What the Pro Xtra Credit Card Is

The Pro Xtra Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Synchrony Bank, designed primarily for small business owners and self-employed professionals. It earns cash back on purchases at Lowe's and Home Depot, plus additional rewards on gas, restaurants, and other categories. The card has no annual fee, making it accessible for businesses that want to build credit history while earning rewards on everyday spending.

This card is not a general-purpose rewards card—it is built around the assumption that your business spends money at home improvement retailers. If you rarely shop at Lowe's or Home Depot, the rewards structure will not work as well for you as it would for a contractor, property manager, or facility maintenance business.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pro Xtra card earns 5% cash back at Lowe's and Home Depot, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else.
  • There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no minimum spending requirement to keep the card active.
  • The card reports to business credit bureaus, which helps build a separate credit profile for your business.
  • You will need a Social Security Number and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or business tax ID to open an account.
  • Synchrony offers a mobile app and online account management, but customer service is phone-only—there is no live chat or email support.

Rewards Structure and Earning Rates

The Pro Xtra card pays 5% cash back on purchases at Lowe's and Home Depot. This is the primary draw for the card. If you spend $5,000 per year at these retailers, you earn $250 in cash back. For a business that buys materials, tools, or supplies regularly at either store, this adds up quickly.

Outside those two retailers, the card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no sign-up bonus, no rotating categories, and no caps on how much you can earn in any category. Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open.

Rewards are issued as statement credits or can be redeemed for a check. You cannot transfer points to airline or hotel programs, and there is no way to redeem for merchandise or gift cards. The cash back is straightforward: earn it, and take it as a credit to your bill or a check.

Fees and Annual Costs

The Pro Xtra card has no annual fee, which is uncommon for business rewards cards. Most business cards charge $95 to $450 per year, so this is a genuine advantage if you want to test whether a rewards card makes sense for your business without paying upfront.

There are no foreign transaction fees, no balance transfer fees, and no cash advance fees listed in the standard terms. Late payment fees, returned payment fees, and over-limit fees explore if you miss a payment or exceed your credit limit, but these are avoidable with on-time payments.

Interest rates vary by creditworthiness and are not published in advance. You will see your APR only after you are approved. If you carry a balance, the interest will offset some or all of your cash back earnings, so the card works best for businesses that pay their full statement balance each month.

Credit Reporting and Business Credit Building

The Pro Xtra card reports to business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business), not just personal credit bureaus. This means your payment history on this card builds a separate credit profile for your business, which lenders and vendors may check when you explore for a business loan or negotiate payment terms.

Building business credit takes time. You will not see results after one or two months. Consistent on-time payments over six to twelve months begin to establish a track record that other lenders recognize. If you are a new business or a sole proprietor with limited business credit history, this card can be a starting point.

Personal credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) may also receive reports, depending on how Synchrony structures your account. If you are a sole proprietor, the card may appear on your personal credit report as well. Ask Synchrony directly during the process process if you want to confirm how your account will be reported.

How to Open an Account

You can open a Pro Xtra account online through Synchrony's website or by phone. The online process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and asks for basic business and personal information.

You will need:

  • Your Social Security Number
  • Your business Employer Identification Number (EIN) or business tax ID
  • Your business name, address, and phone number
  • Your personal name, address, and date of birth
  • Information about your business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, S-corp, etc.)

Synchrony will pull a hard inquiry on your personal credit report. This temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You must set up it before you can use it, either online or by phone.

If you are denied, you can call Synchrony to ask why. Sometimes a thin credit file, recent late payments, or a very new business triggers a denial. You may be able to reapply after addressing the issue, but Synchrony will not may provide approval on a second attempt.

Account Management and Customer Service

Synchrony offers a mobile app and a website where you can view your balance, make payments, and read statements. The app is available for iOS and Android. You can set up automatic payments so your full balance is paid on the due date, which prevents interest charges and late fees.

Customer service is available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. There is no live chat, email support, or weekend service. If you have a question outside business hours, you will need to wait or call back.

Dispute resolution for fraudulent charges or billing errors follows standard credit card procedures. You have 60 days from the statement date to report an error. Synchrony will investigate and respond within 30 days. For fraud, you are liable for no more than $50 if you report it promptly.

Who Should and Should Not Get This Card

The Pro Xtra card makes sense if you own a business that regularly buys from Lowe's or Home Depot, want to build business credit, and can pay your balance in full each month. Contractors, property managers, facilities teams, and small retailers that stock supplies from these stores will see the most value.

The card is less useful if you rarely shop at Lowe's or Home Depot. The 2% and 1% rates on other purchases are competitive but not exceptional—many general-purpose business cards offer 2% flat cash back on all purchases. If you do not have a business tax ID or EIN, you cannot open this card; Synchrony requires one.

If you carry a balance month to month, the interest charges will eat into your cash back. The card is designed for businesses that treat it like a monthly expense account, not a financing tool. If you need to finance purchases, look for a card with a 0% introductory APR period instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an EIN to open a Pro Xtra account?

Yes. Synchrony requires either an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a business tax ID. If you are a sole proprietor without an EIN, you can use your Social Security Number as your tax ID in some cases, but you will need to confirm this with Synchrony during the process process.

Can I use this card for personal purchases?

Technically yes, but it is a business card issued to your business, not to you personally. Using it for personal expenses may violate your business structure and complicate accounting. Most business owners keep business and personal spending separate for tax and liability reasons.

What happens if I do not pay my balance in full?

Interest accrues on the unpaid balance at your card's APR. If you carry $2,000 at 18% APR, you will pay about $30 in interest the first month. Over a year, that interest will likely exceed any cash back you earned. The card is most valuable when you pay the full balance each month.

How long does it take to build business credit with this card?

Business credit bureaus begin tracking your account when ready, but lenders typically want to see six to twelve months of consistent on-time payments before they consider your business creditworthy. Building a strong business credit score takes one to two years of regular use and on-time payments.

Can I transfer my cash back rewards to another account or redeem them for travel?

No. Cash back can only be redeemed as a statement credit or a check. You cannot transfer points to airline or hotel programs, and there is no merchandise redemption option. The rewards are cash only.