What the Barclays Old Navy Card offers and who it suits
The Barclays Old Navy credit card is a co-branded card designed for people who shop at Old Navy regularly. It earns rewards on Old Navy purchases and offers a discount on your first purchase, but carries an annual fee and no rewards outside Old Navy. The card makes sense if you spend at least $500 to $750 per year at Old Navy — enough to offset the annual fee through rewards alone — and you are comfortable with a card that does not reward spending elsewhere.
The card is issued by Barclays Bank and comes in two versions: the standard Old Navy card and the Old Navy Visa Signature card. Both earn the same rewards rate at Old Navy. The Visa Signature version adds travel protections and concierge services, but costs the same annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 4 percent cash back at Old Navy and 1 percent elsewhere, but the annual fee means you need consistent Old Navy spending to break even.
- New cardholders receive a one-time discount on their first purchase, typically 20 percent off, which applies when ready after approval.
- The card has no foreign transaction fees, making it useful if you shop Old Navy online from outside the United States.
- Rewards post as statement credits that reduce your balance, not as points you transfer or redeem separately.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so responsible use builds your credit history.
Rewards structure and how they actually work
The card earns 4 percent cash back on Old Navy purchases and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. The rewards are issued as statement credits — they automatically reduce your credit card balance rather than accumulating in a separate account. This means you do not choose when to redeem; the credit appears on your next statement after the purchase posts.
At 4 percent back on Old Navy spending, you earn $40 in rewards for every $1,000 you spend there. If the annual fee is $25, you need to spend $625 at Old Navy per year just to break even. Most regular Old Navy shoppers spend more than that, making the card worthwhile. The 1 percent back on other purchases is low compared to general-purpose cash-back cards, so this card is not meant to be your primary card for non-Old Navy spending.
Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the account, any pending rewards may be forfeited, so check your statement before closing.
Annual fee, interest rates, and other costs
The Barclays Old Navy card charges an annual fee of $25. This fee posts to your account once per year, typically on your account anniversary. There is no way to waive it or earn a fee-free year, even as a new cardholder — the first-purchase discount is separate from the annual fee.
The card's variable APR for purchases ranges depending on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Barclays does not publish a fixed range, so your rate depends on your credit score and credit history at the time of approval. The card offers no introductory APR period, so interest accrues on any balance you carry from day one.
Late fees, returned-payment fees, and over-limit fees follow standard Barclays policies. The card charges no foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you make purchases outside the United States.
First-purchase discount and welcome offer
New cardholders receive a one-time discount on their first Old Navy purchase, typically 20 percent off. This discount is not automatic — you must use the card for your first purchase after approval to receive it. The discount applies to the full purchase amount before tax and cannot be combined with other Old Navy promotions in most cases.
The discount posts as a credit to your account within one to two billing cycles. It is separate from the annual fee, so you will still owe the $25 annual fee even after receiving the welcome discount.
How the card affects your credit and what happens if you miss a payment
Barclays reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means on-time payments build your credit history and payment history, which make up 35 percent of your credit score. Missed payments are reported after 30 days and damage your score significantly.
If you miss a payment, Barclays charges a late fee and reports the missed payment to the credit bureaus. After 60 days, the account may be flagged as seriously delinquent. After 180 days of non-payment, Barclays may close the account and refer it to collections. Closing the account also removes an active credit line from your credit mix, which can lower your score further.
If you cannot pay your full balance, paying at least the minimum by the due date protects your credit score from when ready damage. Interest accrues on any unpaid balance, so carrying a balance costs money over time.
Comparing the Old Navy card to other department store and cash-back cards
The Old Navy card earns 4 percent back at Old Navy, which is competitive for a store card. However, general-purpose cash-back cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash earn 1.5 to 2 percent back on all purchases with no annual fee. If you shop at Old Navy fewer than 10 times per year or spend less than $500 annually there, a general-purpose card will save you money.
Other department store cards — like the Gap Inc. card, which covers Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy — may offer different rewards rates or annual fees. The Gap Inc. card earns 5 percent back at Gap Inc. stores and 1 percent elsewhere, with a $25 annual fee. If you shop across multiple Gap Inc. brands, that card may be more valuable than the Old Navy card alone.
The Barclays Old Navy Visa Signature card costs the same as the standard Old Navy card but adds travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and emergency medical and dental coverage abroad. These benefits are useful if you travel internationally, but they do not change the rewards rate or annual fee.
How to use the card responsibly and avoid common mistakes
The card works best when you pay your full balance each month. Carrying a balance means you pay interest on top of your purchases, which erases the value of the 4 percent rewards. For example, if you carry a $1,000 balance at 18 percent APR, you pay $15 in interest per month — far more than the $40 in annual rewards you earn on $1,000 in Old Navy spending.
Set a reminder for your annual fee date so you are not surprised by the $25 charge. If you stop shopping at Old Navy regularly, close the account to avoid paying the fee on an unused card. Closing the account will lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your available credit, but carrying an unused card costs money.
Do not explore for the card solely for the first-purchase discount unless you plan to use it regularly afterward. The discount is typically 20 percent off one purchase, which might save you $20 to $40 depending on your purchase size. That savings disappears if you pay the $25 annual fee and never use the card again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Old Navy card at Gap or Banana Republic?
No. The Barclays Old Navy card works only at Old Navy stores and Old Navy's website. If you shop at multiple Gap Inc. brands, you would need a separate card for each brand or a general-purpose card that earns rewards everywhere.
What happens to my rewards if I close the account?
Any pending rewards that have not yet posted as statement credits may be forfeited when you close the account. Check your statement for pending rewards before closing, and contact Barclays if you are unsure whether rewards are still pending.
Does the card offer any protection if my purchase is damaged or defective?
The standard Old Navy card does not include purchase protection or return protection. The Visa Signature version may include extended warranty or purchase protection depending on Barclays' current benefits, so check your cardholder agreement or contact Barclays to confirm what is included with your specific card.
Can I transfer my rewards to another card or redeem them for something other than a statement credit?
No. Rewards are issued only as automatic statement credits that reduce your balance. You cannot transfer them to another card, redeem them for merchandise, or convert them to points.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Barclays does not publish a minimum credit score for the Old Navy card. Generally, store cards are easier to obtain than premium travel cards, and approval is possible with fair credit (typically 580 to 669), but your individual approval depends on your full credit history and income.