Synchrony Preferred Mastercard Review: Is It Worth It?

Most credit cards want you to apply. The Synchrony Preferred Mastercard flips that script, because you cannot get it unless Synchrony Bank sends you an invitation. It sits at the entry level of Synchrony's three-card Mastercard family, and it is built for people working on their credit rather than chasing rewards.

Here is a full breakdown of how the card works, what it costs, and what to consider instead if no invitation is in your mailbox.

What Is the Synchrony Preferred Mastercard?

The Synchrony Preferred Mastercard is an unsecured credit card issued by Synchrony Bank on the Mastercard network. That means you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which separates it from the closed-loop store cards, like Synchrony HOME, that Synchrony is best known for.

Synchrony pitches the card as "great for building credit." It is the entry tier in a three-card lineup: the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard earns 2% cash back, the Synchrony Plus World Mastercard earns 1%, and the Preferred earns nothing. All three carry no annual fee.

Key Facts at a Glance

How the Invitation-Only Model Works

You cannot apply for the Synchrony Preferred Mastercard online. Synchrony's own site lists both the Preferred and the Plus as "by invitation only" as of July 2026, while the Premier is open for direct applications.

Synchrony typically extends these invitations to existing customers, often people who already manage a Synchrony store card such as an Amazon, Lowe's, Synchrony Car Care, or CareCredit account. If you were not invited, you cannot force your way in, so the alternatives section below may matter more than the review itself.

Rewards: This Card Does Not Earn Any

The Preferred earns no cash back, points, or miles on any purchase. If rewards matter to you, the Plus version pays 1% and the Premier pays an unlimited 2% back on eligible purchases, credited automatically to your statement.

You do get a few Mastercard perks: Mastercard ID Theft Protection, Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services, Priceless Experiences access, and contactless chip payments. As of July 2026, there is no welcome bonus on any card in the Synchrony Mastercard family.

APR and Fees as of July 2026

Synchrony's published rate box covers new Premier and Plus accounts as of January 1, 2026: a variable purchase APR of 17.49%, 26.49%, or 33.24%, a balance transfer APR in the same range with a 4% fee ($10 minimum), a cash advance APR of 20.49%, 29.49%, or 36.24% with a 5% fee ($10 minimum), a variable penalty APR of 27.49%, 36.49%, or 39.99%, a $2 minimum interest charge, and a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Synchrony does not publish a separate public rate sheet for the Preferred. Your exact APR is disclosed in the invitation offer and cardholder agreement, and credit-building customers should expect the higher end of the range. There is no annual fee. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.

Is the Preferred the Same as the Premier World Mastercard?

No. This is a common mix-up, so let's be clear: the Synchrony Preferred Mastercard and the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard are two different cards in the same family, not one renamed product.

The Premier is the top tier, with 2% cash back, World Mastercard benefits, and a target audience with strong credit. The Preferred is the entry tier, with no rewards and a fair credit audience. The names are confusingly similar, but the tiers are real. If you have solid credit, the Premier is the far better card of the two.

Does the Synchrony Preferred Mastercard Build Credit?

It can. Synchrony Bank reports its Mastercard account activity to the major credit bureaus, so on-time payments and low balances typically help your credit history over time. That reporting is the card's main job, since it earns nothing else.

Two card-specific tips. First, Synchrony does not publish typical starting limits, and invited credit builders often report modest ones, so keep your credit utilization well under 30% of whatever limit you receive. Second, pay in full every month. At a possible 33.24% APR, carrying a balance costs far more than any credit benefit is worth.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• No annual fee and no deposit required
• Runs on the Mastercard network, so it works anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Reports to the major bureaus, which supports credit building
• Includes Mastercard ID theft protection and contactless payments

Cons:

• Invitation only, so most people simply cannot get it
• No rewards of any kind
• Purchase APR can run as high as 33.24%, with a penalty APR up to 39.99%
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• No welcome bonus and no published upgrade path

Credit-Building Cards You Can Apply for Today

If you were not invited, you do not have to wait around. Several unsecured cards accept direct applications from people with fair or rebuilding credit.

If you want an unsecured card without a security deposit, the Aspire Mastercard is the closest like-for-like option. It prequalifies for up to a $1,000 limit with no deposit and no hard pull at prequalification, accepts applicants in the 580+ FICO range, reports to all three bureaus, and pays up to 3% cash back, which is more than any Synchrony Mastercard tier. Read our full Aspire Mastercard review for details.

Prefer to skip the credit check entirely? The Perpay Credit Card is powered by your paycheck. Payments come straight out of direct deposit, there is no security deposit and no credit score required to start, it earns 2% rewards, and members see an average 30-point score increase. Results vary by person, and terms apply.

Whichever card you choose, it helps to watch your progress. Creditship is a free AI-powered credit monitor that tracks all three bureaus and suggests concrete steps to lift your score, so you can see whether your new card is actually moving the needle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Synchrony Preferred Mastercard invitation only?

Yes. As of July 2026, Synchrony's site lists the Preferred Mastercard as "by invitation only," so you cannot apply directly online. Invitations typically go to existing Synchrony customers, such as store-card holders in good standing.

What credit score do you need for the Synchrony Preferred Mastercard?

Based on our research, invited cardholders typically fall in the fair-credit range, around 630 or higher. Because the card is invitation only, Synchrony's internal data on your existing accounts likely matters as much as your score.

Does the Synchrony Preferred Mastercard have an annual fee?

No. The Preferred carries a $0 annual fee, as do the Plus and Premier versions. Watch the other costs instead, including a purchase APR that can reach 33.24% and a 3% foreign transaction fee as of July 2026.

Can you upgrade from the Preferred to the Premier World Mastercard?

Synchrony has not published a formal upgrade path between its Mastercard tiers. Some cardholders report receiving upgrade offers after months of on-time payments, but nothing is guaranteed. Paying on time and keeping utilization low gives you the best shot at better offers, from Synchrony or any other issuer.