When it comes to Kohl’s credit card, there are decent rewards and a host of discounts—as long as you can keep them all organized. But a standard rewards card would be easier and more convenient.
Assuming you live in the United States, odds are good that you live near a Kohl’s department store. The chain has more than 1,100 locations across 49 states (sorry, Hawaii).
Kohl’s is perhaps best known for clothing, shoes, and accessories, but it also sells a robust assortment of housewares, gifts, and more. The co-branded card with Capital One—the Kohl’s Card—may be a worthwhile choice for frequent shoppers who want to contribute some cash.
But it’s complicated to get optimum value from the card because you’ll be tracking a variety of sales, promotions, and discounts. And your rewards only last longer than you can say “shop till you drop” during a month.
What is the Kohl’s Credit Card All About?
Even though the card used to be called the Kohl’s Charge, it’s technically a store credit card, not a charge card. Credit cards let you carry a balance month to month and charge interest on past due balances, but charge cards require you to pay in full monthly.
There is a $0 fee. Kohl’s Card in two forms: A “closed-loop” form that, while you can only use it at Kohl’s, also earns rewards on purchases made there. Then there is a Visa version of the card that you can use more or less anywhere.
That one earns rewards with the store and on regular purchases. If you apply, you’re eligible for both versions of the card, and approval will depend on qualification.
Kohl’s Rewards
Distinct from (but linked to) the Kohl’s credit card is Kohl’s rewards program, Kohl’s Rewards. 5% back in the form of Kohl’s Cash on purchases by active members is earned, in $5 increments, on the first of the following month. But that’s a better rate if you also have a Kohl’s credit card:
With the store-only closed-loop Kohl’s Card, you earn 7.5% back in Kohl’s Cash rather than the typical rate. Now, with the open-loop (Visa) one, you’ll get that same rate at Kohl’s but also earn 3% back in Kohl’s Cash on gasoline, 2% back at grocery stores, and 1% back on everything else left.
Remember, however, that Kohl’s Cash rewards accumulated through purchases expire within 30 days, a brief time frame that minimizes the value of those rewards.
There are also some exclusions to note: Kohl’s Cash can’t be accrued for, or redeemed on, Kohl’s gift cards, and you can’t redeem it for Kohl’s Cares products or Sephora at Kohl’s purchases.
For fewer restrictions and for comparable effective rewards rates on Kohl’s purchases — consider instead a general rewards credit card.
As an example, you’ll get 5% on Kohl’s purchases as a Kohl’s Rewards member and 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (including Kohl’s purchases) with the $0-annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
Rewards earned with that card never expire, and you’ll have more than one way to redeem them. And there’s a nice welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
How Do the Coupons Work?
Card members receive monthly special discounts periodically either in the mail or in their digital Kohl’s Wallet, located in the Kohl’s mobile app.
The Kohl’s Wallet will keep track of your various offers and coupons, so you won’t be maintaining paper coupons. But there’s also an entire list of brand and product-category exclusions that coupons are not eligible to be applied on.
When you receive a new Kohl’s Card, you can be eligible for single savings on your first purchase using your new card. At this time, as I am writing, an extra 40% discount on a purchase made within 30 days of approval of your card is the offer, but like any promotional discount, that can change.
Bottom Line
Kohl’s has select promotions where both cardholders and non-cardholders get a $10 Kohl’s Cash coupon for every $50 spent. The coupons are issued at the time of purchase, but only on specified dates can they be redeemed.
The implication is that the customers must come back to the store rather than spend on the spot. The promotions may be overlaid with (combined with) cardholder-only promotions.
When you spend $600 with your Kohl’s Card at Kohl’s within a calendar year, you’ll be MVC eligible and enjoy additional savings and discounts throughout the year. You’ll also get select free shipping from time to time that you can stack on top of your other Kohl’s cash and offers.
