Andrew Lisa Updated on March 1, 2023
Andrew Lisa is CardCritics’ credit card expert. His work has been featured by Time, MSN, Fortune and many more publications.
High Interest Rates
Most store cards charge a higher than average APRs. According to Federal Reserve data, the average annual percentage rate (APR) across all credit card accounts in the U.S. was 22.12% during the fourth quarter of 2022. With many store cards, you’ll face an APR of at least 20% if you don’t pay the balance in full each month. Alternatively, most general use credit cards offer an 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for a year or more.
Minimal Rewards
You won’t get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to store credit cards, as their rewards can’t compare to the rewards you get with other general use credit cards. Spending a lot of money at a store doesn’t guarantee the rewards will be worth the investment, either. Plus, you are limited to one spending category to earn them – the money you spend at that particular retailer. Retail cards also tend to entice you to sign up with an additional discount on your first purchase. Other rewards and cash back cards offer much more lucrative welcome offers for new card members.
Low Credit Limits
If you are used to having a credit limit of several thousand dollars on your regular credit card, then you’ll be disappointed to find that many store credit cards only offer limits of a few hundred dollars.
Minimal Redemption Options
Unlike other credit cards, store credit cards don’t give you many choices when it comes to redeeming your rewards. You are typically limited to redeeming them at the retailer itself.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
- $0 annual fee
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
If you have decided it is time to ditch your store credit card and you are ready for an upgrade, here’s a list of cards that offer generous intro APRs, incredible ongoing perks, flexible redemption options and much more.
3% Back On Groceries, Dining & More
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
If you spend regularly on dining, entertainment, groceries and online streaming services, then the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card would be a great addition to your wallet as cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back in those categories. You will also earn 1% back on all of your other purchases. There is no annual fee and new cardmembers can also benefit from a 0% intro on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable). There is a 3% balance transfer fee but that fee is likely worth it if you are paying interest each month on another card. You can also kick off your cash back earnings with a $200 welcome bonus that can be earned by spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months. That is a much lower spending requirement than the other cards we have featured and it equates to 40% cash back on your first $500 in purchases.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
This stellar card from Capital One is an excellent choice for those who spend regularly in the dining, entertainment, streaming services and grocery categories. There is a lucrative bonus opportunity, a generous intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers and a $0 annual fee. Read our in-depth Critical Analysis to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% – 29.74% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Double Your Cash Back Your First Year
Discover it® Cash Back
The Discover it® Cash Back is a well-rounded option as it offers fantastic cash back rewards, a generous intro APR period, a unique bonus opportunity and does not charge an annual fee. You will earn 5% back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate, then you earn 1%) and 1% back on all of your other purchases. The unlimited cash back match bonus is what sets this card apart. All of the cash back you’ve earned in your first year is matched. There are no minimums or hoops to jump through to earn this bonus. It is easy and can be very lucrative if you use your card regularly and take advantage of the 5% categories. Round out all of this with a 0% Intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 15 months, then 16.49% – 27.49% Variable APR.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
This card is a cash back powerhouse with a unique opportunity to earn an unlimited cash back bonus at the end of year one. It offers a generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, impressive ongoing rewards and has no annual fee. Read our in-depth Critical Analysis to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 16.49% to 27.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Unlimited 3X Rewards on Restaurants, Travel, Gas & More
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
This $0 annual fee credit card is a top-rated rewards card that offers unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. There are no caps to worry about and no rewards calendars to keep track of. Plus you will also earn 1X on all of your other purchases. New card members can also earn an impressive 20,000-point welcome bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. This bonus has a $200 cash redemption value! In addition to the cash redemption option, you can also redeem your rewards for travel, gift cards, and more. And while there is no intro APR offer for balance transfers it does offer a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, followed by a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
This rewards card from Wells Fargo offers a seriously impressive lineup of benefits, especially for a card without an annual fee. You will earn 20,000 bonus points (a $200 cash redemption value) when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Your ongoing rewards can add up quickly as well since you earn 3X points at restaurants, gas stations and on travel, transit and streaming services. There are no category limits to worry about and you can earn 1X points on your other purchases. Read our in-depth Critical Analysis to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up – like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR thereafter
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions.
Choose Your 3% Category
Apply Now
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card you get to decide which category you’ll earn 3% back in each month. You can select from gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings while also earning 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. The bonus cash back earned in these combined categories (your choice, grocery and wholesale clubs) is capped at $2,500 in purchases each quarter. You’ll earn 1% after that cap is hit and on all of your other purchases. To sweeten the deal, you’ll also earn a $200 online cash back rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases on your card within the first 90 days of your account opening. That’s an additional 20% back on your first $1,000 spent! That is a huge list of perks for a card with no annual fee.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a top contender in the field of cash back cards without annual fees especially if you’re looking for a generous intro APR. With an easy to achieve intro bonus and fantastic ongoing cash back rewards, it checks all the important boxes. Read our in-depth Critical Analysis to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
- 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.