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Popular clothing retailer Old Navy offers two credit cards to earn rewards when making purchases. We’ll examine the benefits, drawbacks, and whether alternative cash back credit cards are better options for qualified applicants.
Old Navy is renowned for its selection of stylish and affordable clothing line that offers something for the entire family. And to reward loyal shoppers, Old Navy enables qualified applicants to get it’s own store-branded retailer credit cards, the Old Navy Card and the Old Navy Visa Card (as well as the Navyist program). Of course, as you may be wondering, what are the benefits to using these cards? Or, are the drawbacks enough to make you consider other alternatives. We’ll cover all aspects of Old Navy’s credit cards to help you determine if they’re the right fit for you.
Overview | Old Navy Credit Cards
To begin, apply in-store at any Old Navy location or online. Approval can either be instantaneous or may take 7-10 days depending on your creditworthiness. Once approved, you’ll be eligible for two different varieties of base-level Old Navy Credit Cards (issued by Synchrony Bank):
- Old Navy Credit Card
- Old Navy Visa Credit Card
On top of this, you’ll be eligible for the Navyist status cards when you meet certain requirements (see below). First, let’s cover the base-level credit cards from Old Navy.
The Old Navy Credit Card
As the basic store-branded credit card, Old Navy Credit Card is limited to use not only in Old Navy locations and online, but also throughout Gap’s family of brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, and more). This makes it more versatile than most store-branded cards.
The Old Navy Credit Card includes the following benefits:
- 5x points per dollar spent at Old Navy and Gap Family Brands
- 20% off your first purchase
- Bonus Point Shopping Days
- Special Events, Discounts and Promotions
- A 60-day 10% Savings Pass
The Old Navy Visa Card
The Old Navy Visa credit card serves as the next step up from the basic Old Navy credit card. Essentially, this means that this card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Similar to the basic store-branded, cardholders of the Old Navy Visa earn the same benefits as above, but also get:
- 1x point per dollar spent anywhere Visa is accepted
- Special Visa Cardholder Offers and Promotions
Old Navy Navyist Card and Old Navy Navyist Visa Card
Old Navy has a status program for loyal customers, which bumps up the previous 2 credit cards into a better rewards programs. While you can’t apply for Navyist cards outright, you can earn Navyist status once you’ve:
- Earned 5,000 reward points within a calendar year (excluding bonus points and returns)
- Made the minimum payment by the due date once you’ve reached the 5,000 points
- Kept your Old Navy account in good standing
It should be noted that you’ll be upgraded to Navyist status 90 to 120 days after the meeting the qualifications. Furthermore, to retain an Old Navy’s Navyist status, you must re-qualify each calendar year.
The Navyist Card
Once you’ve attained Navyist status, you can receive the same benefits as the basic Old Navy Rewards Card, as well as:
- Free 3 – 5 Day Shipping for Old Navy and Gap family brand purchases
- 20% Bonus Points Each Quarter
- Free Basic Alterations on Banana Republic Purchases
- A Dedicated Navyist Hotline for cardholders
As you gain these additional benefits, the Navyist Card can still only be used at Old Navy and the Gap family stores.
The Navyist Visa Card
The Old Navy Navyist Visa cards is the upgraded version of the Old Navy Visa credit card. And as expected, the Navyist Visa card can be used for purchases anywhere Visa is accepted. Including all of the rewards from the Old Navy Navyist Card, this one comes with the Visa-specific rewards, including:
- 1x point per dollar spent anywhere Visa is accepted
- Special Visa Cardholder Offers and Promotions
Rewards Program
The Old Navy reward program can help you save money from the points you’ve earned on a wide variety of purchases at Old Navy and the Gap Family Brands. Essentially, 100 points equals $1 towards reward tiers in most cases. However, there are a few limitations to be aware of:
- First, there is no limit to the number of points one can earn. However, the maximum reward that will be issued in any one billing cycle is $250.
- Rewards points that are less than the required lowest rewards denomination (less than 500 points) are applied to the next billing cycle. This means that if you earn 2,800 points on your account, you’ll receive a $25 reward, leaving 300 points to carry over to the next billing cycle.
- Each reward has its own specific expiration date, so it is important to make purchases within the reward window.
- Members can redeem 3 rewards in a single in-store transaction; additionally, 5 rewards can be claimed for online purchase (or orders made over the phone).
- Rewards can be combined with a limit of one other promotional offer.
- Rewards can be applied to items on sale.
