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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard review: Automatic cash-back redemptions
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
January 13, 2024 • 8 min read
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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note:
Quick summary
A straightforward cash-back card offers a flat 2% return on all purchases with automatic monthly statement credits.
There are no rotating categories or manual redemptions, making it simple for those seeking ease of use.
The card does not provide a welcome offer, purchase protections or extensive redemption options beyond statement credits.
Cardholders receive select travel and lifestyle benefits through the payment network, including savings at hotels and access to luxury properties.
What to consider
Automatic redemption means rewards are applied monthly and cannot be saved for larger purchases or special occasions.
Redemption options are limited compared to other cash-back cards that may allow gift card or travel redemptions.
No purchase or travel protections are included, so coverage is minimal compared to some competitors.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of how this card stacks up against other leading cash-back cards, including those with bonus categories or more flexible redemption options.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard overview
The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® is a solid no-annual-fee credit card that earns an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. With automatic rewards and no changing categories, this could be the most straightforward cash-back card out there. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The information for the Sycnrhony Premier World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
There are many cash-back credit cards on the market, and virtually all of them include some kind of hurdle to overcome. Whether it's shifting merchants at which you can earn bonus rewards or specific requirements for actually redeeming them, making the most of these cards can sometimes require a lot of legwork.
Many consumers want an easier way to be rewarded for using a credit card — without worrying about tracking bonus categories or even remembering to redeem what they've earned. The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard is a great option for those looking for simplicity. It earns 2% cash back on all purchases, has no annual fee and offers automatic redemptions.
Most approved applicants have a credit score of 690 or higher. Keep reading to learn more about whether the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard deserves a spot in your wallet.
Synchrony Premier pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Flat earning rate on all purchases
No annual fee
Automatic redemptions
Limited redemption options
No purchase protections
Synchrony Premier welcome offer
The Synchrony Premier Mastercard does not offer any sort of welcome offer.
THE POINTS GUY
Meanwhile, there are other cash-back credit cards with no annual fee that extend welcome offers, such as the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees).
The Synchrony Premier does not offer benefits such as statement credits or purchase or travel protections.
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However, as a part of the Mastercard network, the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard comes with additional benefits at companies like DoorDash, Lyft and ShopRunner. You'll also unlock select travel perks to make your next trip more enjoyable.
As a cardholder, you'll enjoy savings on hotels, rental cars and even flight bookings through Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services. Plus, you'll gain access to World Mastercard's luxury hotel and resort portfolio, which includes more than 3,000 luxury accommodations. Here, you'll enjoy perks such as complimentary breakfast, on-property credits and more.
Note that some Mastercard benefits may have end dates, so check your card's guide to benefits.
The card has a simple yet generous earning structure: Every time you swipe (or tap) it, you'll earn an unlimited 2% cash back. You can use the card for every expense — including groceries, gas, dining and travel — and always get 2% cash back.
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Unlike some other cash-back cards, the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard doesn't have rotating or quarterly spending categories to keep up with. You can spend knowing that you'll earn 2% back on every purchase, no matter the time of year or the place you're shopping.
And with no annual fee, there's no up-front cost to open the card and begin using it — you'll start earning cash back immediately.
The drawback to a flat cash-back earning rate is that if your monthly expenses in one category are fairly large compared to others, you're potentially missing out on additional rewards you'd get if you used a cash-back credit card with bonus categories, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees).
From a personal standpoint, travel and dining are the two categories where I spend the most money every month, and I would prefer the chance to earn more cash back on this spending.
With many other cards, you may need to earn a certain amount of rewards before you can redeem your cash back, or you can only redeem rewards for specific spending categories.
And even those cards that don't impose these limits often require you to manually initiate a redemption. Some cards even put an expiration date on their rewards.
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Not the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard.
As a cardholder, the cash back is automatically applied as a monthly statement credit. There's nothing you need to do, no button you need to click. The process is automatic, removing yet another hurdle that could prevent you from enjoying the rewards you've earned.
However, automatic redemption of cash back is a no-go for many people. Earning cash back could be a de-facto savings account for cardholders who are saving up their rewards to cover specific expenses.
Additionally, by automatically applying cash back, there's no ability to maximize redemption value. For example, some issuers allow cash back to be redeemed for gift cards; sometimes, they run promotions that add bonuses for gift card redemptions.
TPG credit cards editor Emily Thompson doesn't like automatic redemptions, as she likes to save up cash-back rewards and cash them in specifically to cover activities for a trip or Christmas gifts at the end of the year.
There are other cash-back credit cards in the marketplace that offer additional benefits or elevated earning rates if the Synchrony Premier does not fit your needs.
If you prefer rotating categories: The Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter) in quarterly bonus categories after you activate each quarter. The card also earns 5% cash back on travel purchases with Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (takeout and delivery included) and 3% cash back on drugstore purchases. To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
If you want to maximize category purchases: TheBlue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online purchases and U.S. gas stations each year (up to $6,000 for each category per calendar year, 1% thereafter). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout. The card also provides a statement credit for an eligible Disney Streaming purchases (up to $7 each month, valid at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites) and Home Chef (up to $15 each month), all while having no annual fee (see rates and fees). Benefits require enrollment and are subject to auto-renewal. To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
If you want flexible redemptions options: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) is a simple card similar to the Synchrony Premier where you earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay). Cash back can be redeemed for a statement credit, travel or gift card purchases. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
Understanding the nuances of many cash-back credit cards can take time and energy, but the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard makes it simple with a consistent and strong earning rate and automatic redemptions. However, if you want bonus categories or more redemption options, you'll want to choose a different card.
Bottom line
The Synchrony Premier, with no annual fee, includes automatic statement credits each month, so there's never any need to manually redeem your cash-back rewards. You'll also receive some complimentary World Mastercard benefits.
If earning 2% cash back on every purchase while enjoying no annual fee is your cup of tea, then go for it. However, if you're looking to maximize rewards, this card is not for you.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, click here.
