, and 7 points per $1 at Elite status after $1,000. That 7-points-per-$1 ceiling is one of the higher tiered rates in this lineup (Buckle’s Premier+ reaches 10%), and $1,000 a year is a reachable bar for a genuinely loyal Belk shopper.
New cardholders get 1,000 bonus points, a $10 value, for a purchase made the day the account is approved, plus a first-purchase coupon: 20% or 25% off if you’re approved instantly and use it the day the account opens, or 20% off in the welcome package if approval comes later, per Synchrony’s Belk page. Purchase APR is steep at 34.99% variable, with a 39.99% penalty APR for late or missed payments, and Belk doesn’t publish a minimum credit score.
This card rewards loyalty over flash. A shopper who crosses the $1,000/year Elite threshold outearns most closed-loop cards on this page; a shopper who doesn’t is stuck at a middling 4%.
16. Dillard’s Credit Card — Best for Easier Approval
The Dillard’s Credit Card earns 2 Rewards Points per $1, roughly 1.33% back, at Dillard’s locations, by phone through Dillard’s, in the Dillard’s mobile or digital wallet, and at dillards.com. It’s closed-loop and earns $0 anywhere else. It’s one of the weakest ongoing reward rates on this page, trailing a generic flat 2% cash-back card.
What it offers instead is easier approval: Fair credit, 640 or higher, alongside a genuine near-term discount, 10% off a Welcome Shopping Pass on your first statement, capped at $100, after $100 in Dillard’s spend on the day you’re approved. Purchase APR is 32.74% variable, and there’s no foreign transaction fee on this closed-loop card; a separate Dillard’s Mastercard variant does carry one, so don’t confuse the two.
This is a research-based pick. If reward rate is your top priority, this isn’t the card. If you value an accessible approval bar and a real discount on your first Dillard’s purchase, it delivers both.
17. LOFT Credit Card — Best for LOFT & Ann Taylor Shoppers
The LOFT card earns 5 points per $1 at LOFT, LOFT Outlet, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Factory, and 1,000 points become a $10 certificate, so that’s 5% back in brand certificates. There are three versions, the LOFT Mastercard, the LOFT World Mastercard and the store-only LOFT Credit Card, and the bank decides which one you get. The Mastercard versions add 2 points per $1 on gas and grocery and 1 point elsewhere, with a 3% foreign transaction fee.
The welcome offer is an extra 20% off your first qualifying purchase when you open and immediately use the card. Purchase APR is a flat 35.99%, and no minimum credit score is published.
This is a research-based pick. Even the off-brand points come back as LOFT and Ann Taylor certificates, so it only makes sense if you shop those brands.
18. Talbots Credit Card — Best for Talbots Shoppers
Talbots cardholders earn 1 Style Point per $1 at Talbots, and 500 points issue a $25 Style Reward, which works out to 5% back, or 1.25 points per $1 at Premier status. One application covers two cards: the bank decides whether you get the store-only Talbots Credit Card or the Talbots World Mastercard. Only the Mastercard earns outside Talbots, at 2.5% on restaurants and 1% elsewhere, and it carries a 3% foreign transaction fee.
The welcome offer is an extra 20% off when you open and use a Talbots card. Purchase APR is a flat 35.99%, and no minimum credit score is published. Style Points expire 12 months after they post and Style Rewards 180 days after issue.
This is a research-based pick. Apply knowing you can’t choose which version you’ll get.
19. Torrid Credit Card — Best Instant Discount for Plus-Size Shoppers
The Torrid Credit Card takes 5% off Torrid purchases made with the card, at the register and on torrid.com. There are no points to track or redeem, and it earns nothing outside Torrid. Cardholders earn Torrid Rewards at the same rate as non-cardholders, so the 5% is the whole card benefit.
New cardholders get an extra 25% off their first purchase, which does not stack with the 5% on that purchase. Purchase APR is a flat 35.99%, the editorial credit-score estimate is about 640 (Fair), and a $2.99 paper statement fee applies in months with a balance above $3.50 unless you go paperless.
This is a research-based pick. It’s the simplest plus-size card here, and at Lane Bryant’s Silver tier the two pay the same 5%.
20. Maurices Credit Card — Best Ongoing Discount
The Maurices Credit Card works differently from the points cards above. Cardholders get an extra 10% off every maurices purchase, on top of the free mRewards program (1 point per $1, 100 points = $5, about 5% back) that any shopper can join without the card. On $100 a month, the card-only extras, the 10% discount plus a $10 birthday bonus and a $5 anniversary bonus, are worth about $130 a year, the strongest card-exclusive return among the specialty apparel cards on this page.
New cardholders get 15% off a first purchase made the same day the account opens. Purchase APR is a flat 35.99% variable, with a penalty APR of up to 39.99%, and the credit-score estimate is about 640 (Fair), per WalletHub. The card is closed-loop, so a foreign transaction fee doesn’t apply.
