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Are 5% Store Credit Cards Really Worth It?
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5% Store Credit Cards

Are 5% Store Credit Cards Really Worth It?

Store credit cards that pay 5% or more at a single retailer look like easy savings. Used right, they work like a permanent sale on things you buy anyway. Used wrong, they turn into very expensive, 30%-APR debt.

This guide covers when 5% store cards make sense and 10 major U.S. cards that give 5%+ back at their own stores.

How 5% Store Cards Really Work

A 5% reward means $50 back on every $1,000 you spend at that store. The deal is strongest when three things line up:

– You spend a lot at that retailer month after month.
– You get a decent credit limit, so you are not maxed out.
– You always pay the statement balance in full and on time.

Most store cards charge APRs around the 30% range. One or two months of interest can erase months of rewards. These cards only work in your favor if you treat them as tools for discounts, not as a way to carry a balance.

Top 10 Store Cards That Give 5%+ at Their Own Stores

1. Prime Visa (Chase) – Amazon and Whole Foods

Store focus: Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, Chase Travel (with eligible Prime membership)
Main earn rate: 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with a qualifying Prime membership.

For people who run a big share of groceries and online orders through Amazon and Whole Foods, this can feel like a built-in 5% rebate.

2. Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

Store focus: Amazon Business, Amazon.com, AWS, Whole Foods Market in the U.S.
Main earn rate: 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Business, AWS, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Business Prime membership on the first $120,000 per year, then 1%.

This card fits businesses that push serious volume through Amazon and AWS and want steady rewards on recurring expenses.

3. Target Circle Card

Store focus: Target stores and Target.com.
Main earn rate: 5% off most eligible Target purchases, in-store and online, applied instantly at checkout.
If most groceries and household items come from Target, that everyday 5% discount quietly trims the bill all year.

4. OnePay CashRewards Card (Walmart)

Store focus: Walmart.
Main earn rate: 5% cash back at Walmart for Walmart+ members, 3% for non-members, plus 1.5% back on other purchases.
Heavy Walmart shoppers with Walmart+ can turn this into a main card for big-box spending, as long as the balance is paid off every month.

5. MyLowe’s Rewards Credit Card

Store focus: Lowe’s and Lowes.com.
Main earn rate: 5% off eligible Lowe’s purchases when charged to the card, in store and online.

Regular home-improvement, rental, or project spending at Lowe’s becomes cheaper with an everyday 5% discount.

6. My Best Buy Credit Card

Store focus: Best Buy and BestBuy.com.
Main earn rate: 5% back in rewards on qualifying Best Buy purchases when you choose standard credit.

Frequent buyers of TVs, laptops, and appliances can earn solid rewards on high-ticket electronics.

7. Wayfair Credit Card and Wayfair Mastercard

Store focus: Wayfair family of brands.
Main earn rate: 7% back in rewards on eligible purchases when paying with the Wayfair credit card without promo financing, or 5% back when choosing promotional financing.

For furniture and décor orders that regularly run through Wayfair, this card can return a noticeable slice of each project cost as rewards.

8. Kohl’s Card with Kohl’s Rewards

Store focus: Kohl’s and Kohls.com.
Main earn rate: 5% back in Kohl’s Rewards for all members; 7.5% back in rewards when using a Kohl’s Card together with Kohl’s Rewards.

Stacked with coupons and Kohl’s Cash events, that 7.5% rewards rate can create a high effective discount on clothing and home items.

9. Macy’s Credit Card – Platinum Tier

Store focus: Macy’s, Macy’s Backstage, and macys.com.
Main earn rate: 5 points per $1 at Macy’s for Platinum-tier cardholders, which works out to about 5% back in rewards.

For loyal Macy’s shoppers who already reach Platinum each year, the higher earn rate is a steady 5% rebate on department-store spending.

10. TJX Rewards Credit Card and TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard

Store focus: T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, Homesense.
Main earn rate: 5% back in rewards at TJX family stores, paid as rewards certificates.

Regular trips to the TJX brands can quickly turn that 5% into certificates for future off-price finds.

5% Store Cards vs. Welcome Offers

A welcome bonus on a general rewards card is usually a one-time burst: spend a set amount in the first few months and get a large block of points or cash back. A 5% store card pays less up front but keeps paying every time you use it at that retailer.

The trade-off is simple:

– If monthly spending at one store is high and the balance is always paid in full, an ongoing 5%+ card can beat a one-time welcome bonus over time.
– If spending is light or scattered across many stores, a strong welcome offer on a good general-purpose card usually delivers more value than a 5% store card that only sees occasional swipes.

APR and credit limits still matter. Most store cards sit around the 30% APR mark, and many start with low limits. High interest plus high utilization on a small line can hurt quickly if the balance is not cleared every month.

Bottom Line on 5% Store Cards

The core math is straightforward:

– High spend at a single retailer + full payoff every month + a reasonable credit limit = a 5% store card that can be worth it long-term.
– Light or occasional store spending = better results from a strong general rewards card with a good welcome offer and solid everyday earn.

Used selectively and paid off in full, these 10 cards can work as targeted tools that make regular shopping cheaper without turning into expensive debt.

Karl’s mission is simple

To provide the tools, resources, and guidance needed to help consumers make the best financial decisions, whether they’re looking to earn travel rewards, build credit, or find the best cash-back options. His goal is to demystify the credit card process and give users the confidence to navigate the vast array of options available.

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