What Kohl's payment options are available to you
Kohl's offers several ways to pay for purchases. You can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card at checkout. Kohl's also has its own credit card — the Kohl's Card — which you can use in stores and online. If you want to spread payments over time, Kohl's offers Sezzle, a buy-now-pay-later service that breaks your purchase into four installments due every two weeks.
The payment method you choose affects when the money leaves your account and what fees or interest you might pay. Understanding each option helps you pick the one that fits your budget and spending habits.
Key Takeaways
- Kohl's accepts cash, debit, credit cards, and its own Kohl's Card at checkout in stores and online.
- Sezzle splits your purchase into four payments due every two weeks, with no interest if you pay on time.
- The Kohl's Card charges interest on balances you don't pay in full each month, with rates that vary based on your credit.
- Debit and cash payments leave your account when ready, while credit and Sezzle payments are processed within one to three business days.
- Late payments on Sezzle or the Kohl's Card can trigger fees and affect your credit score.
How the Kohl's Card works and what interest costs
The Kohl's Card is a store credit card you can open in-store or online. When you use it, you receive a monthly statement showing what you owe. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance into the next month, Kohl's charges interest on the remaining amount.
The interest rate — called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR — varies depending on your credit history and score. Kohl's does not publish a single rate; your rate is determined when you open the card. The APR can range, but you will see your specific rate in your card agreement and on your monthly statement.
Interest accrues daily on unpaid balances. If you owe $500 and your APR is 20%, you will pay roughly $100 per year in interest if you never make a payment. Making at least the minimum payment each month stops your account from going into default, but the balance and interest will continue to grow until you pay it off.
Sezzle: splitting your purchase into four payments
Sezzle is a buy-now-pay-later service available at Kohl's checkout. When you choose Sezzle, your purchase is divided into four equal payments. The first payment is due at checkout, and the remaining three are due every two weeks after that. If you make all four payments on time, you pay no interest or fees.
Sezzle charges a late fee if you miss a payment date. The fee amount varies but is typically $10 to $15 per missed payment. If you miss a payment, Sezzle will send you a reminder and may pause your ability to use Sezzle at other retailers until you catch up. Repeated missed payments can be reported to credit bureaus and affect your credit score.
Sezzle works only for online purchases and in-store purchases at Kohl's. You cannot use it to pay off an existing Kohl's Card balance — only for new purchases at the time of checkout.
When money leaves your account for each payment method
The timing depends on how you pay. Cash and debit card payments are processed when ready at the register or within one business day for online orders. The money leaves your account right away, so you see the charge reflected in your bank account balance quickly.
Credit card and Kohl's Card payments are processed within one to three business days. The charge may appear as "pending" in your account for a day or two before it settles. Sezzle payments are also processed within one to three business days from the due date.
If you pay by check, Kohl's may take up to five business days to process it. Checks are rarely used for retail purchases now, but if you mail one, allow extra time for delivery and processing.
Fees and penalties you should know about
Paying with cash or debit carries no fees from Kohl's. Credit cards and the Kohl's Card charge interest only if you carry a balance. Sezzle charges a late fee if you miss a payment date — typically $10 to $15 per missed payment.
The Kohl's Card also has a late payment fee if your payment arrives after the due date. This fee is usually $25 to $35 depending on how late the payment is. A payment more than 60 days late can trigger a higher penalty and may be reported to credit bureaus, which damages your credit score.
If you use the Kohl's Card and your account goes into default — usually after 180 days of non-payment — Kohl's may close your account and send your debt to a collection agency. This has serious consequences for your credit and may result in legal action.
How to avoid interest and fees
The simplest way to avoid interest and fees is to pay with cash or debit at checkout. The money leaves your account when ready, and there are no additional charges.
If you use the Kohl's Card, pay the full balance by the due date shown on your statement. This eliminates interest charges. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay as much as you can and make sure your payment arrives by the due date to avoid late fees.
If you use Sezzle, mark the payment due dates on your calendar or set phone reminders. Missing even one payment triggers a fee and can affect your ability to use Sezzle in the future. If you think you will struggle to make a Sezzle payment, contact Sezzle before the due date — they sometimes offer payment plans or deferrals for customers in hardship.
What happens if you miss a payment
Missing a Sezzle payment results in a late fee and a pause on your Sezzle account until you pay. You will receive an email reminder and have a grace period — usually a few days — to pay before the fee is applied. If you miss multiple payments, Sezzle may report you to credit bureaus.
Missing a Kohl's Card payment triggers a late fee and interest on your balance. Your payment is considered late if it arrives after the due date. If you are more than 30 days late, Kohl's reports the late payment to credit bureaus, which lowers your credit score. The longer you stay behind, the worse the damage to your credit.
If you realize you will miss a payment, contact Kohl's or Sezzle when ready. Explaining your situation does not erase the fee, but some companies offer hardship programs or payment deferrals for customers facing temporary financial difficulty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Kohl's Card and Sezzle at the same time?
No. At checkout, you choose one payment method. You cannot split a single purchase between the Kohl's Card and Sezzle. However, you can use the Kohl's Card for one purchase and Sezzle for another purchase on the same day.
What is the interest rate on the Kohl's Card?
Kohl's does not publish a single rate. Your APR depends on your credit score and history and is shown in your card agreement when you open the account. You can also find your current APR on your monthly statement or by logging into your Kohl's account online.
Does Sezzle hurt my credit score?
Sezzle does a soft credit check when you sign up, which does not affect your score. On-time payments do not help your score because Sezzle does not report to credit bureaus. However, missed payments can be reported and will lower your score.
Can I pay off my Kohl's Card early without a penalty?
Yes. There is no penalty for paying off your Kohl's Card balance early. Paying early reduces the interest you owe because interest is calculated daily on your remaining balance.
What happens if I cannot afford a Sezzle payment?
Contact Sezzle before your payment is due. They may offer a payment plan, deferral, or extension depending on your situation. Waiting until after the due date results in a late fee and makes the situation harder to resolve.