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ADVERTISING DISCLOSURE:
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Credit-Land.com is an independent, advertising-supported web site. Credit-Land.com receives compensation from most credit card issuers whose offers appear on our site. Compensation from our advertising partners impacts how and where their products appear on our site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within review lists. Credit-Land.com has not reviewed all available credit card offers in the marketplace.
Co-branded store credit cards or
rewards credit cards?
With today's social distancing, many prefer online shopping to visiting a local store. As a result, many retailers started offering convenient services like online grocery delivery, free shipping, pickup options, or other benefits. Some services may be available to co-branded card members for free, so you may want to apply for a local department store credit card. However, while it may be tempting to sign up for a store co-branded credit card, we wouldn't recommend applying for it without getting to know and understanding how the card works and if it's right for you. Below, as an example, we took the Apple credit card and a regular rewards credit card to show you how the two are compared to each other.
Offer is not available
The Apple co-branded card might not be the best option if you are after rewards
Here we are comparing basic features of two credit cards: Apple Card by Goldman Sachs and a time-proven credit card with rewards. The Apple credit card may appeal to dedicated Apple users. However, note that it is only available to qualified customers with iPhone 6 and later. Look at other reasons why Apple store card may not be a good idea.
REWARDS CREDIT CARD
our choice
on Discover's secure website
Excellent/Good Credit
STORE CREDIT CARD
Apple Card
Offer is not available
See terms
REASON 1: NO SIGN-UP BONUS
The Apple co-branded card comes with no rewards bonus offer. If you check out welcome bonuses of rewards credit cards, you can easily find a credit card with a sign-up bonus of $100 or even higher.
REWARDS BONUS
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.
No bonus offer166
REASON 2: POOR REWARDS
The Apple credit card offers cardholders increased cash back on qualified purchases. But note that the card's maximum cash back is not the highest on the market - 3%. In addition, it can be earned only for goods or services purchased directly from Apple and App Store purchases. Other rewards cards may offer you more rewards and various rewards options. You can choose to earn fixed cash back on all purchases or find a credit card with a great variety of categories that earn elevated rewards.
REWARDS
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Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
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Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
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Get 3% back on everything you buy from Apple, whether you buy it at an Apple Store, apple.com, the App Store, or iTunes.166
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Get 2% back every time you buy something using Apple Pay.166
REASON 3: LIMITED REDEMPTION OPTIONS
With the Apple co-branded credit card, your redemption options are limited. In case you do not have the Apple Cash prepaid card in your Apple Wallet, the only Daily Cash redemption option you will have is a statement credit posted to your account. Regular rewards credit cards give more flexibility here. Many allow redeeming rewards as cash deposited to your bank account or cover any purchase with rewards.
REWARDS REDEMPTION
Redeem cash back any amount, any time.
Redeem cashback as credits to your Apple Card statement166
Rewards never expire
Rewards never expire166
REASON 4: HIGH INTEREST RATES
Co-branded credit cards typically come with higher interest rates than regular credit cards. Plus, co-branded cards rarely offer 0% introductory APRs. Apple Card is no exception - it comes without an intro APR period. With a rewards credit card, you get a 0% intro APR, if the card has such an offer. That means you do not pay interest while you make minimum payments on time. And if you are unable to pay off the card balance by the end of the introductory period, the interest will apply to the remaining and new balance only.
INTRO APR ON PURCHASES
0% (14 months on Purchases)
No Intro APR166
ONGOING APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
*See Terms
10.99% to 21.99%166
ANNUAL FEE
$0
No166
Our choice for
online shopping 2021
Experienced consumers may like the Discover it® Cash Back card with its increased cash back on select purchases that change each quarter throughout the year. The card has no annual fee and can work well as a primary credit card or as an additional credit card to maximize rewards in changing categories. The sign-up bonus offer and zero introductory interest rate make the card an even more worthy deal the first year.
Rewards Bonus
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, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Popular credit cards for
online shopping
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% (15 months on Purchases)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% (15 months on Balance Transfers)
Regular APR
13.49% - 23.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Annual Fee
$0
- The Citi Rewards+® Card - the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase - with no cap.
- Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $150 in gift cards at thankyou.com
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.49% - 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfer fee — either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.49% - 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% (14 months on Purchases)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
10.99% (14 months on Balance Transfers)
Regular APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Annual Fee
$0
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Only Discover will automatically match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
- Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases - with no annual fee.
- Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more with no blackout dates. However you redeem, Miles keep the same value. And Miles never expire.
- New! Redeem Miles for cash in any amount to pay your bill, including your minimum payment.
- No Blackout Dates. Simply pay for travel purchases like airlines, hotels, rental cars, and more with your Discover it® Miles card.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
15.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Annual Fee
$95
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- NEW! Earn 3 Points at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- NEW! Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% (18 months on Purchases)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% (18 months on Balance Transfers)
Regular APR
14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Annual Fee
$0
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% (14 months on Purchases)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% (14 months on Balance Transfers)
Regular APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Annual Fee
$0
- 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn cash back on your next road trip with 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Redeem your cash back for any amount, any time. Cash rewards never expire.
- 100% U.S. Based Customer Service available any time.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- No annual fee.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% (18 months on Balance Transfers)
Regular APR
13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Annual Fee
$0
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Best cards for shopping
for bad or no credit
our choice
Card Type
Unsecured
Regular APR
25.90% - 29.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$75 - $99
Guaranteed Approval
No
Instant Response
Yes
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score From TransUnion* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Free online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required
our choice
Card Type
Unsecured Store Credit Card
Regular APR
0.00%
Annual Fee
See terms
Guaranteed Approval
No
Instant Response
Yes
- Instant Approval / $750 Credit Line!
- No Employment or Credit Check
- Reports to Major Bureau
- Bad Credit, No Credit - OK
- Always 0.0% APR
- Fast Online Applications
our choice
Card Type
Unsecured
Regular APR
25.90% - 29.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$75 - $99
Guaranteed Approval
No
Instant Response
Yes
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from TransUnion* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Checking Account Required
questions ABOUT
REWARDS CREDIT CARDS
Does Apple card offer any kind of sign up bonus?
Unfortunately, Apple Card credit card doesn’t offer any sign-up bonus. You will earn cash back rewards on part of your purchases. If you want to earn a considerable amount of rewards at once by obtaining sign-up...
Read moreWhat is yr opinion of the Barclays credit card Apple offers its customers?
This card may be a good option for someone who shops at Apple a lot. It has complicated special financing offers with tiers for purchases made at Apple. If you want to get this card for a one-time big purchase, there...
Read moreI've never used a cash back or other type of rewards credit card, and don't know if they are truly a good deal. Are rewards credit cards really worth it?
A rewards credit card is definitely worth having - it's not just hype. Whether you want cash back, travel rewards. One of the best things about applying for a credit card is getting one that comes with a signup bonus....
Read more
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Updated: January 26, 2021