Store Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Store cards at a glance

Card terms change, so check the issuer's site before you apply.

Amazon Secured Card

Synchrony's Amazon Secured Card (and the Prime version) asks for a deposit equal to your credit limit. Its terms show a 10.00% APR on secured features and a late fee of up to $5, both low for a credit-building card.

After 12 months, you're considered for a move to the regular Amazon Store Card, and your deposit is returned less any balance you owe. Once you switch, the secured features are permanently disabled.

The limitation: it only works for Amazon purchases. If you want a card you can use anywhere, a general-purpose secured card may help more.

How deferred interest works

Many store cards advertise "no interest if paid in full" within a set period. That's deferred interest, and it's different from a true 0% APR.

• True 0% APR: no interest is charged during the promo period. After it ends, interest applies only to what's left.
• Deferred interest: interest builds in the background from the purchase date. If any of the promo balance remains when the period ends, that interest is usually added to your account.

Example: you finance a $600 purchase on a 12-month deferred-interest plan and still owe $50 at month 12. You could be charged interest on the full $600 going back to the purchase date, not just the $50.

If you use one of these promotions, divide the balance by the number of months and pay at least that amount every month.

Amazon and Kohl's financing changes

Amazon: according to a secondary report, Synchrony stopped deferred-interest promotions on new Amazon Store Card purchases in the week of February 16, 2026. The remaining 0% option is Equal Monthly Payments, with no retroactive interest: roughly 6 months for purchases of $50–$599.99 and 12 months for $600 or more. Older plans keep their original terms.

Kohl's: the Kohl's Card offers promotional financing described as 6, 12, 18 or 24 months of "waived interest charges." Waived-interest promotions usually work like deferred interest, so read the agreement before using one. The card has a 30.24% variable APR and a late fee of up to $40.

Why the Target Circle Card isn't an easy approval

The Target Circle Card has a $0 annual fee, a 28.20% variable APR and 5% off eligible Target purchases. But NerdWallet says it generally needs good to excellent credit, around 690 or higher. If your score is in the poor or fair range, applying is likely to cost a hard inquiry without an approval. Wait until your score has improved.

Should you use a store card to rebuild?

A store card can help if it reports your payments and you'd shop there anyway. But a general-purpose card is more flexible and often has a clearer upgrade path. Many people do better starting with a no-fee secured card and adding a store card later.

Compare options in best cards for bad credit, see how to get approved, and read how to choose a card for bad credit. Once your credit improves, a cash back card usually beats a single-store card.

Frequently Asked Questions