What a Synchrony Bank payment is
A Synchrony Bank payment is a transaction you make toward a credit account issued by Synchrony Financial, one of the largest private-label credit card issuers in the United States. When you make a payment, you are sending money from your bank account, debit card, or another source to reduce the balance you owe on a Synchrony credit card or store card. The payment reduces your outstanding balance and counts toward your minimum payment requirement.
Synchrony issues credit cards under dozens of retail and brand names — Amazon, Target, Lowe's, Best Buy, Walmart, and many others. Each card is branded with the retailer's name, but the account itself is managed by Synchrony. When you pay that card, you are paying Synchrony, regardless of which store's name appears on the card.
The payment process itself is straightforward: you initiate a transfer of money to your Synchrony account, and the funds reduce what you owe. The timing of when that payment posts to your account, and whether it counts as on-time, depends on how you send it and when Synchrony receives it.
Key Takeaways
- Synchrony Bank payments reduce the balance on a Synchrony-issued credit card, which may be branded with a retailer's name like Target or Lowe's.
- You can pay online through your Synchrony account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a retail location, and each method has different posting timelines.
- Payments made online typically post within one business day; payments by mail can take five to seven business days to reach Synchrony's processing center.
- Your payment is considered on-time if Synchrony receives it by 5 p.m. Eastern time on the due date, though some payment methods may require you to initiate them earlier to meet that important date.
- Late fees and interest charges explore if your payment does not arrive by the due date, even if you sent it on time through a slower method.
How to send a Synchrony Bank payment
The fastest way to pay is through your Synchrony online account. Log in to your account at Synchrony's website or through the retailer's app (if the card is co-branded), and select "Make a Payment." You can pay from a checking or savings account using your routing and account number, or from a debit card. The payment posts within one business day in most cases.
You can also pay by phone by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will take your payment information and process it when ready. Phone payments typically post the next business day.
Mailed payments should be sent to the address listed on your statement or bill. Write your account number on the check or money order. Mail takes five to seven business days to reach Synchrony's processing center, plus one to two business days for Synchrony to post it to your account. If your due date is fewer than seven days away, paying by mail is risky.
Some retail locations allow in-store payments if the card is a store card — for example, you can pay your Target RedCard at a Target register. These payments typically post within one to two business days.
Payment posting timelines and due dates
Synchrony considers a payment on-time if the company receives it by 5 p.m. Eastern time on your due date. The due date appears on your statement and is usually the same day each month. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Synchrony extends it to the next business day.
Online and phone payments initiated before 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date will post by the next business day and count as on-time. If you initiate a payment after 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date, it may not post until the following business day, which means it arrives after the due date.
Mail and in-store payments are riskier because the posting timeline is longer. If you mail a check on the due date, it will not arrive at Synchrony's processing center for several days, and Synchrony will not post it for one to two days after that. The payment is late if Synchrony receives it after 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date, regardless of when you mailed it.
Late payments trigger a late fee (typically $25 to $40, depending on your account terms) and may increase your interest rate. A single late payment can also lower your credit score.
Automatic payments and recurring options
You can set up automatic payments through your Synchrony account to avoid missing a due date. Synchrony offers three options: pay the full statement balance, pay a fixed amount, or pay the minimum payment. You choose the payment date, and Synchrony withdraws the money from your bank account on that date each month.
Automatic payments are deducted from your checking or savings account, so you must provide your routing and account number. Synchrony processes automatic payments the same way as online payments, and they typically post within one business day.
If you set an automatic payment for the due date itself, initiate it early enough that it posts by 5 p.m. Eastern. If you are unsure of the timing, set the automatic payment for a few days before the due date to may support it posts on time.
What happens if a payment is late or rejected
If Synchrony does not receive your payment by 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date, the payment is late. Synchrony charges a late fee and reports the late payment to the credit bureaus. A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score.
If you set up an automatic payment and Synchrony cannot withdraw the funds (for example, because your bank account does not have enough money), the payment fails. Synchrony will attempt to process it again, but if it fails a second time, you will receive a notice that the payment was rejected. You then have a short window to make the payment manually before it is reported as late.
If you realize a payment will be late, contact Synchrony when ready. Some accounts may be may be able to access for a one-time courtesy waiver of the late fee, though this is not may provide and depends on your account history.
Synchrony payment methods compared
| Payment Method | How to Initiate | Posting Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online account | Log in to Synchrony website or app; enter amount and bank account or debit card | 1 business day | Most payments; fast and free |
| Phone | Call customer service number on card; provide payment information to representative | 1 business day | When you need to speak to someone or do not have online access |
| Write check or money order; mail to address on statement | 5–7 days in transit, plus 1–2 days to post | Only if you have more than a week before the due date | |
| In-store (store cards only) | Bring payment to retail location; pay at register | 1–2 business days | Convenience if you are already shopping |
| Automatic payment | Set up in online account; choose amount and date | 1 business day | Recurring payments; removes risk of forgetting |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Synchrony card at the store where I use it?
Only if the card is a store card, such as a Target RedCard or Lowe's card. You can make a payment at that retailer's register. If your card is a co-branded card like the Amazon Prime Visa, you cannot pay at Amazon or any other store — you must pay online, by phone, or by mail.
What time does Synchrony stop accepting payments on the due date?
Synchrony stops accepting payments at 5 p.m. Eastern time on the due date. If you pay online or by phone after 5 p.m. Eastern, the payment will not post until the next business day and will be considered late. If your due date is in the afternoon, pay earlier in the day to be safe.
How long does a mailed payment take to show up?
A mailed check typically takes five to seven business days to reach Synchrony's processing center, then one to two additional business days for Synchrony to post it to your account. Total time is usually eight to nine business days. If your due date is sooner than that, do not pay by mail.
Will I be charged a late fee if I pay one day after the due date?
Yes. Synchrony charges a late fee if the payment is received after 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date, even if it is only one day late. The late fee is typically $25 to $40 and is added to your balance. The late payment is also reported to credit bureaus.
Can I cancel an automatic payment if I change my mind?
Yes. Log into your Synchrony account and turn off the automatic payment before the scheduled withdrawal date. If you cancel after the payment has already been processed, contact Synchrony to request a reversal, though this is not may provide.