The B&H Photo Credit Card is a store card that gives you financing options and rewards when you buy from B&H Photo Video
The B&H Photo Credit Card is issued by Synchrony Bank and works only at B&H Photo Video, the camera and electronics retailer. It offers two main features: special financing on purchases above a certain amount, and cash back rewards on all purchases. Unlike a general rewards card, you cannot use it anywhere else — only at B&H's website and physical stores.
The card comes in two versions: the standard B&H Photo Credit Card and the B&H Photo Visa Card. The Visa version can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, but the rewards and financing terms differ between the two. Most people who carry a B&H card use it specifically for large camera, lens, and computer purchases where the financing terms matter.
Key Takeaways
- The B&H Photo Credit Card offers 0% financing for 12 to 24 months on purchases over $500, depending on the promotion running at the time you explore.
- You earn cash back on all purchases — typically 1% to 3% depending on which version of the card you hold and what you buy.
- The card has no annual fee, but interest rates on regular purchases (outside promotional periods) run 17.99% to 27.99% APR.
- The standard card works only at B&H Photo Video; the Visa version works everywhere but with lower rewards rates.
- Synchrony Bank pulls a hard credit inquiry when you explore, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
How the Financing Offers Work
B&H Photo runs rotating promotional financing offers, usually 0% APR for 12, 18, or 24 months on purchases of $500 or more. The exact terms change — sometimes the minimum is $750, sometimes it is $500, and the length of the interest-free period varies by promotion. You can check the current offer on B&H's website or ask in-store before you explore.
If you miss a payment during the promotional period, the entire remaining balance reverts to the regular APR (17.99% to 27.99%), not just future purchases. This is called deferred interest, and it is the main risk of using the card. If you plan to use the financing, set up automatic payments or a calendar reminder to may support you pay on time every month.
Once the promotional period ends, any remaining balance carries the regular APR. If you pay off the purchase before the promotion expires, you pay no interest at all. The card reports your payment history to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score over time.
Rewards and Cash Back Structure
The standard B&H Photo Credit Card earns 2% cash back on all B&H purchases. The B&H Photo Visa Card earns 1% cash back on B&H purchases and 1% on all other purchases. Neither card offers bonus categories or higher rates for specific types of spending — the rate is flat across all purchases in each category.
Cash back accrues as you spend and appears as a statement credit or can be redeemed for B&H gift cards. There is no minimum redemption amount, and you do not lose cash back if you do not redeem it when ready. However, cash back does not carry over if you close the account, so keep the card open if you want to preserve your balance.
The rewards rate is modest compared to general-purpose cards like the Chase Freedom or Capital One SavorOne, which offer 1.5% to 5% depending on category. The B&H card makes sense if you spend heavily at B&H and plan to use the financing offers; otherwise, a flat-rate card may serve you better.
Annual Fees and Interest Rates
The B&H Photo Credit Card has no annual fee. You pay interest only on balances that carry over month to month outside a promotional period. The regular APR ranges from 17.99% to 27.99% depending on your creditworthiness — the better your credit score, the lower your rate.
If you carry a balance on a regular purchase (not during a promotional period), interest accrues daily. For example, a $1,000 balance at 22% APR costs roughly $18 per month in interest if you make no payments. This is why the card is most useful for promotional financing: you get the 0% period, then pay off the balance before interest kicks in.
Late fees are up to $39 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent ones, depending on your account terms. A single late payment can also trigger the deferred interest penalty mentioned above, making it expensive to miss even one due date during a promotional period.
Who Should Consider This Card
The B&H Photo Credit Card makes sense if you buy camera equipment, lenses, computers, or other electronics from B&H regularly and plan to use the 0% financing on larger purchases. If you spend $2,000 or more per year at B&H, the 2% cash back adds up to $40 or more annually, and the financing offers can save you hundreds in interest compared to paying cash or using a regular credit card.
The card is less useful if you shop at B&H only occasionally or if you cannot commit to paying off a promotional purchase before interest kicks in. If you carry a balance month to month, the regular APR of 17.99% to 27.99% is higher than many general-purpose cards, and the 2% cash back does not offset the interest cost.
The Visa version is worth considering only if you want to earn 1% cash back on non-B&H purchases and do not mind the lower rewards rate at B&H itself. For most people, a flat-rate card like the Capital One SavorOne (3% on dining and entertainment, 1% on everything else) or the Citi Double Cash (2% on all purchases) offers better value outside B&H.
how the process works and What to Expect
You can explore for the B&H Photo Credit Card online at B&H's website, in a B&H store, or by phone. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony Bank pulls a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points.
Most decisions come back when ready or within a few minutes. If you are approved, you can use the card when ready for online purchases; a physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Synchrony will send you a letter explaining why, and you can request a reconsideration if your circumstances have changed.
Once approved, you manage the account through Synchrony's online portal or mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, set up autopay, and track your cash back rewards there. B&H also shows your available credit and promotional offers in your account when you log in to shop.
Comparing the B&H Card to Other Options
If you want 0% financing without tying yourself to one retailer, the Citi Simplicity Card or Chase Slate Edge offer 0% APR on purchases for 21 months with no annual fee. These cards work everywhere and do not have deferred interest clauses, so a missed payment does not retroactively charge you interest on the entire balance. However, they do not offer cash back, and the financing terms are fixed rather than promotional.
If you want rewards on electronics purchases, the Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back on groceries (up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1%), 5% on travel booked through Chase, and 1% on everything else. The Capital One SavorOne gives 3% on dining and entertainment and 1% on all other purchases. Both have annual fees ($95 for Chase Freedom Flex, $0 for Capital One SavorOne) and work everywhere, not just at one store.
The B&H card's advantage is the combination of financing and rewards specifically for B&H purchases. If you are a regular B&H customer planning a large purchase, the 0% financing can save you more than the rewards on a general card would. If you shop at B&H only occasionally, a general-purpose card with better rewards and no store restriction is usually the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not pay off the promotional purchase before the 0% period ends?
The remaining balance starts accruing interest at the regular APR (17.99% to 27.99%). You do not pay retroactive interest on the entire purchase — only on the balance that remains after the promotional period. If you owe $500 when the 0% period ends, you pay interest only on that $500 going forward.
Can I use the B&H Photo Credit Card at other stores?
The standard B&H Photo Credit Card works only at B&H Photo Video. The B&H Photo Visa Card works anywhere Visa is accepted, but it earns only 1% cash back on non-B&H purchases instead of 2% at B&H. Most cardholders use the standard card and keep a separate card for other retailers.
Does explore for the B&H card hurt my credit score?
Yes, the hard inquiry lowers your score by 5 to 10 points temporarily. The impact fades over a few months. If you are approved and use the card responsibly (paying on time, keeping your balance low), your score will recover and improve over time as the account history builds.
What is the difference between the standard B&H card and the Visa version?
The standard card earns 2% cash back at B&H and works only there. The Visa version earns 1% at B&H and 1% everywhere else, and works at any Visa merchant. Choose the standard card if you shop at B&H frequently; choose the Visa if you want flexibility to use the card elsewhere.
Can I transfer my B&H cash back to another account?
Cash back appears as a statement credit and can be redeemed for B&H gift cards. You cannot transfer it to a bank account or redeem it for cash directly. If you close the account, any unredeemed cash back is forfeited, so keep the card open if you want to preserve your balance.