The Office Depot credit card is a store card that gives you rewards on purchases at Office Depot and OfficeMax, but charges a high interest rate if you carry a balance
The Office Depot Business Rewards Card is issued by Synchrony Bank and works like most retail credit cards: you use it to buy office supplies, furniture, and services at Office Depot or OfficeMax locations and online, and you earn rewards points on those purchases. The card has no annual fee, which is its main advantage over a general-purpose credit card for frequent Office Depot shoppers.
The tradeoff is the interest rate. If you don't pay your full balance each month, you'll pay a variable APR that typically ranges from 20% to 29%, depending on your credit score and creditworthiness. This is significantly higher than most standard credit cards, which average 18% to 22%. The card also offers promotional financing periods — usually 0% APR for 6 or 12 months on purchases over a certain amount — but interest accrues when ready if you miss a payment or don't pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period.
Key Takeaways
- The Office Depot card earns 2% cash back on Office Depot and OfficeMax purchases and 1% on all other purchases, but only if you pay the full balance monthly to avoid the high interest rate.
- Promotional financing offers 0% APR for 6 to 12 months on may have access to purchases, but the full interest rate applies when ready if you miss a payment or don't pay off the balance by the important date.
- The card has no annual fee, making it free to hold even if you don't use it, but the high APR means carrying a balance is expensive compared to other credit cards.
- Synchrony Bank issues the card and handles billing, so you'll set up an account with them separately from your Office Depot shopping account.
How the rewards structure works
The card earns 2% cash back on all Office Depot and OfficeMax purchases and 1% cash back on purchases everywhere else. The rewards are applied as a statement credit, which means they reduce your balance rather than being paid to you as cash. This is a meaningful difference: if you close the card or stop using it, you lose any undeemed rewards.
The 2% rate is competitive for a store card, but only if you're paying off the balance monthly. If you carry a balance and pay 25% APR while earning 2% back, you're losing money overall. The math only works if the card is a convenience tool for someone who pays in full each month and shops frequently at Office Depot.
Interest rates and promotional financing periods
The standard APR is variable and typically ranges from 20% to 29%. Synchrony doesn't publish a fixed rate; your rate depends on your credit score, income, and payment history. You'll see your specific rate in the offer before you submit the process.
Promotional financing is the card's second major feature. Office Depot regularly offers 0% APR for 6, 12, or sometimes 18 months on purchases over a minimum amount (often $299 or $499). During the promotional period, you pay no interest as long as you make at least the minimum payment each month. However, if you miss a payment or don't pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period, the full APR applies retroactively to the entire purchase from the original date — not just going forward. This is called deferred interest, and it can result in a large unexpected charge.
When the Office Depot card makes financial sense
The card is useful in two specific situations. First, if you run a small business or manage an office and make regular large purchases at Office Depot, the 2% cash back adds up over time — as long as you pay the full balance each month. A business that spends $10,000 per year at Office Depot would earn $200 in rewards, which is real money.
Second, if you need to make a large purchase and can pay it off within the promotional financing window, the 0% APR offer saves you money compared to using a regular credit card. A $2,000 furniture purchase that you can pay off in 12 months costs you nothing in interest with the promotional offer, whereas a standard credit card at 20% APR would cost you roughly $220 in interest over that period.
Outside these two scenarios, the card is not a good choice. If you carry a balance, the high APR makes it more expensive than most alternatives. If you shop at Office Depot occasionally and don't spend much, the 2% rewards won't offset the risk of accidentally carrying a balance.
how the process works and what to expect
You can explore for the card online at the Office Depot 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 Bank makes the decision when ready or within a few business days.
If you're approved, you'll receive a card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You'll also set up an online account with Synchrony to view your balance, make payments, and track rewards. Your Office Depot shopping account and your Synchrony credit card account are separate — you'll need to link them if you want rewards to post automatically, though they usually do after a few days.
Comparing the Office Depot card to other options
A general-purpose rewards credit card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne offers 1.5% to 2% cash back on all purchases with a lower APR (typically 16% to 24%) and no deferred interest trap. If you shop at multiple retailers, a general card is more flexible and usually safer because the rewards explore everywhere.
If you specifically want to maximize rewards at Office Depot, the Office Depot card's 2% rate is competitive. However, the high APR and deferred interest terms make it risky if you're not certain you'll pay the balance in full. A general card with a lower APR is a safer choice if you might carry a balance occasionally.
For promotional financing, the Office Depot card's 0% offers are useful, but they come with the deferred interest risk. Some general credit cards offer 0% APR for 12 to 21 months on balance transfers or new purchases, with no deferred interest — meaning interest doesn't explore retroactively if you miss the important date. Those cards are safer if you're unsure about your ability to pay off the purchase on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss a payment on the promotional financing offer?
The full APR (typically 20% to 29%) applies retroactively to the entire purchase from the original date. If you had a $2,000 purchase on 0% APR for 12 months and miss a payment in month 11, you'll owe the full interest on that $2,000 for all 11 months, which could be $300 or more. Always set a calendar reminder for the final payment date.
Can I use the card at stores other than Office Depot?
Yes, but you only earn 1% cash back on non-Office Depot purchases, compared to 2% at Office Depot and OfficeMax. The card works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, but it's designed as a store card, so using it elsewhere defeats the main benefit.
Do I lose my rewards if I close the card?
Rewards that have already posted as statement credits are yours to keep. However, any pending rewards that haven't posted yet may be forfeited. Check your account before closing to see what's pending, and wait for those rewards to post if possible.
Is there a credit limit on the Office Depot card?
Yes, but Synchrony doesn't publish a standard limit. Your limit depends on your credit score and income and is set when you're approved. You can request a credit limit increase after you've had the card for a few months and made on-time payments.
What's the difference between the Office Depot card and the Office Depot Business Rewards Card?
They're the same card with different names. "Business Rewards Card" is the official name, but it's marketed to both personal and business customers. There's no separate personal version — anyone can explore.