Store cards give you benefits when you shop with a particular brand or retailer. For example, you could earn a higher rate of points per $1 for spending with an associated store, or enjoy complimentary shipping, exclusive sales and long interest-free offers.
Store cards also have the retailer's branding printed on the physical card but are issued by a bank or other financial institution. For example, both Coles and Kogan credit cards are issued by NAB.
Can I use a store card for other spending?
Usually you can use your store card to shop anywhere that accepts regular cards, as store cards in Australia are typically Visa or Mastercard options. Some stores do offer cards that you can only use with the associated store but this is more common cards issued overseas.
Store cards in Australia
There are 3 store credit card brands in Australia, covering supermarkets, department stores and online retailers:
Coles
Kogan
Myer (not currently taking new applications)
Right now, you can only apply for a store card from Coles and Kogan.
The Myer Credit Card has not been available for new applications since 2020 but is still listed on the Myer website.
What benefits do store credit cards offer?
Reward points
Most store cards in Australia offer points per $1 spent on eligible purchases. You usually earn the highest amount of points for spending with the store and a lower amount for spending everywhere else.
Store perks
Some store cards give you access to exclusive offers and benefits. For example, a Kogan Money Credit Card gives you access to complimentary Kogan First membership (typically $99 per year). And membership allows you to get exclusive shopping deals, complimentary shipping on eligible purchases and other perks.
Instalment plans
Similar to buy now pay later, a credit card instalment plan lets you pay off eligible purchases or balances over a set period of time, with fixed payments. Some retail credit cards also offer low or 0% interest rates on the instalment plan.
Other benefits
Depending on the store card you choose, you could also get perks such as complimentary insurance, 0% foreign transaction fees and exclusive shopping, dining and travel offers through either Visa or Mastercard. And if you're a new cardholder, you could get bonus points, cashback or introductory 0% interest rate offers.
Reward credit cards with other store benefits
Beyond store-branded credit cards, there are some other rewards cards that offer extra value with particular types of stores and brands.
For example, NAB Rewards credit cards offer higher amounts of points for spending with Webjet and at major department stores (as well as for overseas spending). And CommBank Awards credit cards offer bonus points when you shop with Bonus partners. You can also redeem CommBank Awards points for shopping at Myer or travel booked through Flight Centre.
Other cards may also offer ongoing or promotional deals with stores and brands, so check your account for offers or ask your provider.
Comparison: Store card rewards, other benefits and features
To give you an idea of the potential value you can get from a store credit card, the table below includes details of reward point earn rates, other benefits and annual fees offered on 2 store cards you can currently get in Australia.
1 rewards point per $1 spent on all other eligible transactions
Complimentary Kogan First Membership, with perks including member deals, free delivery on eligible products, express shipping upgrades and priority customer service
Use points to get money off your shopping at Kogan.com, with 1 point giving you 1 cent of value
$0
How to compare store credit cards
As well as comparing the benefits of a store card, make sure you consider the following features so you can find one that suits your needs:
Card acceptance
Currently, the major store cards in Australia can be used anywhere Mastercard or Visa cards are accepted. But if you're not sure where you can use a store card, look for the Mastercard, Visa or American Express logo on the card or ask the provider before you apply.
Annual fee
Store credit card annual fees typically range from $0 to $99 or more. But just like other credit cards, they can be higher.
Interest rates
Store credit card interest rates typically range from 13.49% p.a. to 20.99% p.a. (variable) for purchases. But cash advance and expired promotional rates could be higher.
Payment plan rates and fees
If your store card offers long-term payment plans for in-store purchases, make sure you check for establishment and maintenance fees.
Introductory 0% interest rate offers
If you have existing card debt you’d like to transfer to a new store credit card, you may be able to get a promotional 0% interest rate if you request the transfer at the time of your application.
Sometimes, store credit cards will offer an introductory 0% interest rate for purchases, too. This can help you save on interest in the short term if you've got some big-ticket items to buy.
Just remember to check the standard rate that will apply to the debt if you don’t pay it off during the introductory period.
Credit cards with in-store finance offers
While not technically store cards, some credit cards offer interest-free payment plans with a selection of store partners. This includes all HSBC credit cards, as well as the Latitude GO Mastercard and Gem Visa.
Justifying an unnecessary purchase on the basis that you have earned some points is poor thinking. Not only could you end up with a purchase of little value, but you may take your balance into an area that you cannot pay off in full.
Losing track of your spending
If you have any doubts about your ability to manage a larger credit card bill, or to balance any sudden large shift from cash to plastic, then putting your everyday bills onto your retail rewards credit card would be unwise. Your balance needs to be paid off in full each month for your points to be of some benefit. If you end up paying interest, you have lost the game.
Making cash transactions
These include cash withdrawals from ATMs, cashback at a cash register, traveler's cheques and foreign currency, and gambling transactions. These will not earn you points, but they will earn you a higher rate of interest from the moment they are made, as well as a cash advance fee.
Bottom line? Store credit cards can help you get more benefits when you regularly shop with a particular brand or store. Just remember to look at all the features and fees of the card, then compare a range of options so that you can find one that suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions
Do store cards count as credit cards?
Most store cards in Australia are credit cards with American Express, Mastercard or Visa functionality. This means you can use them anywhere regular credit cards are accepted. It also means that details of the store card will be added to your credit history.
Can I use a retail branded credit card anywhere?
Yes, as long as the card has a Visa, Mastercard or American Express logo, you can use it anywhere these cards are accepted. Note that you may earn reward points at a different rate when you make a purchase at a retailer that has no affiliation with the retail brand. Check the terms and conditions for specific information about transactions that are eligible and ineligible to earn points.
How do I get an interest-free period on a store card?
Some store credit cards have an extended interest-free promotion on purchases. Usually you’ll need to present your store card and/or spend a specific amount on eligible purchases to use one of these 0% interest offers. Note that fees may also apply.
Most store cards also offer up to a certain number of interest-free days on purchases for each statement period. Just be sure to pay your account in full each month and you won’t get charged any interest on the purchases you make during the next statement period.
Can I transfer my credit card balance to a store credit card?
If the card you're after has an active balance transfer promotion, you can transfer your credit card debt to a store credit card. Generally, you elect to transfer a balance from another credit card at the point of application for the new product.
However, you won't be able to transfer your credit card balance to a store card that is designed only for spending at a particular store.
Can I balance transfer a store card debt to a credit card?
Yes, most balance transfer credit cards will accept debts from store cards, as well as other credit cards that are not issued by the same financial institution. You’ll just need to include details of your store card account and debt when you apply for the balance transfer.
What store cards work with Apple Pay?
Coles and Kogan credit cards can be added to Apple Pay. If you're interested in getting a credit card that works with Apple Pay, check out this guide to compare other options.
Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio
Amy's expertise
Amy has written 565 Finder guides across topics including:
Student credit cards can help you manage your money and build credit history for future loans. Learn more and compare student credit cards available in Australia here.
While most people tend to get a credit card from the same bank where they hold a transaction account, it is possible to get a card from another bank to take advantage of a better deal.
If you are renting a car and want to be covered in the case of accidents, then this insurance is for you. Check first your insurance policy and find out which coverage extends to your rental vehicle.
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Finder is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stand by our editorial principles.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
