Where You Can Use Your Kohl's Capital One Credit Card

Your Kohl's Card Works at Kohl's Stores and Online, Plus Anywhere Visa Is Accepted

The Kohl's Capital One Mastercard (the official name) actually works in two different ways depending on which version you have. If you have the regular Kohl's Card, you can use it only at Kohl's stores and Kohl's.com. But if you have the Kohl's Capital One Mastercard, you get a Mastercard logo on the front, which means you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted — not just at Kohl's.

The confusion happens because Kohl's offers both cards under similar names. The key difference is that logo. A Mastercard logo means the card works like a regular credit card everywhere. No Mastercard logo means it's a store card that only works at Kohl's.

When you use your Kohl's Mastercard outside of Kohl's, the transaction works exactly like any other Mastercard — the merchant swipes, taps, or scans it, and the charge goes through. You'll see the same purchase show up on your monthly statement as any other credit card charge would.

Key Takeaways

• The Kohl's Capital One Mastercard has a Mastercard logo and works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, while the regular Kohl's Card works only at Kohl's.
• You can use your Kohl's Mastercard at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and any other business that accepts Mastercard.
• Kohl's Cash rewards (the discounts you earn) only apply to purchases made at Kohl's, even if you use the Mastercard elsewhere.
• Interest rates and fees are the same whether you use the card at Kohl's or at other merchants.
• If you only have the store-only Kohl's Card, you cannot use it outside of Kohl's locations and Kohl's.com.

How to Tell Which Card You Have

Look at the front of your card. If you see a Mastercard logo (the two overlapping circles, usually in red and orange), you have the Kohl's Capital One Mastercard and can use it anywhere. If there's no Mastercard logo and it just says "Kohl's Card," you have the store-only version.

You can also check your Kohl's account online or call the number on the back of your card to confirm which version you were issued. The customer service team can tell you in seconds.

Where Your Kohl's Mastercard Works

If you have the Mastercard version, you can use it anywhere that displays the Mastercard symbol. This includes:

• Grocery stores and supermarkets
• Gas stations and car washes
• Restaurants and coffee shops
• Online retailers (Amazon, Target, eBay, and thousands of others)
• Hotels and airlines
• Pharmacies and medical offices
• Utility companies and subscription services
• ATMs (to withdraw cash, though this typically comes with a fee)

The card works the same way everywhere — you can insert it, tap it for contactless payment, or give the number for online purchases. Mastercard's network processes the transaction, and Capital One (the bank that issued your card) handles the billing.

Kohl's Cash Only Applies to Kohl's Purchases

Here's the important catch: your Kohl's Cash rewards only earn when you shop at Kohl's, not when you use the card elsewhere. If you use your Kohl's Mastercard at a grocery store or gas station, you won't earn Kohl's Cash on that purchase. The rewards program is tied to Kohl's as a merchant, not to the card itself.

This means the card is useful for building your credit history and for emergencies when you need a Mastercard, but if you're trying to maximize rewards, you'll want to use it at Kohl's. Some cardholders keep the card specifically for Kohl's purchases and use a different card elsewhere to earn rewards that work better for their spending.

Interest Rates and Fees Apply Everywhere

Your interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is the same whether you use the card at Kohl's or at another merchant. If you carry a balance, you'll pay interest on the full amount owed, regardless of where you spent it.

The same goes for fees. If your card has an annual fee, you pay it once a year no matter how you use the card. Late payment fees, over-limit fees, and cash advance fees (if you withdraw cash from an ATM) apply to all transactions, not just Kohl's purchases.

What Happens If You Only Have the Store Card

If you applied for the Kohl's Card and don't have a Mastercard logo, your card only works at Kohl's stores and on Kohl's.com. You cannot use it at other retailers, restaurants, or online sites. Attempting to use it outside Kohl's will result in a declined transaction.

If you want the flexibility to use your card anywhere, you would need to contact Kohl's customer service and ask about upgrading to the Kohl's Capital One Mastercard. Kohl's sometimes offers upgrade options for existing cardholders, though approval depends on your credit and account history.

Using Your Card Internationally

If you have the Kohl's Mastercard, you can use it in other countries anywhere Mastercard is accepted. However, most credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee (usually 1 to 3 percent of the purchase) when you use them outside the United States. Check your card's terms to see what fee applies.

Before traveling, call the number on the back of your card to let Capital One know you'll be using it abroad. This prevents the bank from blocking transactions as fraud. You can also use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs internationally, though this typically costs more in fees than using it to pay merchants directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Kohl's Card at Target or Walmart?

Only if you have the Kohl's Capital One Mastercard with the Mastercard logo. The store-only Kohl's Card works only at Kohl's. If you have the Mastercard version, yes, you can use it at Target, Walmart, and any other retailer that accepts Mastercard.

Do I earn Kohl's Cash when I use my Mastercard at other stores?

No. Kohl's Cash rewards only apply to purchases made at Kohl's stores and Kohl's.com. Using your Kohl's Mastercard at other merchants does not earn Kohl's Cash, even though the card itself is a Mastercard.

What's the difference between the Kohl's Card and the Kohl's Capital One Mastercard?

The Kohl's Card is a store card that works only at Kohl's. The Kohl's Capital One Mastercard is a Mastercard that works everywhere Mastercard is accepted, plus at Kohl's. Both are issued by Capital One, but only the Mastercard version gives you the flexibility to use it outside Kohl's.

Can I use my Kohl's Mastercard to pay bills online?

Yes. You can use your Kohl's Mastercard to pay most bills online — utilities, insurance, subscriptions, and other services that accept credit cards. The transaction processes like any other Mastercard payment, and you'll see it on your statement.

What happens if I try to use my store-only Kohl's Card outside of Kohl's?

The transaction will be declined. Store cards only work at the retailer that issued them. If you need a card that works everywhere, you would need to request an upgrade to the Kohl's Capital One Mastercard or open a different credit card.