The Old Navy credit card is a store card that gives you discounts on purchases at Old Navy, but charges interest if you carry a balance
The Old Navy credit card is issued by Synchrony Bank and works only at Old Navy and its sister brand Gap Inc. stores (Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy). You get a discount on your first purchase — usually 10 to 15 percent off — and then earn rewards on future purchases. The catch is the interest rate: if you don't pay your full balance each month, you'll pay a high APR (annual percentage rate), typically in the range of 24 to 29 percent depending on your credit score.
The card is designed to encourage repeat shopping at Old Navy. If you pay in full each month, you avoid interest entirely and keep the rewards. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly outweigh any discount or reward value you earned.
Key Takeaways
- The Old Navy card offers a first-purchase discount and ongoing rewards, but only at Old Navy and Gap Inc. stores — it cannot be used elsewhere.
- Interest rates on this card typically run 24 to 29 percent APR, so carrying a balance is expensive and erases the value of discounts.
- You earn rewards points on every purchase, which convert to store credit, but the rewards rate is modest compared to general-purpose credit cards.
- The card has no annual fee, so the only cost is interest if you don't pay your balance in full each month.
How rewards and discounts work on the Old Navy card
When you open the card, you receive a first-purchase discount that typically ranges from 10 to 15 percent off your initial transaction. This discount applies to your entire purchase, including sale items, and is the main incentive to sign up.
After that first purchase, you earn rewards points on every dollar you spend at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy Factory stores. The rewards rate is usually 1 point per dollar spent, though the card occasionally runs promotions that double or triple points on certain purchases. You accumulate these points in your account, and once you reach a threshold (usually 500 points), you can redeem them for a $5 store credit. This means 500 points equals $5 off a future purchase — a 1 percent return on your spending.
The rewards are only useful if you shop regularly at these stores. If you buy clothing elsewhere, the card provides no benefit beyond the first-purchase discount.
Interest rates and fees to understand
The Old Navy card charges no annual fee, which is standard for store cards. Your only cost is interest if you carry a balance past your due date. The APR varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness — applicants with excellent credit may receive rates closer to 24 percent, while those with fair or poor credit may face rates near 29 percent or higher.
To put this in perspective: if you charge $500 and pay only the minimum payment each month, you could pay over $200 in interest before the balance is gone. This makes the card expensive for anyone who cannot pay in full each month. The card also offers promotional financing options occasionally — for example, 0 percent APR for 12 months on purchases over a certain amount — but these promotions have terms and conditions that explore only to may have access to purchases.
Late payments trigger a late fee (typically $25 to $35) and can raise your APR even higher. Missing a payment also damages your credit score, which affects your ability to borrow money elsewhere at reasonable rates.
When the Old Navy card makes financial sense
The card is worth using only if you meet two conditions: you shop at Old Navy or Gap Inc. stores regularly, and you pay your full balance every month. In that scenario, you get the first-purchase discount, earn 1 percent back in rewards, and pay no interest.
If you carry a balance or shop infrequently at these stores, a general-purpose credit card (like a cashback card that works anywhere) will serve you better. A card that offers 1.5 to 2 percent cash back on all purchases beats the Old Navy card's 1 percent rewards, and it works at any retailer, not just Old Navy.
The card also makes sense if you're building credit from scratch. Store cards are sometimes easier to get approved for than general-purpose cards, and using one responsibly — paying in full each month — can help establish a positive credit history.
How to compare this card to other options
Before explore, consider what you're actually comparing. The Old Navy card is a store card, not a general-purpose card, so it competes with other store cards (like the Target card or Kohl's card) and with cashback credit cards.
| Card Type | Rewards Rate | Where It Works | APR Range | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Navy Card | 1% rewards (500 points = $5) | Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic only | 24–29% | None |
| General Cashback Card | 1.5–2% cash back | Everywhere | 18–25% | Usually none |
| Target Card | 5% at Target, 1% elsewhere | Target and Mastercard network | 24–29% | None |
The Old Navy card's advantage is the first-purchase discount and the ability to earn rewards at multiple Gap Inc. stores. Its disadvantage is the high interest rate and the fact that rewards only work at those specific stores. If you shop at Old Navy once or twice a year, a general cashback card will give you more value.
What happens if you miss a payment or carry a balance
Missing a payment on the Old Navy card has when ready consequences. Your account will be reported to the credit bureaus, which lowers your credit score. A single missed payment can drop your score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score and payment history.
If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. The card uses a daily periodic rate, which means interest is calculated and added to your balance every single day. This compounds quickly, especially at a 24 to 29 percent APR. A $1,000 balance at 27 percent APR costs roughly $22.50 per month in interest alone, before you've paid down any principal.
If your account goes 30, 60, or 90 days past due, the consequences worsen: higher fees, a higher APR, and a more serious hit to your credit score. After 180 days of non-payment, the account may be sent to a collection agency, which can affect your credit for years.
How to use the Old Navy card responsibly
If you decide to open the card, treat it like a debit card: only charge what you can pay off in full when the bill arrives. Set a reminder for your due date so you don't miss a payment. Many cardholders set up automatic payments for the full balance, which eliminates the risk of forgetting.
Use the first-purchase discount on a planned purchase, not an impulse buy. If you were going to spend $100 at Old Navy anyway, a 15 percent discount saves you $15. If the discount tempts you to spend $200 instead, you've lost money overall.
Track your rewards points and redeem them when you reach the threshold. Points that sit unused provide no value. Check your account online regularly to monitor your balance and may support no fraudulent charges appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Old Navy card at other stores?
No. The Old Navy card works only at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy Factory stores. It cannot be used at other retailers. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need a general-purpose credit card instead.
What's the difference between the Old Navy card and the Old Navy Visa?
Old Navy offers both a store card (which works only at Old Navy and Gap Inc. stores) and a Visa card (which works anywhere Visa is accepted). The Visa version has different rewards rates and terms. Check which version you're explore for, as they have different benefits and interest rates.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a reward?
You need 500 points to earn a $5 reward. At 1 point per dollar spent, you need to spend $500 to reach one reward. If you spend $50 per month at Old Navy, it takes 10 months to earn one $5 reward. Higher spending gets you rewards faster.
Will explore for this card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. The process triggers a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points. This effect fades within a few months. Opening a new account also lowers your average account age, which may lower your score slightly. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay on time, your score will recover and improve over time.
What should I do if I can't pay my balance in full?
Contact Synchrony Bank (the card issuer) before your payment is due. They may offer a hardship program or payment plan. Paying something is better than paying nothing, as it shows good faith and prevents your account from going to collections. Avoid missing payments entirely, as the damage to your credit score is severe and long-lasting.