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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Department Stores

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

Best Pick
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express card art
American Express Membership Rewards

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

2x
points per dollar
4.0%
effective return
No annual fee
annual fee

2x on U.S. Department Stores (Select)

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More Good Options

  • Target Circle Credit Card card art
    Target Circle
    Target Circle Credit Card
    5x
    pts/dollar
    5.0%
    return

    5x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)

  • Bilt Palladium Card card art
    Bilt Rewards
    Bilt Palladium Card
    2x
    pts/dollar
    4.0%
    return

    2x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)

    Learn more →
  • Capital One Venture Rewards card art
    Capital One
    Capital One Venture Rewards
    2x
    pts/dollar
    3.7%
    return

    2x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)

    Learn more →
  • Citi Double Cash card art
    Citi ThankYou Points
    Citi Double Cash
    2x
    pts/dollar
    3.6%
    return

    2x base rate (no bonus for Department Stores)

    Learn more →
Compare these 3 cards side by side

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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, Target Circle Credit Card: $300/yr, Bilt Palladium Card: $240/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.

Popular Department Stores merchants

Related categories