Synchrony Bank issues store cards and co-branded cards for over 250 retailers and brands
Synchrony Bank does not issue cards under its own name. Instead, it partners with major retailers, grocery chains, gas stations, and other merchants to issue branded credit cards that carry the retailer's name on the front. When you apply for a store card at checkout or online, you are usually applying for a Synchrony-issued card, even though the card itself says Target, Amazon, Lowe's, or another brand.
The card works like any other credit card—you charge purchases, receive a bill from Synchrony, and pay interest if you carry a balance. The difference is that the card is tied to one retailer or a small group of related merchants, and often comes with rewards or financing offers specific to that store.
Key Takeaways
- Synchrony issues cards for retailers including Target, Amazon, Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, Best Buy, and Ulta Beauty, among many others.
- Store cards issued by Synchrony typically offer promotional financing (like 0% APR for a set period) rather than cash back or points on every purchase.
- You can use most Synchrony store cards only at the named retailer or its affiliated stores, not at other merchants.
- Synchrony reports payment history to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score even though the card is store-specific.
Major retailers with Synchrony-issued credit cards
Synchrony issues cards for the following major chains and brands. This list changes as partnerships end or new ones begin, so check the retailer's website to confirm the current issuer:
| Retailer or Brand | Card Name | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Target RedCard | In-store and online at Target |
| Amazon | Amazon Prime Store Card | Amazon.com and Whole Foods |
| Lowe's | Lowe's Advantage Card | Lowe's stores and Lowe's.com |
| Home Depot | Home Depot Consumer Card | Home Depot stores and HomeDepot.com |
| Walmart | Walmart Credit Card | Walmart stores and Walmart.com |
| Best Buy | Best Buy Credit Card | Best Buy stores and BestBuy.com |
| Ulta Beauty | Ulta Beauty Credit Card | Ulta Beauty stores and Ulta.com |
| Gap Inc. | Gap Inc. Card | Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy |
| Kohl's | Kohl's Charge Card | Kohl's stores and Kohls.com |
| Macy's | Macy's Credit Card | Macy's stores and Macys.com |
Synchrony also issues cards for grocery chains (including Kroger and Safeway), gas stations, furniture retailers, jewelry stores, and medical and dental offices. The full list is much longer than what appears here. If you are unsure whether a store card is issued by Synchrony, check the back of the card or the retailer's website—the issuer name appears in both places.
How Synchrony store cards differ from general-purpose credit cards
A Synchrony store card works only at the named retailer and its affiliated locations. You cannot use a Target RedCard at Walmart or a Lowe's card at Home Depot. This is the main trade-off: in exchange for accepting a card that works in only one place, you get rewards or financing terms that a general-purpose card does not offer.
Most Synchrony store cards emphasize promotional financing rather than ongoing rewards. For example, a Lowe's card might offer 0% APR for 24 months on purchases over a certain amount, while a general-purpose card offers 1% to 2% cash back on all purchases. If you plan to make a large purchase and pay it off over time, the promotional rate can save more money than cash back would. If you make small, frequent purchases, a cash-back card may be better.
Some Synchrony cards do offer ongoing rewards—the Amazon Prime Store Card gives 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods for Prime members—but these are less common than promotional financing offers.
How to find which Synchrony cards you already have
If you hold a store card and want to know whether Synchrony issued it, look at the back of the card. The issuer name appears near the bottom, usually in small print. It will say "Synchrony Bank" or "Synchrony" followed by the bank's address.
You can also log into your online account for the store card. The login page or account dashboard usually displays the issuer name. If you have lost the card and do not have an online account set up, call the customer service number on your most recent bill statement—that number routes to Synchrony's customer service team for that card.
If you want to see all your Synchrony accounts in one place, you can create a Synchrony profile at mysynchrony.com. This portal lets you view and manage multiple store cards if you have them, though not all Synchrony cards are compatible with the portal—some retailers require you to manage accounts through their own websites.
How Synchrony store cards affect your credit score
Synchrony reports your payment history and account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—the three major credit bureaus. This means that on-time payments on a Synchrony store card help your credit score just as much as payments on a general-purpose card do. Late or missed payments also show up on your credit report and damage your score.
The credit limit on a store card counts toward your total available credit, which affects your credit utilization ratio. If you have a $5,000 limit on a Target card and charge $2,500, your utilization on that card is 50%. High utilization (above 30%) can lower your score slightly, even if you pay on time. Paying down the balance or requesting a higher credit limit can improve this ratio.
Opening a new store card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. The impact fades after a few months, and the account itself helps your score over time by adding to your credit history length and available credit.
When a Synchrony store card makes sense
A Synchrony store card is most useful if you shop regularly at that retailer and plan to take advantage of the promotional financing or rewards. For example, if you are planning a kitchen renovation and will spend $8,000 at Lowe's over the next year, a Lowe's card offering 0% APR for 24 months could save you hundreds in interest compared to paying with a regular credit card or cash.
Store cards are less useful if you shop at the retailer only occasionally or if you cannot pay off a promotional balance before the interest rate jumps to the regular APR (which is often 20% or higher). In those cases, a general-purpose card with cash back or a low ongoing APR is usually a better choice.
If you already have multiple store cards, opening another one just to get a one-time discount at checkout may not be worth the hard inquiry and the temptation to overspend. Many retailers offer the same discount to customers who provide their phone number or email instead of opening a card.
How to manage a Synchrony store card account
Most Synchrony store cards can be managed online through the retailer's website or through mysynchrony.com. You can view your balance, make payments, set up autopay, and review your statement. Some cards also have a mobile app.
Payments to a Synchrony card can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in some cases at the retailer's customer service desk. Online and phone payments usually post within one business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be processed, so plan ahead if you are close to a due date.
If you want to close a Synchrony store card, call the customer service number on the back of the card or your statement. Closing an account does not hurt your credit score immediately, but it does reduce your available credit, which can raise your utilization ratio on other cards. Closed accounts also age off your credit report after seven years, which can lower your score slightly at that point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Synchrony store card at other stores?
No. Store cards issued by Synchrony work only at the named retailer and its affiliated locations. A Target RedCard cannot be used at Walmart, Amazon, or any other merchant. Some Synchrony cards are co-branded with Visa or Mastercard, which allows use anywhere, but these are less common than store-only cards.
What is the typical APR on a Synchrony store card?
Synchrony store card APRs vary by card and by your creditworthiness, but typically range from 15% to 29%. Most cards emphasize promotional financing (like 0% APR for 12 months) rather than a low ongoing rate. Always check the terms before you open a card to understand what rate applies after any promotional period ends.
Do I need a Synchrony account to apply for a store card?
No. You apply for a store card through the retailer's website or at checkout. Synchrony handles the approval and account setup behind the scenes. You do not need to create a separate Synchrony account unless you want to manage multiple store cards through mysynchrony.com.
What happens if I miss a payment on a Synchrony card?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus after 30 days and damages your credit score. Synchrony may also charge a late fee (typically $25 to $40) and increase your APR to a penalty rate. If you miss a payment, contact Synchrony as soon as possible to bring your account current and discuss your options.
Can I transfer a balance from another card to a Synchrony store card?
Most Synchrony store cards do not allow balance transfers. They are designed for purchases at the named retailer, not for consolidating debt from other cards. Check your card's terms or call customer service to confirm whether balance transfers are an option on your specific card.