Synchrony Premier Mastercard Review: 2% Cash Back on Every Purchase, No Annual Fee Synchrony Premier Mastercard Review: 2% Cash Back on Every Purchase, No Annual Fee

Synchrony Premier Mastercard Review: 2% Cash Back on Every Purchase, No Annual Fee

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The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® is a cash-back credit card with the power of Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services. If you're looking for simple rewards with no limits on the cash back you can earn, no categories to remember, and no effort or knowledge required to redeem, the Synchrony Premier Mastercard could be a great choice.

Even though it's not a traditional travel rewards card, its Mastercard benefits can unlock complimentary perks like daily breakfast for two and room upgrades at more than 4,000 luxury hotels. Plus, cardholders can benefit from Mastercard's Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee and discounts with select travel companies. Here's what you need to know to decide if it's right for you.

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Annual Fee$0
Welcome Bonus N/A
The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® offers unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase without category restrictions, making it an excellent choice for straightforward earning. The card also features no annual fee, and access to World Mastercard benefits like ID theft protection, Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services, Priceless® Experiences, and more.
  • 2% cash back* on every purchase--no categories, tiers, or limits--no kidding.
  • No annual fee^
  • Zero Liability Protection
  • Secure online and mobile app account access
  • Get more out of every day purchases -- earn 2% cash back with your Synchrony Premier Card. No complicated math or rewards categories to remember.
  • Plus, you'll also gain access to additional key benefits like identity theft protection, money-saving discounts, and concierge travel planning support.
  • *2% cash back is valid on net purchases (less credits, returns and adjustments) of goods and services made with a Synchrony Premier World Mastercard. Cash back earned will be applied as a statement credit within 2 billing periods after an eligible purchase is made, if the account is open and in good standing. See Rewards Terms for details. We reserve the right to modify features of the Cashback Program at any time.
  • ^NO ANNUAL FEE: For New Accounts as of January 01, 2025: Variable Purchase APR 18.24%, 27.24%, or 33.99%. Variable Balance Transfer APRs 18.24%, 27.24%, or 33.99% and 4% Fee ($10 min). Variable Cash APR 21.24%, 30.24%, 36.99% and 5% Fee ($10 min). Variable Penalty APR 28.24%, 37.24%, or 39.99%. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Foreign transaction fee: 3%
  • 2% cash back on every purchase

Synchrony Premier Mastercard Pros

  • Unlimited 2% cash back
  • Access to Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services
  • $0 annual fee

Synchrony Mastercard Cons

  • No welcome offer
  • This card does not earn travel rewards
  • Has foreign transaction fees of 3%

Welcome Offer From Synchrony Bank

The Synchrony Premier Mastercard does not have a welcome offer. Although this isn't uncommon for a card with no annual fee, there are a few competitors we'll cover below that outshine Synchrony Bank with an enticing welcome bonus for new cardholders.

Woman holding a phone and looking at her laptop.
Credit: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

Synchrony Premier Mastercard Benefits

No annual fee

There is no annual fee attached to the Synchrony Premier Mastercard. However, a 3% foreign transaction fee makes this a less-than-ideal card for international trips.

Related: Our Favorite Benefits on Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

ID theft protection

All U.S. consumer Mastercard credit cardholders are eligible for free ID theft protection. Enroll in this feature to receive alerts in the event of a possible identity theft including on the dark web. If you're unlucky enough to become a victim of fraud or identity theft, Mastercard's U.S.-based resolution team can help you prevent further damage and get back on your feet.

Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services

Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services is available to you as a World Mastercard cardholder which includes special amenities, including upgrades, preferential treatment, and a lifestyle concierge. These benefits are across hotels, air travel, tours, cruises, and car rentals.

Mastercard Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee and Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee are also perks of Mastercard Travel Lifestyle Services.

The Synchrony Premier Mastercard offers perks like upgrades and breakfast at over 4,000 four- and five-star luxury hotels and resorts.
Credit: Matheen Faiz/Unsplash

Mastercard Global Service

You'll get 24-hour assistance through Mastercard Global Service if your Synchrony Premier Mastercard is lost or stolen. You are not responsible for any unauthorized transactions made on your account when you report it lost or stolen. Call toll-free from over 80 countries.

Mastercard Priceless Experiences

As a Synchrony Premier Mastercard holder, you'll also get access to Mastercard Priceless. The program permits cardholders entrance to unique travel, culinary, art, and sporting events and installations.

