Kohl’s Credit Card Review

The Kohl’s Credit Card is a basic store credit card only good for shopping at Kohl’s. Like most store cards, you don’t need perfect credit to get it, but the price for relatively easy access is a high APR, so you’ll want to use this card for discounts rather than carrying a balance.

Luckily, the discounts are plentiful, especially if you’re a frequent shopper who spends a lot with Kohl’s. Cardholders get 35% off their first purchase as well as additional discount coupons throughout the year. Perhaps the biggest draw is the ability to combine offers with Kohl’s complimentary loyalty programs: Yes2You Rewards and Kohl’s Cash.

Pros Explained

• Big discounts: Besides getting 35% off your first purchase once you’re approved for the card, you’ll receive a 15%-off coupon when your card arrives in the mail. You’ll get regular discount offers on Kohl’s merchandise, like coupons for 15% to 30% off. Even better, you can use these discounts with other rewards from Kohl’s, like Kohl’s Cash (where you get a $10 coupon for every $50 you spend) and points from the Yes2You program.
• May be easy to qualify for: If your goal is building your credit history, this card is worth considering, since good credit is not a prerequisite, as it is with many general rewards cards. (A fair credit score of 580 to 669 is recommended for this card.) 

Cons Explained

• Only for purchases made at Kohl’s: Since this is a store card, you can’t use it like a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
• High APR: It’s pretty standard for store cards to have higher APRs than general rewards cards, and the Kohl’s Credit Card is no exception. Avoid carrying a balance if at all possible, or the finance charges will quickly erase the benefit of all your discounts.

Kohl’s Credit Card Bonus for New Cardholders

Once you’re approved for this card, you’ll get 35% off one in-store or online purchase within one day of opening and using your card. Other store cards offer a 10% or 20% discount, if anything, so this is more than competitive. If you combine dollar-off discounts from Kohl’s Cash or Yes2You Rewards, they will be applied before the percentage off is calculated. You’ll also receive a 15% coupon when your card arrives in the mail.

Certain brands and categories of merchandise are excluded from the 35% off welcome offer and other coupons. These include Dyson, Levi’s, and Timberland, and sporting goods, premium sunglasses, and beauty and fragrance, among others.  

How to Get the Most Out of This Card

Unlike some store credit cards, the Kohl’s Credit Card doesn’t offer rewards based on your spending. Instead, you’ll receive regular discount offers in the mail throughout the year that may include coupons for a percentage off of eligible purchases. You can, however, still earn rewards for spending at Kohl’s by signing up for Kohl’s Yes2You Rewards program to earn points per dollar spent. You can also earn Kohl’s Cash toward future purchases if you hit spending requirements during limited-time Kohl’s Cash events.

In addition, spending at least $600 on your Kohl’s Credit Card each calendar year makes you a “Most Valued Customer.” This qualifies you for a birthday gift, more discounts, and free shipping events.

Customer Experience

You can reach customer service by phone. In addition, Kohl’s offers a mobile app, which keeps track of all your rewards and includes a mobile payment option known as Kohl’s Pay that’s exclusive to cardholders. 

Security Features

Kohl’s doesn’t promote any stand-out security features on its card.

Kohl’s Credit Card Fees

The Kohl’s Credit Card has relatively standard fees as store cards go, including a high APR.