Barclays Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 33.99% variable
• Rewards: 5x at Gap Inc. brands, 1x everywhere else
• Bonus: 25% off first purchase + up to 2,000 annual bonus points
• Best For: Frequent Banana Republic and Gap Inc. brand shoppers
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (690+)

Overview

The Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard is tailored for shoppers who appreciate Banana Republic's modern, sophisticated style along with the broader Gap Inc. family of brands. With no annual fee and a generous 5% rewards rate (5 points per dollar) at Banana Republic, Gap, Gap Factory, Old Navy, and Athleta, this card transforms your clothing purchases into ongoing rewards that can be redeemed across all these popular retailers.

What distinguishes this card is its focus on the upscale Banana Republic brand while maintaining earning flexibility across Gap Inc.'s entire portfolio. Whether you're shopping for work-appropriate attire at Banana Republic, casual wear at Gap, activewear at Athleta, or budget-friendly options at Old Navy, every purchase earns the same strong 5x rewards rate. This versatility is particularly valuable for professionals who need business casual clothing but also want rewards on family apparel purchases.

The card functions as a full-featured Mastercard, earning 1 point per dollar on all purchases everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Rewards accumulate quickly and never expire, with every 100 points equaling $1 that can be redeemed at any Gap Inc. brand. For those who shop strategically across multiple brands, the card offers up to 2,000 bonus points annually—$20 in additional value simply for diversifying your purchases across the family of stores.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 33.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 33.99% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 36.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None specified
• Grace Period: At least 23 days when you pay your balance in full

Critical Warning: The 33.99% APR is exceptionally high—significantly above industry averages. This card is only financially beneficial if you pay your balance in full every month. Carrying even a small balance for a few months will cost more in interest than you earn in rewards. Treat this as a charge card that must be paid off monthly.

Benefits Overview

Shopping Benefits

• 25% off first purchase at Banana Republic or any Gap Inc. brand within 14 days of account opening
• Cross-brand bonus points: Unlock up to 2,000 bonus points annually (2 brands = 500 pts, 3 brands = 1,000 pts, 4 brands = 2,000 pts)
• Enthusiast status: Automatic elevation to Enthusiast tier in the Gap Good Rewards program
• Icon status eligibility: Earn 5,000 points to unlock premium benefits
• Early access to sales and exclusive cardholder promotions
• Free standard shipping on qualifying online purchases ($50+ at most brands)
• Use anywhere Mastercard is accepted worldwide

Enthusiast & Icon Status Perks

With Enthusiast status (automatic for cardmembers):

• Free standard shipping on orders $50+
• Access to exclusive offers and promotions
• Birthday month rewards

Once you reach Icon status (5,000 points earned):

• Free express shipping on online orders (typically $15–$20 value per order)
• Free basic alterations at Banana Republic locations (regularly $15–$35 per item)
• Quarterly bonus points on purchases
• Exclusive shopping events with early access to new collections
• Enhanced customer service and concierge support

Everyday Benefits

• No annual fee—continue earning rewards at no cost
• Points never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing
• Zero fraud liability protection on unauthorized purchases
• Easy online account management via web and mobile app
• Automatic enrollment in Gap Good Rewards loyalty program across all brands
• Digital wallet compatibility (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)

Security & Protection

• Mastercard Zero Liability Protection against fraudulent purchases
• 24/7 customer service and fraud monitoring
• Real-time purchase notifications
• Account alerts for large or unusual transactions
• Secure online account access with two-factor authentication available

Rewards & Earning Structure

• 5 points per dollar at Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory, Gap, Gap Factory, Old Navy, and Athleta (in-store and online)
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted
• Up to 2,000 bonus points annually for shopping at multiple Gap Inc. brands
• No caps or limits on points earned
• Points never expire as long as account is open and in good standing
• Redemption: Every 100 points = $1 redeemable at any Gap Inc. brand, minimum redemption 100 points

The 5x earning rate at Gap Inc. brands delivers an effective 5% return—one of the highest rates available for retail-specific cards. For professionals who regularly purchase work attire at Banana Republic, this translates to substantial savings. A $1,000 wardrobe refresh earns 5,000 points ($50 value), while adding $500 monthly in everyday Mastercard purchases contributes another 500 points per month ($60 annually).

Strategic Earning Tip: Maximize the annual cross-brand bonus by making at least one purchase at each of Gap Inc.'s four brands during the calendar year. Even small purchases qualify—buying a $15 item at each brand unlocks 2,000 bonus points ($20 value). Time these purchases around sale events to amplify savings.

Welcome Bonus

Get 25% off your first purchase at Banana Republic or any Gap Inc. brand when you use your new card within 14 days of account opening.

This welcome discount applies to your entire first transaction, making it ideal for stocking up on professional attire, seasonal wardrobe updates, or gift purchases. On a $300 shopping trip—typical for a few work outfits at Banana Republic—this bonus saves you $75 immediately. When combined with Banana Republic's frequent 40% off sales, you can achieve extraordinary value. For example, a $500 pre-sale cart becomes $300 after the 40% store discount, then $225 after your additional 25% card member discount—a total of 55% off regular prices.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $10 or 4% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Banana Republic loyalists who shop there 4+ times per year for work or casual attire
• Working professionals who need business casual and professional clothing regularly
• Gap Inc. multi-brand shoppers who purchase across Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, and Athleta
• Fashion-conscious consumers who appreciate quality, modern designs at accessible prices
• Families who value having one card that rewards purchases across different price points and styles
• Responsible credit users who always pay balances in full monthly
• Those seeking Icon status perks like free alterations and express shipping
• Strategic shoppers who combine credit card rewards with in-store sales for maximum savings
• Frequent online shoppers who benefit from free shipping perks

