What the Kohl's Credit Card Is
The Kohl's Credit Card is a store card issued by Kohl's Department Stores and managed by Synchrony Bank. It works only at Kohl's and Kohl's.com—you cannot use it at other retailers. The card offers rewards in the form of Kohl's Cash, which you earn on purchases and can spend on anything in the store during promotional periods.
Unlike a general-purpose credit card, a store card is tied to one retailer. This means the card's value depends entirely on how often you shop at Kohl's. If you rarely visit the store, the rewards and discounts may not outweigh the annual fee or interest charges if you carry a balance.
The card comes in two versions: the standard Kohl's Card and the Kohl's Charge Card. Both function the same way for rewards and discounts, but the Charge Card is a closed-loop card that works only at Kohl's, while the standard card can also be used at Kohl's partner locations.
Key Takeaways
- The Kohl's Card earns Kohl's Cash rewards on every purchase, which you can redeem during promotional windows set by the store.
- Cardholders receive regular discounts and special member-only sales events throughout the year, separate from the general public.
- The card carries an annual percentage rate (APR) that varies based on your creditworthiness, so your actual rate depends on your credit profile at the time you open the account.
- You can open a Kohl's Card in-store during checkout, online at Kohl's.com, or by phone, and the approval decision is usually when ready or within a few business days.
- Kohl's Cash earned on purchases expires after a set promotional period, so you must spend it within the window or lose the reward.
How Kohl's Cash Rewards Work
Every time you use the Kohl's Card to make a purchase, you earn Kohl's Cash at a rate set by the store—typically $1 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 spent, though this rate changes with promotions. The card issuer tracks your earnings and deposits them into your account automatically.
Kohl's Cash is not the same as a statement credit. You cannot use it to pay your bill. Instead, you receive it as a separate reward that you spend during specific promotional periods announced by Kohl's. For example, the store might announce that Kohl's Cash earned in January can be spent between February 15 and March 5. If you do not spend it by the end date, the balance expires and you lose it.
The earning rate and redemption windows vary by promotion. During some periods, the store offers bonus Kohl's Cash—for instance, earning $1 in Kohl's Cash for every $25 spent instead of every $50. Watching for these promotions is how cardholders maximize their rewards. You can check your Kohl's Cash balance and upcoming redemption dates by logging into your account online or checking your statement.
Opening a Kohl's Card Account
You can open a Kohl's Card in three ways: in-store at checkout, online at Kohl's.com, or by phone. In-store applications are the fastest—you can often receive an when ready decision and use the card when ready on your purchase that day, which usually earns you an opening bonus of Kohl's Cash.
To open an account, you will need your Social Security number, a valid government-issued ID, your date of birth, and your current address. If you explore online, you will enter this information into a form on the Kohl's website. If you explore by phone, a Synchrony representative will collect the same details. The issuer will pull your credit report to make the decision.
Approval decisions are typically made when ready in-store or within a few business days for online and phone applications. If you are approved, you will receive a temporary card number that you can use right away if you applied in-store, or you can use the card number provided online. Your physical card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Interest Rates, Fees, and Annual Costs
The Kohl's Card carries a variable APR, which means the rate changes over time based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. Your specific APR depends on your credit score and credit history at the time you open the account. Synchrony will disclose your APR in the terms and conditions before you finalize the process.
The card does not have an annual fee, which is one advantage over some other store cards. However, if you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at your APR. There are no foreign transaction fees because the card only works at Kohl's locations in the United States.
Late payments incur a late fee, and if you miss a payment by 60 days or more, the issuer may report the delinquency to the credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. Paying your full balance by the due date each month avoids interest charges entirely.
Discounts and Member-Only Benefits
Beyond Kohl's Cash, cardholders receive regular discounts and access to member-only sales. Kohl's frequently runs promotions that give cardholders an extra percentage off purchases—for example, an additional 15% off on top of the store's advertised sale price. These offers are sent via email, displayed in the store, and shown in your online account.
The store also holds exclusive shopping events for cardholders, such as early access to sales or special pricing on certain merchandise. These events are announced in advance through email and on the Kohl's website. Non-cardholders do not receive these offers, so the card can provide meaningful savings if you shop at Kohl's regularly.
Cardholders also earn Kohl's Cash on purchases made with the card during regular shopping, not just during promotional events. This means every transaction contributes to your rewards balance, even if you are not actively looking for a special offer.
Managing Your Account and Paying Your Bill
You can manage your Kohl's Card account online through the Synchrony website or the Kohl's website, depending on which portal you prefer. Both show your current balance, available credit, recent transactions, and Kohl's Cash balance. You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same date each month.
Payments can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in-store at a Kohl's customer service desk. The due date is printed on your statement and is typically 25 days after the statement closing date. If you pay your full balance by the due date, you will not be charged interest.
If you need to dispute a charge or report unauthorized activity, you can contact Synchrony customer service by phone or through your online account. The card includes fraud protection, so you are not liable for unauthorized charges if you report them promptly.
When the Kohl's Card Makes Sense
The Kohl's Card is most valuable if you shop at Kohl's at least several times a year and spend enough to accumulate meaningful Kohl's Cash rewards. If you spend $500 a year at Kohl's, you would earn roughly $10 in Kohl's Cash (at the standard $1 per $50 rate), which is modest but real savings. If you spend $2,000 a year, you could earn $40 in Kohl's Cash plus the value of member-only discounts.
The card is less useful if you shop at Kohl's only occasionally or if you prefer to use a general-purpose credit card that earns rewards at any retailer. A cash-back card from a major issuer might offer 1% to 2% back on all purchases, which could exceed Kohl's Card rewards depending on the promotion.
The card also requires discipline: you must remember to spend your Kohl's Cash before it expires, and you must avoid carrying a balance and paying interest, which would erase the value of the rewards. If you tend to carry a balance on credit cards, the interest charges will likely outweigh any rewards you earn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Kohl's Card outside of Kohl's stores?
The standard Kohl's Card can be used at Kohl's partner locations and online at Kohl's.com. The Kohl's Charge Card works only at Kohl's and Kohl's.com. Neither card works at other retailers or restaurants. If you need a card for general use, you would need a separate credit card.
What happens to my Kohl's Cash if I don't spend it before it expires?
Kohl's Cash expires at the end of the promotional redemption window announced by the store. Any balance you do not spend by that date is forfeited. You cannot carry it over to the next promotion or convert it to a statement credit. Kohl's sends email reminders before the expiration date, so check your email regularly.
Does opening a Kohl's Card hurt my credit score?
Opening any credit card results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. The impact is usually small and fades within a few months. Keeping your account open and paying on time will help your score recover and build positive credit history.
What is the credit limit on a Kohl's Card?
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Synchrony will set your limit when you open the account and disclose it in your welcome materials. You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for a few months and have made on-time payments.
Can I close my Kohl's Card account if I stop shopping there?
Yes, you can close your account at any time by contacting Synchrony customer service by phone or through your online account. Closing the account will not hurt your credit score directly, but it may have a small impact if the card represents a large portion of your available credit. Pay off any remaining balance before closing.