If you have a balance on your Kohl’s Charge card, you may be wondering if you can use a Kohl’s gift card to pay down your account. With holiday gift card redemptions peaking in December and January, this is a common question for Kohl’s Charge cardholders.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through everything you need to know about using Kohl’s gift cards to pay your store credit card balance.
Kohl’s Gift Cards: An Overview
First, let’s quickly review what Kohl’s gift cards are and how they work.
Kohl’s offers traditional plastic gift cards that can be purchased in stores or online in various denominations. These cards carry a stored cash value and can be used to pay for purchases at Kohl’s.
Kohl’s also issues eGift cards which are virtual cards delivered by email. These function just like physical gift cards, only in digital form.
When checking out at Kohl’s, you can pay with gift cards by providing the cashier the card or eGift card number. The amount will be deducted from the balance.
Paying with Gift Cards In Store
Now, for the big question – can you use Kohl’s gift cards to pay your Kohl’s Charge or Kohl’s credit card bill?
The official Kohl’s policy states that Kohl’s gift cards cannot be used to make payments on your Kohl’s Charge account. However, there is one exception.
You are allowed to use Kohl’s Cares cause cards in store to pay your balance. These are gift cards sold by nonprofits as part of special fundraising programs.
So if you have Kohl’s Cares cause cards, you can make a payment on your Kohl’s Charge card with them at any store checkout. Just let the cashier know that’s what you want to do.
Outside of this exception, regular Kohl’s gift cards are not accepted as payment toward your account balance according to corporate policy. But some cashiers may allow it if asked.
Making a Partial Payment
If you want to take advantage of a Kohl’s Charge discount offer, one option is to make a small partial payment on your card.
You only need to put a few dollars on your Kohl’s Charge account to get the 30%, 20% or other discount on your entire purchase. The rest can be paid with a gift card or other tender.
So make a small Kohl’s card payment then pay the remainder with your gift cards. This allows you to get the discounts while minimizing balance growth.
Paying Online with Gift Cards
When paying your Kohl’s Charge bill online through your account, you cannot use gift cards to pay your balance. The online payment system only allows payment via linked checking account, debit card or credit card.
So while you can pay in store with Kohl’s Cares cards, regular Kohl’s gift cards cannot be used for online payments on your account.
Alternative Ways to Pay
While Kohl’s gift cards have some usage restrictions, you have several other payment options for your Kohl’s Charge account:
- Cash or check payments at the register
- Debit card payments in store or online
- Credit card payments online only
- Bank account (checking/savings) online payments
So you have plenty of alternatives if you want to avoid adding to your Kohl’s Charge balance and interest charges.
Ask for An Exception
As mentioned, individual store associates may allow you to pay with a Kohl’s gift card, even though it violates corporate policy. It never hurts to nicely ask the cashier when checking out if you can use a gift card to pay down your Kohl’s Charge.
Some will stick to the rules. But others are happy to make exceptions at their discretion if asked. Just don’t count on it working every time.
Avoid Account Closure
To keep your Kohl’s Charge benefits, be sure to pay your bill on time each month and maintain your account in good standing. Kohl’s may close your account if you go over 90 days past due on your payments.
You can also ask for a higher credit limit if you are responsibly managing your existing limit. This keeps your utilization percent lower.
Earn and Redeem Rewards
One of the best perks of the Kohl’s Charge card is earning Kohl’s Cash reward certificates on your purchases. Make sure to use your Kohl’s card on a regular basis to earn maximum rewards.
You can then redeem your earned Kohl’s Cash certificates on future purchases to save big. When the rewards certificates are spent, you can then use your gift cards on those transactions.
While you cannot directly pay your Kohl’s Charge balance with a Kohl’s gift card, some workarounds like making a small card payment exist. But in most cases, your best bet is using alternative payment methods like cash, check or debit cards to pay your bill.
Where can you buy Kohl’s gift cards?
You can find these gift cards at a number of places. Of course, the most obvious answer would be at Kohl’s stores, as well as online. You can also find the cards at other retailers including:
Another option is MyGiftCardsPlus which offers a wide range of gift cards from Kohl’s and thousands of other merchants. MyGiftCards Plus sells discounted gift cards. You could save up to 20% on your Kohl’s gift card purchase.
Did you know that you can get discounted gift cards at Costco? Yep. Costco is worth it just for the cheap gas and uber-cheap, rotisserie chicken, but you can find all kinds of discounted gift cards there for popular stores and restaurants.
They say it is the thought that counts more than the gift and when you are short on cash, that becomes even more real. You can still show your friends and family that you are thinking of them without spending money of your own by earning gift cards. That’s right. Just a few steps and you have a free gift card to give to someone to mark their special occasion. Here’s how:
- Join Swagbucks or Inbox Dollars for free.
- Start taking online surveys for free gift cards and PayPal cash now.
- Play games, watch videos and use discount shopping codes to earn more points.
- Watch your points add up until you have enough to get a Kohl’s gift card.
Can you get cash from a Kohl’s gift card?
The cards do not have a cash value unless required by law so you cannot get cash directly from them at the store. There are card buying services that allow you to cash in or trade unused gift cards.
How to Use Kohl’s Pay
FAQ
What forms of payment does Kohl’s accept?
Can I use gift cards to pay a credit card bill?
Do you get Kohl’s cash when you use a gift card?
Can I make a payment using a Kohl’s gift card?
Although you cannot make a payment using a Kohl’s Gift Card or Kohl’s Merchandise Credit, Kohl’s Cares Gift Cards, which are Gift Cards sold by non-profit organizations as part of a fundraising program, can be used for payments at every Kohl’s store. Payments can also be made using a check, cash, or money order.
How do I pay my Kohl’s credit card bill?
Kohl’s cardholders can pay credit card bills in-store using a check, money order, electronic debit or Kohl’s Cares card. Cash or check p ayments made at the register post the same day and are accepted until the close of business. Use the store locator to find a local Kohl’s store.
Does Kohl’s accept cash or check payments?
Cash or check p ayments made at the register post the same day and are accepted until the close of business. Use the store locator to find a local Kohl’s store. Kohl’s doesn’t accept cash payments by mail, but you can make a payment on your Kohl’s credit card bill by check or money order.
Does Kohl’s have a credit card?
Kohl’s stores are best known for clothing, shoes and accessories, but they also have a robust offering of housewares, gifts and other products. The retailer’s co-branded credit card with Capital One — the Kohl’s Card — can be a decent choice for frequent customers looking to save some money.
Does Kohl’s offer a discount?
Many store credit cards, such as the Target Circle™ Credit Card, offer cardholders a discount on every purchase. The Kohl’s Card is different. Instead of knocking off 5% or so at checkout, it gives a percentage back in its loyalty currency, Kohl’s Cash, which can be used on future purchases.
How do I make kohl’s charge payments?
Kohl’s Charge customers also receive exclusive deals and special offers via mail and email. Here are your Kohl’s charge payment options to keep your account current so you can continue to enjoy your store credit card’s rewards. Register your account online at My Kohl’s Charge to make free online payments through the Kohl’s sign-in page.