What the Kohl's Charge Card Is
The Kohl's Charge is a store credit card issued by Kohl's Department Stores. It works like most retail credit cards: you use it to buy things at Kohl's and Kohl's.com, you get a monthly bill, and you pay interest on any balance you don't pay off in full. The main difference from a regular Visa or Mastercard is that you can only use it at Kohl's locations and their website — not at other stores.
Kohl's uses the card to encourage repeat shopping and to offer cardholders special discounts and rewards. If you shop at Kohl's regularly, the rewards and promotional discounts can save you money. If you don't, the card may not be worth the annual interest charges if you carry a balance.
Key Takeaways
- The Kohl's Charge can only be used at Kohl's stores and Kohl's.com, not at other retailers.
- Cardholders earn Kohl's Cash rewards on purchases, which you can redeem for discounts on future shopping trips.
- The card offers periodic promotional discounts (often 15% to 20% off) that are sent to cardholders before they reach other customers.
- Interest rates on the Kohl's Charge are typically higher than rates on standard credit cards, so carrying a balance costs more.
- Opening the card involves a hard inquiry into your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.
How Kohl's Cash Rewards Work
When you use the Kohl's Charge, you earn Kohl's Cash at a rate that varies by purchase type. Regular purchases typically earn 1% Kohl's Cash, meaning you get $1 back for every $100 you spend. Some items or categories earn at higher rates during promotional periods.
Kohl's Cash is not the same as a discount applied when ready at checkout. Instead, you accumulate it in your account, and Kohl's sends you a certificate or code that you can use during a specific redemption window — usually a few weeks after the earning period ends. You then enter the code at checkout to subtract that amount from your purchase. If you don't use your Kohl's Cash before the important date, it expires and you lose it.
The math matters here: if you earn $50 in Kohl's Cash but only shop once more before it expires, you might not be able to use all of it. Plan your shopping around redemption windows so you don't leave money on the table.
Promotional Discounts and Cardholder Offers
Kohl's sends cardholders promotional offers — usually 15% to 20% off purchases — before these discounts are made public. You receive these offers by email or in the mail, and they typically last for a few days. Non-cardholders either see the discount later or don't see it at all.
If you shop at Kohl's several times a year, these early offers can add up to real savings. A 20% discount on a $200 purchase saves you $40. Over a year of regular shopping, cardholder-only discounts can offset the cost of carrying the card if you pay your balance in full each month.
However, Kohl's also runs frequent sales and discounts for everyone, so the card's advantage is not as large as it might seem. Check whether the same discount is coming to all customers before deciding the card is worth opening.
Interest Rates and Fees
The Kohl's Charge carries an annual percentage rate (APR) that varies based on your creditworthiness. Kohl's does not publish a fixed rate; instead, you receive your specific rate after the company reviews your credit report. Rates typically range from around 17% to 27%, which is higher than many standard credit cards.
There is no annual fee to hold the Kohl's Charge, which is common for store cards. However, if you carry a balance from month to month, the high interest rate means you pay significantly more over time. A $500 balance at 22% APR costs roughly $92 in interest over a year if you make only minimum payments.
The card also charges late fees if you miss a payment, and it reports to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so missed payments damage your credit score.
How Opening the Card Affects Your Credit
When you request the Kohl's Charge, Kohl's performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a formal check of your credit history and score, and it typically lowers your credit score by a few points — usually between 5 and 10 points. The impact is temporary and fades over time, but it is when ready.
If you are approved, Kohl's also opens a new account in your name. A new account lowers your average account age, which is one factor credit scoring models use. Again, this effect is temporary and lessens as the account ages.
The benefit is that a new account also increases your total available credit, which can lower your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit you are using). If you already have high balances on other cards, opening the Kohl's Charge and not using it much can actually help your credit score over time.
When the Kohl's Charge Makes Sense
The card is most useful if you shop at Kohl's at least a few times a year and pay your balance in full each month. In that scenario, you earn Kohl's Cash and receive early promotional discounts without paying any interest. The rewards and discounts can easily exceed the cost of the card (which is zero, since there is no annual fee).
The card is less useful if you carry a balance month to month. The interest charges quickly outpace any rewards or discounts you earn. For example, if you spend $1,000 a year at Kohl's and earn $10 in Kohl's Cash plus $40 in promotional discounts, you save $50. But if you carry a $500 balance for six months, you pay roughly $55 in interest — erasing your savings and costing you money.
The card is also not necessary if you rarely shop at Kohl's or if you prefer to use a general-purpose credit card that earns rewards everywhere. A card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases will often beat Kohl's Cash rewards, especially if you don't shop there frequently enough to hit the promotional discount windows.
How to Request the Card and What Happens Next
You can request the Kohl's Charge in-store at any Kohl's location or online at Kohl's.com. In-store, a cashier or customer service associate can walk you through the process. Online, you fill out a form with your personal information, Social Security number, and income details.
Kohl's typically makes a decision within minutes to a few hours. If you are approved, you receive a temporary card number when ready (online) or a physical card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using the temporary number right away if you are approved online.
If you are denied, Kohl's sends you a letter explaining the reason — usually a low credit score, high existing debt, or insufficient credit history. You can request a copy of the credit report Kohl's used by contacting the credit bureau directly. If you were denied due to errors on your report, you can dispute them and reapply later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Kohl's Charge at other stores?
No. The Kohl's Charge works only at Kohl's Department Stores and Kohl's.com. It cannot be used at other retailers, restaurants, or gas stations. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express instead.
What happens if I don't pay my Kohl's Charge bill on time?
Late payments trigger a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and are reported to the credit bureaus. Your credit score drops, and your interest rate may increase. If you miss multiple payments, Kohl's may close the account and send it to a collection agency.
Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Kohl's Charge?
No. The Kohl's Charge does not offer balance transfers. You can only charge new purchases to the card. If you want to move debt from another card, you need to pay it off separately or transfer it to a different card that offers balance transfers.
Do I have to use the Kohl's Charge to get Kohl's Cash rewards?
No. Kohl's Cash is earned on purchases made with any payment method — the Kohl's Charge, other credit cards, debit cards, or cash. However, cardholders sometimes receive higher earning rates or bonus Kohl's Cash during promotional periods that non-cardholders do not.
What is the credit limit on the Kohl's Charge?
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Kohl's does not publish a standard limit. New cardholders typically receive limits between $300 and $2,500, though some receive higher limits. You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for several months and made on-time payments.