The Toys "R" Us Credit Card No Longer Exists
Toys "R" Us stopped issuing new credit cards years ago. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed all U.S. stores by 2018. If you held a Toys "R" Us credit card before the shutdown, your account was transferred to Synchrony Bank, which managed the card on behalf of the retailer.
If you still have an active Toys "R" Us card from that era, it functions as a regular Synchrony credit card. You can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, not just at Toys "R" Us locations. The card itself did not disappear — the store did, but the credit line remained open if your account was in good standing.
Toys "R" Us briefly returned as an online-only retailer and later opened a handful of physical stores, but it has not reissued a branded credit card. Any new shopping at Toys "R" Us today requires a regular payment method like a Visa, Mastercard, or debit card.
Key Takeaways
- Toys "R" Us credit cards issued before 2018 are still active if your account remained in good standing, but they are managed by Synchrony Bank, not Toys "R" Us.
- Your old Toys "R" Us card works as a Mastercard everywhere, not just at the retailer, because the store locations no longer exist.
- Toys "R" Us has not issued a new branded credit card since the company's bankruptcy and store closures.
- If you want to check your account status or make payments, you contact Synchrony directly, not Toys "R" Us.
How Your Account Was Transferred After the Bankruptcy
When Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy in September 2017 and began closing stores, credit card accounts did not straightforward vanish. Synchrony Bank, which had been the issuer behind the Toys "R" Us card all along, retained all active accounts. Cardholders received notices in the mail explaining the change and providing Synchrony's contact information for account management.
The transfer meant your credit line stayed open, but the card's retail benefits changed. Before the closure, the Toys "R" Us card offered rewards on purchases at Toys "R" Us and sometimes special financing offers during holiday shopping. Once stores closed, those perks became irrelevant. Your card became a standard Synchrony Mastercard with no special rewards or store-specific benefits.
If your account had a balance when the stores closed, you continued making payments to Synchrony. If your account was closed or in default before the transfer, Synchrony inherited that status as well. The bankruptcy did not erase existing debt — it only changed who managed the account.
What to Do If You Still Have a Toys "R" Us Card
If you have an old Toys "R" Us card in your wallet, you can still use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The card number, expiration date, and CVV work like any other Mastercard. You can make purchases online, in stores, or over the phone at any merchant that takes Mastercard.
To manage your account — check your balance, make a payment, or update your address — contact Synchrony directly. You can call their customer service line, log into your account online through Synchrony's website, or use their mobile app. Your account number is the same one printed on your card.
If you want to close the card or if it has expired, Synchrony handles both requests. You can request a replacement card if yours is damaged or nearing expiration. Since the card is now a general-purpose Mastercard with no special features, closing it has the same effect as closing any other credit card — it reduces your available credit and may slightly affect your credit score.
Toys "R" Us Credit Card Rewards and Benefits That Are Gone
The original Toys "R" Us credit card offered rewards on purchases made at Toys "R" Us locations. Cardholders typically earned points or cash back on in-store and online purchases. The card also came with occasional promotional offers, such as special financing for large purchases during peak shopping seasons like the holidays.
Once the stores closed and Synchrony took over, those rewards and promotions ended. Your card no longer earns points at Toys "R" Us because there are no Toys "R" Us stores to shop at. The card does not offer cash back or rewards at other retailers either — it functions as a basic Mastercard with no rewards program attached.
If you were hoping to use accumulated rewards points after the closure, those were typically forfeited or converted to account credits before the transfer. Synchrony did not inherit a rewards program to manage, so there was nothing to transfer over. This is one reason many cardholders eventually closed their accounts or straightforward stopped using the card.
How the Toys "R" Us Card Affects Your Credit Report
An old Toys "R" Us card that remains open and in good standing helps your credit score in two ways. First, it adds to your total available credit, which lowers your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are currently using. A lower utilization ratio is better for your score. Second, an account with a long history and no missed payments shows lenders that you manage credit responsibly over time.
