No, your Kohl's credit card will not work at Sephora stores or Sephora.com
The Kohl's Card is issued by Kohl's Financial Services and works only at Kohl's locations and Kohl's.com. Sephora is a separate company with its own payment systems. Even though Kohl's and Sephora have a retail partnership — Sephora shops operate inside many Kohl's stores — the credit cards are not linked. You cannot use a Kohl's Card to pay for Sephora products, whether you're shopping at a Sephora inside Kohl's or at a standalone Sephora location.
This matters because the Kohl's Card offers rewards and discounts that don't transfer across to Sephora purchases. If you shop at both retailers, you'll need separate payment methods for each.
Key Takeaways
- The Kohl's Card only works at Kohl's and Kohl's.com, not at Sephora even when Sephora is located inside a Kohl's store.
- Sephora has its own credit card (the Sephora Credit Card) and accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets.
- Kohl's Card rewards and discounts do not apply to Sephora purchases made at Kohl's locations.
- If you want to earn rewards on Sephora purchases, you can use the Sephora Credit Card or the Sephora Beauty Insider loyalty program.
How the Kohl's and Sephora partnership works
Kohl's and Sephora partnered to open Sephora shops inside Kohl's stores starting in 2021. These are separate retail spaces within the Kohl's building, but they operate as Sephora locations. The partnership was designed to give Kohl's shoppers access to Sephora products without leaving the store, and to bring Sephora customers into Kohl's.
The partnership is physical and logistical, not financial. Sephora maintains its own checkout system, its own payment processing, and its own customer data. When you shop at Sephora inside Kohl's, you're using Sephora's register, not Kohl's. This is why your Kohl's Card cannot be used there.
What payment methods work at Sephora
Sephora accepts all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also use the Sephora Credit Card, which is issued by Synchrony Bank and offers rewards on all Sephora purchases.
If you don't have a Sephora Credit Card, any major credit card will work at any Sephora location, including those inside Kohl's stores. The payment experience is the same whether you're at a standalone Sephora or one inside Kohl's.
Earning rewards on Sephora purchases
If you want to earn rewards when you buy from Sephora, you have two main options. The first is the Sephora Credit Card, which earns points on every purchase. The second is the Sephora Beauty Insider loyalty program, which is free to join and earns points on purchases made with any payment method.
Your Kohl's Card rewards do not apply to Sephora purchases, even when you're shopping at a Sephora inside a Kohl's store. If you spend money at Sephora, only Sephora's rewards programs will track and reward that spending.
Using your Kohl's Card at Kohl's when Sephora is nearby
You can use your Kohl's Card at the main Kohl's checkout for Kohl's merchandise, and you'll earn Kohl's rewards on that purchase. But if you buy anything from the Sephora shop inside the Kohl's, you must check out at Sephora's register with a different payment method. The two checkouts are separate, and the systems do not communicate.
This means if you're shopping at a Kohl's location with an attached Sephora, you may end up making two separate transactions — one at Kohl's with your Kohl's Card, and one at Sephora with a major credit card or the Sephora Credit Card.
Why the cards are separate
Kohl's and Sephora are owned by different companies and operate independently. Kohl's Financial Services issues the Kohl's Card, and Synchrony Bank issues the Sephora Credit Card. Each company manages its own credit program, rewards structure, and customer data. Linking the cards would require both companies to share customer information and coordinate rewards, which they have chosen not to do.
This separation also protects your data. Your Sephora purchases and payment history stay with Sephora, and your Kohl's purchases stay with Kohl's. Neither company has access to the other's customer records unless you explicitly link accounts, which is not currently an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Kohl's Card at a Sephora inside a Kohl's store?
No. Even though the Sephora shop is physically located inside the Kohl's building, it has its own checkout and payment system. You must use a major credit card, debit card, or the Sephora Credit Card to pay for Sephora purchases.
Will my Kohl's rewards apply to Sephora purchases?
No. Kohl's rewards only apply to purchases made at Kohl's. Sephora purchases earn rewards only through Sephora's programs — the Sephora Credit Card or the free Sephora Beauty Insider loyalty program.
Can I get a Sephora Credit Card if I already have a Kohl's Card?
Yes. The Sephora Credit Card and the Kohl's Card are issued by different banks and are completely separate. Having one does not affect your ability to get the other. Both are store credit cards, so you can hold both at the same time.
What if I want to earn rewards at both Kohl's and Sephora?
Use your Kohl's Card at Kohl's to earn Kohl's rewards, and use the Sephora Credit Card or join Sephora Beauty Insider at Sephora to earn Sephora rewards. You can also use any major credit card at either store if you prefer not to open a store credit card.
Do Kohl's and Sephora share customer information?
No. Each company maintains separate customer databases. Your shopping history, payment information, and rewards account at Kohl's are not visible to Sephora, and vice versa. The companies do not share this data unless you contact them and request it.