If I Don't Claim a Kohl's Gift Card, What Happens?

Retailers such as Kohl's offer deep discounts and rewards for dedicated shoppers who use Kohl's Cash or gift cards to make a purchase. Gift cards and store credit never expire and can be used anytime online or in-store. Customers are not allowed to use gift cards to pay towards their Kohl's Card balance.

Kohl's department stores have been part of American life since 1962, and offer many products at huge discounts. You can find apparel for the whole family, bedding and goods for the home. Kohl's makes this easier by accepting many in-store and online payment methods. Customers can also purchase a gift card for themselves or others. One question is on many people's minds- what happens if the gift card balance remains unused?

Gift Card Basics

You can apply these cards to any in-store or online purchase, but not towards your Kohl's Store Card bill. If you make a purchase but throw away the gift card while it has a partial balance, Kohl's will give you in-store credit. Lost or stolen gift cards cannot be replaced or refunded.

Gift cards and Kohl's Merchandise Credit (KMC) also do not expire and can be used anytime. They can be added to your virtual wallet on the store's website. Sign-in to your Kohl's online account, click on Wallet. Select the Add a Gift Card button. Type in the gift card's 16-digit code located on the back, underneath the barcode. Enter the 4-digit pin, located underneath the scratch-off label.

Unused Gift Cards

Occasionally, gift cards can go unused. Some retailers charge an inactivity or similar fee when you don't use one. Luckily, Kohl's doesn't appear to charge any activity fee for unused gift cards or KMC. If you have a physical card, there's a good chance the store won't know about it until you check out. Receiving reminders is an available option should you covert your card into an electronic one. Please check your account settings. Reach out to Kohl's customer service here if you have any questions or concerns.

Expiring Discounts

The retailer is also known for its Kohl's Cash and coupons, with shoppers earning the former at $10 for every $50 spent in-store or online. Please keep in mind that these do expire and can be managed through your Kohl's account online.

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Christian has been writing about long hold times and customer service call center experiences since 2010. He's been featured in Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal and the Boston Globe.

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Kohl's

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What happens to my unused gift card balance
What if my Kohl's gift card isn't used or claimed
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