Synovus Bank is a full-service financial institution offering four different personal credit cards and three business credit cards. Their personal credit card line features a classic, rewards, travel and cashback card, while their business line has a classic, rewards and travel card. They also have personal credit cards available from Oakstone, Assent and First Digital.
Synovus Bank Credit Card Reviews, Rules & Opinions
Synovus Bank is a Georgia-based institution with 250 branches across the country. You can compare Synovus Bank cards, learn how to apply for them and see if this bank is best for your needs.
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets. Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
Lee Huffman
Credit Card and Personal Finance Expert
Lee Huffman is a credit card and personal finance expert at MoneyGeek. He has spent 18 years as a financial planner and corporate finance manager, with 12 years of experience writing about early retirement, credit cards, travel, insurance and other personal finance topics. His writings are published on The Points Guy, Investopedia and NerdWallet. Huffman earned his business management degree from Pepperdine University and his master's degree in eBusiness from the University of Phoenix. He enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less and live better through the power of travel rewards.
MoneyGeek is dedicated to providing trustworthy information to help you make informed financial decisions. Each article is edited, fact-checked and reviewed by industry professionals to ensure quality and accuracy.
Editorial Policy and StandardsDoug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets. Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
Lee Huffman
Credit Card and Personal Finance Expert
Lee Huffman is a credit card and personal finance expert at MoneyGeek. He has spent 18 years as a financial planner and corporate finance manager, with 12 years of experience writing about early retirement, credit cards, travel, insurance and other personal finance topics. His writings are published on The Points Guy, Investopedia and NerdWallet. Huffman earned his business management degree from Pepperdine University and his master's degree in eBusiness from the University of Phoenix. He enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less and live better through the power of travel rewards.
MoneyGeek is dedicated to providing trustworthy information to help you make informed financial decisions. Each article is edited, fact-checked and reviewed by industry professionals to ensure quality and accuracy.
Editorial Policy and StandardsUpdated: October 2, 2024
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Featured Credit Cards Offered by Synovus Bank
Credit Card | MoneyGeek Rating | About | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for those looking for a credit-boosting card with a 0% intro APR | N/A | $0 | (No Credit History) On Issuer's Site | ||
Credit building with cash back. | Earn 1% cash back | $75.00 for first year After that, $48.00 annually. | N/A On Issuer's Site | ||
A secured credit card meant for people with poor or no credit histories | N/A | $39 | None–Poor On Issuer's Site | ||
An excellent secured credit card with no credit score requirement | N/A | $49 | None–Poor On Issuer's Site |
Other Cards Issued by Synovus Bank
Beyond the featured cards listed above, Synovus Bank offers the following credit cards:
- Synovus Travel Rewards Visa® Credit Card: Best for those who want to earn travel rewards quickly
- Synovus Rewards Visa® Credit Card: Best for those who want an affordable rewards card that can earn points in a category of their choice
- Synovus Cash Rewards Visa® Credit Card: Best for those who want to earn cash back in a category of their choice
- Synovus Classic Visa® Credit Card: Best for those who want a straightforward credit card for credit building
The Best Synovus Bank Credit Cards in 2024
Synovus Bank offers a straightforward line of credit cards for both personal and business use. All seven of their credit cards offer a 0% intro purchase APR for the first six months, all of which can be managed through Syonvus’ online platform.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
You may benefit by getting the OakStone Gold Secured Mastercard® if you wish to build or rebuild your credit because it accepts applications from people who have poor or no credit histories. Applying for this card does not involve a credit inquiry. Instead, OakStone looks at your income and ability to make payments to arrive at a decision.
You may provide a security deposit of $200 to $5,000 and the same serves as your card’s credit limit. This card reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus, so using it in the right manner helps improve your credit score.
This card comes with a $39 annual fee. Using it outside of the U.S. is not a good idea as it charges a foreign transaction fee. While you might request expedited processing of your application, this service comes with an added fee.
