What the Hollister Credit Card is and who issues it

The Hollister Credit Card is a store card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use to make purchases at Hollister Co. stores and online. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, it works only at Hollister and its sister brands (Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, and Gilly Hicks). You receive a physical card in the mail after opening the account, and you can also add it to a digital wallet on your phone to pay in-store or online.

Synchrony Bank handles all the account management — billing, payments, customer service, and dispute resolution. When you call the customer service number on the back of your card, you reach Synchrony, not Hollister directly. The card carries an interest rate that Synchrony sets based on your credit history at the time you open the account.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hollister Credit Card is issued by Synchrony Bank and works only at Hollister Co., Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, and Gilly Hicks locations and websites.
  • You can receive when ready approval in-store or online, though final approval may take a few business days and require a credit check.
  • The card typically offers a promotional financing period (such as 10% off your first purchase) at the point of opening, but ongoing rewards and interest rates depend on your creditworthiness.
  • You make payments through Synchrony's online portal, by phone, or by mail, and you can check your balance and statement anytime through their website or mobile app.
  • Carrying a balance on the card means paying interest at the rate set by Synchrony; paying in full by the due date avoids interest charges.

How to open a Hollister Credit Card in-store or online

You can open an account either in a Hollister store or on Hollister.com. In-store, a cashier will hand you a tablet or paper process at checkout. You provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, and employment status. The process takes about five minutes. Synchrony processes it when ready and tells you on the spot whether you are approved, denied, or pending review.

Online, go to Hollister.com, add items to your cart, and at checkout select "explore for a Hollister Credit Card." You fill in the same information and receive a decision within seconds in most cases. If approved when ready, you can use the card number to complete your purchase right away, even before the physical card arrives. If your process goes to pending review, Synchrony will contact you by phone or email within one to three business days with a decision.

Synchrony performs a hard credit inquiry as part of the process, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your credit report for about two years but stops affecting your score after roughly six months.

What information and documents you need to provide

Have the following ready before you start an process: your Social Security number, current address, date of birth, phone number, and email address. You also need to state your annual household income and current employment status (employed, self-employed, retired, student, or unemployed). You do not need to upload or mail any documents — Synchrony verifies your identity and income through its own database checks and the information you provide.

If Synchrony cannot verify your information automatically, they may call you to confirm details or ask you to send a copy of a recent pay stub, tax return, or bank statement. This happens in a small number of cases and Synchrony will tell you exactly what they need and how to send it.

Understanding the interest rate and how payments work

Synchrony assigns an interest rate (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) based on your credit score and credit history. This rate is not fixed — it can change if Synchrony reviews your account and your creditworthiness changes. You can find your current APR on your monthly statement or by logging into your Synchrony account online.

Interest charges explore only if you carry a balance past your due date. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. If you pay only part of the balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at your APR, compounded daily. Synchrony sends a monthly statement showing your balance, minimum payment due, and due date.

You can make payments through Synchrony's website (mysynchrony.com), their mobile app, by phone at the number on your card, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement. Online and phone payments post within one business day. Synchrony offers automatic payments if you want to set a fixed amount to pay each month.

Promotional offers and rewards at the time of opening

When you open a Hollister Credit Card, you typically receive a first-purchase discount — commonly 10% off your first transaction. This offer is applied automatically at checkout if you use the card for that purchase. The discount appears on your receipt and reduces the amount you owe on your card.

Beyond the first-purchase offer, ongoing rewards vary. Hollister periodically runs promotions such as double points days or bonus points on specific categories, but these are not may provide features of the card itself. Check your statement or Hollister's website to see current promotions. Unlike some retail cards, the Hollister card does not typically earn points on every purchase that you can redeem later — rewards are usually one-time offers tied to specific sales events.

How to use your card and access your account online

Once your physical card arrives (usually within seven to ten business days), you can use it at any Hollister Co., Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, or Gilly Hicks store, or online at their websites. In-store, hand the card to the cashier like any other credit card. Online, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV at checkout just as you would with any credit card.

You can also add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay on your phone and tap to pay at the register. To do this, open your phone's wallet app, select "Add Card," and follow the prompts to scan or enter your Hollister card details.

To manage your account, go to mysynchrony.com and create a login using your email address and a password. Once logged in, you can view your current balance, recent transactions, statement history, and due dates. You can also set up automatic payments, update your address, and read statements as PDFs. The Synchrony mobile app offers the same features and is available on iOS and Android.

What happens if you miss a payment or carry a high balance

If you miss your due date, Synchrony charges a late fee (typically $25 to $40, depending on your account terms) and reports the late payment to the credit bureaus. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Synchrony may increase your APR to a penalty rate, which is higher than your standard rate.

Carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit can also hurt your credit score. Credit scoring models look at your credit utilization ratio — the amount you owe divided by your total credit limit. Keeping your balance below 30% of your limit is generally better for your score. For example, if your credit limit is $1,000, try to keep your balance below $300.

If you fall behind on payments, contact Synchrony as soon as possible. They may offer a hardship program, payment plan, or temporary interest rate reduction depending on your situation. Synchrony's customer service number is on the back of your card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Hollister Credit Card outside of Hollister stores?

No. The card works only at Hollister Co., Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, and Gilly Hicks locations and their websites. You cannot use it at other retailers or to withdraw cash from an ATM. If you need a card that works everywhere, you would need a general-purpose credit card from Visa, Mastercard, or American Express instead.

What is the credit limit on a Hollister Credit Card?

Your credit limit depends on your credit score and income at the time you open the account. Synchrony does not publish a standard limit. After you open the account, you can request a credit limit increase by logging into mysynchrony.com or calling Synchrony's customer service. Synchrony may perform a hard inquiry if you request an increase.

How do I dispute a charge on my Hollister Credit Card?

Contact Synchrony within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement. Call the number on the back of your card or log into mysynchrony.com and select "Dispute a Transaction." Synchrony will investigate and typically resolve disputes within 30 to 60 days. You are not responsible for unauthorized charges while the dispute is being reviewed.

Will opening a Hollister Credit Card hurt my credit score?

Opening the account triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points temporarily. However, a new credit account also adds to your credit history length and available credit, which can help your score over time. The net effect depends on your overall credit profile, but most people see their score recover within a few months if they make on-time payments.

Can I close my Hollister Credit Card account?

Yes. Call Synchrony at the number on your card or log into mysynchrony.com and request account closure. Pay any remaining balance first. Closing the account does not remove it from your credit report — it stays there for seven years. Closing an old account can slightly lower your score because it reduces your available credit, but the effect is usually small if you have other open accounts.