What the Staples Credit Card offers and who should consider it

The Staples Business Advantage Card is a rewards card issued by Synchrony Bank designed for small business owners and frequent office supply shoppers. It earns 5% cash back on Staples purchases (in-store and online), 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. There is no annual fee, and the card reports to business credit bureaus, which can help build your business credit profile separately from your personal credit.

The card makes sense if you spend regularly at Staples and want to consolidate office supply purchases onto one card. It is less useful if you rarely visit Staples, prefer travel rewards, or need a card that earns the same rate across multiple categories. The 5% rate is the card's main draw — most competing cards max out at 2% or 3% on any single category.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% cash back at Staples, 2% at gas and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere, with no annual fee.
  • You must have a business to open this card — Synchrony will ask for an EIN or business tax ID, though sole proprietors can use their SSN.
  • The card reports to business credit bureaus, helping you build a credit history separate from your personal profile.
  • Rewards are issued as statement credits or cash, but there is no sign-up bonus, so you earn rewards only on ongoing purchases.
  • The card carries a variable APR that changes with the prime rate, so interest charges will fluctuate if you carry a balance.

How the rewards structure compares to other business cards

The 5% Staples rate is higher than most competitors offer on office supplies. The American Express Blue Business Plus card, for example, earns 2% on office supply stores and internet, cable, and phone services. The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns 3% on internet, cable, and phone, but only 1% at office supply stores. If you spend $500 a month at Staples, the Staples card would earn $30 monthly versus $10 on the Ink Business Preferred — a meaningful difference over a year.

The 2% gas and restaurant rate is standard among business cards but not exceptional. The Ink Business Preferred also earns 3% on gas (up to $25,000 per year, then 1%), and the Blue Business Plus earns 2% on gas. If gas and restaurants are your primary spending categories outside Staples, a different card might serve you better. The 1% catch-all rate is also standard and means the card does not reward categories like travel, shipping, or utilities at higher rates.

Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs

The Staples Business Advantage Card has no annual fee, which removes a barrier to keeping the card open even in months when you do not use it. This is an advantage over some premium business cards that charge $95 or more yearly.

The card carries a variable APR for purchases, which means the rate changes when the Federal Reserve adjusts the prime rate. Synchrony does not publish a specific APR range on its website — you will see the rate only after you are approved. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily and compounds monthly. The card also charges a cash advance fee (usually 3% of the amount, with a minimum) and a late payment fee (up to $38 depending on your account history). Paying the full balance each month avoids all interest charges.

How to open the account and what you will need

You explore directly through Synchrony's website or by phone. The process asks for your business name, EIN (or SSN if you are a sole proprietor), business address, and personal information including your Social Security number. Synchrony will pull your personal credit report and may also check business credit bureaus.

Approval usually takes a few minutes to a few days. Once approved, you can use the card when ready for online purchases, and a physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You manage the account through Synchrony's online portal or mobile app, where you can view transactions, make payments, and track rewards.

Rewards redemption and statement credits

Rewards are issued as a statement credit automatically each month, reducing your balance due. You do not have to request the credit or transfer points to another program — Synchrony applies it directly. If you prefer cash, you can request a check or bank transfer through your account dashboard, though this process takes longer than an automatic statement credit.

There is no rewards cap, expiration date, or minimum redemption threshold. A single $10 purchase earns 50 cents in rewards, which will appear on your next statement. This simplicity is an advantage over cards that require you to accumulate points before redeeming or that expire rewards after a set period.

Business credit reporting and how it affects your profile

The Staples card reports to business credit bureaus including Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax Business, and Experian Business. This means your payment history and credit limit build a business credit file separate from your personal credit. If you are a sole proprietor, your personal and business credit are often linked, but having a dedicated business card can still help establish a business credit identity as you grow.

Late payments are reported to these bureaus and can lower your business credit score, making it harder to borrow or negotiate terms with vendors later. On-time payments strengthen your profile. If you are building business credit intentionally, using this card responsibly and paying on time is one of the faster ways to establish a track record.

When the Staples card makes sense and when it does not

The card is a good fit if you spend at least $100 to $200 monthly at Staples and want to avoid an annual fee while earning rewards. The 5% rate means you earn $5 to $10 monthly on that spending alone, which adds up to $60 to $120 yearly. If you also spend on gas and restaurants, the 2% rate adds more value. Over a year, a business that spends $500 monthly at Staples, $300 at gas, and $200 at restaurants would earn roughly $240 in rewards.

The card is less useful if you rarely shop at Staples, prefer a card with a sign-up bonus, or need higher rewards rates on travel, shipping, or utilities. It is also not the right choice if you cannot pay the balance in full most months, since the variable APR will cost you more in interest than you earn in rewards. In that case, a 0% introductory APR card might be a better starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a business license or EIN to open this card?

No. Sole proprietors can use their Social Security number instead of an EIN. Synchrony asks for a business name and address, but you do not need to show a license or tax documents during the process. However, you must represent that you are opening the card for business purposes.

Can I use this card for personal purchases?

Technically yes, but it is designed for business use. Synchrony may close the account if it detects a pattern of personal spending. The card reports to business credit bureaus, not personal ones, so personal purchases do not help your personal credit score.

What happens if I carry a balance?

Interest accrues at the variable APR, which changes with the prime rate. You will pay interest on the unpaid balance each month. The rewards you earn (1% to 5%) will not offset the interest charges if your APR is 15% or higher, so carrying a balance usually costs more than it saves.

Is there a sign-up bonus?

No. The Staples card does not offer an introductory bonus. You earn rewards only on purchases you make after opening the account. If a sign-up bonus is important to you, cards like the Chase Ink Business Preferred or American Express Blue Business Plus may be better options.

Can I transfer my rewards to another program?

No. Rewards are issued only as statement credits or cash. You cannot transfer them to airline miles, hotel points, or another rewards program. The simplicity is an advantage if you want straightforward cash back, but it limits flexibility if you prefer to combine rewards across programs.