Not Good For

• Occasional Banana Republic shoppers who visit less than 3 times per year
• Those who carry balances (33.99% APR will devastate your finances)
• International travelers (3% foreign transaction fee adds significant cost)
• Those wanting high everyday rewards (1% on non-Gap purchases is basic)
• Luxury brand devotees focused on department stores or designer boutiques
• Minimalist wardrobes who rarely need new clothing
• Those preferring cash back that can be deposited directly to bank accounts (rewards locked to Gap Inc. brands)
• Those seeking travel or premium benefits beyond retail rewards

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee—earn rewards indefinitely at no cost
• Strong 5% rewards rate (5x points) at all Gap Inc. brands including Banana Republic
• 25% off first purchase welcome bonus (often worth $50–$75 or more)
• Up to 2,000 annual bonus points ($20 value) for cross-brand shopping
• Automatic Enthusiast status with immediate benefits
• Icon status unlocks valuable perks (free express shipping, free alterations at Banana Republic)
• Points can be redeemed flexibly in $1 increments across all Gap Inc. brands
• Works everywhere Mastercard is accepted for 1x earning
• Points never expire with open account
• Free standard shipping on qualifying purchases
• Early access to sales and exclusive offers
• Zero fraud liability protection
• Free basic alterations at Banana Republic with Icon status (typically $15–$35 per item)

Cons

• Extremely high 33.99% variable APR—one of the highest retail card rates
• Carrying any balance will result in interest charges that far exceed rewards value
• 1x earning rate on non-Gap purchases is modest (many cards offer 1.5%–2%)
• 3% foreign transaction fee makes international use expensive
• Rewards can only be redeemed at Gap Inc. brands (no cash back, no statement credits)
• Icon status requires earning 5,000 points first ($50 in rewards)
• Cross-brand bonus may encourage purchases at stores you wouldn't normally visit
• High cash advance APR (36.99%) and substantial fees
• Limited value if you don't regularly shop at Gap Inc. brands
• No introductory 0% APR period for purchases or balance transfers
• Rewards value entirely dependent on continuing to shop at these specific retailers

Alternatives to Consider

Card	Best For	Annual Fee	Rewards	Welcome Bonus
Citi Double Cash Card	Flat-rate cash back everywhere	$0	2% cash back on all purchases	N/A
Chase Freedom Unlimited	All-around rewards with flexibility	$0	1.5%–5% cash back	$200 after $500 spend
Capital One Quicksilver	Simple, straightforward cash back	$0	1.5% cash back	$200 after $500 spend
Blue Cash Everyday from Amex	Groceries and gas rewards	$0	3% groceries, 2% gas	$200 after $2,000 spend

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Assuming you're a regular Banana Republic and Gap Inc. shopper spending $16,500 annually:

Category	Annual Spend	Reward Rate	Earned Value
Banana Republic & Gap Inc.	$3,500	5x points	17,500 points ($175)
Groceries	$5,000	1x points	5,000 points ($50)
Dining & entertainment	$4,000	1x points	4,000 points ($40)
Gas & transportation	$2,500	1x points	2,500 points ($25)
All other purchases	$1,500	1x points	1,500 points ($15)
Welcome bonus (first year)	—	25% off $300 purchase	$75
Cross-brand bonus (4 brands)	—	Annual bonus	2,000 points ($20)

First Year Total Value: $400
Ongoing Annual Value: $325

No annual fee to subtract = $325 net annual value

This scenario assumes $3,500 in annual Gap Inc. brand spending and shopping at all four brands to maximize the bonus. If you're a more frequent Banana Republic shopper—say $6,000 annually across Gap Inc. brands—your brand-specific rewards alone would be worth $300, with total annual value exceeding $400.

Icon Status Value: After reaching Icon status (5,000 points), benefits like free express shipping (worth $15–$20 per order, valuable if you order online monthly) and free basic alterations at Banana Republic (typically $15–$35 per item) provide additional tangible value. If you get just 3 items altered per year and order online quarterly, these perks add roughly $100+ in annual value beyond the points.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You shop at Banana Republic regularly (4–6+ times per year) and spend $1,000+ annually
• You need professional or business casual attire and appreciate Banana Republic's quality and style
• You also shop at other Gap Inc. brands (Gap, Old Navy, Athleta) and want unified rewards
• You always pay your credit card balances in full every month (to avoid the punishing 33.99% APR)
• You value perks like free express shipping and free alterations at Banana Republic
• You want a no-annual-fee card with strong rewards at specific high-value retailers
• You enjoy strategic shopping by combining credit card rewards with in-store sales
• You appreciate the flexibility of one rewards program across multiple brands and price points
• You want automatic Enthusiast status and the ability to earn Icon status benefits

You Should Skip It If...

• You rarely shop at Banana Republic or other Gap Inc. brands (less than 3 times per year)
• You tend to carry credit card balances month-to-month (the 33.99% APR will be financially devastating)
• You want higher rewards on everyday purchases outside Gap Inc. brands (1x is basic)
• You need a card for international travel (3% foreign transaction fee)
• You prefer cash back rewards that can be deposited to your bank account or used flexibly
• You're seeking travel rewards, airline miles, or hotel points
• You shop primarily at department stores, outlet malls, or other clothing brands
• You want premium benefits like purchase protection, extended warranties, or travel insurance
• You're looking for an introductory 0% APR period to finance large purchases
• You prefer a card that offers rotating bonus categories or broader earning opportunities

Apply Now

Apply for Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard

---

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.