What the Old Navy Credit Card offers and who it's built for

The Old Navy Credit Card is a store card issued by Synchrony Bank that gives you rewards only when you shop at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta—the brands under the Gap Inc. umbrella. You earn 5% back on purchases at those stores when you use the card, compared to earning nothing if you pay with cash or a different card. Outside those stores, the card earns no rewards at all.

This card makes sense if you spend at least $500 to $1,000 a year at Gap Inc. stores and want to maximize what you get back. It does not make sense if you shop there rarely or if you want a card that rewards you everywhere. The card has no annual fee, which removes one barrier to keeping it open even in months when you don't use it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Old Navy Credit Card earns 5% cash back at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta, but 0% everywhere else.
  • There is no annual fee, so you can keep the card open without paying to maintain it.
  • The card is only available to people who explore in-store or online at oldnavy.com; you cannot get it through a bank or credit card marketplace.
  • Your rewards are issued as Old Navy Rewards dollars that you spend like a discount at checkout, not as cash you can move to a bank account.
  • The card has a variable interest rate that changes with the prime rate, so your APR will shift if the Federal Reserve raises or lowers rates.

How the 5% rewards actually work

When you swipe the Old Navy Credit Card at an Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta register, you earn 5% cash back on that transaction. That 5% is converted into Old Navy Rewards dollars—a store credit that sits in your account and appears as a discount when you check out. You do not receive cash in your bank account or points you can transfer elsewhere.

The rewards post to your account within a few days of purchase. You can use them when ready at your next visit or hold them for later. They do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing, though Synchrony's terms reserve the right to close inactive accounts after a period of non-use.

If you spend $1,000 a year at these stores, you earn $50 in rewards. If you spend $2,000, you earn $100. The math is straightforward, but the constraint is real: you cannot use these rewards at any other retailer, and you cannot convert them to cash.

Interest rates, fees, and the cost of carrying a balance

The Old Navy Credit Card charges a variable APR, which means the rate you pay on any balance you carry changes when the Federal Reserve adjusts the prime rate. Synchrony does not publish a single fixed rate; instead, your rate depends on your credit score and credit history at the time you open the account. Rates have ranged from the mid-teens to the mid-20s in recent years, but you will see your specific rate in the offer before you complete your process.

There is no annual fee. There is also no foreign transaction fee if you use the card abroad, though the variable APR still applies to any balance you carry.

Late fees, over-limit fees, and returned-payment fees are all possible if you miss a payment or exceed your credit limit. The card's terms allow Synchrony to charge these fees, though the exact amounts depend on your state and Synchrony's current policies. You can find the full fee schedule in the card's pricing information, which Synchrony provides before you open the account.

How the Old Navy card compares to other store cards

Most store cards from major retailers—Target, Kohl's, Best Buy—offer a similar structure: higher rewards at that store, no rewards elsewhere, and no annual fee. The Old Navy card's 5% rate is competitive with what those cards offer. The difference is that Old Navy's card works across four related brands instead of just one store, which gives you more places to use it if you shop at multiple Gap Inc. locations.

If you want rewards that work everywhere, a general-purpose cash-back card (like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash) will earn 1.5% to 2% on all purchases, including at Old Navy. That means you would earn less per dollar at Old Navy but more at every other store. The choice depends on whether your Old Navy spending is large enough to offset earning nothing everywhere else.

A rewards card from a premium issuer like American Express or Chase Sapphire might offer category bonuses (5% on groceries, 3% on travel) that let you earn more in specific categories while still earning something on Old Navy purchases. Again, the trade-off is that you earn less at Old Navy but more overall if you have diverse spending.

How to open an account and what you need

You can open an Old Navy Credit Card account online at oldnavy.com or in-store at any Old Navy location. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony will pull your credit report to make a decision.

You do not need to have an existing Old Navy account or purchase history to open the card. You do need to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number. If you are approved, you can use the card when ready for online purchases or receive a physical card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days for in-store use.

If you are denied, you can call Synchrony's customer service line (the number is on the denial letter) to ask why. You can also reapply after addressing whatever issue caused the denial—for example, if your credit score was too low, waiting a few months and building your score may help.

When the Old Navy card makes financial sense

The card is worth opening if you spend at least $500 a year at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta combined. At that spending level, you earn $25 in rewards annually, which is meaningful enough to justify the small effort of carrying another card. If you spend $1,500 a year, you earn $75; at $3,000, you earn $150.

The card is also useful if you want to separate your Old Navy spending from your other purchases for budgeting reasons. Some people find it easier to track spending when different categories of purchases go on different cards.

The card is not worth opening if you shop at these stores only once or twice a year, if you already have a general-purpose rewards card that you prefer, or if you plan to carry a balance. Carrying a balance at a variable APR in the high teens or 20s will quickly erase any rewards you earn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Old Navy card at stores other than Old Navy?

Yes, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, but you earn 0% cash back outside Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. You will pay the card's APR on any balance you carry. Most people use it only at Gap Inc. stores to maximize rewards.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Your rewards dollars remain in your account for a limited time after you close the card, but Synchrony's exact policy on how long they stay available varies. Contact Synchrony before closing to confirm you can spend any remaining balance, or use all your rewards before you close the account.

Does the Old Navy card help build credit?

Yes, in the same way any credit card does. On-time payments and low credit utilization (using a small percentage of your available credit limit) help your credit score. Missing payments or carrying a high balance will hurt it.

Can I transfer my Old Navy rewards to another card or cash them out?

No. Your rewards are store credit that you can only spend at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta. You cannot convert them to cash, transfer them to another rewards program, or use them anywhere else.

What's the credit limit, and can I request a higher one?

Synchrony sets your initial credit limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. You can request a higher limit by calling Synchrony's customer service after you have had the card for a few months and made on-time payments. A higher limit can help your credit score by lowering your utilization ratio.