Home Depot Credit Card Review – Is It Worth Getting 2025
The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card offers special financing options and rewards for shopping at Home Depot. With no annual fee, it can be a decent choice for Home Depot fans who want to finance large purchases interest-free. However, the rewards rate is just ok, and there are better options for a general spending card. This review will cover the pros and cons to help you decide if the Home Depot credit card is right for you.
Overview of the Home Depot Credit Card
The Home Depot Credit Card is a store-branded credit card issued by Citibank on behalf of Home Depot. It offers:
- 6 months special financing on purchases of $299 or more
- No annual fee
- 5% back in rewards on Home Depot purchases (6% for Home Depot credit cardholders with a linked Citibank account)
- 2% back at restaurants and gas stations
- 1% back on other purchases
- Exclusive offers and savings for cardholders
The Home Depot card is best suited for people who frequently shop at Home Depot and want to finance large purchases over time. However, it does offer rewards on other spending as well, so it can function as an all-purpose card too.
Pros of the Home Depot Credit Card
Here are some of the biggest advantages of the Home Depot Credit Card:
Special financing offers: The main perk of the Home Depot card is the special financing offers, which can let you spread out payments over months or even years. These offers include:
- 6 months special financing on purchases of $299 or more
- No interest for 24 months on purchases of $2,000 or more
- No interest for 36 months on purchases of $5,000 or more
This makes the card ideal if you’re planning a big-ticket Home Depot purchase and want to pay it off slowly over time.
5-6% back at Home Depot: You get 5% back in rewards points on all Home Depot purchases, which goes up to 6% if you have a linked Citibank account. This allows you to rack up rewards quickly when shopping at Home Depot.
No annual fee: There is no annual fee to use the card, so it’s a free way to access financing offers and earn rewards.
Exclusive discounts: Cardholders get access to special coupons and discounts that are not available to non-cardholders. These can help you save even more at Home Depot.
Decent rewards on other spending: While not amazing, you do get 2% back on dining and gas and 1% back on other purchases. This makes the card decent for general spending too.
Cons of the Home Depot Credit Card
Here are some potential downsides to consider:
High APR: The purchase and balance transfer APR is quite high at 26.99%. This makes carrying a balance very expensive.
Foreign transaction fee: Using the card abroad incurs a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal for international travelers.
Better general spending cards exist: While it earns rewards on non-Home Depot spending, cards like the Citi Double Cash offer a flat 2% back on everything.
Limited redemption options: Rewards must be redeemed for gift cards or merchandise at Home Depot. You can’t get cash back or statement credits.
Syncing accounts required for 6% back: To earn the highest 6% rewards rate, you need to sync the Home Depot card with an eligible Citibank account. This hassle may not be worth it for everyone.
Must finance large purchases to get full value: To really benefit from the special financing offers, you need to be spending $300+ in a single transaction. If you only make small purchases, the value is limited.
Who Gets the Most Value From the Home Depot Card?
The Home Depot Credit Card is best suited for the following types of consumers:
- Frequent Home Depot shoppers: If you shop at Home Depot often for household essentials, home improvement projects, and appliances, the 5-6% back in rewards can add up quickly.
- People financing major renovations or repairs: If you’ll be spending thousands on a kitchen remodel or bathroom renovation, the extended special financing offers allow you to pay it off slowly over months or even ye, ars depending on the amount.
- Homeowners: Homeowners have ongoing costs for home maintenance and improvements, so the Home Depot card rewards them for their regular spending.
- People with excellent credit: To qualify for the card and its top terms, you need good to excellent credit (690+ credit score). People with poor credit likely won’t be approved.
- Citibank account holders: If you have a checking, savings, or investment account with Citibank, you can link it to your Home Depot card to earn 6% back instead of 5%.
The Home Depot Credit Card is less ideal for:
- People who rarely shop at Home Depot
- Those with lower credit scores who may not qualify
- People who prefer earning straight cash back rewards
How Does the Home Depot Card Compare to Other Store Cards?
The Home Depot Credit Card has similar rewards and benefits to other popular store-branded credit cards, like the Lowe’s credit card. Here’s how it stacks up to some competitors:
Lowe’s Advantage Card:
- 5% back at Lowe’s (6% with Lowe’s Business Account)
- No annual fee
- 6 months special financing on purchases $299+
- Extended financing offers on large purchases
The Lowe’s and Home Depot cards are nearly identical. The biggest difference is the 6-month offer starting at $299 instead of $200 for Lowe’s. Overall, it will come down to whether you shop more frequently at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa:
- 5% back at Amazon.com
- 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
- 1% back on other purchases
- No annual fee
- No special financing offers
The Amazon card has a similar rewards structure, but lacks the extended financing offers. It’s better for Prime members who don’t need financing for large purchases.
