William Lipovsky
The internet has made a lot of things instantly accessible — including credit. A number of today’s top retailers, such as Amazon and Nordstrom, offer instant online store credit, which allows you to charge your purchases right away. Below, we list the online stores that offer instant credit.
Stores That Offer Instant Online Store Credit
Online stores offer instant credit decisions so shoppers can easily finance large purchases before or during the checkout process. It works like this: a credit application will appear on the store’s website or in your shopping cart. The application will ask for personal information including your full name, birthday, address, social security number, and income. You’ll learn whether you’re approved right away, rather than having to wait for a credit decision.
Instant approval can help you get the items you need or want quickly, but there are a few things to keep in mind when applying for or using instant store credit. Some applications will require a “hard pull” of your credit history, which can impact your credit score — particularly if you apply for several different cards around the same time. If you’ve been approved, keep in mind while shopping that your purchases will accrue interest if you don’t pay them off quickly, which will cost more than paying with a debit card or buying the item(s) in-store, in cash. Missed payments or partial payments will often be charged late fees and can also impact your credit score.
That being said, if you budget carefully for your purchases and make your payments on time many of the credit options listed here have perks like cash back rewards and waived annual fees. Along with the list of stores that offer instant credit, we’ve included rates, fees, incentives, and credit score information to help you choose the right store card for your online shopping needs.
Amazon
Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Where to use it: Everywhere Visa is accepted[1]
- Instant approval use: Everywhere Visa is accepted online or through your mobile wallet[2]
- Credit level accepted: Fair[2]
- Card benefits: $100 Amazon gift card with approval. Cash back: 5% on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases; 2% on restaurant, gas station, and drugstore purchases; 1% on all other purchases[1][3]
- Annual fee: None[4]
- Late payment fee: Up to $39[4]
- Find out more or apply
Amazon.com Store Card
- Where to use it: Amazon.com and Amazon-branded physical stores[5]
- Instant approval use: Amazon.com[2]
- Credit level needed: Poor[2]
- Card benefits: $10 Amazon gift card with approval; Amazon Prime members receive 5% back on all Amazon.com purchases, special financing offers, and more[6]
- Annual fee: None[7]
- Late payment fee: Up to $40[7]
- Find out more or apply
Best Buy
My Best Buy Credit Card
- Where to use it: Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com[8]
- Instant approval use: Bestbuy.com and in stores with Best Buy Pay[9]
- Credit level needed: Poor
- Card benefits: 10% back in rewards or financing on your first purchase; your choice of 5% cash back or flexible financing options on all Best Buy purchases; special financing offers on specific items[10][11][12]
- Annual fee: $0 to $59[13]
- Late payment fee: Up to $41[14]
- Find out more or apply
My Best Buy Visa Card
- Where to use it: Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com, anywhere Visa is accepted[8]
- Instant approval use: Everywhere Visa is accepted with Best Buy Pay[9]
- Credit level needed: Fair
- Card benefits: 10% back in rewards or financing on your first purchase; your choice of 5% cash back or flexible financing options on all Best Buy purchases; 3% cash back on gas, air travel, and ground transportation; 2% cash back on restaurant and grocery purchases; 1% cash back on all other purchases; special financing offers on specific items[8][13]
- Annual fee: $0 to $59[13]
- Late payment fee: Up to $41[14]
- Find out more or apply
Fingerhut Fetti Credit Account
- Where to use it: Fingerhut.com and Fingerhut catalog mail orders[15]
- Instant approval use: Fingerhut.com[16]
- Credit level needed: Poor
- Card benefits: Pay off balance at any time with no penalties; no interest if payments are made on time[15]
- Annual fee: None[15]
- Late payment fee: Up to $41[17]
- Find out more or apply
Note: See our related research for more information on websites similar to Fingerhut.
L.L. Bean Mastercard Credit Card
- Where to use it: L.L. Bean website, L.L. Bean stores, and anywhere Mastercard is accepted[18]
- Instant approval use: One-time instant online use when approved for credit during the checkout process, until your physical card arrives in the mail
- Credit level needed: Fair
- Card benefits: 15% off first online purchase with approval (valid only during your current llbean.com site visit); 4% cash back on L.L. Bean purchases; 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants; 1% cash back on all other purchases; free return shipping and product monogramming[18]
- Annual fee: None[18]
- Late payment fee: Up to $37
- Find out more or apply
Macy’s Credit Card
- Where to use it: Macy’s stores and online at Macys.com[19]
- Instant approval use: Macy’s stores and online (the card is added to your Macy’s account)[20]
- Credit level needed: Fair
- Card benefits: 20% off same-day and next-day purchases (up to $100) following approval; free shipping on orders over $50; Macy’s exclusive offers[19]
- Annual fee: None[21]
- Late payment fee: Up to $41[22]
- Find out more or apply
Kohl’s Charge
- Where to use it: Kohl’s department stores and online at Kohls.com[23]
- Instant approval use: Kohls.com and in-store (the card is added to your Kohl’s account)[24]
- Credit level needed: Poor
- Card benefits: 35% off your first purchase; exclusive discounts[24]
- Annual fee: None[25]
- Late payment fee: Up to $40[25]
- Find out more or apply
Nordstrom Card
- Where to use it: Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and Nordstrom Local stores or at Nordstrom.com[26]
- Instant approval use: Nordstrom.com by adding your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay[27]
- Credit level needed: Good
- Card benefits: Two points for every dollar spent$40 Bonus Notes for future use[28]
- Annual fee: None[28]
- Late payment fee: Up to $40[29]
- Find out more or apply
Sears Card
- Where to use it: All Sears and Land’s End stores and websites, as well as Kmart locations[30]
- Instant approval use: Sears.com (the card is added to your Sears account) until your physical card arrives in the mail
- Credit level needed: Good
- Card benefits: Special financing opportunities on certain items at Sears; $0 liability on unauthorized purchases[31]
- Annual fee: None[31]
- Late payment fee: Up to $35[32]
- Find out more or apply
TJX Rewards Credit Card
- Where to use it: All T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra Trading Post stores and websites[33]
- Instant approval use: Tjmaxx.com, Marshalls.com, HomeGoods.com, or SierraTradingPost.com upon approval with its mobile app[34]
- Credit level needed: Fair
- Card benefits: 10% off your first purchase online or in-store; earn 5% back when shopping with any member of its family brands[35]
- Annual fee: None[33]
- Late payment fee: Up to $38[36]
- Find out more or apply
Capital One Walmart Rewards Card
- Where to use it: Everywhere Mastercard is accepted[37]
- Instant approval use: Everywhere that accepts Mastercard and mobile wallet payment[37]
- Credit level needed: Poor
- Card benefits: Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com, 2% cash back at Walmart stores, and 1% cash back everywhere else[38][37]
- Annual fee: None[38]
- Late payment fee: Up to $39[37]
- Find out more or apply