- PROS
- Apply with poor or no credit history
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
- Credit limit of $200 to $5,000
- No credit inquiry when you apply
CONS- Requires a security deposit
- Annual fee of $39
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- High late payment fees
- Expedited processing service fee of $19.95
- $39 annual fee
- Apply with poor or no credit history
- Reports to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
- Credit limit varies from $200 to $5,000
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
We recommend the OakStone Platinum Secured Mastercard® for people who wish to build their creditworthiness because it reports cardholders’ payment histories to the nation’s top three credit bureaus. This card comes with a competitive APR on purchases and has no penalty rate. However, you need to pay an annual fee of $49. If you use this card outside of the U.S., you’ll need to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee.
You may choose to get a credit line of $200 to $5,000, provided you’re able to pay the corresponding amount as a security deposit.
You may apply for this card even if you have a discharged bankruptcy listed in your credit bureau file. In addition, it comes with no minimum credit score requirement.
- PROS
- Security deposit and corresponding credit line may vary from $200 to $5,000
- Competitive APR on purchases
- Reports to top three credit bureaus
- No minimum credit score requirement
- Lets you apply even if you have a discharged bankruptcy
CONS- Annual fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- Late and returned payment fees
- Comes with a credit limit of $200 to $5,000, which you need to provide as a security deposit
- Apply with no credit history or if you have a discharged bankruptcy ruling in your credit report
- Low variable APR on purchases
- Annual fee of $49
- 3% foreign transaction fees
- Reports payment history to Experian, TransUnion and Equifax
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
We recommend the Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard® Secured Credit Card issued by Synovus Bank to individuals who wish to build or rebuild their credit. You may provide any amount between $200 and $2,000 as your refundable security deposit, and the same will serve as your credit limit.
Getting this card might work well for you if you wish to make a purchase that you plan to pay off within a few months. This is because it comes with an intro 0% APR offer on purchases for the first six months.
Making your payments on time and using a small percentage of your credit limit can help improve your credit score as this card reports your payment history to the top three credit bureaus. You need to pay a $49 annual fee for as long as your account remains active. You also have to pay foreign transaction fees if you use your card outside of the U.S.
- PROS
- Low credit requirement
- 0% intro APR for 6 months
- Low APR after the intro period
- High credit line
CONS- Annual fee of $49
- High security deposit
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Requires a refundable security deposit of at least $200
- Regular credit reports to all three bureaus
- Credit line of up to $2,000
- Cash advance of $10 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater
- Up to $40 late payment fee
- Credit score requirement: 300+
- 24/7 online access to your account
Rules for Applying, Acceptance & Welcome Bonuses
Applying for any Synovus Bank credit card is fairly straightforward, but keep in mind that like any card, your application is subject to approval.
The accepted credit score range varies, as there are different Synovus Bank cards. However, for the OakStone Gold Secured Mastercard, the OakStone Platinum Secured Mastercard® and the Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard, users are encouraged to apply regardless of their credit score, as there are no minimum credit score requirements.
Conversely, following the FICO scoring system, a good credit score is one that falls between 661 and 780. If you’re applying for a Synovus Card native to the bank, a credit score of 601 and above is recommended.
At Synovus, you can own more than one personal and business credit card. For business cards, you can have up to 25 authorized user cards for yourself and your employees.
Synovus Bank does not specify how many active applications you can have at any given time, nor do they clarify how many times you can apply. Typically, you can apply for a Synovus Bank credit card as often as you want, but know that you run the risk of rejection the more frequently you apply. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 90 days between new credit card applications, but it is even better if you can wait six months.
There is no specific rule as to how many approvals you can get at Synovus Bank.
The only welcome bonus that Synovus offers on both their personal and business credit cards is the 0% APR on all purchases for the first six months of the card. If you get a new card, this introductory offer will only apply for the first six months, beginning at the life of that card.
