Synchrony Premier World Mastercard review: Automatic cash-back redemptions
Editor's Note
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
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Synchrony Premier welcome offer
The Synchrony Premier Mastercard does not offer any sort of welcome offer.
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).
Related: Best no annual fee cards
Synchrony Premier benefits
The Synchrony Premier does not offer benefits such as statement credits or purchase or travel protections.
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.
Related: World Elite vs. World Mastercard: What are the differences in benefits and value?
Earning cash back on the Synchrony Premier
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.
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.
Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card
Redeeming cash back on the Synchrony Premier
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.
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.
Related: 5 reasons to keep a cash-back credit card in your wallet
Which cards compete with the Synchrony Premier?
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: The Blue 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 and Home Chef (subject to auto-renewal), all while having no annual fee (see rates and fees). 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.
For additional options, please see our list of the best cash-back credit cards.
Related: Amex vs. Chase cash-back: Which is best?
Is the Synchrony Premier worth it?
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.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees