Paying your Guitar Center Gear Card bill can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about managing your Guitar Center credit card account and making bill pay quick and easy.
An Overview of the Guitar Center Gear Card
The Guitar Center Gear Card is a credit card offered in partnership with Synchrony Bank that gives you special financing options and rewards when you shop at Guitar Center stores and GuitarCenter.com.
With the Gear Card, you get:
- Special financing offers like deferred interest promotions, no interest if paid in full, and fixed monthly payments
- 5% back in rewards on Guitar Center purchases
- Reward certificates to use on future Guitar Center purchases
- No annual fee
It’s an excellent way to finance big music gear purchases over time and earn rewards on the gear you love,
Setting Up Your Online Account
To pay your bill online, you’ll first need to set up an online account with Synchrony Bank, the issuer of the Guitar Center Gear Card.
Here are the steps to get logged in:
- Go to www.synchrony.com and click “Log In”
- Click “First time users register here” if you haven’t logged in before
- Enter your Guitar Center Gear Card number and details to set up your username and password
- Agree to the terms and conditions
Once your account is set up, you’ll be able to log in anytime to view your balance, make payments, set up autopay, and more.
Payment Options
You have several convenient options for paying your Gear Card bill
Pay Online
The easiest way to pay is through online banking on the Synchrony website or mobile app. You can make one-time payments or set up recurring autopay.
To pay online:
- Log into your Synchrony account
- Click “Make a Payment”
- Enter the payment amount and payment date
- Enter your bank account information to pay from your checking or savings account
Payments made before 5 p.m. ET will typically be credited the same day.
Pay by Phone
You can also make payments by calling Synchrony customer service at the number on the back of your Gear Card. Just have your account information ready.
Pay by Mail
If you prefer to pay by check or money order, you can mail your payment to the address on your statement. Make sure to include your payment coupon to expedite processing. Allow 5-7 days for mail payments to post to your account.
Schedule Recurring Autopay
For worry-free payments every month, you can set up autopay to automatically charge your credit card balance to a bank account.
To set up autopay:
- Log into your Synchrony account
- Click on “Autopay” under “Account Services”
- Choose whether to pay the minimum, statement balance, or a fixed amount
- Enter your bank account information
Autopay will trigger payments on your due date so you never miss a payment. You can adjust the amount or cancel anytime.
Payment Due Dates and Grace Periods
Your Gear Card payment due dates and grace periods depend on your account terms:
-
Standard Purchases: The payment due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing cycle. Payments are due by 5 p.m. ET on the due date. There is a grace period where no interest accrues if you pay your balance in full by the due date.
-
Promotional Financing Purchases: Deferred interest promotions have a set monthly payment amount due each billing cycle. Payments are due by 5 p.m. ET on the due date. To avoid deferred interest charges, you must pay the full promotional balance by the expiration date shown on your statement.
-
Late Payments: If you miss your payment due date, up to a $29 late fee may be applied. Late payments can also result in penalty APRs.
Review payment terms closely on each statement to avoid interest charges. Set payment reminders and autopay to stay on track.
Payment Application Order
When you make a payment, Synchrony Bank will apply the funds in a specific order:
- Fees and interest charges
- Lowest APR balances first
- Deferred interest promotional balances before standard purchase balances
Paying more than the minimum due helps pay off higher interest balances faster. Pay off deferred interest promotion balances in full before the expiration date to avoid deferred interest.
Payment History
Your payment history is an important factor that affects your credit scores and show how responsibly you manage credit.
On-time payments will build your credit health over time. Missed payments can negatively impact your credit.
You can review your last 24 months of payment history anytime by logging into your Synchrony account and viewing your statements. Monitoring your history helps you identify issues early.
If you missed payments due to financial hardship from events like job loss or medical expenses, you may be able to work with Synchrony on alternative payment solutions before they report negatively to the credit bureaus.
Account Management Tools
Synchrony Bank offers useful online and mobile tools for managing your account:
-
Online banking: Pay bills, schedule payments, view statements, enroll in autopay, and redeem rewards.
-
Mobile app: Get account alerts, make payments, view your credit limit and available credit, see pending charges, and redeem rewards.
-
Email and text alerts: Get reminders for payment due dates, returned payments, late payments, and credit limit notices.
-
eBill paperless billing: Receive and view statements electronically to avoid paper clutter.
Leverage these tools for bill paying at your fingertips and staying updated on account activity.
Customer Service
If you ever have questions or issues with your Gear Card account, Synchrony Bank’s customer service team is available to help you.
Contact them by:
- Calling 1-866-396-8254
- Logging into your account and using the live chat
- Completing the email form on their website
Reach out to customer service about questions on your account, bill pay issues, late fees, credit limit increases, and any other concerns.
Avoiding Late Fees and Interest Charges
To maximize savings with your Guitar Center Gear Card, you’ll want to avoid unnecessary fees and interest:
-
Pay at least the minimum due each month to avoid late fees up to $29. Set payment reminders to help remember.
-
Pay the current balance in full each month to avoid interest on standard purchases. Carrying a balance results in expensive interest charges.
-
Pay deferred interest balances by the promotional expiration dates shown on each statement to avoid deferred interest. Mark your calendar with expiration dates.
-
Contact customer service about hardship programs if you may miss payments due to financial difficulties. Alternative payment arrangements can help avoid credit damage.
-
Review statements closely to ensure you meet key payment deadlines for the different types of transactions.
Best Practices for Painless Bill Pay
Managing your Gear Card doesn’t have to be a chore. Follow these tips for stress-free bill payment:
-
Log into your Synchrony account and set up autopay so payments happen automatically each month.
-
Use payment reminders and account alerts to avoid forgetting due dates or past due payments.
-
Pay more than the minimum when possible to pay off balances faster.
-
Review statements each month and mark key payment deadlines on your calendar.
-
Update your payment and contact information if it changes to prevent issues.
-
Contact customer service immediately if you anticipate missing a payment due to financial hardship.
The Bottom Line
Paying your credit card bills doesn’t have to be confusing or time consuming. With online banking, autopay, and account management tools, paying your Guitar Center Gear Card is easier than ever.
Follow this guide to get set up for painless bill payment. Monitor your account regularly, pay on time each month, and take advantage of rewards along the way. With responsible account management, your Guitar Center Gear Card can be a financial asset that saves you money.
