The Toys "R" Us Credit Card No Longer Exists
Toys "R" Us stopped issuing its store credit card when the company closed all U.S. stores in 2018. If you held a Toys "R" Us card before the shutdown, your account was closed and you received notice by mail. The card itself — a Synchrony Bank product — is not coming back, even though Toys "R" Us has since reopened some locations online and in a few physical stores.
If you're looking for a card to use at toy retailers or general shopping, you have other options. This guide walks through what happened to the old card, how to handle an old account if you still have one, and what credit cards actually work at toy stores today.
Key Takeaways
- The Toys "R" Us Synchrony credit card closed permanently in 2018 when the company filed for bankruptcy and shut down stores.
- If you had an active card, Synchrony sent you a notice and closed the account; you do not need to take action.
- You can use any major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) at Toys "R" Us locations and online.
- Store credit cards from other retailers offer rewards on purchases but lock you into one store; a general rewards card gives you more flexibility.
- If you're rebuilding credit, a secured card from a bank or credit union is a better choice than waiting for a store card to return.
What Happened to the Toys "R" Us Card
Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy in September 2017 and began closing all 735 U.S. stores by the end of 2018. Synchrony Bank, which issued the store credit card, closed all active accounts as part of the liquidation. If you had a balance on the card at that time, you received a letter from Synchrony explaining the closure and your options for paying off the debt.
The card was never revived when Toys "R" Us reopened online in 2020 and later opened a handful of physical locations. The company has not announced plans to bring back a branded credit card, and there is no indication one is coming. If you still have the physical card in a drawer, it no longer works — the account is permanently closed.
If You Still Owe Money on an Old Toys "R" Us Card
If you had a balance when the account closed, Synchrony sent you a final statement and instructions for payment. You may have been able to pay the balance in full, set up a payment plan, or the debt may have been sold to a collection agency. Check your credit report to see whether the account still appears and in what status.
You can pull your credit report free once per year from AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site run by the three major credit bureaus. Look for any account labeled "Toys R Us" or "Synchrony." If it shows as "closed" or "charged off," the account is no longer active but may still affect your credit score. If a collection agency owns the debt, contact them directly to discuss payment or settlement options — do not ignore letters from a collector, as they can file a lawsuit if the debt is not resolved.
What Credit Cards Work at Toys "R" Us Now
Toys "R" Us accepts all major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can use any of these at physical locations and on the Toys "R" Us website. There is no longer a store-branded card, so you are not locked into using one card for toy purchases.
This actually works in your favor. A general rewards card — one that gives you cash back or points on all purchases — will earn you rewards at Toys "R" Us just as it would anywhere else. You avoid the trap of a store card, which typically offers a high interest rate and rewards that only work at one retailer. If you shop at Toys "R" Us regularly but also at other stores, a general card is the smarter choice.
Store Credit Cards vs. General Rewards Cards
Store credit cards sound appealing because they often offer a discount on your first purchase (usually 10 to 15 percent off). However, they come with real costs. The interest rate on a store card is typically 18 to 25 percent, much higher than a general rewards card. If you carry a balance, you pay far more in interest than you save on that first discount.
A general rewards card — issued by a bank or credit union, not by a store — usually has a lower interest rate and works anywhere. You earn the same rewards rate whether you shop at Toys "R" Us, Target, or a grocery store. If you have good credit, you might find a card with no annual fee and 1 to 2 percent cash back on all purchases. If you are rebuilding credit, a secured card (backed by a cash deposit) is a better starting point than hunting for a store card.
Building or Rebuilding Credit Without a Store Card
If you do not have a credit card yet or are recovering from past credit problems, a store card is not the right tool. Store cards report to the credit bureaus just like any other card, but their high interest rates make them expensive to use for credit building. A better option is a secured credit card from a bank or credit union.
A secured card requires you to deposit cash (usually $200 to $2,500) that serves as your credit limit. You use the card like a regular card, pay the bill on time each month, and after 6 to 18 months of good payment history, the bank converts it to a regular unsecured card and returns your deposit. This builds your credit score without the trap of high interest rates. Credit unions often offer secured cards with lower deposits and better terms than banks.
Where to Find a Credit Card That Works for You
Start by checking what you already have. If you have a bank account, call your bank and ask whether they offer a rewards card or secured card. Credit unions often have better rates and terms than banks, so if you are a member, check there first. If you do not have a credit union account, you can search for one near you at CO-OP.org or Surcharge-Free.org.
If you are shopping for a general rewards card, compare the cash back rate, annual fee, and interest rate across a few options. NerdWallet, The Points Guy, and Bankrate all publish comparison tools where you can filter by rewards type and credit score range. Read the terms carefully — some cards offer higher cash back on certain categories (groceries, gas, dining) and lower rates on everything else. For toy shopping specifically, a flat-rate card (1 to 2 percent back on all purchases) is simpler than chasing category bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my old Toys "R" Us credit card?
No. All Toys "R" Us credit cards were closed when the company shut down in 2018. The card will be declined if you try to use it. If you still have the physical card, you can safely throw it away.
Will Toys "R" Us bring back a store credit card?
There is no announcement of a new Toys "R" Us card. Even though the company has reopened some locations, it has not relaunched a branded credit product. You should not wait for one — use a general rewards card instead.
What if I had a balance when the card closed?
Synchrony sent you a notice with payment instructions. Check your credit report to see the current status of the account. If it shows as paid, you are done. If it shows as charged off or in collections, contact the collection agency or Synchrony directly to discuss your options.
Is a store credit card ever worth it?
Only if you pay the full balance every month and use the first-purchase discount. If you carry a balance, the 18 to 25 percent interest rate wipes out any rewards. A general rewards card with a lower interest rate is almost always the better choice.
How do I rebuild credit if I don't have a card?
A secured credit card from a bank or credit union is the fastest way. You deposit cash, use the card for small purchases, pay on time, and after 6 to 18 months the bank converts it to a regular card. This builds your score without the risk of high interest rates.