If you close the card, you lose that available credit, which can raise your utilization ratio and temporarily lower your score. However, if the card has a balance and you are paying interest on it, closing it might make financial sense despite the small credit score impact. The long-term benefit of eliminating high-interest debt usually outweighs the temporary score dip.
If your Toys "R" Us account went into default or was charged off before Synchrony took over, that negative mark remains on your credit report. Synchrony inherited the account status, so the delinquency history does not disappear. You can still contact Synchrony to discuss payment options or settlement, but the past-due status will stay on your report for seven years from the original delinquency date.
Why Toys "R" Us Never Relaunched a Credit Card
Toys "R" Us attempted a comeback starting around 2019, first as an online retailer and later with a small number of physical store locations. However, the company did not introduce a new branded credit card. Relaunching a credit card requires partnerships with a bank, regulatory approval, and significant marketing investment — costs that a struggling retailer trying to rebuild might not justify.
Additionally, the retail landscape changed. Fewer consumers carry store-branded credit cards than they did before 2017. Most shoppers prefer general-purpose cards like Visa or Mastercard that work everywhere, or they use digital payment methods like Apple Pay or PayPal. A Toys "R" Us card would have offered limited value to customers who shop online and in-store across many retailers.
The company also faced skepticism from potential financial partners. A bank considering a partnership would look at Toys "R" Us's history of bankruptcy and store closures. That risk profile made it harder to negotiate favorable terms for a new card program. As a result, Toys "R" Us customers today straightforward use whatever payment method they prefer — there is no branded card option.
Comparing Your Old Toys "R" Us Card to Current Retail Credit Cards
If you are thinking about closing your old Toys "R" Us card and want to know what retail credit cards look like today, the landscape has shifted. Many major retailers still offer branded credit cards, but they typically come with rewards that explore only at that retailer or its parent company's stores. Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy all have their own cards with varying rewards structures.
The key difference is that modern retail cards often emphasize convenience and financing offers over rewards. Many offer same-day checkout, special financing for large purchases, or early access to sales. The rewards themselves — usually 1% to 5% cash back — are modest compared to general-purpose cards like the Chase Sapphire or American Express Blue, which can earn 2% to 5% on everyday purchases across all merchants.
If you close your Toys "R" Us card and want a new retail card, consider whether you shop at that retailer frequently enough to justify another account. Each new credit card process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score. Opening multiple cards in a short time can signal risk to lenders. If you only shop at a retailer occasionally, a general-purpose card with broader rewards might serve you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Toys "R" Us credit card?
Yes, if your account is still active and in good standing. The card works as a Mastercard anywhere that accepts Mastercard. However, it no longer earns rewards or offers special financing because those benefits were tied to shopping at Toys "R" Us stores, which no longer exist. Contact Synchrony to confirm your account is active if you have not used the card in several years.
Who do I contact about my Toys "R" Us credit card account?
Contact Synchrony Bank directly. Call their customer service number, visit their website to log into your account online, or use their mobile app. Do not try to reach Toys "R" Us — the company does not manage the credit card accounts anymore. Your account number is on your card, and Synchrony can help with payments, balance inquiries, and account changes.
What happens if I still owe money on my Toys "R" Us card?
You continue making payments to Synchrony until the balance is paid off. The interest rate and minimum payment terms remain the same as they were before the bankruptcy. If you are struggling to pay, contact Synchrony to discuss your options — they may offer a payment plan or hardship program. Ignoring the debt will not make it disappear and will damage your credit score.
Does closing my old Toys "R" Us card hurt my credit score?
Closing the card will likely cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score because you lose available credit and your utilization ratio increases. However, if the card carries a high balance or high interest rate, paying it off and closing it may be worth the temporary score impact. The long-term benefit of eliminating debt usually outweighs a short-term score decrease.
Can I get a new Toys "R" Us credit card?
No. Toys "R" Us has not issued a new branded credit card since the company's bankruptcy and store closures. If you want a credit card for shopping at Toys "R" Us today, you use a regular Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or debit card. There is no special card program available.