Best Credit Card for Department Stores
Compare the top credit cards for Target, Walmart, Macy's, and department stores and find which one earns the most rewards.
Department store purchases at Macy's, Nordstrom, and Kohl's typically code as retail or department stores. Store co-branded cards offer the highest earn rates, while flexible rewards cards treat these as general spending.
Top Pick
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
2x on U.S. Department Stores (Select)
Before you click out
- This is the best fit only if you actually spend heavily on department stores.
- You are optimizing for rewards without taking on an annual fee.
- If this is your pick, apply now and keep this page open in another tab for reference.
More Good Options
Bilt RewardsBilt Palladium Card2xpts/dollar4.0%return2x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)
Apply Now
Capital OneCapital One Venture Rewards2xpts/dollar3.7%return2x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)
Apply Now
Citi ThankYou PointsCiti Double Cash2xpts/dollar3.6%return2x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)
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Robinhood CashRobinhood Gold Card3xpts/dollar3.0%return3x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)
Apply Now
Want broader partner inventory before you commit?
Use the partner marketplace only if you are still in category-browsing mode. If the top pick above already fits, the direct apply path is the cleaner decision.
Rewards Calculator
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Quick summary
A short version of the recommendation with the main numbers and fallback option.
For Target, Walmart, Macy's, and department stores, Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is currently our top overall pick at 2x, which works out to about 4.0% back using CardCurator's current point valuations. 2x on U.S. Department Stores (Select). At $500/month of spend, the top card is worth about $240/year before signup bonuses or statement credits. Summary generated July 20, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/best-credit-card-for/department-stores
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express: 2x and 4.0% effective return.
- At $500/month, that's about $240/year in rewards value before bonuses.
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is the current no-fee fallback at 2x (4.0% effective return).
- Methodology uses live earn rates, annual fees, and current point valuations.
Common Questions
What is the best credit card for Department Stores?
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is currently the top pick for Target, Walmart, Macy's, and department stores, earning 2x points per dollar — an effective 4.0% return.
How many points do you earn on Department Stores purchases?
The top-rated card for Target, Walmart, Macy's, and department stores, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, earns 2x per dollar — an effective return of 4.0%.
Is there a no-annual-fee card that earns rewards on Department Stores?
Yes — the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 2x on Target, Walmart, Macy's, and department stores with no annual fee (4.0% effective return).
Is a premium card worth the annual fee for Department Stores spending?
The Bilt Palladium Card ($495/yr) earns 2x on Target, Walmart, Macy's, and department stores. If you spend $1,031/month or more on department stores, the rewards offset the annual fee — before counting travel credits and other perks.
Which card earns the most if I spend $500 per month on Department Stores?
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express: $240/yr, Bilt Palladium Card: $240/yr, Capital One Venture Rewards: $222/yr. The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns the most at $500/month.
Do rotating category cards earn on Department Stores?
Some cards — like Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it — occasionally feature department stores as a 5% bonus category for one quarter per year. Year-round, a dedicated department stores card typically outperforms rotating category cards since you can't always count on the bonus.