Where Comenity and Synchrony fit in your payment flow
Comenity is a credit card issuer owned by Synchrony Bank. When you hold a Comenity-branded credit card — often a store card or co-branded card — Synchrony Bank is the bank behind it. This matters for payment because the login portal and payment processing both run through Synchrony's systems, not through a separate Comenity website.
If you received a Comenity card in the mail, the back of the card lists a customer service number. That number routes to Synchrony. When you set up online payments, you are logging into Synchrony's portal, even though your card says Comenity. Understanding this connection prevents confusion when you search for where to pay.
Synchrony also issues cards under other brand names — Amazon, Lowe's, Best Buy, and many others — but the login and payment process is the same across all of them. The card issuer name on your statement and card is less important than knowing that Synchrony Bank is processing the transaction on the back end.
Key Takeaways
- Comenity cards are issued by Synchrony Bank, so you log in through Synchrony's portal, not a separate Comenity website.
- You can pay online at Synchrony.com, by phone at the number on your card, or by mail using the payment coupon on your statement.
- Setting up an online account requires your card number, Social Security number, and date of birth to verify your identity.
- Payments made online typically post within one to two business days, while mailed payments take seven to ten business days.
- Late fees and interest charges begin if your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your statement.
Setting up your Synchrony online account for the first time
Go to Synchrony.com and select "Log In" or "Enroll" depending on whether you already have an account. If you are new to online banking with Synchrony, choose "Enroll." You will need your Comenity card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Synchrony uses these three pieces of information to confirm you are the cardholder.
After you enter those details, Synchrony will ask you to create a username and password. Choose a password you have not used elsewhere, and write it down in a find place — Synchrony does not have a way to recover a forgotten password without calling customer service. Once your account is created, you can log in when ready and see your balance, due date, and transaction history.
Some Comenity cards come with a temporary online access code printed on your welcome materials. If yours did, you can use that code to log in once before you set up a permanent account. After that first login, you will be prompted to create your username and password.
Logging in to pay your balance
Go to Synchrony.com and enter your username and password in the "Log In" box at the top of the page. You will see your account dashboard, which displays your current balance, minimum payment due, and the due date. If you have multiple Synchrony cards (such as a Lowe's card and a Best Buy card), you can switch between them using a dropdown menu on the dashboard.
Click "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" — the exact wording varies depending on which Synchrony card you hold. You will be asked to enter the payment amount and the account you want to pay from. Synchrony accepts payments from a checking or savings account at any U.S. bank. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to set this up the first time.
After you confirm the payment amount and source account, Synchrony will show you a confirmation screen with the payment date. Online payments typically post within one to two business days. If you pay on a Friday, the payment may not post until Monday or Tuesday. The due date on your statement does not change based on when you pay — if your due date is the 15th and you pay on the 16th, you will be charged a late fee.
Paying by phone or mail if you do not use online banking
You can pay your Comenity card by phone by calling the number on the back of your card. A representative will ask for your account number and the payment amount, then guide you through entering your bank account information. Phone payments process the same way as online payments — they post within one to two business days. Synchrony does not charge a fee for phone payments.
To pay by mail, write a check or money order and send it to the address printed on your statement's payment coupon. Do not send cash. Include the coupon with your payment so Synchrony can match it to your account. Mailed payments take seven to ten business days to post, so send your payment at least ten days before your due date to avoid a late fee. Synchrony's mailing address is printed on every statement, and it varies by region.
If you pay by mail and your payment arrives after the due date, you will be charged a late fee even if you mailed it on time. For this reason, phone and online payments are safer if your due date is fewer than ten days away.
What happens if you miss a payment or pay late
If your payment does not post by the due date on your statement, Synchrony will charge a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on your card's terms, but it typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. If you are late again within six months, the fee may be higher. Late fees are added to your balance and accrue interest.
A late payment also affects your credit report. Synchrony reports payment history to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — starting 30 days after the due date. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 50 to 100 points depending on your current score and credit history. The impact lessens over time, but the late payment remains on your credit report for seven years.
If you realize you will be late, call Synchrony before the due date. Some representatives can defer a payment or waive a single late fee if you have a good payment history. This is not may provide, but asking costs nothing. After a payment is already late, your options are more limited.
Understanding your statement and due date
Your Comenity statement arrives by mail or email (depending on your preference) once a month. The statement shows your opening balance, all transactions from the past month, your minimum payment due, your full balance, and your due date. The due date is the last day Synchrony will accept a payment without charging a late fee. It is usually 21 to 25 days after your statement date.
Your minimum payment is the smallest amount Synchrony will accept to keep your account in good standing. Paying only the minimum means the rest of your balance carries over to the next month and accrues interest. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is printed on your statement. If you carry a balance, you will be charged interest on that balance every month until it is paid off.
If you do not receive your statement by email or mail within five days of your statement date, log into your Synchrony account and read a copy. You can also request a paper statement be mailed to you. Having your statement in hand before your due date prevents missed payments caused by lost mail.
Troubleshooting login and payment problems
If you forget your Synchrony password, click "Forgot Password?" on the login page. Synchrony will ask you to verify your identity using your card number, Social Security number, and date of birth. You will then receive an email with a link to reset your password. If you do not receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder. If the email does not arrive after 30 minutes, call Synchrony at the number on your card.
If your online payment is rejected, the most common reason is that your bank account information is incorrect or your bank has flagged the transaction as suspicious. Log back into your Synchrony account and check that your routing number and account number are entered correctly. If they are correct, call your bank to ask whether they blocked the payment. Once your bank clears it, try the payment again in Synchrony.
If you see a payment on your Synchrony account that you did not make, or if your account shows a balance you do not recognize, call Synchrony when ready. Fraudulent charges on credit cards are handled differently than fraudulent charges on debit cards — Synchrony will investigate and may remove the charge while the investigation is ongoing. Do not ignore unexpected charges, as they will accrue interest and may trigger a late fee if they push you over your credit limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to log in every month?
Yes. In your Synchrony account, select "Manage Autopay" or "Set Up Automatic Payments." You can choose to pay your full balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month on a date you select. Synchrony will deduct the payment from your bank account automatically. You can change or cancel autopay at any time by logging back in.
What if I want to pay more than my balance?
Synchrony will accept a payment larger than your balance. The extra amount becomes a credit on your account and will be applied to your next month's charges. If you want to close your account and receive a refund of any credit balance, call Synchrony customer service.
Does Synchrony charge a fee for paying online?
No. Synchrony does not charge a fee for online or phone payments. Some third-party payment services that claim to process Synchrony payments do charge fees, so always pay directly through Synchrony.com or by calling the number on your card.
How long does it take for a payment to show up as posted?
Online and phone payments typically post within one to two business days. Mailed payments take seven to ten business days. "Posted" means the payment has been received and applied to your account. Until a payment posts, your balance and due date do not change.
What if my due date falls on a weekend or holiday?
Synchrony extends your due date to the next business day. If your due date is Saturday, you have until Monday to pay without a late fee. If it falls on a holiday, you have until the next business day after the holiday. Your statement will show the actual due date that applies to you.