The Kohl's Card is a store credit card that gives you rewards on purchases at Kohl's and a few partner retailers
The Kohl's Card is a closed-loop credit card, meaning you can use it only at Kohl's stores, Kohl's.com, and a small number of partner locations like Ulta Beauty. You don't use it at other retailers. When you carry a balance, you pay interest on what you owe — the rate varies based on your credit history and current market conditions, but typically ranges from 17% to 27% annual percentage rate (APR).
The card offers rewards in the form of Kohl's Cash, a store credit you earn on purchases and redeem for discounts on future shopping. There is no annual fee to hold the card. If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
The Kohl's Card is issued by Synchrony Bank, which also handles customer service, billing, and dispute resolution. You explore through Kohl's directly — either in a store during checkout, on Kohl's.com, or by phone.
Key Takeaways
- The Kohl's Card works only at Kohl's and Ulta Beauty, so it is useful only if you shop at those stores regularly.
- You earn Kohl's Cash rewards on purchases, but the value depends on how much you spend and when you redeem the credit.
- Interest rates on this card are typically higher than rates on general-purpose credit cards, so carrying a balance costs more.
- Approval decisions are usually made in minutes if you explore in-store, and you can use the card when ready after approval.
- The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score, but missed payments hurt it.
How Kohl's Cash rewards work
When you use the Kohl's Card to make a purchase, you earn Kohl's Cash at a rate that Kohl's sets and changes periodically. During regular shopping periods, you typically earn $10 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 you spend. During promotional periods — often around holidays or special sales events — the earn rate increases, sometimes to $15 or $20 per $50 spent.
Kohl's Cash appears in your account as a separate balance from your credit card balance. You can use it to pay down the price of items when you shop, but it does not reduce what you owe on your credit card. If you earn $100 in Kohl's Cash and spend $500 on your card, you still owe the full $500 to Synchrony Bank — the Kohl's Cash is a separate discount you can explore to a future purchase.
Kohl's Cash expires. The company typically gives you 30 days from the date it posts to your account to use it, though the exact window varies by promotion. If you don't use it by the important date, it disappears. This means you need to plan your shopping around when your rewards post and when they expire.
Interest rates and what happens if you carry a balance
The Kohl's Card APR is not fixed. Synchrony Bank sets your rate based on your credit score, payment history, and other factors when you open the account. The rate can also change after you open the card if your creditworthiness changes or if Synchrony adjusts its pricing. You can find your current APR on your monthly statement or by logging into your account online.
If you carry a balance — meaning you don't pay the full amount due by the due date — interest accrues daily on the unpaid portion. A $1,000 balance at 22% APR costs roughly $18 per month in interest alone. That interest is added to your balance, so if you only make minimum payments, most of your payment goes toward interest rather than reducing what you owe.
The card offers no introductory 0% APR period. Some competing store cards offer a few months interest-free if you open a new account, but the Kohl's Card does not. This means interest starts accruing when ready if you don't pay in full.
How to open a Kohl's Card account
You can start the process in three ways: in a Kohl's store at checkout, on Kohl's.com, or by calling Synchrony Bank's customer service line. In-store applications are the fastest — you typically get a decision within minutes and can use the card when ready if approved. Online and phone applications may take a few business days to process.
You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Synchrony will pull your credit report to make a decision. If you have limited credit history or a lower credit score, you may be denied, or you may be approved with a lower credit limit.
Once approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you applied online or by phone. If you applied in-store, you can sometimes get a temporary card number to use when ready while you wait for the physical card.
Credit reporting and how the card affects your credit score
Synchrony reports your Kohl's Card activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. This means the card shows up on your credit report and affects your credit score in several ways.
On-time payments help your score. Payment history is the largest factor in most credit scoring models, accounting for about 35% of your score. If you pay your Kohl's Card bill on time every month, that positive history builds over time. Missed or late payments do the opposite — a single 30-day late payment can lower your score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score.
Your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit limit that you are using — also affects your score. If your Kohl's Card limit is $500 and you carry a $400 balance, your utilization on that card is 80%, which can lower your score. Keeping your balance below 30% of your limit is generally better for your score.
Comparing the Kohl's Card to other store cards and general credit cards
Store cards like the Kohl's Card typically offer higher rewards rates than general-purpose cards, but only at that one retailer. A general-purpose card like a Visa or Mastercard might earn 1% to 2% cash back everywhere, while the Kohl's Card earns rewards only at Kohl's and Ulta. If you shop at Kohl's frequently, the higher earn rate makes up for the limited use. If you shop there occasionally, a general-purpose card may be better.
Interest rates on store cards are usually higher than rates on general-purpose cards. The Kohl's Card APR typically ranges from 17% to 27%, while a general-purpose card with good credit might be 12% to 18%. This matters only if you carry a balance, but if you do, the higher rate costs you more in interest.
Store cards also have lower credit limits than general-purpose cards. A first-time Kohl's cardholder might receive a $300 to $500 limit, while a general-purpose card might offer $1,000 or more. This can be an advantage if you want to limit your spending, or a disadvantage if you need more credit.
Fees, penalties, and other costs
The Kohl's Card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees (though you can't use it outside the US anyway), and no cash advance fees. However, there are penalties for certain actions.
If you make a payment after the due date, Synchrony charges a late fee. The amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent ones. If your payment is 60 days or more late, the APR may increase to a penalty rate, which is higher than your standard rate.
If you return an item purchased with the card, the refund goes back to your card as a credit, not as cash. If you had used Kohl's Cash to partially pay for that item, the Kohl's Cash does not come back — only the card credit does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Kohl's Card outside the United States?
No. The Kohl's Card works only at Kohl's stores in the US, on Kohl's.com, and at Ulta Beauty locations in the US. You cannot use it at international retailers or to make purchases while traveling abroad.
What happens to my Kohl's Cash if I return an item?
If you used Kohl's Cash toward a purchase and then return that item, the Kohl's Cash does not come back to your account. Only the card credit is refunded. This is why it's important to use Kohl's Cash on items you are confident you will keep.
Can I transfer my Kohl's Card balance to another credit card?
Technically yes, but it is not practical. Synchrony does not offer balance transfer checks or a balance transfer feature. You would have to pay off the Kohl's Card with another card's cash advance, which typically charges a higher fee and rate than a regular purchase.
How do I check my Kohl's Card balance and rewards?
Log into your account on Kohl's.com, call Synchrony Bank's customer service number on the back of your card, or check your monthly statement. You can see your current card balance, available credit, Kohl's Cash balance, and expiration dates for your rewards.
What credit score do I need to get approved for the Kohl's Card?
Synchrony does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Applicants with scores in the 600 to 700 range have been approved, though approval is not may provide. Those with scores below 600 or with recent negative marks like collections or bankruptcy face lower odds of approval.