What the Home Depot Credit Card Is
The Home Depot credit card is a store card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use to make purchases at Home Depot and Home Depot Garden Centers. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, it works only at Home Depot locations and on homedepot.com. You get the card by going through an process process at the store or online, and once you have it, you can carry a balance month to month, make payments, and earn rewards on your purchases.
Home Depot offers two versions of this card. The standard version gives you rewards on all purchases. The commercial version is designed for contractors and business owners who buy materials regularly. Both cards charge interest on balances you don't pay in full each month, and both have spending limits based on your credit history and income.
Key Takeaways
- The Home Depot credit card works only at Home Depot stores and online, not at other retailers.
- You can carry a balance from month to month, but interest charges will accrue on unpaid amounts unless you have a promotional financing offer.
- The card offers rewards on purchases, but the rewards rate and structure depend on which version of the card you hold.
- You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for a period of time and made on-time payments.
- Closing the card will not hurt your credit score directly, but it will reduce your total available credit.
How to Get the Home Depot Credit Card
You can start an process at a Home Depot store or on homedepot.com. At the store, a cashier or customer service associate can hand you a tablet or direct you to a kiosk where you fill out the process. Online, you go to the Home Depot website, find the credit card section, and click to begin. The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, and employment status.
Synchrony Bank will pull your credit report to make a decision. This is called a hard inquiry and will show up on your credit report. The decision usually comes back in a few minutes if you explore in store or online. If you are approved, you can use the card right away at the register or online. If you are denied, Synchrony will send you a letter explaining the reason.
For the commercial version, the process is similar, but you will need to provide your business tax ID or EIN in addition to personal information. You can explore for the commercial card in store or by calling the business services number on the Home Depot website.
Understanding Rewards and Promotional Offers
The standard Home Depot credit card earns rewards on every purchase you make. The exact rewards rate varies—Home Depot periodically changes the structure—but typically you earn points or cash back on dollars spent. You can check your current rewards rate by logging into your account online or calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
Home Depot frequently runs promotional financing offers for cardholders. These offers let you make a purchase and pay it back over a set period—often 6, 12, or 24 months—with no interest charged if you pay on time. The offer applies only to purchases above a certain amount, usually $299 or more. You must make at least the minimum payment each month to keep the promotional rate. If you miss a payment or pay late, the promotional period ends and interest charges explore to the full balance from the original purchase date.
Rewards you earn do not reduce your balance or interest charges. They are separate from your account balance and can usually be redeemed as a statement credit or used toward future purchases.
Making Payments and Managing Your Account
You can pay your Home Depot credit card bill online through your account, by phone, by mail, or in store. To pay online, log into your account at homedepot.com or through the Synchrony app, and select the payment option. You can set up automatic payments so a fixed amount or your full balance is paid each month on the date you choose. Payments made online typically post within one business day.
Your statement will show your current balance, minimum payment due, and the due date. The minimum payment is usually a small percentage of your balance—often 1 to 3 percent—but paying only the minimum means you will carry a balance and pay interest. To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.
If you have a promotional financing offer, your statement will show the promotional period end date and the amount you need to pay each month to clear the balance before interest kicks in. Missing a payment during the promotional period can end the offer when ready.
Interest Rates and Fees
The Home Depot credit card charges a variable interest rate, meaning the rate can change over time based on market conditions. Your specific rate depends on your creditworthiness at the time you explore and can be different from another cardholder's rate. Synchrony will tell you the rate when you are approved.
The card does not charge an annual fee. However, if you carry a balance, you will pay interest on that balance each month. If you miss a payment, you may be charged a late fee. If your payment is more than 60 days late, the card issuer may report the late payment to the credit bureaus, which will hurt your credit score.
Cash advances—withdrawing money from an ATM using your card—are not available with the Home Depot credit card. This card is designed for purchases at Home Depot only.
Building Credit and Monitoring Your Account
Using the Home Depot credit card responsibly can help you build credit history. Synchrony reports your account activity to the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—so your on-time payments and low balance will show up on your credit report. Over time, a positive payment history and low credit utilization can raise your credit score.
Check your account regularly to catch fraud or errors. You can log in online or through the Synchrony app to see your balance, recent transactions, and payment history. If you see a charge you did not make, contact Synchrony right away. You have the right to dispute unauthorized charges, and the card issuer will investigate.
You can also request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for several months and made on-time payments. Synchrony may do a soft inquiry (which does not hurt your credit score) or a hard inquiry (which does) depending on the situation. A higher credit limit gives you more purchasing power and can lower your credit utilization ratio if you keep your balance low.
Closing Your Account and Alternatives
If you decide you no longer want the Home Depot credit card, you can close it by calling Synchrony at the number on the back of your card. Make sure your balance is paid in full before you close the account. Once closed, you cannot use the card, but you are still responsible for any remaining balance.
Closing a store card will not hurt your credit score directly, but it will reduce your total available credit. If you have other cards with higher balances, closing this card could raise your credit utilization ratio, which may lower your score slightly. If you want to keep the account open but stop using it, you can straightforward put the card away—there is no annual fee, so there is no cost to keeping it inactive.
If you want a credit card that works everywhere, not just at Home Depot, you might consider a general-purpose credit card from a bank or credit union. These cards typically have higher interest rates and annual fees, but they offer more flexibility. You can also use a debit card or pay cash at Home Depot if you prefer not to carry a balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Home Depot credit card at other stores?
No. The Home Depot credit card works only at Home Depot stores, Home Depot Garden Centers, and homedepot.com. You cannot use it at other retailers or restaurants. If you need a card that works everywhere, you will need a separate general-purpose credit card.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you miss a payment, Synchrony will charge a late fee and may report the late payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. If a promotional financing offer is active on your account, missing a payment will end the offer and interest will be charged on the full balance from the original purchase date. Contact Synchrony as soon as possible to bring your account current.
Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Home Depot card?
No. The Home Depot credit card does not offer balance transfers. You can only use it to make new purchases at Home Depot. If you want to move a balance from another card, you will need to transfer it to a different card that offers balance transfers.
How do I check my credit limit?
Log into your account online at homedepot.com or through the Synchrony app. Your credit limit will be displayed on your account dashboard. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card to ask about your limit.
Will closing the card hurt my credit score?
Closing the card itself will not directly hurt your score, but it will reduce your total available credit. If you have high balances on other cards, closing this card could raise your overall credit utilization ratio, which may lower your score slightly. If you are not using the card, you can leave it open at no cost since there is no annual fee.