The Amazon Synchrony Card is a store credit card that earns rewards only at Amazon and Whole Foods

The Amazon Synchrony Credit Card is issued by Synchrony Bank and works only for purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market. You cannot use it at other retailers. The card offers cash back rewards on those purchases — the exact rate depends on which version of the card you hold — but charges a standard interest rate if you carry a balance month to month.

This is not a general-purpose credit card. It is designed for people who spend regularly at Amazon or Whole Foods and want to concentrate their rewards there. If you shop at many retailers, a different card may give you better value. If you shop almost exclusively at Amazon, this card may save you money over time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Synchrony Card earns rewards only at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods — not at other stores.
  • Rewards rates vary by card version: the standard card earns 3% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, and 1% everywhere else on the card; the Prime member version earns higher rates but requires an active Prime membership.
  • The card charges interest on unpaid balances, with the rate depending on your credit score and Synchrony's current terms.
  • The card has no annual fee, but you pay interest if you do not pay your full balance by the due date each month.
  • Synchrony offers promotional financing on certain Amazon purchases, such as 0% interest for 12 months on orders over a set amount, but these offers change and have terms you must meet to may have access to.

Rewards rates and how they work

The standard Amazon Synchrony Card earns 3% cash back at Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh, 1% cash back on all other purchases made with the card, and 1% cash back on Amazon.com purchases. The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, available to Prime members, earns 5% cash back at Amazon.com, 2% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, and 1% elsewhere.

Rewards post to your account as a statement credit, which reduces your balance. You do not receive cash or points you can transfer elsewhere. The rewards are tied to the card and the account — if you close the card, you lose any unused rewards balance.

Promotional financing offers appear on the card's website and in your Amazon account. These typically offer 0% interest for a set period (often 12 months) on purchases over a minimum amount. The terms vary by offer and by your account history. If you do not pay the full promotional purchase off by the end of the period, Synchrony charges interest on the remaining balance at the card's standard rate, which can be substantial.

Interest rates and fees

The Amazon Synchrony Card has no annual fee. However, if you carry a balance from month to month, you pay interest. The interest rate — called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR — varies based on your credit score, credit history, and Synchrony's current terms. Synchrony does not publish a single rate; instead, you receive a range when you review your offer.

As of recent years, APRs on Synchrony cards have ranged from the mid-teens to over 25%, depending on creditworthiness. The better your credit score, the lower your APR is likely to be. You can see your exact APR in your card agreement or by logging into your Synchrony account online.

If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. This is called the grace period. The grace period applies only if you pay in full; if you carry any balance, interest accrues on new purchases when ready.

How to manage your account and make payments

You manage your Amazon Synchrony Card through the Synchrony website or mobile app, or through your Amazon account. You can set up automatic payments, view your balance, and track rewards. Payments can be made online, by phone, or by mail. The minimum payment is calculated by Synchrony and appears on your statement; paying only the minimum means you carry a balance and pay interest.

Your statement closes on a date set by Synchrony (usually the same day each month), and your payment is due about three weeks later. If your payment arrives after the due date, Synchrony reports it as late to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. Late payments also trigger a late fee, typically $25 to $40 depending on how late the payment is.

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. This penalty rate can remain in place for six months or longer, even after you catch up on payments.

Comparing this card to other options

The value of the Amazon Synchrony Card depends on how much you spend at Amazon and Whole Foods. If you spend $500 per month at Amazon and $200 at Whole Foods, the Prime Rewards version (5% at Amazon, 2% at Whole Foods) would earn you $30 to $35 per month in rewards. Over a year, that is $360 to $420 in value.

A general-purpose cash back card that earns 2% on all purchases would earn you $14 per month on the same spending — $168 per year. The Amazon card wins if you concentrate your spending at those two retailers. But if you split your spending across many stores, a general card may earn more.

The Prime Rewards version requires an active Prime membership, which costs $139 per year (or $14.99 per month). If you already pay for Prime for shipping and video, the card's higher rewards rates are a bonus. If you would buy Prime only for the card, you need to earn at least $139 per year in extra rewards to break even.

What happens if you close the card or miss payments

If you close the card, any remaining rewards balance is forfeited. Synchrony does not convert unused rewards to cash or transfer them to another account. This means if you have $50 in rewards and close the card before using them, that $50 is lost.

If you miss payments, Synchrony reports the delinquency to credit bureaus, which lowers your credit score. A 30-day late payment stays on your credit report for seven years. Synchrony may also freeze your account, preventing new purchases until you pay what you owe. In extreme cases, Synchrony may sell your debt to a collection agency, which can pursue you for the full amount owed plus collection fees.

If you have trouble paying, contact Synchrony before you miss a payment. Some cardholders have been able to negotiate hardship programs or temporary payment reductions, though Synchrony is not required to offer these.

Promotional financing and how to avoid paying interest

Synchrony regularly offers promotional financing on Amazon purchases — typically 0% interest for 12 months on orders over $100 or $150. These offers appear when you check out on Amazon if you are may be able to access. The terms are set by Amazon and Synchrony together and change frequently.

To avoid paying interest on a promotional purchase, you must pay the full promotional amount by the end of the promotional period. If you pay only part of it, interest accrues on the remaining balance at the standard APR, retroactively to the purchase date. This means a $1,000 purchase with 0% for 12 months becomes very expensive if you pay $900 by month 12 and leave $100 unpaid.

Read the terms of any promotional offer carefully before you accept it. The fine print will tell you the exact end date, the interest rate that applies if you do not pay in full, and whether the rate applies only to the promotional purchase or to your entire balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Amazon Synchrony Card outside of Amazon and Whole Foods?

The card works at any merchant that accepts Visa, so technically yes. However, you earn only 1% cash back on non-Amazon, non-Whole Foods purchases, and you pay interest if you carry a balance. For that reason, it is not designed for general use. A different card would likely serve you better for everyday shopping.

What is the difference between the standard card and the Prime Rewards version?

The Prime Rewards version earns higher rewards rates (5% at Amazon, 2% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh) but requires an active Prime membership. The standard card earns lower rates (1% at Amazon, 3% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh) but has no membership requirement. Choose based on whether you already pay for Prime and how much you spend at each retailer.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Any unused rewards are forfeited. Synchrony does not convert them to cash or transfer them to another account. Use your rewards before closing the card, or they are lost.

How do I avoid paying interest on this card?

Pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you carry any balance, you pay interest on new purchases when ready, even if you paid part of the previous balance. For promotional financing offers, pay the full promotional amount by the end of the promotional period, or interest accrues retroactively.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Synchrony does not publish a minimum credit score. Generally, approval is easier with a score of 670 or higher, but some people with lower scores have been approved. The best way to know is to check the offer on Amazon or the Synchrony website, which may show you a pre-qualification without a hard credit inquiry.