The Staples Credit Card is a store card that gives you rewards on purchases at Staples and partner retailers, but carries a high interest rate if you carry a balance
The Staples Credit Card (also called the Staples Rewards Visa Card) is issued by Synchrony Bank and works only at Staples stores and staples.com. You earn rewards points on every purchase, but the card charges a variable interest rate that typically runs between 19% and 27% APR — substantially higher than most general-purpose credit cards. The card has no annual fee, which makes it free to open, but the high interest rate means carrying a balance costs significantly more than it would on a standard card.
The real value of this card depends entirely on your spending pattern. If you pay the full balance every month, you get the rewards with no interest charge. If you carry a balance, the interest cost will almost always exceed the value of the rewards you earn.
Key Takeaways
- The Staples Credit Card earns rewards points on purchases at Staples and certain partner merchants, but only if you use it specifically for those stores.
- The card charges a variable APR between roughly 19% and 27%, which is higher than most standard credit cards and makes carrying a balance expensive.
- You pay no annual fee to open or hold the card, and there is no minimum spending requirement.
- Rewards points expire after 24 months of inactivity on your account, so you need to use the card regularly to keep points from disappearing.
- The card is most useful for people who buy office supplies regularly at Staples and pay their statement in full each month.
How the Rewards Program Works
The Staples Credit Card earns points on every dollar you spend at Staples stores and on staples.com. The exact earning rate depends on what you buy: office supplies and services typically earn a standard rate, while certain promotional categories earn bonus points during specific periods. Staples announces these bonus categories through email and on their website, so the earning rate can change.
Points accumulate in your Staples Rewards account and can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. The redemption value is usually 1 point per dollar spent, meaning 100 points equals roughly $1 in store credit. You can also use points toward free shipping on staples.com or donate them to charity. Points do not expire as long as you use your card at least once every 24 months — if your account goes inactive for two years, any remaining points are forfeited.
The card does not earn rewards at other retailers, even if they accept Visa. This is a store card, not a general-purpose rewards card, so you cannot use it to earn points on groceries, gas, or restaurants.
Interest Rates and Fees You Should Know
The Staples Credit Card charges a variable APR, which means the rate changes over time based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. Synchrony Bank typically offers rates between 19% and 27% APR to approved cardholders. Your actual rate depends on your credit score and credit history — applicants with higher credit scores generally receive lower rates within that range.
There is no annual fee, no late payment fee structure published on the card's terms, and no foreign transaction fees (though the card is only useful in the United States). However, if you miss a payment, Synchrony will charge a late fee and may increase your APR further. The card also charges interest on purchases when ready if you carry a balance — there is no grace period for store card purchases the way some general-purpose cards offer.
To understand what you would actually pay, consider an example: if you charged $500 to the card at 23% APR and made no payments, you would owe roughly $115 in interest charges over one year. That interest cost is far larger than any rewards you would earn on that same $500 purchase.
Who This Card Makes Sense For
The Staples Credit Card is useful only if you meet two conditions: you spend money regularly at Staples, and you pay your balance in full each month. If both are true, you get the rewards benefit with zero interest cost. A person who spends $200 per month at Staples and pays in full would earn roughly $24 in rewards annually — not a large amount, but real money if you were going to shop there anyway.
The card is not a good choice if you carry a balance. The interest charges will exceed the rewards value within a few months. It is also not useful if you shop primarily at other office supply retailers like Office Depot or Amazon Business, since the card only earns rewards at Staples locations.
If you have a lower credit score, you may be offered a higher APR (closer to 27%) when you open the card. In that case, the interest cost becomes even more expensive relative to the rewards, making the card less valuable.
How to Open the Card and What Happens Next
You can open a Staples Credit Card online at staples.com, in a Staples 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 a credit decision within minutes in most cases — you will either be approved, denied, or asked to provide additional information.
If approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online or by phone once it arrives. Your account opens when ready after set up, and you can start earning rewards right away. Synchrony sends you a monthly statement by mail or email, and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail.
Your credit limit depends on your credit score and income. Synchrony may offer a limit anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for several months and made on-time payments.
Comparing the Staples Card to Other Options
If you want rewards on office supplies, you have alternatives. A general-purpose cash back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne earns 1.5% to 2% cash back on all purchases, including office supplies, and charges a much lower APR (typically 16% to 24%). The downside is that these cards have annual fees ($0 to $95 depending on the card), but the lower interest rate and broader earning categories often make them better for people who occasionally carry a balance.
If you shop at multiple office supply retailers, a cash back card is clearly better because it works everywhere. If you shop only at Staples and always pay in full, the Staples card's lack of annual fee gives it a small advantage. If you ever carry a balance, the higher APR on the Staples card makes it more expensive than a standard rewards card.
Amazon Business offers 2% cash back on office supplies purchased through their platform and charges no annual fee. If you buy supplies online, this may be a better option than the Staples card, especially if you already have an Amazon account.
What Happens If You Stop Using the Card
If you do not use the Staples Credit Card for 24 consecutive months, your account becomes inactive and any remaining rewards points expire. You can still use the card after it goes inactive, but you will lose the points you had accumulated. Synchrony may also close the account if it remains inactive for an extended period, though they typically send a notice before doing so.
If you close the card yourself, any remaining points are forfeited when ready. There is no way to transfer points to another account or convert them to cash. The only way to preserve your points is to use the card at least once every two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Staples Credit Card at other stores?
No. Although the card is a Visa, it only earns rewards at Staples stores and staples.com. You can use it at other retailers, but you will not earn points. A general-purpose rewards card would be better if you want to earn rewards outside of Staples.
What is the credit limit on the Staples Credit Card?
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Synchrony typically offers limits ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. You can request a higher limit after holding the card for several months with on-time payments.
Does the Staples Credit Card have a grace period?
No. Unlike some credit cards, the Staples Credit Card charges interest on purchases when ready if you carry a balance. There is no interest-free period, so any balance you do not pay in full will accrue interest right away.
What happens to my rewards points if I close the card?
Your rewards points expire when ready when you close the card. There is no way to transfer them or cash them out. If you have accumulated points, you should redeem them before closing the account.
Is the Staples Credit Card worth it if I only shop there occasionally?
Probably not. The rewards rate is modest, and the high APR makes the card expensive if you ever carry a balance. If you shop at Staples only a few times per year, a general-purpose cash back card would give you better value across all your spending.