What the Barclays Gap Credit Card is

The Barclays Gap credit card is a rewards card issued by Barclays Bank that offers cash back on purchases at Gap Inc. stores and online, plus additional rewards on other spending. The card is designed for people who shop regularly at Gap, Gap Factory, Old Navy, Banana Republic, or Athleta and want to earn rewards on those purchases.

Unlike a store card that only works at one retailer, this is a Visa card that works anywhere Visa is accepted. The rewards structure is tiered: you earn a higher cash back rate at Gap Inc. stores and a lower rate on everything else. There is an annual fee, and the card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so it affects your credit score the same way any other credit card does.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% cash back at Gap Inc. stores and 1% cash back on all other purchases, with rewards paid as statement credits.
  • An annual fee applies; the exact amount varies by card version and changes periodically, so check Barclays' current terms before opening an account.
  • The card requires a credit check and reports to credit bureaus, so opening it will lower your credit score slightly in the short term.
  • Rewards are only useful if you shop at Gap Inc. brands regularly enough to offset the annual fee and any interest charges.

How rewards and cash back work

Rewards on the Barclays Gap card are earned as cash back, not points. At Gap Inc. locations and on Gap Inc. websites, you earn 5% cash back on purchases. On all other purchases made with the card anywhere Visa is accepted, you earn 1% cash back. The cash back is credited to your account as a statement credit, which reduces your balance.

There is no sign-up bonus on this card, so you do not earn extra cash back for opening the account. The rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open, but they are only valuable if you actually use them — if you carry a balance and pay interest, the interest charges will quickly exceed any cash back you earn.

Annual fee and other costs

The Barclays Gap card charges an annual fee. The amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold and has changed over time, so you should check Barclays' current terms page before opening an account. The annual fee is charged once per year, usually on your account anniversary.

Beyond the annual fee, the card carries a standard purchase APR (annual percentage rate) that varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest on that balance at this rate. There is no introductory 0% APR period on purchases or balance transfers, so interest accrues from day one if you do not pay in full.

Who this card makes sense for

The Barclays Gap card is worth considering if you spend at least $500 to $1,000 per year at Gap Inc. stores or websites. At that spending level, the 5% cash back can offset the annual fee. If you spend less than that, the annual fee will cost more than the rewards you earn, making the card a net loss.

The card also works best for people who pay their balance in full each month. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the interest charges will eliminate any benefit from the cash back. The 1% cash back on non-Gap purchases is modest compared to other rewards cards, so this card is not a good choice if you want rewards on everyday spending outside Gap Inc. stores.

How opening the card affects your credit

Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which typically lowers your credit score by a small amount — usually between 5 and 10 points. This inquiry stays on your report for about a year, though the impact on your score fades over time.

Opening the account also adds a new line of credit to your report, which lowers your average age of accounts. However, it also increases your total available credit, which can lower your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your available credit you are using). Over time, as you use the card responsibly and make on-time payments, the card will help your credit score by adding positive payment history.

Comparing this card to other rewards options

If you shop at Gap Inc. regularly, the 5% cash back is competitive with store-specific rewards programs. However, if you want a single card that earns rewards across many retailers, a general-purpose rewards card may be a better choice. Cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne offer 1.5% to 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, which may be more valuable if you do not spend heavily at Gap Inc.

The trade-off is that those cards do not offer the higher rate at a specific retailer. If you shop at Gap Inc. frequently and rarely shop elsewhere, the Barclays Gap card's 5% rate at Gap stores can outweigh the annual fee. If your spending is spread across many retailers, a no-annual-fee card with a flat cash back rate is usually the better choice.

What happens if you close the account

If you close the Barclays Gap card, any unused cash back rewards are typically forfeited. You should redeem all accumulated rewards before closing the account. Closing the card will also remove that line of credit from your active accounts, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your credit score slightly.

The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to seven years, but it will no longer count toward your active accounts or available credit. If you are closing the card because the annual fee is not worth it, make sure you have redeemed all rewards first and that you have another card to use for everyday purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn rewards on Gap Inc. gift cards?

Yes, you earn 5% cash back when you purchase Gap Inc. gift cards at a Gap store or on a Gap website using the Barclays Gap card. However, you do not earn additional rewards when you use the gift card to make purchases — the rewards are earned only when you buy the card itself.

What if I have a low credit score?

Barclays typically requires a fair to good credit score to open this card, though the exact minimum varies. If your credit score is below 650, you may be denied. If you are denied, you can reapply after improving your score or explore store credit cards with lower credit requirements, though these often have higher interest rates.

Do I have to shop at Gap Inc. to make the card worth it?

Yes. If you do not shop at Gap Inc. stores or websites regularly, the 5% cash back will not offset the annual fee. The 1% cash back on other purchases is too low to make up the difference. A no-annual-fee rewards card is a better choice if your spending is spread across many retailers.

Can I transfer my cash back rewards to another account?

Cash back rewards on the Barclays Gap card are credited as statement credits, not transferred to a bank account. The credit reduces your card balance, and you can use it to pay off purchases or lower your monthly payment. You cannot convert it to cash or move it elsewhere.

What is the credit limit on this card?

Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Barclays will determine your limit when you open the account. You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for several months and made on-time payments, though Barclays may conduct another hard inquiry when you request an increase.