What the Barclays Old Navy Credit Card is and who should consider it

The Barclays Old Navy credit card is a store card issued by Barclays that you can use at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and other brands under the Gap Inc. family. Unlike a general-purpose card, it works only at those stores and online at their websites. The card offers rewards in the form of discounts and points when you shop, but it also charges interest on balances you carry month to month.

This card makes sense if you shop at Old Navy or its sister stores regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases. It does not make sense if you only shop there occasionally, because the interest rate is high enough that carrying a balance will cost you more than any discount saves. Like all store cards, this one is easier to open than a general credit card, which can be useful if you are building credit from scratch — but that advantage disappears if you then carry a balance.

Key Takeaways

  • The Barclays Old Navy card gives you discounts and rewards points when you shop at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and related stores, but only works at those retailers.
  • The interest rate on this card is higher than most general credit cards, so carrying a balance from month to month will cost you significantly more than any rewards save.
  • You earn rewards faster during promotional periods, which Old Navy announces in-store and by email to cardholders.
  • Opening a store card can help you build credit history if you have little or none, but only if you pay the full balance each month.
  • The card has an annual fee that varies; check your offer letter or contact Barclays to confirm the current amount.

How rewards and discounts work on this card

When you use the Barclays Old Navy card to shop, you earn points on your purchase. The exact earning rate changes based on promotions — sometimes you earn one point per dollar spent, sometimes more during special events. You can check your current earning rate in your online account or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.

Points convert to discounts you can use on future purchases. The conversion rate is not fixed; it depends on how many points you have and what promotions are running. For example, Old Navy might offer "earn 5x points" during a weekend sale, or "redeem 100 points for $10 off" during a clearance event. These promotions are announced by email to cardholders and posted in stores, so you need to check both channels to catch them.

The card also gives you access to cardholders-only sales and early access to clearance events. These are not rewards points — they are shopping events that happen on specific dates. Sign up for Old Navy's email list and enable notifications on your Barclays account to know when these events start.

Interest rates, fees, and the cost of carrying a balance

The Barclays Old Navy card charges interest on any balance you do not pay in full by the due date. The interest rate (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) is typically higher than a general credit card — store cards often range from 18% to 27% APR, though the exact rate depends on your credit history and current market conditions. Barclays will tell you the specific APR in your offer letter before you open the account.

To understand what this costs in real dollars: if you carry a $500 balance at 24% APR and make only minimum payments, you will pay roughly $60 to $80 in interest before the balance is gone. That interest wipes out any rewards you earned on that purchase. The only way to avoid this cost is to pay the full statement balance every month, not just the minimum payment.

The card also has an annual fee. The amount varies depending on the specific offer you receive; some versions have no annual fee, while others charge $25 or more per year. Read your offer letter carefully before you open the account, or call Barclays customer service to confirm the fee for your specific offer.

How opening this card affects your credit

When you open the Barclays Old Navy card, Barclays will run a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a formal check of your credit history and shows up on your report for about two years. A single hard inquiry typically lowers your credit score by a few points, though the impact is small if you have other accounts in good standing.

Once the account is open, it helps your credit in two ways: it adds to your total available credit (which lowers your credit utilization ratio if you keep balances low), and it gives you a new account to make on-time payments to. Making on-time payments is the single largest factor in your credit score, so if you use this card and pay it in full each month, your score will likely improve over time.

The card can also hurt your credit if you carry a high balance or miss payments. A balance close to your credit limit raises your utilization ratio and signals risk to lenders. A missed payment stays on your report for seven years and can drop your score by 100 points or more. Only open this card if you are confident you can pay the full balance each month.

When a store card makes financial sense versus when it does not

A store card is worth opening if all three of these are true: you shop at that retailer at least four or five times a year, you always pay the full balance each month, and the rewards rate is better than what you would earn with a general rewards card. For Old Navy, that means you need to spend enough to earn meaningful discounts, and you need the discipline to never carry a balance.

A store card is not worth opening if you shop there rarely, if you tend to carry balances, or if you already have a general rewards card with a higher earning rate. The high interest rate makes store cards expensive debt, and the rewards are only valuable if you use them before they expire or if you redeem them quickly. Many people open store cards for a one-time discount, then never use them again — and the unused account can actually hurt your credit score over time.

If you are building credit from scratch and have no other cards, a store card can be a stepping stone. Use it for small purchases you would make anyway, pay the full balance each month, and after six to twelve months of on-time payments, you will have a better credit history. Then you can open a general rewards card with a lower interest rate and better earning potential.

How to manage your account and avoid common mistakes

Set up automatic payments for at least the full statement balance on your due date. This removes the risk of forgetting and missing a payment, which triggers interest charges and credit damage. You can set this up through your online Barclays account or by calling customer service.

Check your account online or by phone before you shop during promotional periods. Rewards rates and redemption offers change frequently, and you want to know the current terms before you spend. Also check your email for cardholders-only sales — these are often better deals than the general public gets.

Do not use this card for cash advances. Store cards charge very high fees and interest rates for cash advances, often 25% or more APR plus a flat fee. If you need cash, use an ATM with your debit card or a personal loan instead.

Keep the account open even if you stop using it, as long as there is no annual fee or the fee is worth paying. Closing old accounts lowers your average account age and reduces your total available credit, both of which can hurt your credit score. If there is an annual fee you do not want to pay, call Barclays and ask if they will waive it or downgrade you to a no-fee version.

Comparing the Barclays Old Navy card to other options

If you shop at multiple retailers, a general rewards card often makes more sense than a store card. A card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne gives you cash back or points on all purchases, not just at one store, and the interest rate is usually lower. The trade-off is that the rewards rate is typically lower than a store card's promotional rate — but only if you actually use the store card's promotions.

If you want a card specifically for Old Navy, compare this Barclays card to any other store card Old Navy offers. Gap Inc. sometimes offers different versions through different issuers, and the rewards rates, fees, and interest rates can vary. Check Old Navy's website or ask in-store which cards are currently available.

If you are building credit and want a store card, consider whether you would use the rewards enough to justify the high interest rate. A secured credit card (where you put down a cash deposit as collateral) often has a lower interest rate and no annual fee, making it a better choice for credit building if you do not shop at that retailer regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Barclays Old Navy card anywhere besides Old Navy?

No. The card works at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and a few other brands owned by Gap Inc., but not at other retailers. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need a general credit card instead.

What happens to my rewards points if I close the account?

This depends on Old Navy's current policy. Some retailers let you redeem points for a period after you close the account; others cancel unused points when ready. Check your cardholder agreement or call Barclays customer service to find out the specific terms.

Does the Barclays Old Navy card have a sign-up bonus?

Some versions of this card offer a sign-up bonus — for example, extra points or a discount on your first purchase. The offer varies by time and by your credit profile. Check the offer letter before you open the account to see what bonus, if any, you are receiving.

What should I do if I cannot pay the full balance one month?

Call Barclays customer service when ready. Explain your situation and ask about hardship options or payment plans. Do not ignore the bill — missing a payment will damage your credit and trigger late fees. Calling early gives you the best chance of working out a solution.

How do I check my rewards balance and redemption options?

Log into your account on Barclays' website or the Old Navy app, or call the customer service number on the back of your card. Both channels will show your current points balance and available redemption offers.