The Old Navy credit card is a store card that gives you rewards on purchases at Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic
The Old Navy Rewards credit card is issued by Synchrony Bank and works only at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and their online stores. You earn rewards points on every dollar you spend at these retailers, and you can redeem those points for discounts on future purchases. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, you cannot use it at other stores.
The card comes in two versions: the regular rewards card and a card for people building or rebuilding credit. Both charge no annual fee. The main difference is that the regular card offers higher rewards rates and promotional financing offers, while the credit-builder version has a lower credit limit and fewer promotional benefits.
Before you open an account, you should understand how the rewards work, what the interest rate is, and whether the card fits your spending habits. A store card only makes sense if you shop at these retailers regularly enough that the rewards outweigh the cost of carrying another card.
Key Takeaways
- The Old Navy card earns rewards points at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and their online stores only — not at other retailers.
- You earn points on every purchase and can redeem them for discounts, but the redemption value depends on how you use them.
- The card has no annual fee, but the interest rate (APR) applies to any balance you carry month to month.
- Synchrony Bank issues the card and handles billing, so you manage your account through their website or mobile app.
- Opening a new credit card account triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score.
How rewards points work on the Old Navy card
You earn one point for every dollar you spend on purchases at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and their online stores. Points accumulate in your account and you can redeem them whenever you choose. The redemption rate varies: typically you can redeem 100 points for a $5 discount, though Old Navy sometimes runs promotions where points are worth more.
The card also offers periodic promotional financing, such as "12 months special financing on purchases of $100 or more." These promotions appear in your account and in-store, and they explore only during the promotional period. If you carry a balance after the promotional period ends, you pay the regular APR on the remaining amount.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. However, if you close the account, you typically lose any unused points. This means you should redeem your points before closing the card, or keep the account open if you plan to shop at these retailers again.
Interest rates and fees you should know about
The Old Navy card charges an APR (annual percentage rate) on balances you carry from month to month. The exact rate depends on your creditworthiness and current market conditions — Synchrony will tell you the rate when you open the account. Store cards often carry higher APRs than general-purpose credit cards, so compare the rate to other cards you might open.
There is no annual fee, no late fee (though late payments do damage your credit), and no foreign transaction fees because the card works only in the United States. If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest at all.
If you miss a payment, Synchrony reports the late payment to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. Paying at least the minimum by the due date keeps your account in good standing and protects your credit history.
Who should open this card and who should skip it
The Old Navy card makes sense if you shop at Old Navy, Gap, or Banana Republic at least several times a year and spend enough to accumulate meaningful rewards. If you spend $500 a year at these stores, you earn 500 points, which redeems for roughly $25 in discounts — a 5% return on your spending. That is a reasonable benefit if you were going to shop there anyway.
The card does not make sense if you shop at these retailers rarely or only during sales. You would earn points slowly and might close the account before redeeming them. It also does not make sense if you tend to carry a credit card balance, because the higher APR means interest charges will eat into any rewards you earn.
If you are building credit or have a limited credit history, Synchrony offers a credit-builder version of the card. This version has a lower starting credit limit and fewer promotional offers, but it reports to all three credit bureaus and can help you build a positive payment history.
How to open an account and what happens next
You can open an account online at the Old Navy website, in an Old Navy store, or by phone. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony runs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
You will receive a decision within minutes in most cases. If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it online or by phone and start using it when ready at Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic stores and websites.
Your account is managed through Synchrony's website or mobile app. You can check your balance, make payments, view your rewards points, and set up automatic payments there. Synchrony sends your monthly statement by email or mail, depending on your preference.
Comparing the Old Navy card to other store cards and general-purpose cards
Store cards like the Old Navy card typically offer higher rewards rates at their retailers than a general-purpose card would, but they work nowhere else. A 1% cash-back card from a bank works everywhere and is more flexible, even if the rewards rate is lower. The choice depends on where you spend most of your money.
If you shop primarily at Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic, the store card's higher rewards rate makes it worthwhile. If you shop at many different retailers, a general-purpose card with 1.5% to 2% cash back everywhere is more valuable. Some people carry both: a store card for their primary retailer and a general-purpose card for everything else.
Before opening any new card, check your credit score and recent credit inquiries. Opening multiple cards in a short time can lower your score and make it harder to open other accounts later. Space out new card applications by at least a few months if you plan to open more than one.
What to do if you want to close the account
You can close your Old Navy card account by calling Synchrony or requesting closure through their website. Before you close it, redeem any remaining rewards points for a discount. Once the account closes, you lose access to unused points and cannot earn new ones.
Closing a credit card can affect your credit score in two ways: it reduces your total available credit (which can raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards), and it removes an account from your credit history. If the Old Navy card is one of your oldest accounts, closing it can lower your score more than closing a newer card would.
If you plan to shop at these retailers again in the future, consider keeping the account open even if you do not use it regularly. As long as you do not carry a balance, an open account costs you nothing and preserves your credit history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Old Navy card at other stores?
No. The Old Navy card works only at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and their online stores. You cannot use it at other retailers. If you need a card that works everywhere, you would need to open a separate general-purpose credit card.
What happens to my rewards points if I close my account?
You lose any unused rewards points when you close the account. Before closing, redeem your points for a discount on a purchase. Once the account is closed, those points are gone and cannot be recovered.
Does opening this card hurt my credit score?
Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Over time, if you pay on time and keep your balance low, the account will help your score by adding to your payment history and available credit.
What is the credit limit on the Old Navy card?
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Synchrony determines this when you open the account and tells you the limit in your approval letter. You can request a higher limit after you have had the card for several months and made on-time payments.
Can I transfer a balance from another card to the Old Navy card?
The Old Navy card does not offer balance transfers. You can only use it to make new purchases at Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. If you want to transfer a balance from another card, you would need to open a different card that offers that feature.