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Old Navy credit card review: Only for brand mega-fans

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Navyist Rewards Mastercard overview

The Navyist Rewards Mastercard is a decent option for fans of clothing retailer Old Navy. The card features no annual fee and earns bonus rewards at Old Navy, Gap, Athleta and other sister brands. However, it offers minimal benefits and mediocre earning rates outside these brands. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½ stars

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Fans of Old Navy may consider getting the Navyist Rewards credit card for its brand-specific elevated earning rates and benefits. The Navyist Rewards card was made specifically for shoppers who frequently purchase from Old Navy and its sister brands:

  • Gap
  • Athleta
  • Banana Republic
  • Gap Factory
  • Banana Republic Factory

The Navyist Rewards card has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 690 or above, although having a score below this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be denied.

Let’s dig into the card details so you can decide if it deserves a place in your wallet.

The information for the Navyist Rewards Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Navyist Rewards Mastercard pros and cons

Here’s a quick glance at where the Navyist Rewards Mastercard offers solid value and where it misses the mark.

Pros Cons
  • No annual fee
  • Bonus-earning opportunities
  • Decent earning rate of 5 points per dollar spent within the Old Navy family of brands
  • Early access to sales and members-only exclusive offers
  • Fraud liability protection
  • Earned rewards can only be redeemed for store purchases
  • Low earning rate of 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted

Navyist Rewards Mastercard welcome offer

The Old Navy credit card offers new applicants a 30% discount on their first purchase with the card upon approval.

THE POINTS GUY

This can be tempting when you see the savings opportunity at checkout, but it’s less impressive when you compare it to some cash-back cards that offer a $200 sign-up bonus. To get a better value than that from your Navyist Rewards offer, you would need to spend more than $600 on your first purchase.

Related: This month’s best welcome offers

Navyist Rewards Mastercard benefits

We don’t typically expect many benefits on no-annual-fee cards, and the Navyist Rewards is no exception. Many of the card’s benefits are available to non-cardholders who sign up for Old Navy’s rewards program.

Even without being a cardholder, members of Old Navy’s rewards program earn 1 point per dollar spent at the family of brands; the points are worth 1 cent each. Rewards members also receive free, fast shipping on orders of $50 or more, exclusive offers and a birthday bonus.

Two Womem Looking At Smartphone While Clothes Shopping
TOM WERNER/GETTY IMAGES

In addition to earning bonus points on purchases in the Old Navy family of brands, cardholders can convert their expired Super Cash (Old Navy coupons) to rewards points within 30 days of the Super Cash expiration date. The value of expired Super Cash is minimal — usually only a couple of cents per “dollar” of Super Cash. You’re better off using your Super Cash before it expires, but this option is a fringe benefit.

The Old Navy credit card also features fraud protection, meaning you’re not responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize.

Finally, cardholders with the highest status level get a choose-your-own sale day and free basic alterations on qualifying Banana Republic purchases.

But again, you can access many perks just by being an Old Navy rewards member, so the value of the cardholder benefits is truly minimal.

Earning rewards on the Navyist Rewards Mastercard

Traditionally, store credit cards were limited in their scope of use and were only valid at the stores that issued them (also known as closed-loop cards). Increasingly, however, cobranded store cards have upped their functionality and, for the most part, can be used anywhere credit cards are accepted. Such is the case with the Navyist Rewards card.

Being a Navyist Rewards cardholder means you have access to perks like elevated earning rates on specific purchases, including:

  • 5 points per dollar spent at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta
  • 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases outside of Old Navy’s family of brands
BURAK KARADEMIR/GETTY IMAGES

Cardholders can also unlock Family of Brands bonus points every year when they shop at two or more Old Navy sister brands. The breakdown for earning these bonus points looks like this:

  • Earn 500 points when you shop at two sister brands.
  • Earn 1,000 points when you shop at three sister brands.
  • Earn 2,000 points when you shop at four sister brands.

Additionally, cardholders at the middle and highest rewards tiers receive a quarterly bonus after they make a qualifying purchase at any of Old Navy’s family of brands: 250 points for the middle tier and 500 points for the highest tier.

If someone at the highest tier took full advantage of these bonus opportunities, they could get up to 4,000 bonus points each year — worth $40, since they can be redeemed for 1 cent apiece.

Redeeming rewards on the Navyist Rewards Mastercard

The points you earn on your Navyist Rewards Mastercard are worth 1 cent apiece and can only be redeemed toward purchases at Old Navy or its sister brands.

You can redeem earned points at checkout — whether you’re making a purchase online or in-store at Old Navy or any of its sister brands. Redemptions begin at $1, and you cannot redeem more than $500 per transaction.

Woman booking hotel stays
NARISARA NAMI/GETTY IMAGES

When I’m checking out in-store, I get prompted to enter my phone number — which is attached to my Old Navy account. The cashier lets me know how many rewards I’ve accrued and asks if I want to use them or save them for another time.

It’s worth noting that the redemption system for the Navyist Rewards card is very limiting. If you’re seeking more flexible redemption options, you’ll get better value from one of our top picks for the best cash-back or travel credit cards.

Which cards compete with the Navyist Rewards Mastercard?

If you decide the Navyist Rewards card isn’t the best fit for you but still want a rewards credit card, consider one of these top-rated TPG picks:

For more options, check out our list of best starter credit cards and the best credit cards for online shopping.

Related: Why the Sapphire Preferred should be your next credit card

Is the Navyist Rewards Mastercard worth it?

Those who shop frequently at Old Navy, Gap, Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap Factory and Banana Republic Factory will get decent value from the Navyist Rewards Mastercard thanks to earning a set 5 points per dollar spent at this family of brands. However, most shoppers will do better with a different card with more valuable earning categories and benefits.

Bottom line

If you frequently shop at Old Navy — or any of its sister brands — then applying to become a Navyist cardholder can make sense. You can redeem earned points as cash discounts on future purchases and use your card in conjunction with Super Cash for maximum savings. However, most shoppers will get more value from simply signing up for Old Navy’s rewards program and using a cash-back or travel rewards credit card.

Related: Store vs. cash-back credit cards

For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, click here.