Ask yourself, what is it about the Home Depot that makes it desirable? Are you planning a large purchase where the promotional financing would be advantageous? If you have an existing preapproval for the Double Cash card, I'd take that offer first. My reasoning is that if you're preapproved as is, the Citi Double Cash is a great card to have for overall spending. I think you have some reason to try to recon the Home Depot decision if you're declined, or if the initial CL isn't enough for your planned purchase. As you pointed out, both cards are issued by Citibank divisions, but they still don't function exactly the same. Also, if you're buying supplies for a home contracting business, check out Home Depot's "commercial" cards. I was going to garden... Honest! Whether you're a homeowner starting your next home renovation project, or a contractor constructing your town's next multi-unit housing complex, Home Depot and Lowe's are popular with both novice homeowners completing small projects and contractors working on large jobs. The two home improvement retailers each have branded store cards with different perks, benefits, and special financing offers that could help you save money. If you don't prefer either store, this Home Depot vs. Lowe's Credit Card comparison can help you choose which card is best for you and your wallet. intro bonusN/A APR17.99% - 26.99% Variable recommended creditExcellent/Good/Fair Credit reward rates N/A annual fee$0 intro purchase APRN/A The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card helps your budget go further on your next home improvement upgrade or repair. This store credit card is offered through Citi, with card approval and special financing offers subject to creditworthiness. To be approved for the card, you should have fair or better credit. Also, paying your bills in full each month means you won't pay interest. If you qualify for a special financing promotion, you can enjoy an extended 0% interest period to pay off larger purchases. Features:
Home Depot Consumer Credit Cardintro bonusGet $100 cash back upon approval. Cash back is earned automatically as a statement credit. APR19.49% - 28.49% Variable recommended creditN/A reward rates
annual fee$0 intro purchase APRN/A
The Lowe's Advantage Card offers several ways to save when you make purchases. When you use the Lowe's Advantage Card, you get to choose which offer you want to take advantage of: 5% off your purchase or special financing for 6 months. For larger purchases, you may be able to get a reduced APR with 84 fixed monthly payments. To get approved for the Lowe's Advantage Card, you should have fair or better credit, though the standard APR is the same no matter your credit score. Features:
Lowe's Advantage Card
Some consumer credit cards come with an annual fee, which you have to pay on your anniversary each year to keep the card active. If you want to avoid the annual fee, you have to close the credit card account before your next card opening anniversary. Depending on how you use the card, the annual fee may not be worth it. Whether you choose the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card or the Lowe's Advantage Card, you won't have to pay an annual fee. Winner: It's a tie because both cards don't charge an annual fee. For purchases made at Home Depot, you get 90 days to return items. But if you have the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, you have up to a year to make returns on purchases made with the card. This store credit card also comes with zero liability protection, so you won't have to pay for unauthorized purchases. The Lowe's Advantage Card gives you access to special cardholder events, but what's offered varies, and there isn't a consistent schedule provided. Winner: Home Depot Consumer Credit Card because you can extend your 90-day return policy to a full year. While Lowe's offers special cardholder events, offers vary and no consistent schedule. If you make a single purchase of $299 or more using the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, you could qualify for no interest financing for six months. This offer is subject to credit approval, and if the balance isn't paid in full in the six-month special financing period, interest will be charged back to the purchase date on the full amount. The Lowe's Advantage Card has the same offer, which is also subject to credit approval. But you have a choice with this store credit card: you can choose the everyday financing promotion or 5% off your purchase. These offers can't be combined, but if you're making a purchase of less than $299, you still get the 5% savings, which you won't get with the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card. You can also choose to get the 5% off on larger purchases if you don't need the extra time to pay it off without interest. Winner: Lowe's Advantage Card takes the cake because they offer the same no-interest offer on purchases of $299 and more for six months as Home Depot. Also, Lowe's offers 5% off a large selection of ordinary purchases. When you make certain purchases using the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, you may be able to get special financing terms. The financing options are time-sensitive, are subject to change, and cannot be combined with other offers. The Lowe's Advantage Card offers Fixed Pay Financing for those who qualify based on credit. If you make a purchase or order of $2,000 or more using the store credit card, you can enjoy 84 fixed monthly payments at 7.99% APR instead of the standard APR. This offer cannot be combined with other promotional offers. Winner: Lowe's Advantage Card has better offers in this category. While neither card can combine their special financing offers with other orders, Home Depot's offers are time sensitive and subject to change. These store cards are both great options that charge you no annual fees and can save you significant amounts on major purchases, but Lowe's provides better everyday and special financing offers, giving them the edge over Home Depot. ZDNet's favorite feature: Lowe's 5% discount. If you have a preference for Home Depot or Lowe's, the decision on a store card is easy. But if you don't, finding the right store credit card for you can be a challenge. When comparing the Home Depot vs. Lowe's Credit Cards, first decide what is most important to you. If you need to make a large purchase, one of the special financing offers available through each store credit card could help you save big on your home improvement or repair. Both store credit cards require good or better credit to qualify for these special offers, so you may want to check your credit score if you don't know what yours is before you apply. The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card offers up to a year to return purchases made with the card. If you aren't sure about something you bought or tend to take longer to return things, this might be the better choice for you. However, the Lowe's Advantage Card gives you access to cardholder event promotions, like a certain percentage off your purchase. If you own a business and make purchases at Home Depot or Lowe's, both stores offer a business credit card that may be a better alternative to consider.
Credit CardsEditorial standardsRelatedWhat kind of credit score does Home Depot require?A credit score of 640 or higher is needed for a Home Depot® Credit Card; this means that you need to have a fair credit score to get it. That's the case for both the Home Depot® Credit Card and the Home Depot® Business Credit Card.
What is the normal credit limit on a Home Depot card?The starting Home Depot® Credit Card credit limit is $300 or more. Everyone who gets approved for the Home Depot® Credit Card is guaranteed a credit limit of at least $300. Plus, particularly creditworthy applicants could get limits a lot higher than that.
Does Home Depot run a hard credit check?As with most store cards and most credit cards a hard credit inquiry is run in order to approve applicants for Home Depot credit services.
Does Home Depot credit card approve right away?Whether you apply online or in person, the approval process usually takes place on the spot, and you will receive your card within 14 days. In the event that Home Depot can't provide an instant credit decision, you'll be notified within 30 days by U.S. mail to advise you of your application status.
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