The Ultimate Guide to Buying Gift Cards With Your Kohl‘s Charge Card

If you‘re a savvy Kohl‘s shopper, you probably already know the benefits of using a Kohl‘s Charge Card. From exclusive coupons to bonus rewards points, this store credit card offers plenty of perks for frequent customers. But one lesser-known fact is that you can also use your Kohl‘s Charge to purchase gift cards – both for Kohl‘s and other retailers.

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However, there are some important caveats and limitations to be aware of before you start stuffing your cart with plastic. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into Kohl‘s gift card policies for Kohl‘s Charge holders. We‘ll cover what types of gift cards are eligible, how to maximize your rewards, and compare Kohl‘s rules to other major stores.

Armed with this intel, you‘ll be able to navigate the gift card aisle like a pro and get the best possible value out of your Kohl‘s Charge. Let‘s get started!

Inside the Kohl‘s Charge Card

First, a quick refresher on what exactly the Kohl‘s Charge Card is and how it works. The Kohl‘s Charge is a retail store credit card that can only be used to make purchases at Kohl‘s, either in-store or online at Kohls.com. It‘s issued by Capital One and comes with the following benefits:

  • 35% off your first purchase when you open an account
  • 12 special discount offers per year, including percentage-off coupons and free shipping codes
  • 15% off coupon when your card arrives in the mail
  • Another 15% off on your cardmember anniversary each year
  • Access to exclusive sale events like Kohl‘s Cash earning periods
  • No annual fee

As a credit card, the Kohl‘s Charge allows you to pay off your purchases over time. However, be aware that the standard APR is a steep 24.99% – so it‘s best to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

The Basics of Buying Gift Cards With a Kohl‘s Charge

According to Kohl‘s official policy, Kohl‘s Charge cardholders can purchase the following types of gift cards with their store credit card:

  • Kohl‘s gift cards in denominations from $5 – $100 (in-store and online)
  • Third-party merchant gift cards (in-store only)

This means you‘re free to use your Kohl‘s Charge on gift card purchases in most cases. However, there are a few key restrictions to note, especially when it comes to third-party cards (more on that later).

It‘s also important to point out that while you can buy gift cards with a Kohl‘s Charge, you can‘t turn around and use a Kohl‘s gift card to pay your Kohl‘s Charge bill. Gift cards are for merchandise purchases only.

Kohl‘s Cash and Rewards Eligibility

One of the biggest draws of the Kohl‘s Charge Card is the ability to earn bonus rewards on purchases. Cardholders can enroll in Kohl‘s Yes2You Rewards program for free to accrue 1 point for every $1 spent. Those points can then be redeemed for $5 reward coupons.

On top of that, Kohl‘s frequently offers Kohl‘s Cash earning periods where customers get a $10 coupon for every $50 they spend. These coupons can be used on a future purchase just like cash.

Unfortunately, these perks don‘t extend to gift card buys. Kohl‘s clearly states that gift cards are exempt from both Yes2You Rewards points and Kohl‘s Cash offers. The official policy reads: "Kohl‘s Coupons and Kohl‘s Cash may not be redeemed for Gift Cards."

So if you buy a $100 Kohl‘s gift card with your Kohl‘s Charge during a Kohl‘s Cash event, you won‘t get $20 to spend later. And that gift card purchase won‘t earn any Yes2You Rewards points either.

But there‘s one small loophole: buying actual merchandise with a gift card that was purchased with a Kohl‘s Charge will generate rewards points and Kohl‘s Cash. So you can think of it as a delayed gratification situation.

Restrictions on Third-Party Gift Cards

While Kohl‘s Charge cardholders have pretty free rein when it comes to Kohl‘s own gift cards, the rules get murkier for gift cards for other stores and restaurants. Kohl‘s stocks a rotating selection of third-party cards in their gift card aisles and malls, but not all of them are fair game for purchase with a Kohl‘s Charge.

Here are the key limitations and exclusions to be aware of:

  • Online purchase not allowed: Third-party gift cards can only be bought with a Kohl‘s Charge in Kohl‘s brick-and-mortar locations. You won‘t find them available for purchase at Kohls.com.

  • Fixed-value cards only: Only fixed-denomination third-party gift cards can be purchased with a Kohl‘s charge. Cards that allow variable loading amounts are excluded.

  • Inventory may vary: The selection of third-party cards eligible for Kohl‘s Charge buys can differ between locations. It‘s best to check with your local store to see what they currently have in stock.

  • No special orders: If your nearest Kohl‘s doesn‘t carry the third-party gift card you want, you can‘t request to have it ordered and shipped to the store for Kohl‘s Charge purchase.

  • Prepaid debit/credit cards excluded: One popular type of gift card you definitely can‘t buy with a Kohl‘s Charge is a prepaid Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. These cards have a set dollar amount but can be used anywhere that brand is accepted – making them more like cash than a regular gift card.

  • No returns or exchanges: All third-party merchant gift card sales are final. Kohl‘s won‘t accept returns or exchanges on these cards, even if they were purchased with a Kohl‘s Charge.

So in summary, your best bet is to stick to traditional plastic gift cards for major retailers and restaurants. Think Amazon, Starbucks, Olive Garden, etc. Just be sure to read the card‘s terms and conditions carefully, as Kohl‘s isn‘t responsible if you have any problems with a third-party card down the line.

How to Buy Gift Cards With Your Kohl‘s Charge (Step-by-Step)

Ready to turn your Kohl‘s Charge into a pile of gift cards? Here‘s a quick step-by-step guide to the process.

