Kohl’s Card Review: How it Limits Rewards and Benefits

Numerous stores offer credit cards that allow you to save on purchases and earn rewards. Kohl’s is not an exception. With its help, you can earn rewards while shopping offline at Kohl’s as well as at Kohls.com.

At the same time, the Kohl’s credit card has some limitations that make it not ideal for most shoppers. In this Kohl’s credit card review, you’ll discover its features and see how it stacks up against alternatives.

Kohl’s Credit Card: What It Is and How Does It Stack Up Against Other Cards?

The first thing to mention about Kohl’s store card is that you cannot use it anywhere else except for Kohl’s and the brand’s website. It is a closed-loop credit card, which may be too limiting for people who don’t shop at Kohl’s every week. Not only do you earn rewards in one store, but you can also redeem them there.

Now, let’s compare Kohl’s credit cards with other alternatives in terms of flexibility and convenience.

Amazon Prime Visa Credit Card

Amazon Prime Visa is another store card, but it is significantly more flexible compared to Kohl’s credit card. As it is a Visa card, you can use it in any store where such cards are accepted. It is a highly convenient option that offers decent cash back. You get 5% on purchases at Whole Foods and 2% on commuting and eating out. If you use it to shop at Kohl’s, you will get 1% cashback. The limitation is that you have to be an Amazon Prime member.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

If we talk about acceptance and convenience, nothing beats an excellent general rewards credit card. You can easily use Wells Fargo Active Cash Card as the only credit card for all your shopping because it offers 2% cash back on all purchases without any restrictions. What is more, there is a welcome offer where you get $200 in rewards after spending $500 in the first three months. Similarly to Kohl’s, there is no annual fee, but it definitely wins in terms of versatility.

What Are the Fees and Interest Rates for the Kohl’s Card?

And what about Kohl’s credit card interest rates? When deciding whether a credit card will work for you, it is crucial to pay attention to interest rates and high fees.

Similarly to the vast majority of store credit cards, this option from Kohl’s doesn’t have an annual fee. The drawback is that this charge card has a high APR of 30.99%, so it is essential to avoid carrying a balance when you use it. Another risk you should keep in mind is that there is a fee of $40 for late and returned payments.

Let’s take a look at how Kohl’s card payment fees stack up against other popular payment solutions.

Citi Double Cash Card

In terms of interest rates, a better option to consider is Citi Double Cash Card. With it, you get an 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers. After this period, the APR will be 19.24%–29.24% depending on your credit score assessment. You will also get a $0 annual fee and 2% cash back on purchases.

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card

Another alternative to consider with a lower APR than Kohl’s is the Alliant Cashback Card. Depending on your creditworthiness, APR can vary from 17.49% to 27.49%. It can be used in any store, and you will get 2.5% сash back on the first $10,000 you spend on qualified purchases. Once this limit is reached, the cashback will be 1.5%.

What Benefits and Rewards Do You Get with the Kohl’s Card?

Sufficient generosity in terms of rewards is crucial if you want to save some money on your purchases. The benefits and rewards you get when using the Kohl’s Capital One credit card include the following:

• 35% welcome bonus on the first purchase (within 14 days of credit approval);
• 7.5% back in rewards on eligible purchases in the online or offline store;
• Access to occasional promotional events where you can earn $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend;
• Exclusive deals for cardholders;
• Anniversary gifts;
• Those who spend over $600 yearly get free shipping.

There are two main disadvantages related to such rewards. Firstly, you cannot earn or spend rewards in any other stores except for Kohl’s. Secondly, any Kohl’s Cash you earn has to be spent within 30 days, or it will expire.

Now, let’s compare this rewards program with some others.

Discover it Cash Back

If you don’t want to be limited to one store, you can consider a general-purpose card such as Discover it Cash Back. It offers a $0 annual fee, and you get a 5% cash back on a wide range of purchases — groceries, gas, meals at restaurants, etc. With unqualified purchases, you get a 1% cashback.

One downside compared to Kohl’s is that you don’t get a sign-up bonus. However, Discover offers another advantage — matching all your earned cash back at the end of the first year.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Another well-known alternative to consider is Chase Freedom Unlimited. It has a varied rewards system, so you get 3% cash back at restaurants, in drugstores, and on takeouts. Traveling-related purchases get the highest cashback of 5%. With other purchases that don’t fall into the categories, the cashback is 1.5%.

There is no sign-up bonus, but you will get an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases up to $20,000 during the first year. Another great thing is that your rewards won’t expire if you don’t close your account.

Final Thought

If you have a favorite store, you may be tempted to get their closed-loop card. However, when you look at the benefits offered by such cards, it becomes obvious that having a general rewards card is a much better strategy. The bottom line is that there are more profitable alternatives to Kohl’s Capital One card that can be used anywhere and thus offer more versatility and rewards.

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