What the Old Navy Credit Card Is
The Old Navy Credit Card is a store card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use to make purchases at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and other brands under the Gap Inc. umbrella. Unlike a general-purpose credit card from Visa or Mastercard, this card only works at those specific stores — you cannot use it at other retailers or to withdraw cash.
The card comes with rewards in the form of points you earn on purchases, plus periodic discounts and early access to sales if you are a cardholder. The trade-off is that store cards typically carry higher interest rates than standard credit cards, and the rewards are only useful if you shop at those stores regularly.
Key Takeaways
- The Old Navy Credit Card is a store-only card that works at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and other Gap Inc. stores, but nowhere else.
- You earn rewards points on purchases that can be redeemed for discounts, and cardholders get early access to sales and special promotions.
- Interest rates on store cards are usually higher than standard credit cards, so carrying a balance can become expensive quickly.
- Your credit score affects whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive, just as it does with any credit card.
- Paying your balance in full each month protects you from interest charges and helps build your credit history.
How Rewards and Discounts Work
When you use the Old Navy Credit Card, you earn points on every dollar you spend. The exact earning rate varies — sometimes it is one point per dollar, sometimes higher during promotional periods. You can check the current rate on the Synchrony website or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
Points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases, typically in increments like $5 off for every 500 points. Cardholders also receive periodic coupons in the mail and email, and they often get early access to major sales events by a day or two before the general public. If you shop at these stores several times a year, these perks can add up to real savings.
However, rewards only matter if you actually use them. If you earn points but never redeem them, or if you carry a balance and pay interest that exceeds the value of your rewards, the card costs you money instead of saving it.
Interest Rates and Fees
Store credit cards typically charge higher interest rates than standard credit cards. The exact rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history — the better your score, the lower your rate. Synchrony will tell you the rate range before you submit your process, but your actual rate only appears after approval.
The card may also carry an annual fee, though Old Navy periodically waives this for new cardholders. Check the terms before you explore or call Synchrony at the number on their website to confirm current terms.
If you carry a balance from month to month, interest charges accumulate daily. A $500 balance at a 24% annual rate costs roughly $10 per month in interest alone. Paying your full statement balance by the due date each month eliminates interest charges entirely and is the only way to make rewards actually save you money.
How Your Credit Score Affects Approval
Synchrony pulls your credit report when you explore, which creates a small, temporary dip in your credit score. This is called a hard inquiry and typically affects your score by a few points for a few months.
Your approval odds depend on your credit score, income, and payment history. If you have a score of 650 or higher and no recent late payments, approval is likely. Lower scores or recent missed payments make approval less certain, though store cards are sometimes easier to get than general-purpose cards because the issuer knows you can only use it at their stores.
If you are approved, the new card account itself will help your credit score over time by adding to your available credit and giving you a chance to build a positive payment history. However, if you max out the card or miss payments, it will damage your score instead.
When a Store Card Makes Sense
The Old Navy Credit Card is worth considering if you shop at Old Navy, Gap, or Banana Republic at least a few times a year and you plan to pay your balance in full each month. The rewards and early sale access can genuinely reduce what you spend on clothes you were going to buy anyway.
It is less useful if you only shop there occasionally, if you tend to carry a balance, or if you are trying to rebuild your credit. In those cases, a general-purpose credit card with lower interest rates and broader rewards is usually a better choice.
If you already have multiple credit cards, opening another one means another account to track and another opportunity to overspend. Before you explore, think honestly about whether you need another card or whether you are explore because of a promotional offer in the moment.
How to Manage the Card Responsibly
If you do open the account, treat it like any other credit card: spend only what you can pay off in full by the due date, and check your statement each month to catch fraud or errors early.
Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due so you never miss a payment by accident. Better yet, set up automatic payment of your full balance so you never carry interest. Many people find it helpful to set a spending limit for themselves — for example, only using the card for planned purchases, not impulse buys.
Keep the card active by using it occasionally, even if you do not shop there often. Issuers sometimes close inactive accounts, which can hurt your credit score. A small purchase every few months is enough to keep the account open.
Alternatives to Consider
If you like the idea of rewards but want more flexibility, a general-purpose cash-back credit card lets you earn rewards at any store and usually carries a lower interest rate. The trade-off is that you do not get the early sale access or store-specific perks.
If you are trying to build credit from scratch, a secured credit card (where you put down a cash deposit as collateral) often has lower interest rates and is easier to get approved for than a store card. Once you build a positive history, you can move to an unsecured card.
If you shop at Old Navy frequently but want to avoid the temptation to overspend, using a debit card or cash instead keeps you accountable to your actual budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Old Navy Credit Card outside of Old Navy stores?
No. The card only works at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and other Gap Inc. brands. You cannot use it at other retailers, online merchants, or to withdraw cash from ATMs. If you need a card for general purchases, you would need a separate Visa or Mastercard.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus and damages your credit score. Synchrony will charge a late fee (typically $25 to $40) and your interest rate may increase. If you miss a payment, contact Synchrony as soon as possible to bring the account current and discuss your options.
Can I transfer my balance from another credit card to the Old Navy card?
Store cards typically do not offer balance transfers. You would need to pay off the other card using a different method, then use the Old Navy card for future purchases. Transferring a balance to a card with a higher interest rate usually costs you more money, not less.
How do I check my rewards balance and redeem points?
Log into your account on the Synchrony website or call the customer service number on the back of your card. Your rewards balance appears in your account dashboard. You can redeem points for discounts that are applied to your account, then use them on your next purchase in-store or online.
Will opening this card hurt my credit score?
The process itself causes a small temporary dip (the hard inquiry). However, once the account is open, it can help your score over time by adding available credit and giving you a chance to build positive payment history. Missed payments or high balances will hurt your score, so responsible use is key.