This is a research-based pick. Judge it on the 10% discount, not the points: the points are free to everyone.
21. Bealls Inc. Credit Card — Best for Bealls-Family Shoppers
The Bealls Inc. Credit Card earns 1 point per $1, with 100 points converting to a $5 Reward, a flat 5% back across bealls, Bealls Florida, Home Centric, Rugged Earth Outfitters and Reel Legends. It’s closed-loop and earns nothing outside those five brands.
New cardholders get 10% off when they open and use the card the same day, in-store only. Purchase APR is a flat 35.99%, and no minimum credit score is published. Its redemption window is the most forgiving among the Comenity cards here: points roll over 12 months, and issued $5 Reward certificates last 365 days.
This is a research-based pick. A flat 5% across five banners with a full year to redeem is a low-maintenance card for a regular Bealls-family shopper.
22. Old Navy Credit Card — Best for Gap Inc. Family Shoppers
The Old Navy Credit Card earns 5 points per $1 across Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta, with 500 points converting to a $1 reward, roughly 1% back. It’s closed-loop and earns $0 outside those four banners. Barclays’ own page states this 5-point rate is promotional through 12/31/2026, stepping down to 3 points per $1 afterward, so treat it as a time-bound rate rather than a permanent one.
The welcome offer is 30% off your first Old Navy purchase, made with the card within 14 days of account opening, the second-largest welcome-offer percentage on this page after Kohl’s 40%. Purchase APR is 33.49% variable, and Old Navy doesn’t publish a minimum credit score. The foreign transaction fee isn’t confirmed for this exact closed-loop card: Barclays operates a separate open-loop Old Navy Encore Mastercard that does carry a 3% fee, and the only sources citing a number for this store-only version may be describing that sibling product instead, so we’re not printing a figure here until it’s confirmed. As a card usable only at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta, this isn’t a practical concern for most cardholders either way.
This is a research-based pick. The 30%-off welcome offer across four Gap Inc. banners at once is genuinely strong, but the tradeoff is the weakest ongoing ceiling on this page once the promotional 5-point rate steps down after 2026.
Full review: Old Navy Credit Card
How We Picked These Cards
All 22 cards on this page charge no annual fee and are tied to a clothing or department store. The order follows each card’s FinBedrock editor rating, the same 0-5 score shown in its full review (October 2026 data). That rating weighs cost against value, the reward rate and structure, the welcome offer, the APR and fees, how accessible approval is, and how the card stacks up against its closest rivals. Where two cards share a rating, the tie goes to the in-store return you can count on from day one (the entry tier, not the top tier), then to versatility, since a real Visa or Mastercard that keeps earning after you leave the store beats a closed-loop card, then to the more accessible approval bar. That’s why a big headline number doesn’t guarantee a high spot: maurices’ 10% card discount and Lane Bryant’s double points on bras come with a 35.99% APR, while Kohl’s pairs a flat 7.5% with a 29.49% APR and the best welcome offer here. Credit score minimums across this lineup range from Fair (620) to Good (670), and many of these cards publish none at all; see our breakdown of approval-score minimums across store cards if you want the full picture, along with how opening one of these affects your credit score in the first place. We only considered cards with an already-published, independently verified review.
Several of these run through the same banks behind the scenes: TJX Rewards, American Eagle, JCPenney, and Belk share the Synchrony Bank umbrella behind several of these cards, while Ross, Burlington, Victoria’s Secret, maurices, Buckle, FullBeauty, Lane Bryant, Bealls, Talbots, LOFT, Torrid and Boscov’s share the Comenity/Bread Financial umbrella behind several of these cards. Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Dillard’s are all Citi cards.
Bottom Line
Nick Buinenko · Founder, FinBedrock
The Kohl’s Card is the top pick on this page. It has the highest editor rating of the 22 (3.5/5): a flat 7.5% back on every Kohl’s purchase with no tiers to climb, the best welcome offer here at 40% off one purchase, and one of the lower APRs in the lineup at 29.49%. The JCPenney Credit Card matches its 7.5% with a flat-dollar welcome discount, and the Nordstrom Visa is the best card here for spending outside the store.
That doesn’t make the rest filler. American Eagle pays the single highest raw rate at its own store while still earning 2% everywhere else, and Ross works as a low-value backup Mastercard outside Ross. TJX Rewards is still the pick for shoppers who split their time across T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, with the most accessible credit bar on the page. Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s tiers reward heavy spend, and Boscov’s beats a flat 2% card once you clear its $1,000 bonus. Buckle, FullBeauty and Lane Bryant reward loyal shoppers with tiers up to 10%, 8.3% and 8.3%. Victoria’s Secret pays a strong rate at VS/PINK with real bonus categories, Burlington pays 5% across three banners, Belk’s tiers reward $1,000-a-year shoppers, and Dillard’s trades reward rate for an easier approval bar. LOFT, Talbots and Torrid each pay a steady 5% in their own brands, maurices pays the biggest ongoing in-store discount on the page, Bealls gives a full year to redeem, and Old Navy’s welcome offer stays one of the best here even with a reward rate set to step down after 2026.