- Residual amounts owed on your purchase after redeeming your rewards must be paid for with an Old Navy or Gap-branded credit card.
| Old Navy Credit Card | Old Navy Visa Card | Old Navy Navyist Credit Card | Old Navy Navyist Visa Card | |
| Cash Back Benefits | Earn 5x points per dollar spent at Old Navy (& Gap Family Brands) 20% off first purchase | Earn 5x points per dollar spent at Old Navy (& Gap Family Brands) 20% off first purchase 1x point per dollar spent anywhere Visa is accepted | Earn 5x points per dollar spent at Old Navy (& Gap Family Brands) 20% off first purchase 20% Bonus Points each Quarter | Earn 5x points per dollar spent at Old Navy (& Gap Family Brands) 20% off first purchase 1x point per dollar spent anywhere Visa is accepted 20% Bonus Points each Quarter |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Average FICO Score to Qualify | 580 and above | 620 and above | 580 and above | 620 and above |
The Drawbacks of Old Navy Credit Cards
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of the line of store-branded Old Navy and Navyist credit cards, it’s time to address some of the significant drawbacks:
- First, because your earned rewards can only be used at Old Navy stores and the Gap family of brands (including online equivalents), you may feel a bit limited when it comes time to see what you’ve really earned.
- Second, the extremely high APR makes these cards only useful for responsible cardholders that don’t regularly carry a balance. If you’re looking to use Old Navy credit cards to finance purchases outside of your means, you may want to think again.
- Last, unlike many credit cards that aren’t store-branded, Old Navy’s line of credit cards come with a 3% foreign transaction fee. While you may not be tempted to use your card outside of stores, having the Old Navy Visa cards will be a pricey option if you need to use them in a pinch.
How Old Navy’s Credit Card Compare to Alternative Programs
Before applying for Old Navy’s credit cards you should explore all-purpose cards that will offer more spending flexibility and favorable rewards programs. Three we recommend are:
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Unlimited offers abundant benefits that make this card friendly to use. The introductory bonus on this card is $200 when you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You get 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This card allows you to earn your points easily and redemption towards travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards increases the cash back value by 25%.
The ultimate points earned can be transferred at 1.1 value to the approved airline and hotel partners. The ongoing introductory offer provides a 0% interest for 15 months from the date you open the account for purchases and balance transfers, after which variable APR rates of 14.99%–23.74% are applied.
Zero Liability protection, Fraud protection, Fraud alerts can safeguard you against unwanted transactions. The card gives coverage against damage and theft for 120 days and extended warranty protection for an additional year. A good to excellent credit score will be helpful during the card approval process.
Capital One® Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One® Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has an attractive welcome bonus of $300 for new applicants. You would be eligible for this when you spend $3,000 in purchases with the first 3 months of account opening. What is enticing about Savor is the cash back it offers in different categories. You earn 4% cash back on dining and entertainment. You get 2% cash back on grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases. You can choose to avail the limited period offer (May 2020) by Vivid seats, book concert and sporting events tickets through them and earn an 8% cash back on those transactions.
If you use your Savor card, you could get a statement credit for postmates delivery subscription fees until December 2019.
The first year fee waiver is an add-on perk, from the second year the annual fee is $95.
Not having to pay a foreign transaction fee makes this card favorable to use while abroad. Price protection is rare among credit cards but Savor gives you 120 days to file for a refund in case price changes on an item you purchased. Travel Insurance, extended warranty, and concierge service are some of the other advantages that come along with this MasterCard. To be eligible for this card requires a good credit score.
Capital One® QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One® QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is beneficial for those who have an average credit but would like to build good credit while reaping few rewards.This card lets you earn 1.5% cash back on all your purchases. It has a low annual fee of $39 and does not come with introductory bonus points or APR.
Instead what you get is an opportunity to increase your credit line if you make first five timely payments, access to CreditWise to monitor your credit score, no foreign transaction fee on outside US purchases.
The APR rates on this card are high so it is best to consider a different card for balance transfers.
The cashback points on QuicksilverOne do not expire and can be redeemed for checks, a statement credit, gift cards and to cover a recent purchase.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, if you’re a loyal shopper to Old Navy or all of the stores within the Gap family of brands, you’ll be earning tons of rewards while shopping for a stylish wardrobe. However, the vast number of drawbacks and limited spending may turn off qualified applicants that may find stronger alternatives available elsewhere, which can include cash-back, travel perks, and so forth.
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