The Kohl's Credit Card process takes about 10 minutes online or in-store, and you'll know whether you're approved within seconds

You can start a Kohl's Credit Card process on Kohls.com, through the Kohl's mobile app, or at any Kohl's register. The online path is fastest: you enter your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and address, and when ready Credit decisions come back when ready. If you explore in-store, a cashier can hand you a temporary card to use that day while the permanent card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Kohl's issues two versions of the card. The Kohl's Card works only at Kohl's and Kohl's.com. The Kohl's Visa works anywhere Visa is accepted, plus at Kohl's. Both cards report to the three major credit bureaus and can help build credit history if you pay on time. The rewards structure and benefits differ between them, so the card you receive depends partly on what you're approved for and partly on which one you choose during the process.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online at Kohls.com, on the Kohl's app, or in-store at any register, and most decisions come back when ready.
  • The Kohl's Card works only at Kohl's; the Kohl's Visa works anywhere Visa is accepted plus at Kohl's.
  • You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information to complete the process.
  • If approved when ready online, your permanent card arrives in 7 to 10 business days; in-store approvals include a temporary card you can use the same day.

What you need before you start

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. Kohl's will also ask for your annual household income and employment status. If you're self-employed or have variable income, use your best estimate of what you expect to earn over the next 12 months.

You don't need to be a Kohl's customer already, and you don't need to have an existing credit history. Kohl's does pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points, but this inquiry falls off your report after two years.

Online process on Kohls.com or the mobile app

Go to Kohls.com and look for the credit card offer, usually displayed on the homepage or in the top navigation menu. Click "explore Now" or "Learn More," then select whether you want the Kohl's Card or Kohl's Visa. You'll be taken to a form where you enter personal information: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, employment status, and annual income.

The form takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. After you submit, you'll see a decision on the screen within seconds in most cases. If you're approved for when ready Credit, you can use your card number to shop online when ready, and your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If the decision is pending, Kohl's will contact you by phone or email within one business day.

The same process works on the Kohl's mobile app. Open the app, tap the menu, find the credit card section, and follow the same steps as the website.

In-store process at the register

Tell a cashier you want to open a Kohl's Credit Card account. They'll hand you a tablet or paper form to fill out with the same information: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment status. The cashier submits the process from the register.

Most in-store applications are approved when ready. If you're approved, the cashier prints a temporary card number on a receipt that you can use to complete your purchase that day. Your permanent card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If the decision is pending, Kohl's will call you within one business day.

What happens after approval

Your credit limit depends on your credit history, income, and the card type you were approved for. Kohl's doesn't publish a standard starting limit, but limits typically range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. You can request a credit limit increase after you've had the card for at least six months and have made on-time payments.

Your card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. This means your payment history, credit utilization, and account age all affect your credit score. Paying your full balance by the due date each month helps build credit and avoids interest charges. Kohl's charges a variable APR that changes with the prime rate; the current rate is available on the Kohl's website or in your cardholder agreement.

Rewards and benefits by card type

The Kohl's Card earns 4% cash back on all Kohl's purchases and 1% on everything else when you use it outside Kohl's (though it can only be used at Kohl's, so this applies only to Kohl's.com). You also get access to Kohl's Cash promotions, which are separate from the cash back rate and typically offer $15 Kohl's Cash for every $50 spent during promotional periods.

The Kohl's Visa earns 2% cash back on Kohl's purchases and 1% on all other purchases everywhere Visa is accepted. It also includes Kohl's Cash access. The Visa version is useful if you want a card that works outside Kohl's, but the cash back rate is lower than the regular Kohl's Card at Kohl's itself.

Both cards waive your annual fee and offer special financing promotions during holiday shopping seasons. Check your cardholder agreement or log into your account online to see current promotional rates.

If your process is denied or pending

If you're denied, Kohl's will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, high existing debt, or a recent late payment on another account. You can reapply after six months, or you can work on improving your credit score in the meantime by paying down existing balances and making all payments on time.

If your process is pending, wait for Kohl's to contact you. They may need to verify information or request additional documentation. Don't reapply when ready; multiple applications in a short time can lower your credit score further. If you don't hear back within three business days, you can call Kohl's customer service at the number on your receipt or visit a store to check on the status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Kohl's Card before the physical card arrives?

Yes, if you're approved for when ready Credit online. You'll see your card number on the screen when ready and can use it to shop on Kohl's.com right away. In-store approvals also give you a temporary card number on your receipt that works for that day's purchase. Your permanent card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

What's the difference between the Kohl's Card and Kohl's Visa?

The Kohl's Card works only at Kohl's and earns 4% cash back there. The Kohl's Visa works anywhere Visa is accepted and earns 2% at Kohl's, 1% everywhere else. Choose the Visa if you want a card for general use; choose the regular Kohl's Card if you shop primarily at Kohl's and want the higher cash back rate.

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

The process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your credit report for two years but stops affecting your score after about 12 months. Building a payment history with the card can help your score recover and grow over time.

What if I'm denied for the Kohl's Card?

Kohl's will mail you a letter explaining why. Common reasons are limited credit history, high debt, or recent late payments. You can reapply after six months or focus on paying down existing debt and making all payments on time to improve your chances next time.

Can I explore for both the Kohl's Card and Kohl's Visa?

Kohl's typically limits you to one card account. You choose which version during the process. If you want to switch later, contact Kohl's customer service to discuss converting your existing card or closing it and opening a new one.