topic Re: Just another Sync CLD in Credit Cards

Just another Sync CLD

BallBounces — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 23:09:31 GMT

Sync moved my CareCredit CL fron 20K to 6K today.

So I closed it. Part of project simplify 2026.

Not surprising of course. As a long time Synchrony "customer", I have seen these things before. Just an opportunity to remind others about the dangers of getting involved with Sync.

The one slightly irritating aspect of this one of course is, the nature of Care Credit doesn't allow for much use. You would think they may have different algos for that card based on use patterns that forgive long periods of no use.

Carry on.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

ElvisCaprice — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:16:18 GMT

Just a wasted new card slot and hard pull for 2 years. Not even a SUB to show for it.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

FicoMike0 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:44:24 GMT

Once more, im happy to have no sync cards.

Sync sux!

Re: Just another Sync CLD

AndrewF — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 04:19:29 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
Once more, im happy to have no sync cards.
Sync sux!

They're pretty subprime. Even their best card only has 2% cashback and you'll get a very bad purchase APR and no SUB.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

TrapLine — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:27:53 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
Once more, im happy to have no sync cards.
Sync sux!

Amend! Stayed away!

Re: Just another Sync CLD

moto4man — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:29:35 GMT

Sorry you got stung by this lender... I won't ever let myself get that deep with them!

However, I'm on board with 2 cards through them. Discount Tire & Family, Farm, & Home.... Both due to interest free promotionals. Discount Tire, I have been on their roller coaster ride already... Requested an increase, was approved, then to be taken away and then some. I need new Tires on the RV this season so I'll continue to use it when it works out for me. Family, Farm, & Home was a late season zero interest card for 3 years on a new zero turn lawn mower. I've seen and heard enough on this board to be mindful of this lender. I've often been tempted to hop on the Lowes bandwagon, but I just prefer Home Depot or Menards to be perfectly honest.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

Dilbert934 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:14:46 GMT

@BallBounces wrote:
The one slightly irritating aspect of this one of course is, the nature of Care Credit doesn't allow for much use. You would think they may have different algos for that card based on use patterns that forgive long periods of no use.

If you have a pet you can put their yearly exams/vaccinations on it to keep it active.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

crystal626 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:18:03 GMT

@AndrewF wrote:
@FicoMike0 wrote:
Once more, im happy to have no sync cards.
Sync sux!

They're pretty subprime. Even their best card only has 2% cashback and you'll get a very bad purchase APR and no SUB.

I don't know that I would consider 17.49% on the Synchrony Premier "very bad" in the market today. It's the exact same APR floor as Citi's Double Cash. Sync does have a ridiculous 33.24% at the top but their floor is the same as Citi while their mid is 1% lower than Citi's highest at 26.49%. I can't imagine an average good profile getting the high tier from Synchrony.

I have had Sync cards for 8 or 9 years and never had any real issues with them and they've always been generous on limits too.

CareCredit is definitely a riskier product for them when the economy is on the decline like it is so I'm not surprising that they're making cuts there.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

just1morecard — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 19:39:48 GMT

Agreed on the algorithms. They do keep cards like Ashley Furniture open longer than 12 months with no activity for this very reason, but I agree the same should apply to the CareCredit card as well. Mine was closed very quickly due to inactivity, but I haven't missed it much.

As far as other Synchrony cards, I've found value in Amazon store card (5-6% back or 0% APR promos), Sam's Club (5% back at gas/EV charging), TJX (5X points in brand), Venmo (3% cash back on health/beauty), and Verizon Wireless (4% on dining). None of these have an annual fee, and the cash back in each respective category beats most other cards out there. I use each solely for the categories listed to maximize our cash back return each month.

Obviously, if you're aiming to simplify this year, spreading out all of these categories probably doesn't fit with your goals. However, a few may give you a better return than what you're getting now, which could fit into a longer-term swap/consolidation plan.

Charge on!

Re: Just another Sync CLD

1lifeisworthit — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:41:51 GMT

I'm glad Synchrony made your simplification decision easier for you!

I'm happy with the two cards I have from them. I can get 3% cash back on paypal purchases, which I use monthly. And I can get 6 months interest free at Meineke (down the street and my main mechanic) and some other places, too.