If you’re deciding specifically between Kohl’s and Macy’s, or between Ross and TJX Rewards, read Kohl’s Card vs Macy’s Credit Card and Ross Mastercard vs TJX Rewards Credit Card for the exact head-to-head math before applying for either one. Plus-size shoppers choosing between the two biggest names can read Torrid vs Lane Bryant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best credit card for clothing or department store shopping?
It depends on where you shop. The Kohl’s Card is the best overall pick and has the highest editor rating on this page: a flat 7.5% back at Kohl’s, 40% off one purchase as a welcome offer, and a 29.49% APR that is low for a store card. If you split your shopping across T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, the TJX Rewards Credit Card pays a flat 5% across all five TJX banners with the most accessible credit bar here. If you want the single highest raw reward rate, the American Eagle Real Rewards Visa pays 16% back at AE and Aerie. If you want one card that keeps earning even when you’re not shopping a specific store, the Nordstrom Visa Credit Card earns a real 2% on gas, groceries, dining, and streaming on top of its Nordstrom bonus.
What's the difference between a closed-loop store card and an open-loop store Visa or Mastercard?
A closed-loop card, like the Kohl’s Card, Macy’s Credit Card, JCPenney Credit Card, Dillard’s Credit Card, Belk Rewards+, Burlington Credit Card, TJX Rewards, Old Navy Credit Card, and the maurices, Buckle, FullBeauty, Lane Bryant, Bealls, Torrid, Boscov’s and Bloomingdale’s cards, has no payment network behind it and only works at that store or store family. An open-loop card, like the Ross Mastercard, Nordstrom Visa Credit Card, Victoria’s Secret Mastercard, and American Eagle Real Rewards Visa, runs on a real Visa or Mastercard network and can be used anywhere that network is accepted, usually at a lower rate outside the store itself. LOFT and Talbots can go either way: the bank decides whether you get a Mastercard or a store-only card.
Can I use my Kohl's Card at Macy's, or vice versa?
No. Both the Kohl’s Card and the Macy’s Credit Card are closed-loop cards, meaning each one only works at its own store. The Kohl’s Card earns nothing at Macy’s, and the Macy’s Credit Card earns nothing at Kohl’s. See Kohl’s Card vs Macy’s Credit Card for a full side-by-side comparison.
Do clothing store credit cards hurt my credit score?
Not inherently. Like any credit card, applying triggers a hard inquiry and opening one changes your credit mix and average account age, but responsible use, paying on time and keeping utilization low, can help your score over time. See Do Store Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit? for the full breakdown.
What credit score do I need for a clothing or department store credit card?
It varies by card. On this page, the most accessible bars are Fair credit (620-640) for the TJX Rewards Credit Card, Ross Mastercard, Belk Rewards+, Burlington Credit Card, Macy’s Credit Card, and Dillard’s Credit Card, with editorial estimates of about 640 for the Torrid and maurices cards. Kohl’s Card, JCPenney Credit Card and the Lane Bryant Credit Card (an editorial estimate) sit at Good credit (670+). American Eagle Real Rewards Visa, Victoria’s Secret Mastercard, Old Navy Credit Card and most of the other specialty cards here don’t publish a minimum score. See What Credit Score Do You Need for a Store Credit Card? for more detail.
Do store credit card rewards expire?
It depends on the card. Kohl’s Cash and Macy’s Star Money expire 30 days after issue, the tightest windows on this page, and Ross and Burlington certificates last 60 days. FullBeauty certificates last 90 days and Boscov’s 120, while Bealls certificates last a full year. Discount cards like maurices and Torrid have nothing to expire. Always check the specific card’s terms before letting rewards build up, since an expired certificate is money left on the table.
Which clothing store card has the best welcome offer?
Kohl’s Card leads with 40% off one qualifying purchase and no minimum spend. Old Navy Credit Card is next at 30% off a first purchase, and American Eagle Real Rewards Visa gives 20%. Belk Rewards+ combines 1,000 bonus points with a 20% or 25% off first-purchase coupon, Torrid gives an extra 25% off a first purchase, and Bloomingdale’s gives 20% off for two days, up to $250. Which one is actually best for you depends on which store you were already planning to shop at.
What to Read Next
- ComparisonKohl's Card vs Macy's Credit Card
- ComparisonRoss Mastercard vs TJX Rewards Credit Card
- ComparisonTorrid Credit Card vs Lane Bryant Credit Card
- GuideWhat Credit Score Do You Need for a Store Credit Card?
- GuideDeferred Interest Explained: The Store-Card Trap
- GuideDo Store Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit?
- GuideWhat Is Comenity Bank (Bread Financial)?
- GuideWhat Is Synchrony Bank?
FinBedrock.ai may earn commissions from card referrals. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Card offers, bonuses, APRs, and benefits may change — always verify current details directly with the issuer before applying.