The Lowe's Pro Credit Card is a business credit card issued by Synchrony Bank, designed for contractors, builders, and other professionals who buy materials regularly at Lowe's.
The card offers a 5% discount on most Lowe's purchases when you use it in-store, plus an additional 5% off select brands. Online purchases earn 1% back. There is no annual fee. The card reports to business credit bureaus, not personal credit bureaus, so it builds a separate credit profile for your business rather than affecting your personal credit score.
The tradeoff is that the card carries a higher interest rate than most personal credit cards — typically in the 19% to 29% range depending on your creditworthiness — and the rewards are limited to Lowe's and Lowe's-owned stores. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly exceed the value of the discount.
Key Takeaways
- The 5% in-store discount applies automatically to most purchases, but you must use the card at Lowe's to earn it.
- The card has no annual fee and does not report to your personal credit bureaus, so it does not affect your personal credit score.
- Interest rates run 19% to 29%, so carrying a balance erases the discount savings within one or two months.
- You can request a credit limit increase after 30 days of account activity, and Synchrony may approve a higher limit without a hard inquiry.
How the 5% Discount Works
The 5% discount is automatic when you swipe the card at a Lowe's register or use it on Lowes.com. You do not need to enroll in a program or clip coupons. The discount applies to most merchandise, including lumber, tools, appliances, and paint. It does not explore to services like installation or delivery, and some items — such as gift cards and certain clearance merchandise — are excluded.
The additional 5% off select brands is a rotating promotion. Lowe's announces which brands may have access to each month, and the discount stacks on top of the base 5%. For example, if DeWalt tools are the featured brand one month, you would receive 10% off DeWalt purchases that month. You do not need to do anything to set up this — it applies at checkout if you are buying a may have access to brand.
The 1% cash back on online purchases is less valuable than the in-store discount, so most professionals use the card primarily for in-store shopping and pay with a different card online.
Interest Rates and Carrying a Balance
Synchrony Bank sets the interest rate on the Lowe's Pro card based on your credit score and credit history. Most cardholders see rates between 19% and 29% annual percentage rate (APR). This is significantly higher than personal credit cards, which often range from 15% to 25% APR for the same credit profile.
If you carry a balance, the interest accrues daily. A $5,000 balance at 24% APR costs roughly $100 per month in interest alone. Since the 5% discount is worth $250 on that $5,000 purchase, you would lose the entire benefit of the discount in the first month and pay interest on top of it in the months that follow. The card is most valuable when you pay the full statement balance each month.
Synchrony offers promotional financing periods occasionally — typically 0% APR for 6 to 12 months on purchases over a certain amount — but these are not may provide and change throughout the year. You can check your account online to see if a promotion is currently available to you.
How the Card Affects Your Business Credit
The Lowe's Pro card reports to business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax Business, and Experian Business), not to the personal credit bureaus that most lenders check. This means the card does not appear on your personal credit report and does not affect your personal credit score.
Your payment history on the card does build your business credit profile. If you pay on time consistently, you establish a track record that other lenders — such as banks offering business loans or lines of credit — can see. If you miss payments, that also appears on your business credit report and can make it harder to borrow for business purposes later.
You will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to open the account, though sole proprietors can use their Social Security Number instead. Synchrony will conduct a hard inquiry into your business credit, which may lower your business credit score slightly for a few months.
Credit Limit and Requesting an Increase
Synchrony typically starts new cardholders with a credit limit between $500 and $5,000, depending on the strength of your business credit profile. After 30 days of account activity, you can request a credit limit increase through your online account or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
Synchrony may approve a higher limit without conducting another hard inquiry, especially if you have made all payments on time. Some cardholders report receiving limit increases of $2,000 to $10,000 after the first increase request. There is no may provide, and the bank will review your payment history and credit profile before deciding.
Comparing the Lowe's Pro Card to Other Options
The main alternative is the Lowe's Advantage Card, which is a personal credit card (not a business card) that also offers 5% off in-store purchases. The Advantage Card reports to your personal credit bureaus, so it affects your personal credit score. It also carries a similar interest rate range and has no annual fee. The choice between the two depends on whether you want the card to build your personal credit or your business credit.
If you shop at multiple home improvement retailers, a general business credit card like the American Express Business Gold or the Capital One Spark Business card may offer more flexibility. These cards typically offer cash back or points that work at any merchant, not just Lowe's. However, they usually charge an annual fee ($295 for Amex Gold, $95 for Capital One Spark), so the math only works if you spend enough to earn rewards that exceed the fee.
For contractors who buy materials at multiple suppliers, a business line of credit from a bank or an online lender may be more useful than a single-store card. These lines of credit offer flexibility to borrow when you need it and pay interest only on the amount you use, rather than being locked into one retailer's rewards structure.
How to Use the Card Strategically
The card works best when you use it for planned, large purchases and pay the balance in full before the due date. If you know you need $3,000 in lumber and supplies for a job, charging it to the Lowe's Pro card saves you $150 when ready. As long as you pay the full balance within the grace period (usually 25 to 30 days), you pay no interest and keep the entire discount.
Avoid using the card for small, frequent purchases that you might otherwise pay cash for. The 5% discount is valuable, but only if you were already planning to buy those items. Using the card to increase your spending at Lowe's just to earn rewards is a common mistake that leads to carrying a balance and paying interest.
If Synchrony offers a promotional 0% APR period, that is a good time to make larger purchases that you might otherwise spread out. You can charge the full amount, pay it down over the promotional period without interest, and still earn the 5% discount. Once the promotional period ends, switch back to paying in full each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Lowe's Pro card hurt my personal credit score?
No. The card reports only to business credit bureaus, not personal credit bureaus. Your personal credit score is not affected by the card's activity. However, Synchrony does conduct a hard inquiry into your business credit when you open the account, which may lower your business credit score slightly for a few months.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Synchrony will charge a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and report the missed payment to business credit bureaus. Your interest rate may also increase. If you miss multiple payments, Synchrony may close the account and send the debt to a collection agency.
Can I use the card at Lowe's locations outside the United States?
No. The Lowe's Pro card works only at Lowe's and Lowe's-owned stores in the United States. It does not work at Lowe's Canada or other international locations.
Is there a way to avoid the high interest rate?
Yes — pay the full statement balance each month before the due date. As long as you pay in full, you pay no interest regardless of the APR. The card is designed for businesses that can pay off their purchases quickly, not for financing purchases over time.
Can I transfer a balance from another card to the Lowe's Pro card?
The Lowe's Pro card does not offer balance transfers. You can only charge new purchases to the card. If you want to move an existing balance, you would need to pay it off with cash or transfer it to a different card that offers balance transfers.