But if those limits get lowered or the cards closed, I won't see it as a huge loss. I don't depend on either of them in the slightest.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

Zoostation1 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 22:49:45 GMT

@crystal626 Synchrony regualrly does this not just on Care Credit, but their other products even if things are booming. That being said, I think one of the issues with Care Credit is that Synch expects you to use the product consistently or face CLD, yet it's inherently a product that has limited use case scenarios.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

crystal626 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:48:17 GMT

@Zoostation1 wrote:
@crystal626 Synchrony regualrly does this not just on Care Credit, but their other products even if things are booming. That being said, I think one of the issues with Care Credit is that Synch expects you to use the product consistently or face CLD, yet it's inherently a product that has limited use case scenarios.

I rarely see people get CLDs on Sync's other cards unless they're for low use. Sync is more known for outright closing the account than anything else.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

just1morecard — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:34:51 GMT

I've been balance chased on Sam's Club and Venmo, but not any others (which I find odd). It seems like they only do this on specific co-branded cards...?

Re: Just another Sync CLD

BallBounces — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:41:51 GMT

@Dilbert934 wrote:
@BallBounces wrote:
The one slightly irritating aspect of this one of course is, the nature of Care Credit doesn't allow for much use. You would think they may have different algos for that card based on use patterns that forgive long periods of no use.

If you have a pet you can put their yearly exams/vaccinations on it to keep it active.

Or not!

Re: Just another Sync CLD

BallBounces — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:42:33 GMT

@crystal626 wrote:
@AndrewF wrote:
@FicoMike0 wrote:
Once more, im happy to have no sync cards.
Sync sux!

They're pretty subprime. Even their best card only has 2% cashback and you'll get a very bad purchase APR and no SUB.
I don't know that I would consider 17.49% on the Synchrony Premier "very bad" in the market today. It's the exact same APR floor as Citi's Double Cash. Sync does have a ridiculous 33.24% at the top but their floor is the same as Citi while their mid is 1% lower than Citi's highest at 26.49%. I can't imagine an average good profile getting the high tier from Synchrony.

I have had Sync cards for 8 or 9 years and never had any real issues with them and they've always been generous on limits too.

CareCredit is definitely a riskier product for them when the economy is on the decline like it is so I'm not surprising that they're making cuts there.

Proceed with caution.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

BallBounces — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:44:22 GMT

@just1morecard wrote:
Agreed on the algorithms. They do keep cards like Ashley Furniture open longer than 12 months with no activity for this very reason, but I agree the same should apply to the CareCredit card as well. Mine was closed very quickly due to inactivity, but I haven't missed it much.

As far as other Synchrony cards, I've found value in Amazon store card (5-6% back or 0% APR promos), Sam's Club (5% back at gas/EV charging), TJX (5X points in brand), Venmo (3% cash back on health/beauty), and Verizon Wireless (4% on dining). None of these have an annual fee, and the cash back in each respective category beats most other cards out there. I use each solely for the categories listed to maximize our cash back return each month.

Obviously, if you're aiming to simplify this year, spreading out all of these categories probably doesn't fit with your goals. However, a few may give you a better return than what you're getting now, which could fit into a longer-term swap/consolidation plan.

Charge on!

I am not a Sync novice. Over my lifetime, I have probably held 15 cards. For example, the Amazon Store card, twice.

I still hold two Sync cards.

They are what they are.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

BallBounces — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:45:28 GMT

@just1morecard wrote:
I've been balance chased on Sam's Club and Venmo, but not any others (which I find odd). It seems like they only do this on specific co-branded cards...?

No.

They could choose to close all your cards, co branded or not. And for dubious/non existent reasons.

I speak from experience.

Re: Just another Sync CLD

BallBounces — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:47:46 GMT

@1lifeisworthit wrote:
I'm glad Synchrony made your simplification decision easier for you!

I'm happy with the two cards I have from them. I can get 3% cash back on paypal purchases, which I use monthly. And I can get 6 months interest free at Meineke (down the street and my main mechanic) and some other places, too.

But if those limits get lowered or the cards closed, I won't see it as a huge loss. I don't depend on either of them in the slightest.

I too still have a PPMC. My second one in fact. Indepoendant of Sync, it's a fine card.

Regardless, Synchrony, in general terms, is dangerous,