The Toys "R" Us Credit Card no longer exists

Toys "R" Us shut down its U.S. operations in 2018, and the credit card program ended with it. If you held this card before the closure, your account was closed and you received a final statement. The card is not available to new cardholders, and Toys "R" Us has not relaunched a credit card since the company's bankruptcy.

If you're looking for a retail credit card that works similarly to what the Toys "R" Us card offered — rewards on toy and children's product purchases, or financing options for large purchases — you have other options. The most direct alternative is a general-purpose rewards card that earns cash back or points on all purchases, which you can use anywhere, including toy retailers.

Key Takeaways

  • The Toys "R" Us credit card program ended when the company closed its U.S. stores in 2018 and is not available today.
  • If you held the card before closure, your account was closed automatically and you received a final statement in the mail.
  • Retail cards tied to a single store carry the risk of becoming worthless if that retailer closes, which is why general-purpose cards often offer better long-term value.
  • Alternative cards like the Amazon Visa or a flat-rate cash back card let you earn rewards on toy purchases at any retailer without store-specific restrictions.

What the Toys "R" Us card offered before it closed

The Toys "R" Us credit card was a store card issued by Synchrony Bank. Cardholders earned rewards points on purchases made at Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us locations. The card also offered promotional financing options — typically 12 or 24 months of interest-free payments on purchases above a certain amount, depending on the promotion running at the time.

Like most retail cards, it had a higher interest rate than general-purpose cards (usually in the 19% to 26% range) and was only useful for shopping at Toys "R" Us stores. When the company filed for bankruptcy and liquidated its inventory in 2018, the card became worthless overnight. Cardholders who had balances were still required to pay them off, but they could no longer earn rewards or use promotional financing.

Why store-specific credit cards carry higher risk

A retail credit card's value depends entirely on whether that retailer stays in business. Unlike a Visa or Mastercard, which you can use anywhere, a store card only works at one company's locations. If that company closes — as Toys "R" Us did — the card loses all its benefits when ready, even though you may still owe a balance.

Retail cards also typically charge higher interest rates than general-purpose cards because the issuer (usually Synchrony, Citi, or Capital One) is taking on more risk. They're betting that the store will stay profitable and that cardholders will keep shopping there. When that bet fails, cardholders lose the rewards program and promotional financing options they were counting on.

Better alternatives for toy and children's product purchases

If you buy toys and children's products regularly, a general-purpose rewards card gives you more flexibility and security. The Amazon Visa, for example, earns 3% cash back on Amazon purchases and 2% at gas stations and restaurants, with 1% on everything else. You can use it to buy toys from Amazon, Walmart, Target, or any other retailer that accepts Visa.

A flat-rate cash back card like the Citi Double Cash (2% cash back on all purchases) or the Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% cash back) works the same way — you earn rewards on every purchase, regardless of where you shop. These cards also tend to have lower interest rates than retail cards, which matters if you carry a balance. The downside is that you don't get the promotional financing offers that store cards sometimes provide, so large purchases would accrue interest at the card's regular APR unless you pay them off quickly.

What to do if you still have a Toys "R" Us card

If you have an old Toys "R" Us credit card in your wallet, the account is closed and the card will not work. You should destroy it to prevent accidental use or fraud. If you have an outstanding balance on the account, you will continue to receive statements and owe the debt — the card closure does not erase what you owe.

Contact Synchrony Bank (the card issuer) if you have questions about an old balance or need to set up a payment plan. You can find contact information on your final statement or by calling the number on the back of the card. Do not ignore the debt, as it will be reported to credit bureaus and affect your credit score if left unpaid.

How to choose a rewards card for your spending

Start by tracking what you actually spend money on each month. If you buy toys and children's products at multiple retailers — Amazon, Target, Walmart, specialty toy stores — a general-purpose card makes more sense than a store card ever could. A 2% cash back card on all purchases will earn you rewards no matter where you shop, and you won't lose those rewards if a retailer closes.

If you shop primarily at one retailer and that retailer has a credit card, check whether the card's rewards rate and promotional financing offers are worth the higher interest rate and the risk of the card becoming useless if the store closes. For most people, the answer is no — a general-purpose card offers better value and less risk. Compare the cash back rate, annual fee (if any), and interest rate of cards you're considering, then pick the one that matches your actual spending patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my old Toys "R" Us credit card?

No. The card was deactivated when Toys "R" Us closed in 2018. The account is closed and the card will not work at any merchant. If you have an outstanding balance, you still owe it and should contact Synchrony Bank to arrange payment.

Will closing a Toys "R" Us card account hurt my credit score?

The account is already closed, so there's nothing you need to do. However, if you had a balance when it closed, that debt was reported to credit bureaus. Paying off any remaining balance will help your credit score recover.

What happened to my rewards points when the card closed?

Rewards points were forfeited when the card program ended. Synchrony did not convert points to cash or transfer them to another account. This is one reason why store-specific rewards programs are riskier than general-purpose cards.

Is there a new Toys "R" Us credit card I can get?

No. Toys "R" Us has not relaunched a credit card since the company's bankruptcy. The brand has returned to some markets through partnerships with other retailers, but there is no standalone Toys "R" Us credit card program.

What's the best card to use for buying toys online?

It depends on where you shop. If you buy mostly from Amazon, the Amazon Visa earns 3% cash back. If you shop across multiple retailers, a flat-rate 2% cash back card like the Citi Double Cash works everywhere and carries less risk than a store-specific card.