The Toys "R" Us Credit Card No Longer Exists
Toys "R" Us stopped issuing new credit cards when the company closed its U.S. stores in 2018. If you held a Toys "R" Us credit card before that date, your account was transferred to Synchrony Bank, which managed the card on behalf of the retailer. Synchrony continued to service existing accounts for several years, but the card is no longer a product you can open or use for new purchases.
If you still have an active Toys "R" Us card in your wallet, you may be able to use it at other retailers that Synchrony has partnered with, or you may find that the card has been closed. The status depends on when your account was last active and what Synchrony decided to do with dormant accounts. Your best move is to contact Synchrony directly to find out whether your card still works and what your options are.
Key Takeaways
- Toys "R" Us stopped issuing credit cards in 2018 when the company closed all U.S. stores.
- Synchrony Bank took over management of existing Toys "R" Us credit card accounts and may have closed many of them over time.
- You can contact Synchrony at 1-866-258-5143 to find out whether your card is still active and what you can do with it.
- If your card is closed, you will not owe any balance, but the account closure may appear on your credit report.
- Synchrony offers other retail credit cards you can open if you want a store card for shopping.
How to learn about Your Card Is Still Active
Call Synchrony's customer service line at 1-866-258-5143 and have your card number ready. A representative can tell you whether your account is open, what your current balance is (if any), and whether you can still use the card. If you do not have your card number, you can provide your Social Security number and date of birth instead.
If your card has been closed, ask Synchrony whether the closure was due to inactivity or another reason. A closed account will show up on your credit report, but it will not hurt your credit score as much as an account you stopped paying on. Over time, closed accounts age off your report and have less impact.
What to Do If You Still Have a Balance
If Synchrony tells you that you have an outstanding balance on your Toys "R" Us card, you are responsible for paying it. The card may no longer work at retailers, but your debt obligation remains. Contact Synchrony to set up a payment plan or pay the balance in full.
If you are struggling to pay, ask Synchrony whether they offer hardship programs. Many credit card issuers, including Synchrony, have options for customers facing financial difficulty — these might include a lower interest rate, a pause on payments, or a structured repayment plan. Be honest about your situation; Synchrony cannot help if they do not know you need it.
Understanding the Impact on Your Credit Report
A closed Toys "R" Us credit card account will appear on your credit report as a closed account. This is different from a delinquent or charged-off account, which would damage your credit score more severely. A closed account in good standing (meaning you paid on time and do not owe money) has minimal impact on your score.
If your account was closed because of missed payments or a high balance, that negative history will stay on your report for seven years from the date of the first missed payment. The older the negative mark, the less it affects your score. If you are rebuilding credit, focus on paying other bills on time and keeping other credit card balances low.
Other Retail Credit Cards Synchrony Manages
Synchrony Bank issues credit cards for many retailers, including Amazon, Lowe's, Lululemon, and Staples. If you liked the idea of a store card but want to open a new one, you can look into these options. Store cards often offer discounts on your first purchase or bonus rewards for cardholders, though they typically have higher interest rates than general-purpose credit cards.
Before opening a new store card, think about whether you actually shop at that retailer regularly. A card you rarely use will not help your credit score and may tempt you to spend more than you planned. If you do open one, pay the full balance each month to avoid interest charges.
What Happened to Toys "R" Us and Why the Card Went Away
Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed all 735 of its U.S. stores by 2018. The company had struggled for years as more families shopped online and at big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. The store closures meant there was no reason to keep issuing a credit card that could only be used at Toys "R" Us locations.
Synchrony, which had been the card issuer since 2010, continued to manage existing accounts for customers who still held the card. Over time, many of those accounts were closed due to inactivity or customer request. The Toys "R" Us brand has since been revived online and through some third-party retailers, but there are no plans to bring back the credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Toys "R" Us credit card anywhere?
It depends on whether your account is still active. Call Synchrony at 1-866-258-5143 to find out. If your card is active, Synchrony may have partnered it with other retailers, but the card will not work at Toys "R" Us locations since those stores are closed. Most likely, your card has been closed and cannot be used anywhere.
Will a closed Toys "R" Us card hurt my credit score?
A closed account in good standing has minimal impact on your score. If you paid on time and do not owe money, the closure will show on your report but will not significantly damage your credit. If the account was closed due to missed payments, that negative history will affect your score for seven years.
What if I owe money on the card and cannot pay it right now?
Contact Synchrony and explain your situation. They may offer a hardship program with a lower interest rate or a payment plan. Ignoring the debt will not make it go away and will damage your credit score. A conversation with Synchrony is your first step toward a solution.
Is there a new Toys "R" Us credit card I can open?
No. Toys "R" Us does not issue a credit card anymore. If you want a store card, Synchrony manages cards for many other retailers. Alternatively, you can use a general-purpose credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) at any store, including the online Toys "R" Us site.