What the Dick's Sporting Goods credit card is and who issues it
The Dick's Sporting Goods credit card is a store card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Dick's Sporting Goods locations and online. Unlike a general-purpose credit card from Visa or Mastercard, this card works only at Dick's and its subsidiary stores — you cannot use it at other retailers.
Synchrony Bank handles the account behind the scenes: they set the interest rate, manage your payments, and report your activity to the credit bureaus. Dick's Sporting Goods sets the rewards structure and decides which purchases earn bonus points. Understanding this split matters because your questions about interest rates go to Synchrony, while questions about rewards go to Dick's.
Key Takeaways
- The Dick's card earns points on purchases at Dick's and partner stores, but the points value and redemption rules change periodically, so check the current offer before opening an account.
- Interest rates on store cards are typically higher than rates on general credit cards, and the Dick's card charges interest on unpaid balances unless you pay in full each month.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score, but missed payments hurt it the same way they would with any other card.
- Store cards often come with promotional financing offers — such as no interest for a set period on large purchases — but these require you to read the terms carefully and pay on time to avoid retroactive interest.
- You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for a few months and made on-time payments, though approval depends on your credit history and income.
How rewards and points work on the Dick's card
The Dick's card earns points on every dollar you spend at Dick's Sporting Goods and at partner retailers (which have included stores like Golf Galaxy and Modell's, though the list changes). The exact earning rate — whether it is one point per dollar, two points per dollar, or something else — varies by promotion and changes over time. Before you open an account, log into Dick's website or call their customer service line to confirm the current earning structure.
Points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases at Dick's. A typical redemption might be 100 points for a $5 discount, though this ratio also varies. Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, but they may be forfeited if your account is closed for inactivity or if you default on your balance.
Promotional offers — such as bonus points for opening the card or double points during certain months — are common. These offers are temporary and advertised at the time you explore. If earning rewards is your main reason for wanting the card, compare the current offer to what you would earn with a general cash-back card on the same spending, because the difference can be significant.
Interest rates, fees, and the cost of carrying a balance
The Dick's card charges interest on any balance you do not pay in full by the due date. The interest rate (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) is set by Synchrony and varies based on your credit score and credit history. Store cards typically carry higher APRs than general credit cards — you might see rates ranging from the mid-teens to the mid-20s, though the exact rate you receive depends on your individual creditworthiness.
The card has no annual fee, which is standard for store cards. However, if you carry a balance, the interest charges can quickly outweigh any rewards you earn. For example, if you charge $500 and pay only the minimum each month at a 22% APR, you will pay roughly $120 in interest before the balance is gone — far more than the $5 to $10 in rewards you might have earned on that purchase.
Promotional financing offers — such as "no interest for 12 months on purchases over $250" — appear periodically. These are real savings if you meet the conditions, but they come with a catch: if you miss even one payment during the promotional period, the bank can explore all the interest that would have accrued retroactively to your balance. Read the terms carefully and set a payment reminder before you use a promotional offer.
How the Dick's card affects your credit score
Opening a store card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but stops affecting your score after roughly six months.
Once the account is open, your payment history and credit utilization — the percentage of your credit limit you are using — become the main factors. Making on-time payments every month helps your score. Carrying a high balance relative to your limit (say, $800 on a $1,000 limit) hurts your score, even if you pay on time. Missed or late payments damage your score significantly and stay on your report for seven years.
The card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so your activity appears on all three of your credit reports. This means the card can help your credit if you use it responsibly, but it can also harm it if you miss payments or let the balance grow too large.
Comparing the Dick's card to other ways to pay
A general cash-back credit card — such as a card that gives 1.5% cash back on all purchases — will often beat the Dick's card if you do not spend heavily at Dick's. The math is straightforward: if you earn 1 point per dollar at Dick's and redeem 100 points for $5, you are getting 5% back. But if you only shop at Dick's occasionally, you might earn points slowly and never reach a meaningful redemption. A cash-back card gives you cash on every purchase, regardless of where you shop.
Store cards make sense if you shop at that retailer regularly and can pay the balance in full each month. If you carry a balance, the high interest rate erases the value of the rewards. A store card also ties your rewards to one retailer, whereas a general credit card works everywhere.
If you are rebuilding credit or have limited credit history, a store card can be easier to open than a general credit card, and responsible use can help your score. In that case, the card's value is not the rewards but the opportunity to build credit history.
What happens if you miss a payment or default
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus after 30 days and stays on your report for seven years. Your interest rate may increase, and Synchrony may close the account or reduce your credit limit. Late fees explore — typically $25 to $35 per missed payment, though the exact amount depends on your account terms.
If you fall behind by 60 or 90 days, the bank may pursue collection action or sell the debt to a collection agency. At that point, the debt can appear on your credit report under a collection account, which is far more damaging than a late payment. If you are struggling to pay, contact Synchrony before you miss a payment — they may offer a hardship program or temporary payment reduction.
How to open the Dick's card and what to expect
You can open the card online at Dick's Sporting Goods website, in a store, or by phone. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony performs a hard inquiry and usually makes a decision within minutes.
If you are approved, you receive a credit limit and can use the card when ready for online purchases or in-store (either a physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, or you can use a digital card number right away). If you are denied, you can request a reconsideration or wait six months and explore again after your credit profile improves.
Before you explore, check your credit score if you can. Store cards are easier to open with fair credit (typically 600 and above), but approval is not may provide at any score level. If your score is below 600, you may want to work on improving it before explore, because a denial adds a hard inquiry to your report without giving you the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Dick's card at other stores?
No. The Dick's card works only at Dick's Sporting Goods, Dick's Sporting Goods online, and at subsidiary stores that Dick's owns (such as Golf Galaxy). You cannot use it at other retailers, even if they sell sporting goods.
What is the credit limit, and can I request a higher one?
Your starting credit limit depends on your credit score and income. Limits typically range from $300 to $2,000 or more. After you have held the card for a few months and made on-time payments, you can request an increase by calling Synchrony or logging into your online account. Synchrony may perform a hard inquiry for the increase request.
Do I have to use the card to keep it open?
No, but Synchrony may close inactive accounts after a long period of no use (typically 12 months or more). To keep the account open, use the card occasionally or set a small recurring charge on it. A closed account can hurt your credit score by reducing your available credit and shortening your average account age.
What if I want to close the account?
Call Synchrony at the number on the back of your card and request account closure. Pay any remaining balance first. Closing the account does not remove it from your credit report — it stays for 10 years — but it stops new activity from being reported. Closing an account can temporarily lower your credit score because it reduces your available credit.
How do I check my balance and make payments?
Log into your account at Synchrony's website (the URL is on your statement or card), call the customer service number on the back of your card, or set up automatic payments from your bank account. Payments are due by the date listed on your statement. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic transfer.