Target REDcard:
- 5% off all Target purchases
- No annual fee
- 30 extra days for returns
- Free 2-day shipping
The Target card discounts purchases upfront instead of earning rewards to redeem later. It’s great if you shop at Target often, but it doesn’t offer financing deals.
Best Buy Credit Card:
- 5% back in rewards at Best Buy (6% for Elite Plus members)
- Special financing on purchases $399+
- No annual fee
Similar to the Home Depot card, the Best Buy card offers rewards and financing offers. It could be better if you shop at Best Buy more often than Home Depot.
Should You Get the Home Depot Credit Card?
The Home Depot Credit Card makes the most sense if you frequently shop at Home Depot, especially if you plan to make large purchases that you want to finance over time. The special financing offers allow you to spread out payments interest-free when you spend $299 or more.
However, if you rarely shop at Home Depot or don’t spend enough to take advantage of the financing deals, there are better cards out there. The Home Depot credit card only earns 5-6% back in these stores, while many other cards offer 2% or more back on all purchases. And if you carry a balance month-to-month, the high 26.99% APR makes this card very expensive.
Overall, the Home Depot Credit Card can be worth it for the right consumer. Make sure to think about your specific spending habits and financing needs to determine if it’s the right fit for your wallet.
How to Apply and Manage the Home Depot Credit Card
If you’ve decided the Home Depot Credit Card is right for you, here are some tips for applying and managing the account:
Check your credit score: Home Depot recommends a credit score of at least 690 for approval odds. Checking your credit reports and FICO score from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion will let you know where you stand.
Consider being added as an authorized user first: If you don’t qualify for the card on your own, you may be able to be added to someone else’s Home Depot account as an authorized user first. This can help demonstrate responsible usage and improve your credit.
Apply online for faster decisions: You can apply at any Home Depot store, but applying online often leads to faster application processing and instant decisions. Visit HomeDepot.com and click “Apply Now”.
Link accounts to earn 6% back: Don’t forget to link your new Home Depot card to an eligible Citibank account if you have one. This bumps up your rewards to 6% at Home Depot.
Set up account alerts: Once approved, log into your account and set up alerts for due dates, available credit, large purchases, and other important notifications. This helps you stay on top of payments and account activity.
Make payments on time: With credit cards, paying on time is essential. Set up autopay through your bank account or Home Depot card account. You’ll avoid missed payments and credit score damage.
Limit carrying a balance: Only spend what you can pay off each month. The 26.99% APR makes carrying a revolving balance very costly. The special financing offers are the exception if used responsibly.
Using credit cards responsibly takes some work, but the Home Depot card can be a beneficial tool for dedicated Home Depot shoppers. Apply online, use it for eligible purchases, pay on time and in full each month, and take advantage of cardholder benefits.
(FAQ) About the Home Depot Credit Card
Here are answers to some common questions consumers have about the Home Depot Credit Card:
1. What credit score is needed for the Home Depot card?
Home Depot recommends having good to excellent credit of 690 or higher for the best approval odds. Applicants with poor credit scores below 630 are less likely to qualify.
2. Does the Home Depot card have an annual fee?
No, there is no annual fee to have the Home Depot Credit Card. It is a free rewards card.
3. What purchases qualify for the special financing offers?
You’ll get 6 months of special financing on any single Home Depot purchase of $299 or more when you use the card. Larger purchases over $2,000 or $5,000 can qualify for up to 24 or 36 months of financing, depending on the amount.
4. Can the Home Depot card be used anywhere?
Yes, the Home Depot card functions as a Mastercard credit card, so it can be used for purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Just note that rewards are only earned on Home Depot and the select bonus categories.
5. Is there a limit on how much you can earn back in rewards?
There is no cap on the amount of rewards you can earn. As long as you keep using the card, you’ll keep accruing rewards points to redeem.
6. How do you redeem Home Depot card rewards?
Rewards can be redeemed at the checkout at Home Depot for gift cards to use for future purchases. Or points can be applied as a merchandise credit to reduce the cost of purchases. Cash back and statement credits are not offered.
7. Can you transfer balances from other cards to the Home Depot card?
Yes, the Home Depot card does allow balance transfers from other credit card accounts. Keep in mind the ongoing APR for purchases will apply, so focus on paying off transferred balances quickly.
The Bottom Line
The Home Depot Credit Card is best suited for frequent Home Depot customers, especially those planning to finance large purchases over many months. With no annual fee, 6 months special financing on $299+ purchases, and up to 6% back in rewards, it can provide solid value. Just make sure to avoid high-interest charges by paying balances off promptly each month.
For infrequent Home Depot shoppers or those who prefer straight cash back rewards, there are better unbranded credit cards. And for smaller purchases under $300, the financing offers don’t apply. But if you’ll take advantage of the perks and have good credit, the Home Depot card can be a beneficial addition to your wallet.
