What the Barclays Old Navy Credit Card Does

The Barclays Old Navy credit card is a store card that works at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta locations and online. You use it like any other credit card — swipe it at checkout, pay a monthly bill — but you earn rewards only when you shop at those stores. The card comes with a regular purchase APR (the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance), a promotional financing offer for certain purchases, and a rewards rate that gives you points on every dollar spent.

This is not a general-purpose card. If you shop regularly at Old Navy or the other Gap Inc. brands, the rewards and promotional offers can save you money. If you shop there rarely, the card has little value to you. The card is issued by Barclays Bank and the rewards program is run by Old Navy directly.

Key Takeaways

  • The Barclays Old Navy card earns rewards points only at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta — not at other retailers.
  • New cardholders often receive a promotional financing offer (such as 0% APR for a set number of months) on purchases made within a certain timeframe.
  • The card charges a regular APR if you carry a balance past the promotional period, and that rate varies based on your creditworthiness.
  • You can manage your account online through Barclays' website or mobile app, where you can view your balance, make payments, and track rewards.

How to Open a Barclays Old Navy Card

You can open the card in-store at any Old Navy location or online through the Old Navy website. In-store, a cashier or associate will hand you an process form or direct you to a kiosk. Online, you go to the Old Navy website, find the credit card offer, and click to start the process. Both routes ask for the same information: your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment status.

The process takes about 10 minutes. Barclays will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry that may lower your credit score slightly) and make a decision within minutes or a few business days. You will receive a decision by email or phone. If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you applied in-store, you may be able to use the card when ready for that transaction, depending on the store's policy.

Rewards, Promotional Offers, and Regular APR

The rewards rate and promotional offer change periodically, so the specific numbers depend on when you open the card. Typically, the card earns a fixed number of points per dollar spent at Old Navy and its sister brands, and a lower rate (or no points) everywhere else. Points can be redeemed for Old Navy rewards certificates, which work like store credit.

New cardholders usually receive a promotional financing offer — for example, 0% APR for 12 months on purchases made in the first 30 days. This means you can make a purchase during that window and pay it back interest-free for the promotional period. After the promotion ends, any remaining balance is charged the regular APR, which typically ranges from 18% to 27% depending on your credit score and creditworthiness. The exact rate you receive is shown in your approval documents.

If you do not carry a balance, you pay no interest regardless of the APR. Interest only applies to money you owe at the end of your billing cycle.

How to Make Payments and Manage Your Account

You can pay your Barclays Old Navy card bill online, by phone, by mail, or in-store at Old Navy. The easiest method is online through Barclays' website or mobile app. Log in with your username and password, view your balance and due date, and make a one-time payment or set up automatic payments. Payments made online typically post within one business day.

To pay by phone, call the customer service number on the back of your card. To pay by mail, send a check to the address shown on your statement. In-store payments are available at Old Navy registers, though this method is less common. Your minimum payment is due by the date shown on your statement. Paying only the minimum means you carry a balance and pay interest; paying the full statement balance means you owe no interest.

When You Might Want This Card and When You Might Not

The Barclays Old Navy card makes sense if you shop at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, or Athleta at least a few times a year and spend enough to earn meaningful rewards. The promotional financing offer is useful if you plan to make a large purchase and want to spread payments over several months without interest. If you can pay off the purchase before the promotion ends, you save money on interest.

The card is not useful if you rarely shop at these stores, because you earn no rewards elsewhere and the APR is higher than many general-purpose cards. It is also not useful if you cannot pay off a promotional purchase before the rate jumps to the regular APR, because the interest charges will erase any rewards you earned. If you are trying to build credit, a general-purpose card with a lower APR may be a better choice.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment or Carry Too Much Debt

If you miss a payment, Barclays will charge a late fee (usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment, more for subsequent ones) and may report the missed payment to the credit bureaus, which will lower your credit score. If you are more than 60 days late, Barclays may increase your APR to a penalty rate, which is even higher than your regular rate. If you are 180 days late, Barclays may close your account and send your debt to a collection agency.

If you carry a high balance relative to your credit limit, your credit utilization ratio increases, which can lower your credit score. Barclays may also lower your credit limit or close the account if they believe you are a higher risk. If you are struggling to pay, contact Barclays customer service to discuss options; some cardholders can negotiate a payment plan or hardship program.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The card works only at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta — online and in-store. You earn no rewards at other retailers, and some stores may not accept it at all. If you need a card for general shopping, you would need a separate credit card.

What is the difference between the promotional APR and the regular APR?

The promotional APR (usually 0%) applies to purchases made within a set timeframe after you open the card, for a set number of months. After the promotion ends, any remaining balance is charged the regular APR, which is typically 18% to 27%. The regular APR applies to all other purchases made outside the promotional window.

How do I redeem my rewards points?

Points are redeemed through the Old Navy website or in-store for rewards certificates, which work like store credit. You can use them on any purchase at Old Navy or the other Gap Inc. brands. The redemption process varies slightly depending on whether you are shopping online or in-store; check your account or ask an associate for the current redemption options.

What if I want to close my account?

Call Barclays customer service at the number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. Pay off any remaining balance first. Closing the account will not hurt your credit score directly, but it may lower your overall available credit, which could affect your credit utilization ratio.

Does opening this card hurt my credit score?

Opening the card involves a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. Over time, the card can help your score if you make on-time payments and keep your balance low, because it adds to your payment history and available credit. If you miss payments or carry a high balance, it will lower your score.