Synchrony Premier Mastercard Earning Rates

You can earn an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase made with the Synchrony Premier Mastercard. Thankfully, you never have to keep up with earning tiers or bonus categories with this card.

However, it's worth noting that the 2% cash back is valid on net purchases (less credits, returns and adjustments) of goods and services. Cash back earned will be applied as a statement credit within 2 billing periods after an eligible purchase is made, as long as your account is open and in good standing.

Woman carrying flowers at a farmer's market.
Credit: Brett Sayles/Pexels

Redeeming Rewards With the Synchrony Premier Mastercard

Your cash-back rewards are automatically credited to your statement each month. There's no need to manually log in and apply any of your rewards. In other words, the Synchrony Premier Mastercard requires very little effort to manage.

Application Restrictions

Little is known about the application restrictions for the Synchrony Premier Mastercard. However, as details on emerge about who is and isn't approved for the card, we'll be sure to update this section.

Presently, there are no published limitations on the number of Synchrony cards you can have at once, nor are there known restrictions on the amount of time that needs to elapse between applications. That said, you should remember that frequent applications for credit can negatively impact your credit score.

Cards That Compete With the Synchrony Premier Mastercard

For the right person, the Synchrony Premier Mastercard can make a lot of sense. However, it's not for everyone. If that includes you, here are three additional options to consider:

  • If you want a cash-back credit card with more ways to redeem your rewards, check out the Chase Freedom Flex℠. This no-annual-fee credit card from Chase earns 5% on rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 per quarter), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstore purchases and 1% on other eligible purchases. Pair this card with an Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card from Chase and transfer your cash-back earnings to Ultimate Rewards, which you can then transfer to Chase's transfer partners. Learn more about the Freedom Flex in our full review.
  • If you prefer a card that earns flexible travel rewards, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. For a $95 annual fee, this card earns an unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all other purchases. You can redeem your rewards for travel through the Capital One Travel portal, transfer them to travel partners, or redeem them for cash back or gift cards. Check out our full review of the Capital One Venture for more.
  • If you're looking for an everyday cash-back credit card that rewards you for your most common expenses, then the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express might be right for you. Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, plus 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more, and 1% on all other eligible purchases (issued as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (Rates & Fees), so it's one you can take for a test drive. View our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred for all the details.

Chase Freedom Flex℠
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Welcome Bonus Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee$0
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
  • Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
  • Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
  • Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
  • Earn 1% on all other purchases
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome Offer 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee$95
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
  • 5X miles per dollar on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
  • 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Annual Fee$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
Credit ScoreGood, Excellent
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
  • 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Related: The Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases

Bottom Line

The only true difference between the Synchrony Premier Mastercard and other cash-back cards lies in the Mastercard-specific card benefits. It could be positioned as a travel or lifestyle card, however, with 3% foreign transaction fees, it's hardly the best card for travel. And while 2% cash back is all well and good, there are other credit cards like the ones listed above that offer applicants a lot more.

Still, the simple cash-back redemption scheme and no bonus categories to keep up with is appealing.

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Annual Fee$0
Welcome Bonus N/A
The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® offers unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase without category restrictions, making it an excellent choice for straightforward earning. The card also features no annual fee, and access to World Mastercard benefits like ID theft protection, Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services, Priceless® Experiences, and more.
  • 2% cash back* on every purchase--no categories, tiers, or limits--no kidding.
  • No annual fee^
  • Zero Liability Protection
  • Secure online and mobile app account access
  • Get more out of every day purchases -- earn 2% cash back with your Synchrony Premier Card. No complicated math or rewards categories to remember.
  • Plus, you'll also gain access to additional key benefits like identity theft protection, money-saving discounts, and concierge travel planning support.
  • *2% cash back is valid on net purchases (less credits, returns and adjustments) of goods and services made with a Synchrony Premier World Mastercard. Cash back earned will be applied as a statement credit within 2 billing periods after an eligible purchase is made, if the account is open and in good standing. See Rewards Terms for details. We reserve the right to modify features of the Cashback Program at any time.
  • ^NO ANNUAL FEE: For New Accounts as of January 01, 2025: Variable Purchase APR 18.24%, 27.24%, or 33.99%. Variable Balance Transfer APRs 18.24%, 27.24%, or 33.99% and 4% Fee ($10 min). Variable Cash APR 21.24%, 30.24%, 36.99% and 5% Fee ($10 min). Variable Penalty APR 28.24%, 37.24%, or 39.99%. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Foreign transaction fee: 3%
  • 2% cash back on every purchase

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)

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