What the Old Navy Barclays Card Does
The Old Navy Barclays credit card is a store card issued by Barclays that you can use at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and other brands in the Gap Inc. family. Unlike a general-purpose card, it works only at those stores and online at their websites. You earn rewards on purchases — typically a percentage back as Old Navy cash or discounts — and the card comes with periodic promotional offers like extra discounts during sale events.
The card is unsecured, meaning you don't need to put down a deposit to open one. Barclays reviews your credit history, income, and existing debt to decide whether to issue it and what interest rate to charge. If you're approved, you get a credit limit — the maximum you can charge at any time — and you make monthly payments just like any other credit card.
Key Takeaways
- The Old Navy Barclays card works only at Gap Inc. stores (Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta) and their websites, not at other retailers.
- You earn rewards on every purchase, usually in the form of Old Navy cash or percentage discounts, which you can use on future shopping.
- The card carries an interest rate and annual percentage rate (APR) that Barclays sets based on your credit score and financial history.
- Promotional offers — such as extra discounts or deferred interest periods — change regularly and are often sent to cardholders by email or mail.
- You can check your balance, make payments, and view your rewards through the Barclays online portal or mobile app.
How Rewards Work on the Old Navy Card
When you use the Old Navy Barclays card to make a purchase, you earn rewards on the amount you spend. The exact reward rate varies — Barclays has offered 1% cash back on most purchases and higher rates (sometimes 2% or more) during promotional periods or on specific purchase categories. The rewards typically appear in your account as Old Navy cash or as a discount code you can use on your next purchase.
Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, if your account is closed or goes into default, you may lose any unused rewards. The rewards are not the same as a cash rebate to your bank account — they are store credit that you can only spend at Gap Inc. locations.
Some promotional offers give you bonus rewards for opening the card within a certain timeframe or for spending a certain amount in the first few months. These bonuses are advertised when you explore and are added to your account once you meet the stated conditions.
Interest Rates, Fees, and Annual Costs
The Old Navy Barclays card charges an interest rate on any balance you carry from month to month. Your APR depends on your credit score and credit history — people with higher scores typically receive lower rates. Barclays publishes a range of possible APRs when you explore, but your actual rate is determined after they review your process.
The card does not charge an annual fee, so there is no yearly cost just for holding it. However, you will pay interest if you carry a balance. For example, if your APR is 24% and you carry a $500 balance for a full month, you will owe approximately $10 in interest charges on top of your principal.
Late payments trigger a late fee, and if you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Barclays may report the delinquency to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. Some promotional offers include a deferred interest period — meaning no interest accrues if you pay off the balance within a set timeframe — but interest is charged retroactively if you don't pay in full by the important date.
How to Make Payments and Manage Your Account
You can make payments to your Old Navy Barclays card through the Barclays website, the Barclays mobile app, or by phone. Payments can be made from a bank account via electronic transfer, by check through the mail, or by phone using a debit card. The minimum payment is shown on your monthly statement and is typically 1% to 3% of your balance, though Barclays may require a higher minimum if you have a large balance or missed payment.
Your statement arrives each month (usually by email if you enroll in paperless statements) and shows your purchases, rewards earned, interest charged, fees, and the amount due. You can view your full account history, current balance, and available credit through the online portal or app at any time.
If you want to close the account, you can contact Barclays customer service. Closing the account does not affect rewards you have already earned, but any unused rewards may be forfeited depending on the terms in effect when you close.
When a Store Card Makes Sense and When It Doesn't
A store card can be useful if you shop at Old Navy or other Gap Inc. stores regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases. The rewards rate is often higher than a general-purpose card, and promotional offers can provide meaningful discounts. If you pay off the balance in full each month, you avoid interest charges and keep the rewards as pure savings.
A store card is less useful if you shop there infrequently, if you tend to carry a balance, or if you prefer to consolidate your credit cards. Carrying a balance on a store card means paying interest on top of the purchase price, which erases the value of the rewards. Additionally, store cards typically have higher APRs than general-purpose cards from major issuers, so the cost of borrowing is steeper if you do carry a balance.
Opening multiple store cards can also lower your credit score in the short term because each process triggers a hard inquiry and adds a new account to your credit report. If you already have several cards, adding another may not be worth the temporary score dip.
How the Card Affects Your Credit
When you explore for the Old Navy Barclays card, Barclays performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry is visible to other lenders and can lower your credit score by a few points for a few months. If you are denied, the inquiry still appears on your report even though you don't have an account.
Once the account is open, your credit score is affected by several factors: your payment history (whether you pay on time), your credit utilization (how much of your available credit you use), and the age of the account. Paying on time every month helps your score. Using a small portion of your available credit — generally under 30% — also helps. Carrying a high balance relative to your limit can lower your score.
If you close the account after using it for a while, your score may dip slightly because you lose available credit and the account's history is no longer actively helping you. However, the account will remain on your credit report for several years after closing, so the long-term impact is usually small if you maintained good payment history.
Comparing the Old Navy Card to Other Options
If you want to earn rewards on shopping, you have several alternatives to a store card. A general-purpose rewards card from Visa, Mastercard, or American Express works at any retailer and often earns 1% to 2% cash back on all purchases. These cards typically have lower APRs than store cards and no annual fee (for many options). The downside is that the rewards rate is lower than a store card's promotional rate, so you earn less per dollar spent.
A cash-back card is useful if you shop at many different stores and want one card that works everywhere. A store card is useful if you shop at one retailer frequently and want to maximize rewards at that specific place. Some people use both — a general-purpose card for everyday spending and a store card for frequent purchases at a particular retailer.
Before opening any card, compare the rewards rate, APR, annual fee, and promotional offers. If you plan to carry a balance, the APR matters more than the rewards rate because interest charges will likely exceed the rewards you earn. If you pay in full each month, the rewards rate and promotional offers are the main factors to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Old Navy Barclays card at other stores?
No. The card works only at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, and their websites. It cannot be used at other retailers, even if they sell similar clothing. If you need a card that works everywhere, you would need a different card.
What happens if I don't pay my bill on time?
A late payment triggers a late fee (typically $25 to $35) and may increase your APR. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Barclays reports it to credit bureaus, which can significantly lower your credit score. Paying as soon as you realize you're late helps limit the damage.
Do I lose my rewards if I close the account?
Rewards you have already earned and not yet used may be forfeited when you close the account, depending on the terms in effect. It's best to use your rewards before closing or contact Barclays to confirm their policy on your specific account.
How do promotional interest-free periods work?
Some offers let you make purchases without interest accruing for a set period — often 6 to 12 months. If you pay off the full purchase amount by the end of that period, you owe no interest. If you don't pay in full, interest is charged retroactively on the entire purchase from the original date, not just from the end of the promotional period.
Will opening this card hurt my credit score?
The process triggers a hard inquiry that may lower your score by a few points for a few months. Opening a new account also lowers your average account age. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay on time, the positive payment history will help your score over time and outweigh the initial dip.