Emily VanSchmus | 

Why the Home Depot Credit Card May Not Be Worth It

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If you asked KCL experts if the Home Depot credit card is worth it, most would say no. That's mainly because you don’t need the consumer credit card to score the best Home Depot deals. And it certainly doesn’t make our list of the best store credit cards out there.

Still, whether or not the Home Depot card is right for you depends on your situation. It can be more valuable for those who regularly make large purchases (like buying Home Depot appliances).

This guide tells you everything you need to know about the Home Depot consumer credit card, so you can decide for yourself. I’ll cover the main credit card benefits, credit scores needed, and the major pros and cons so you know what to expect.

For more smart shopping tips and Home Depot hacks, download the KCL app or text HACKS to 57299.

Home Depot Credit Card Overview

Overall, the Home Depot credit card is light on rewards and benefits compared to other store credit cards. But on the bright side, you don’t have to worry about an annual fee and can qualify with less-than-perfect credit.

APR

Annual Fee

Late Payment Fees

Credit Score Needed

Intro Offer

17.99% - 29.99%

$0

Up to $40 per late payment

640 or higher

Up to $100 off your first credit card purchase

Main Home Depot Credit Card Benefits

  • One-Year Return Window: The standard Home Depot return policy gives you 90 days for returns. But with the Home Depot credit card, you get a full year to return items.

  • Six-Month 0% Financing on $299+ Purchases:  When you make a purchase of $299 or more, you can get 0% APR for six months. The regular APR for the Home Depot credit card is 17.99% - 29.99% (depending on your credit score). But if you pay your balance in full within that six month period, you won’t pay any interest.

Current Home Depot Credit Card Promos

  • 12-month extended 0% financing on purchases of $299 or more. This offer is valid through May 8, 2024.

  • Up to $100 off qualifying purchases when you open a Home Depot credit card (new accounts only). This offer is valid through July 31, 2024.

The Home Depot Credit Card: Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of the Home Depot credit card are different for everyone. Some weigh heavier than others depending on your shopping needs. But generally speaking, these are the benefits and downsides of what the card offers: 

Pros:

  • No annual fee

  • One year for returns

  • Fair credit scores accepted (640 or higher)

  • Special financing on $299+ purchases

Cons:

  • No rewards

  • High regular APR

  • Late payment fees

  • Can’t be used at other stores

The APR isn’t great unless you spend at least $299.

Most credit cards come with high APR, and the Home Depot card is no exception. Depending on your creditworthiness, you’ll get a regular APR of 17.99% - 29.99%. It isn’t unusual to see these rates, but the industry standard isn’t great. Plus, Home Depot doesn’t have an introductory APR offer for their credit card.

With the Home Depot credit card, you get 0% financing for six months on purchases of $299 or more. This option is most valuable for purchases like major appliances, patio furniture sets, or pricey power tool kits. But you have to pay off the full balance within six months to make this offer worth it. If you don’t, they’ll charge you for all the interest you would have paid during that period. Plus, you’ll have to pay any interest you incur moving forward.

You don’t get any rewards on Home Depot purchases.

If you’re planning to rack up store rewards with the Home Depot credit card, think again. Home Depot doesn’t give you any rewards, discounts, or points back on your credit card purchases.

Other store cards (like the Target Circle Card) give you an exclusive discount, like 5% off all purchases with your card. But this perk doesn’t exist for Home Depot.

Other home improvement credit cards have better benefits.

If you’re looking for a credit card with more perks, you have a few solid options. For example, the Best Buy card can be more valuable than the Home Depot card for major appliance purchases. You still get discounted financing, but earn 5% cash back on your purchase as well. 

The same goes for Walmart’s store credit card. Whether you’re buying furniture, tools, or grocery essentials, their card gives you cash back on Walmart purchases.

Best Home Depot Credit Card Alternatives

Home Depot Credit Card FAQs

What credit score do you need for the Home Depot credit card?

Some shoppers say they’ve successfully signed up with credit scores as low as 600. But according to Home Depot, your chances increase significantly if your credit score is 640 or higher. Some other factors that affect your approval include your income, debt-to-income ratio, and the severity of negative items on your credit report.

Keep in mind — your creditworthiness also impacts the APR you get. You may qualify for the Home Depot card with a credit score of 640. But if your score is on the lower end, you could receive 26.99% APR versus the 17.99%.

If you have a lower credit score, you may get approval with an extremely low credit limit. Home Depot has awarded credit lines as low as $300. If your limit is this low, you may not be able to take advantage of the card’s benefits (since most offers require a minimum spend).

Can you use the Home Depot credit card anywhere? 

You can only use your Home Depot consumer credit card at Home Depot. You won’t be able to use it at any other stores.

Who is the Consumer Credit Card best for?

The Home Depot credit card is best for shoppers who regularly make purchases of $299 or more. You’ll get more value out of the six-month special financing benefit for these types of purchases.

If you shop at Home Depot less frequently and don’t spend quite as much, you may not find the credit card as valuable.

How do I apply for the Home Depot credit card? 

Citi Bank issues the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card. You can apply for the card on the Citi website.

You can also see if you pre-qualify through the Home Depot website (with no impact to your credit score).