Department and general stores: ten cards that buy almost anything

This is the category for people who do not want to commit. A department store card is nearly as flexible as prepaid, and it is worth more, because the discount behind a retail card is larger than the discount behind a card number.

What is on the wall

• Department stores — Kohl's, JCPenney, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack
• Off-price — T.J.Maxx, Marshalls
• Books and media — Barnes & Noble
• Office and home working — Office Depot OfficeMax, Staples
• Deals marketplace — Groupon

Off-price is where a small card goes furthest

T.J.Maxx and Marshalls sell the same categories as a department store at a fraction of the price. A $25 card is a real purchase there and an accessory at Nordstrom. If your balance is modest and you want to walk out with something, those two are the pick.

Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are not the same card

Rack is the outlet arm. Historically the cards have been usable across both, but the terms are set by the issuer and printed with the code — check before you assume, particularly if you are cashing out specifically to shop at one of them.

The quiet one worth considering

Groupon is not a shop, it is a marketplace of local deals — restaurants, activities, services. A $25 Groupon credit frequently buys an experience worth two or three times that, which makes it the highest-leverage card in this category if you are willing to browse.

Books

Barnes & Noble is the only book card on the wall and it starts at $5, which is one paperback. It is also one of the few cards where a small denomination buys a complete thing rather than a contribution towards one.