Barclays Old Navy Encore Mastercard Review: Maximize savings at Gap Inc. brands
The Old Navy Encore Mastercard offers generous rewards for loyal Gap Inc. shoppers, but its high APR means paying in full is essential to maximize savings. Discover if this card is the perfect fit for your fashion spending habits.
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 30% off first Old Navy purchase |
| Rewards Rate | 1x-5x points on purchases |
| Regular APR | APR for purchases 33.24%This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. APR for balance transfers 33.24%, when using your Mastercard. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. APR for cash advances 33.24%, when using your Mastercard. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. |
| Other Fees | Balance transfer fee Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, when using your Mastercard. |
Overview
For loyal shoppers of Old Navy and its sister brands, the Old Navy Encore Mastercard offers a compelling way to earn rewards on every purchase. With no annual fee, the card's main draw is its generous rewards rate: you'll earn an impressive 5 points per dollar spent across the Gap Inc. family of brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. New cardholders also get a nice immediate perk with 30% off their first purchase. The card extends its utility beyond these stores, offering 3 points per dollar on all other eligible apparel purchases and 1 point per dollar everywhere else Mastercard is accepted, making it a decent tool for fashion-forward spenders.
However, the card's benefits come with a significant caveat: an exceptionally high regular APR. This makes the Old Navy Encore Mastercard a poor choice for anyone who might carry a balance from month to month, as interest charges would quickly erase the value of any rewards earned. Rewards are also primarily redeemable within the Gap Inc. ecosystem, limiting their flexibility compared to general cash-back cards.
Ultimately, this card is best suited for die-hard fans of Old Navy and its affiliated brands who are disciplined enough to pay their bill in full every single month. If you fit that description, the card can provide substantial savings on your apparel spending. For everyone else, the risk of incurring high-interest debt likely outweighs the potential rewards.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate
- Cashback on purchases
- Free credit score access
Things to consider
- No intro APR period
- High regular APR
- Limited rewards categories
- High balance transfer fee
Benefits
A Valuable Welcome Offer
For new cardholders, the Old Navy Encore Mastercard provides an immediate and easy-to-earn welcome bonus: 30% off your first purchase at Old Navy. With no minimum spending requirement to qualify, this one-time discount can deliver significant savings, especially if you’re planning a large shopping trip for the family. Unlike bonuses that require you to spend hundreds of dollars over several months, this card delivers its value right away.
Strong Rewards for Loyal Shoppers
The card's primary strength lies in its rewards structure, which is tailored for frequent shoppers of Old Navy and its associated brands (Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta). You’ll earn a generous 5 points per dollar spent across this family of brands, which is an excellent return for your loyalty. The card also offers a unique and valuable perk that extends beyond its own stores: 3 points per dollar on all eligible retail apparel purchases. This makes it a surprisingly useful card for your entire wardrobe budget, not just your Old Navy runs. All other purchases earn a standard 1 point per dollar.
Points can be redeemed for rewards used on future purchases within the Gap Inc. family of brands or for exclusive offers in the "Encore Market." While this makes it a great system for dedicated fans, it’s important to note that you can’t redeem points for cash back or travel, limiting its flexibility compared to general rewards cards. Additional benefits include free shipping on online orders of $35 or more and early access to sales and special events, rounding out a solid package for the brand-loyal consumer.
Drawbacks
The most significant drawback of the Old Navy Encore Mastercard is its exceptionally high regular APR. At 33.24% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances, this rate is well above the average for retail credit cards. With no introductory 0% APR period, interest begins accruing immediately on any balance you don't pay in full. For cardholders who might carry a balance from month to month, these finance charges can quickly overwhelm the value of any rewards earned, making it a very expensive financing tool.
While the rewards rate is generous for Gap Inc. loyalists, the program lacks flexibility. Points can only be redeemed for rewards within the brand's ecosystem, such as discounts on future purchases or items in the Encore Market. This is a major limitation compared to general-purpose cash-back cards that allow you to redeem for a statement credit or direct deposit. Furthermore, the 1X point earning rate on all purchases outside of the Gap family of brands and other apparel stores is uncompetitive, making this card a poor choice for everyday spending.
Decision Guidance
This card is a powerful tool for dedicated Gap Inc. shoppers who pay their balance in full each month to avoid the very high APR. For this specific user, the rewards on apparel are excellent, but the limited redemption options are a key trade-off. Anyone who might carry a balance, or who prefers the flexibility of cash back, will find better value with a general-purpose rewards card.
Summary
The Old Navy Encore Mastercard is a powerful tool for loyalists of Gap Inc. brands, offering a high rewards rate that translates into significant savings on apparel. This value is strictly conditional, however, as the card's prohibitively high APR makes it a poor choice for anyone who might carry a balance, where interest costs would quickly erase any benefits.