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The name “Synchrony Bank” may not be as recognizable as credit card companies like Wells Fargo or Barclays, but the biggest issuer of retail credit cards in the U.S. offers tons of store cards you’ve probably heard of.
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With most traditional credit cards, the name of the issuing bank is obvious from the get-go: the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, and so on.
But with store credit cards, the issuer name takes a back seat to the store itself. Unless the card is already in your wallet, you probably don’t know which financial institution issues the Victoria’s Secret Angel credit card, for instance. (Spoiler alert: The answer is Comenity Bank.)
Another under-the-radar name in the retail credit card space is Synchrony Bank. Keep reading to learn more about the store cards it issues – and whether one of them could be right for you.
If you’ve ever held a private-label credit card – also known as a retail card – there’s a good chance it was issued by Synchrony Bank, a consumer financial services company and the largest issuer of such cards in the U.S.
Retail credit cards are largely similar to general-purpose credit cards, with one major difference: In most cases, they’re branded for a specific retailer, independent dealer or manufacturer. (That said, some closed-loop retail cards, such as the Old Navy Credit Card, also work at affiliated brands, including Athleta and Banana Republic. There are also open-loop store cards, such as the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®, that can be used anywhere the payment network is accepted.)
Store cards like those offered by Synchrony are usually easier to qualify for than general-purpose cards, making them a good choice for people who are either new to credit or recovering from a credit stumble.
Synchrony partners with stores of all sizes and industries – from national clothing chains to local furniture shops – to offer credit cards or other financing programs to customers.
Here’s a list of Synchrony Bank credit cards that, to the best of our knowledge, are currently open to new applicants:
Synchrony Bank might specialize in retail credit cards, but it also offers a number of additional consumer financial products, such as money market accounts, IRA CDs and other types of credit (like travel rewards cards, medical credit cards and even automaker-branded cards).
Non-retail Synchrony Bank credit cards include:
Synchrony’s diverse list of retail partners means you’re likely to find at least one store credit card worth considering. As with all types of debt, though, think through the potential advantages (purchase discounts and special offers) and drawbacks (such as a new hard inquiry, plus the potential to overspend) before deciding whether to apply for another card.
Below are some of the most popular Synchrony Bank credit cards among the issuer’s current lineup.
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, the Lowe’s Advantage Credit Card could make a handy addition to your toolbelt. With no annual fee, 20% off your first purchase (for an up to $100 discount) and an automatic 5% discount on all other purchases, you could end up saving some serious cash as you spruce up your abode.
A caveat: The ongoing 5% savings can’t be combined with the card’s special financing offers, so you’ll have to pick one or the other. Unless you’re taking on a pretty big renovation, the immediate discount is your best bet – it eliminates the risk you’ll have to pay a ton of deferred interest if you have a remaining balance at the end of the promo period.
If more road trips than flights are in your future, the Sam’s Club Mastercard is perfect for swiping at the pump. The card offers a generous 5% cash back rate on gas purchased at Sam’s Club and most other fuel stations. You’ll also score 3% cash back on dining purchases, which can take some of the sting out of those fast-food visits between stops. (And when you’re ready to return to the skies, 3% cash back on travel isn’t too shabby either.)
Unlike other cash back credit cards, though, rewards earned with the Sam’s Club Mastercard are issued as a check just once a year, in February.
Longtime Verizon customers (or those willing to switch carriers) might want to consider the Verizon Visa Card, which offers strong rewards in several everyday spending categories – a rarity among retail cards. Cardholders get 4% back on grocery store and gas purchases, 3% back on dining purchases, 2% back on Verizon purchases (including devices and monthly bills) and 1% back on all other spending.
The downside is that your rewards are issued as Verizon Dollars, which can only be redeemed for Verizon purchases, such as a new phone or your monthly service bill. If you’d rather trade in your cash back for, well, cash, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Like the Verizon Visa, the PayPal Cashback Mastercard is a “diamond in the rough” among store credit cards. In fact, it rivals one of our highest-rated flat-rate cash back cards – the Citi® Double Cash Card – thanks to unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases), no minimum redemption requirements and no annual fee to eat into your earnings.
Unless you’re a frequent PayPal user, though, the extra steps needed to claim your rewards may be a bit cumbersome – rewards can only be redeemed as statement credits to your PayPal account. And cardholders who are adept at finding the best travel redemptions may be able to earn a higher rewards rate with a more flexible cash back card.
The Rakuten Cash Back Visa Credit Card rewards you with 3% cash back on qualifying purchases made through Rakuten.com, In-Store Cash Back offers, Rakuten Hotels and Rakuten travel. The ability to stack those rewards with cash back offers at Rakuten’s affiliate stores – which regularly feature rates of up to 5% or more – makes this a lucrative card for Rakuten die-hards. As an open-loop card, it also earns 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Despite its inflexible redemption program, the Rakuten card deserves a closer look if you’re an American Express cardholder. Pairing it with an eligible Amex card could earn you 3x Membership Rewards points on top of those earned through a Rakuten cash back offer
The easiest way to apply for Synchrony Bank credit cards is online. Go to MySynchrony.com, then click “Where to Shop” at the top of the page. You can search for a specific retailer, browse through the bank’s partnering stores or filter cards by shopping category, such as home furnishings or sporting goods. If you find a card you’re interested in, click “Apply” and supply the requested information.
Many of Synchrony’s partner stores also let you apply online or through their own websites. Alternatively, you can visit a merchant in person and request an application from an employee. Some cards offer one-time, same-day discounts upon credit approval, so you may want to wait until you’re ready to make a big purchase in order to maximize your savings.
Admittedly, retail credit cards can be a mixed bag. Between high interest rates and confusing deferred-interest promotions, you could find yourself deep in debt if you’re not careful. That said, if you need to build or rebuild credit – or you’re a particularly loyal shopper who could regularly save money from purchase discounts and special sales – a store-branded Synchrony Bank credit card could work in your favor.
But if you’d rather avoid the temptation to overspend at your favorite retailer, you might be better off with a traditional credit-building credit card. Whichever route you take, remember the cardinal rule of responsible credit use: Never charge more than you can afford to pay in full every month.
