11 Stores That Offer Instant Online Store Credit

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. This allows you to charge your purchases right away. Below, find out about 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
• Instant approval use: Amazon.com (the card is added to your Amazon account) until your physical card arrives in the mail
• Credit level accepted: Fair
• Card benefits: $50 Amazon gift card with approval. Cash back: 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases; 2% on restaurant, gas station, and drugstore purchases; 1% on all other purchases
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $37
• Find out more or apply

Amazon.com Store Card

• Where to use it: Amazon.com
• Instant approval use: Amazon.com
• Credit level needed: Poor
• Card benefits: $40 Amazon gift card with approval; Amazon Prime members receive 5% back on all Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, special financing offers, and more
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $35
• Find out more or apply

Best Buy

My Best Buy Credit Card

• Where to use it: Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com
• Instant approval use: Bestbuy.com (the card is added to your Best Buy account) until your physical card arrives in the mail
• 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
• Annual fee: $0 to $59
• Late payment fee: Up to $37
• Find out more or apply

My Best Buy Visa Card

• Where to use it: Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com, anywhere Visa is accepted
• Instant approval use: Bestbuy.com (the card is added to your Best Buy account) until your physical card arrives in the mail
• 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
• Annual fee: $0 to $59
• Late payment fee: Up to $37
• Find out more or apply

Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account

• Where to use it: Fingerhut.com and Fingerhut catalog mail orders
• Instant approval use: Fingerhut.com
• Credit level needed: Poor
• Card benefits: No over-limit fees
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $38
• Find out more or apply

Note: See our related research for more information on the preapproval for Fingerhut Credit. You may also be interested in our list of websites similar to Fingerhut.

L.L. Bean Visa Credit Card

• Where to use it: L.L. Bean website, L.L. Bean stores, and anywhere Visa is accepted
• 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); 3% cash back on L.L. Bean purchases; 1% cash back on all other purchases; $10 L.L. Bean coupon for every $10 of cash back rewards earned; free return shipping and product monogramming
• Annual fee: None
• 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
• Instant approval use: Macys.com (the card is added to your Macy’s account) until your physical card arrives in the mail
• 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
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $38
• Find out more or apply

Kohl’s Charge

• Where to use it: Kohl’s department stores and online at Kohls.com
• Instant approval use: Kohls.com and in-store with your temporary credit card number
• Credit level needed: Poor
• Card benefits: 25% off your first purchase, 15% off your first purchase with the physical card; 12 special discount offers per year
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $37
• Find out more or apply

Nordstrom Card

• Where to use it: Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook, and Trunk Club stores or at Nordstrom.com
• Instant approval use: Nordstrom.com (the card is added to your Nordstrom account) until your physical card arrives in the mail
• Credit level needed: Good
• Card benefits: Two points for every dollar spent, giving you $20 in Nordstrom Notes (can be used for store purchases only) for every $100 spent
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $38
• Find out more or apply

Sears Card

• Where to use it: All Sears, Kmart, and Land’s End stores and websites (Sears.com, Kmart.com, Landsend.com)
• 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: 10% in points (good toward future purchases); special financing opportunities on certain items
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $37
• 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
• Instant approval use: Tjmaxx.com, Marshalls.com, HomeGoods.com, or SierraTradingPost.com upon approval; in-store use when the physical card arrives in the mail
• Credit level needed: Fair
• Card benefits: 10% off your first purchase online or in-store; five points for every $1 spent with $10 toward store purchases for every 1,000 points earned (redeemable both in-store and online)
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $35
• Find out more or apply

Walmart Rewards Card

• Where to use it: Walmart stores and Walmart.com
• Instant approval use: Walmart.com (the card is added to your Walmart account) until your physical card arrives in the mail
• Credit level needed: Poor
• Card benefits: Earn 5% back on Walmart.com and 2% back at Walmart stores
• Annual fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $37
• Find out more or apply