Other Considerations About Synovus Bank
Prior to applying for a credit card at Synovus Bank, there are different factors to consider to determine if their products are right for you, including customer service and value or rewards earned.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Customer Service & Satisfaction | Customer satisfaction is an important factor to consider when selecting a bank, as they are responsible for handling your money. In the 2021 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study from J.D. power, Synovus ranked fourth in the Southeast category with a score of 844. This is lower than their score of 850 and ranking of second in 2020, which indicates that their customer satisfaction has dipped, albeit slightly. Synovus’ customer service can be reached via phone or email, and they have different support lines for different purposes. |
Mobile Apps & Online Services | The mySynovus platform is designed for personal and business credit card users. They can make payments, see their balance and transaction details, manage their account and receive account alerts as they please. It can be accessed via the web or their mobile app, which can be downloaded on iOS or Android. User ratings on both Google Play and Apple App Store are high at 4.7 and 4.8, respectively. |
Security & Credit Monitoring Services | Aside from securing your information through standard firewalls, monitoring and 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryptions, they also require a security token at login and implement rigorous security standards. If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, you can contact their emergency hotline. In terms of credit monitoring, users can opt to have their FICO Score included on their statement. |
Loyalty Programs & Other Issuer Perks | While Synovus does not feature any loyalty program, credit card holders get to benefit from Visa benefits, as most of the bank’s cards are under Visa. Some of these benefits include travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, hotel theft protection, travel and emergency assistance services, lost luggage reimbursement and more. |
Authorized Users | For personal credit card holders, Synovus Bank allows one joint applicant and 22 authorized users. For business accounts, a user can have 23 cards at the time of application, with five guarantor and 18 employee cards. After the establishment of the account, you can add up to 2 more cards. |
Purchase Protection | Certain Synovus cards feature purchase protection, which can reimburse you for an item for a maximum of $500 per claim and $50,000 per card holder in case of theft, damage due to fire, vandalism or certain weather conditions. Purchase protection only applies to the Synovus Rewards Visa Credit Card and the Synovus Business Visa Credit Card. |
Co-Branding & Partnerships | Synovus has partnerships with Oakstone, Assent and First Digital. |
Other Products Offered | Synovus is a full-service financial institution offering checking, savings, money market accounts, certificates of deposit and health savings accounts. They also offer loans, financial planning, investment services, trust services and more. |
Overall Opinion of Synovus Bank & Their Credit Card Offerings
Synovus Bank’s line of credit cards offer straightforward perks that can benefit your everyday spending. Both their rewards and cash back cards let you choose from their Dynamic Earn categories, so you can save on expenses you spend the most in. However, note that they do not offer any enticing welcome bonus aside from their 0% introductory APR, which is limited to the line of credit cards from the bank itself.
Given their range of cards and card offerings, cards from this provider may be suitable for the following people:
An individual trying to build credit
The Oakstone Gold and Platinum cards have no minimum credit requirement and thus, are perfect for those who are focused on building their credit.
An individual who wants dynamic rewards
Synovus’ line of rewards cards let you change your rewards categories each month, which is perfect for those who want to take advantage of their big spending habits in different categories.
While Synovus Bank is not a large issuer like Chase or American Express, its offerings are solid for consumers looking for simplicity. Each of the cards comes with a great 0% intro APR for the first six months, which is helpful if you need short-term flexibility for a large purchase. However, if you don’t need that offer, it may be a better decision to choose a card with a valuable welcome offer in the form of travel rewards or cash back.
- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com
Still Not Sure About This Issuer? Consider These Options.
Synovus Bank isn’t the only option for those in the Southeast area. If you’re still on the fence, check out other credit cards and their providers to find a credit card that meets your criteria.
Learn More About Credit Cards in General
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- J.D. Power. "U.S. Retail Banks Nail Transition to Digital during Pandemic, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed October 2, 2024.
- J.D. Power. "Retail Banks Face Major Customer Satisfaction Challenge as World Shifts to Digital-Only Engagement, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed October 2, 2024.
- Synovus. "Say hello to My Synovus." Accessed October 2, 2024.
- Synovus. "What we do to protect you." Accessed October 2, 2024.
- Synovus. "Personal and Business Cardholder Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed October 2, 2024.
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