The Kohl's Credit Card is issued by Capital One and works like a standard store card

The Kohl's Credit Card, issued by Capital One, is a store card that you can use at Kohl's locations and on their website. It functions as a regular credit card — you make purchases, receive a bill, and pay it back over time or in full. The card comes with rewards tied to Kohl's shopping, meaning you earn benefits when you spend there, but you cannot use it at other retailers.

Capital One handles the account management, billing, and credit decisions. This means your payment history on the Kohl's card reports to the three major credit bureaus and affects your credit score. The card carries an interest rate (called an APR, or annual percentage rate) that varies based on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account.

Unlike a debit card, a credit card lets you borrow money up to a set limit and pay it back later. The tradeoff is that if you carry a balance, you pay interest on what you owe. If you pay the full statement balance by the due date each month, you typically pay no interest.

Key Takeaways

  • The Kohl's Credit Card is issued by Capital One and can only be used at Kohl's stores and Kohl's.com, not at other retailers.
  • You earn Kohl's Cash rewards on purchases, which you can redeem for discounts on future shopping trips.
  • Your payment activity reports to credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score and missed payments hurt it.
  • The card has an APR that varies by person; you will see your specific rate in the offer or after opening the account.
  • You can request a credit limit increase after you have had the card for a few months and made on-time payments.

How rewards and Kohl's Cash work

When you use the Kohl's Credit Card to make a purchase, you earn Kohl's Cash at a rate that Kohl's sets. The exact earning rate can change, but typically you earn a percentage of what you spend — for example, 1% or 1.5% back as Kohl's Cash on most purchases. Some items or sales events may earn at a higher rate.

Kohl's Cash is not the same as a discount applied when ready. Instead, it accumulates in your account and you receive it as a certificate or credit that you can use on a future shopping trip. Kohl's usually sends Kohl's Cash to your account within a set timeframe after your purchase posts, and it has an expiration date — typically 30 to 90 days from when you receive it. If you do not use it by that date, it disappears.

Cardholders sometimes receive special promotions — for example, "earn 2% Kohl's Cash" during certain weeks, or bonus Kohl's Cash on specific categories. These are announced in the mail, in your online account, or in the store. Checking your account regularly helps you catch these offers before they end.

Interest rates, fees, and what it costs to carry a balance

The Kohl's Credit Card has a variable APR, which means the rate can change over time based on market conditions and your account performance. Your specific APR depends on your credit score and credit history at the time you open the account. A higher credit score typically means a lower APR; a lower score means a higher one.

The card does not charge an annual fee, so you do not pay just for having it. However, if you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on that balance. For example, if you owe $500 and your APR is 20%, you will owe roughly $100 in interest over a year if you make no payments. The longer you carry a balance, the more interest you pay.

Late payments can trigger a penalty APR — a higher interest rate applied to your account if you miss a payment by 60 days or more. You will also pay a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date. Paying on time every month is the cheapest way to use the card.

How to open a Kohl's Credit Card account

You can request a Kohl's Credit Card in three ways: online at Kohl's.com, in a Kohl's store, or by phone. Each route takes you through Capital One's approval process, which checks your credit and verifies your identity.

To open an account, you will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Capital One will pull your credit report to assess the risk of lending to you. This pull, called a hard inquiry, temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points — usually five to ten points — and stays on your credit report for about two years.

If Capital One approves you, you will receive a decision right away (or within a few business days if you explore in the store). Your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it by calling the number on the back or through your online account, then use it when ready at Kohl's.

Managing your account and making payments

After you open your account, you can manage it through Capital One's website or mobile app. Log in with your username and password to view your balance, see your recent transactions, set up automatic payments, and read statements. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card to speak with a representative.

Your statement arrives each month (usually by mail or email, depending on your preference) and shows what you owe, the minimum payment due, and the due date. You must pay at least the minimum by the due date to stay in good standing. Paying more than the minimum reduces your balance faster and saves you interest.

Setting up automatic payments is one way to avoid missing a due date. You can choose to pay the full statement balance, a fixed amount, or the minimum payment automatically each month. If you set it to pay the full balance, you will owe no interest as long as you do not make new purchases after the payment processes.

How the Kohl's card affects your credit score

Opening a Kohl's Credit Card affects your credit in two ways when ready: the hard inquiry lowers your score slightly, and the new account itself counts as a new line of credit, which can lower your score a bit more. These effects are temporary and usually fade within a few months.

After that, your payment history becomes the main factor. Making on-time payments every month helps your credit score over time. Missing payments or paying late hurts it. Your credit utilization — the percentage of your credit limit that you are using — also matters. For example, if your limit is $1,000 and you carry a $500 balance, your utilization is 50%. Keeping utilization below 30% is generally better for your score.

The Kohl's card reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so your activity shows up on your credit report. This means the card can help you build credit if you use it responsibly, or damage it if you miss payments or carry high balances.

Comparing the Kohl's card to other store cards and general credit cards

Store cards like the Kohl's card typically offer rewards that are only useful at that store, whereas general credit cards (like Visa or Mastercard) work anywhere and often offer cash back or travel rewards. Store cards usually have higher APRs than general cards, meaning it costs more to carry a balance. However, store cards are sometimes easier to get approved for if you have fair or limited credit history.

The Kohl's card's main advantage is the Kohl's Cash rewards if you shop at Kohl's regularly. If you rarely shop there, the card offers little benefit. A general rewards card might be a better choice if you want flexibility to use rewards anywhere or if you shop at multiple retailers.

Before opening any credit card, compare the APR, rewards rate, fees, and whether the benefits match your spending habits. A card with a high APR is expensive to use if you carry a balance, even if the rewards rate looks good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Kohl's Credit Card outside of Kohl's?

No. The Kohl's Credit Card works only at Kohl's stores and on Kohl's.com. It cannot be used at other retailers. If you need a card that works everywhere, you would need a different credit card, such as a Visa or Mastercard.

What happens if I miss a payment on the Kohl's card?

A missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will lower your credit score. You will also owe a late fee. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, Capital One may explore a penalty APR, raising your interest rate. Contact Capital One as soon as you realize you will miss a payment to discuss your options.

How long does Kohl's Cash last before it expires?

Kohl's Cash typically expires 30 to 90 days after you receive it, depending on the promotion. The expiration date is shown in your account and in the email or notice when Kohl's sends it to you. Once it expires, you cannot use it.

Does opening a Kohl's Credit Card hurt my credit score?

Opening the card causes a small, temporary dip in your score due to the hard inquiry and the new account. This usually recovers within a few months. After that, on-time payments help your score, while missed payments or high balances hurt it.

Can I increase my credit limit on the Kohl's card?

Yes. After you have had the card for a few months and made on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase through your online account or by calling Capital One. They will review your account and may approve an increase. Some increases happen without a hard inquiry, while others may require one.