Consumer complaint received 2026-06-16 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — Store credit card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I have problems with the manner in which Synchrony Bank conducts business. I have made several purchases that came with promotional terms. The terms were not adequately transparent, nor was there any disclosure about fees charged XXXX participate in these types of offers. I have purchased products over a period of years from a company that offers no interest terms if qualified. Synchrony Bank is the entity that issues the credit. XXXX fully describe my issues, I will address each individually. When applying for credit with Synchrony, there is a lack of transparency in how they apply payments. Typically, oldest accounts will be paid off XXXX before more recent purchases. This is not the case with Synchrony, XXXX they do not adequately explain how consumer payments will be applied. The consequence of a consumer not fully understanding Synchrony 's practices comes with a hefty penalty. If the consumer does not pay the balance in full prior XXXX the expiration date, they hit you with accrued interest all the way to the beginning of the purchase. I was aware of this ; however, it was my understanding that older accounts would be paid off XXXX ( which is usual & customary ). This was not the case, as a subsequent purchase had different terms that were also not fully disclosed. XXXX elaborate, I had been offered XXXX set of terms on an older purchase in 2024. I was then given a different set of terms on a more recent purchase ( 2025 ) without it being disclosed. These different terms directly impacted the way in which my payments would be applied, which led XXXX an older promotional period expiring even though I made payments that were nearly XXXX the minimum required XXXX prevent this exact thing from happening. Because I set up automatic payments with an amount that should have paid my oldest promotional periods XXXX, I did not check my statement every month ( educational for me, but does not excuse the lack of transparency ). Moving XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, I happened XXXX check my statement, XXXX was surprised XXXX see interest being charged on an older promotional period that expired. I contacted Synchrony for an explanation, XXXX was told that the terms were not the same on my purchases, and that my most recent purchase terms caused more of my payment XXXX be applied XXXX newer balances. This created a shortfall in my older purchase promotional period that then expired in XXXX, hitting me with over {$1500.00} in interest due. I had the ability XXXX pay this before it expired, but I was not aware that there was a change in the application of my payment that would lead XXXX this. This is egregious predatory behavior, XXXX consumers need full disclosure XXXX transparency XXXX avoid being punished for trying XXXX stay ahead of fees XXXX interest. The manner in which my payments would be applied was never explained XXXX me in anything that I signed, nor in my monthly statement. I was never told that I was being offered a different type of promotional period that could impact prior promotional balances due. When I contacted Synchrony, I was moved around XXXX escalated without any concern for my timely payment history ( recall also that I made higher payments than the amount due XXXX avoid an expiring promotional period ). They could not have cared less about their customer, XXXX it became clear that this was exactly what the bank had hoped would happen. Despite this occurring only a month prior, they refused XXXX remove, reduce, or work with me in any way on the interest penalty charged. This practice is absolutely not acceptable. Synchrony had knowledge that might impact their consumer, XXXX failed XXXX disclose important information that could have avoided a serious financial burden. The only other issue that I have, although less costly than over {$1500.00} in accrued interest, is that I was charged close XXXX {$200.00} XXXX be granted the most recent promotional purchase offer in XXXX. There was never any disclosure of any fees XXXX participate in the promotional offers. Again, it is very clear that Synchrony makes it a regular habit to not fully disclose information that consumers need XXXX make decisions that are financially sound.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief