Are retail credit cards worth it?
Store credit cards reward loyalty, but they may not be the best choice for you.
8 min read
Jul 22, 2025
Katie Kelton, CCC
Senior Writer
-
9Years of experience
CREDENTIALS
- Certified Credit Counselor™ with the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors
EXPERTISE
- Personal finance
- Budgeting
- Credit scores
- Credit cards
- Debt management
EDUCATION
- Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
About the author
Katie Kelton is a senior writer on Bankrate’s community team and Certified Credit Counselor™, helping everyday people solve problems and make good money decisions. She’s tuned in to topics like credit scores, homebuying and making ends meet — while trusting that Americans do the best they can with the tools they have.
Before Bankrate, Katie wrote for Capital One, where she gained insight on the credit world. And her career began in marketing, where she learned how to make life’s decisions a little more fun.
Katie is from the Austin area and lives in Colorado Springs. Off the clock, you’ll find her heading outdoors with her fiancé and pup, overbooking her social calendar and haunting thrift and bookstores.
If you have a question about money or a story to tell, send her an email at kkelton@bankrate.com.
Katie beyond Bankrate
Americans have money problems. Some are systemic, while others come from everyday life — like having a job, paying bills, buying a home and raising a family. I listen to stories and answer questions to help us all get smart with our money.
— Katie Kelton, CCC