In Kohl‘s Stores:

  1. Pick out the gift card(s) you want from the racks or ask a sales associate for assistance. Fixed-value denomination third-party cards and Kohl‘s cards are eligible.
  2. Head to the checkout lane and inform the cashier you‘ll be using your Kohl‘s Charge.
  3. Swipe or insert your card at the pin pad when prompted. You may need to enter your billing zip code for verification.
  4. Collect your activated gift card(s) and receipt. Be sure to keep the receipt as your proof of purchase!

Online at Kohls.com (Kohl‘s Gift Cards Only):

  1. Navigate to the Gift Cards category under the "Gifts" tab.
  2. Choose the Kohl‘s card design you want and select a dollar amount between $5 – $100. Digital and physical cards are available.
  3. Add the card to your cart and click the shopping cart icon to check out.
  4. On the payment page, enter your Kohl‘s Charge card number, expiration date, and security code.
  5. Review and place your order. Digital gift cards will be delivered via email within a few hours, while physical cards will be mailed to the address you provide within 5-7 business days.

That‘s all there is to it! Just remember that you won‘t earn any Kohl‘s rewards points or Kohl‘s Cash on the gift card purchase itself. But you will bank those benefits when the gift card is eventually used to buy merchandise.

How Kohl‘s Stacks Up to Other Stores

Kohl‘s policy of allowing gift card purchases with a store credit card is pretty consistent with other major retailers like Target, Walmart, Macy‘s and JCPenney. However, some competitors do have a leg up in certain areas.

For example, Target‘s REDcard gives 5% off all purchases – including gift cards. So you could snag a $100 Target GiftCard for just $95 and still earn rewards points to boot. Kohl‘s Charge cardholders aren‘t so lucky.

In the department store realm, Macy‘s stands out for its Star Money bonus rewards. Customers can earn these $10 coupons during specified promotional periods, and they can be redeemed on both Macy‘s and third-party gift cards. That‘s a notable difference from Kohl‘s Cash.

On the other end of the spectrum, some stores are much more restrictive about gift card purchases. Lowe‘s, Home Depot, and Best Buy don‘t allow any gift cards to be bought with their store credit cards – only regular credit/debit cards and cash are accepted.

So overall, Kohl‘s lands in the middle of the pack. It‘s not the most generous retailer when it comes to gift card-related rewards and payment options, but it‘s also far from the worst. Of course, Kohl‘s loyalists may not be swayed to shop elsewhere just for a slight edge in gift card perks.

Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Kohl‘s Charge Gift Card Purchases

As a seasoned Kohl‘s shopper and credit card expert, I‘ve picked up a few hacks over the years for squeezing the most value out of Kohl‘s Charge gift card buys. Here are my top tips:

  1. Opt for Kohl‘s gift cards over third-party cards. They‘re more flexible, can be used online, and are guaranteed to be in stock. Plus, the recipient can treat it like a "supercharged" Kohl‘s Cash coupon, since it never expires!

  2. Check the weekly ad for bonus offers. While you can‘t use percent-off coupons on gift cards, Kohl‘s does occasionally run special incentives like "$10 Kohl‘s Cash when you buy a $50 card."

  3. Turn expiring Kohl‘s Cash into "no rush" gift cards. Is your Kohl‘s Cash set to expire before you can use it on something you actually want? Convert those coupons into a gift card ASAP. It‘ll preserve the value and give you unlimited time to spend it.

  4. Buy gift cards during non-reward events to "time shift" your purchase. Planning a big ticket buy but your Yes2You balance is low? Charge a gift card now, then redeem it next month when you‘ll have rewards to stack on top. It‘s like building a savings account for your points!

  5. Always keep your receipts. Kohl‘s may not allow returns on gift cards, but your receipt is essential proof of purchase in case there are any issues with the card‘s activation or balance. I recommend snapping a quick photo on your phone so it‘s always accessible.

Following these tips has helped me stay on budget while still taking advantage of card-linked offers. Give them a try the next time you‘re deciding between charging a gift card or an actual item.

The Bottom Line on Kohl‘s Charge Gift Card Purchases

When it comes to buying gift cards with a Kohl‘s Charge Card, knowledge is power. Commit these key facts to memory:

  • Kohl‘s Charge Cards can purchase Kohl‘s gift cards online and in stores, plus most third-party cards in stores only
  • Kohl‘s Charge Card purchases of gift cards do not directly earn Kohl‘s Cash, Yes2You Rewards points, or other discounts
  • Third-party merchant gift card purchases with a Kohl‘s Charge are restricted to in-store, fixed-value cards (no "open loop" debit cards)
  • Kohl‘s-specific gift cards offer the most flexibility and long-term value for Kohl‘s Charge spending
  • Looking out for special bonus offers and timing your gift card buys strategically can help maximize your ultimate rewards

So there you have it – the ultimate guide to navigating Kohl‘s gift card waters with your trusty Kohl‘s Charge Card. While it may take a bit of extra savvy to get the best bang for your buck, a well-planned gift card purchase can be a smart way to stretch your budget and distribute your spending.

Armed with this intel, you‘re now ready to put your Kohl‘s Charge Card to work in the gift card aisle. Whether you‘re stocking up for the holidays or just looking to treat yourself, you can shop with confidence knowing you‘re following Kohl‘s rules and uncovering hidden savings hacks.

Happy charging!