You know the drill. You just picked up your favorite skin care regimen, along with a cute new lip gloss, and makeup sponges while you were waiting in line, because why not? And when you get to the Ulta counter, the store associate asks if you’d like to apply for the Ulta credit card to save 20%?
It’s a tempting proposal. And given that you have been shopping at Ulta on the regular, you’re thinking it might be a good move. After all, there’s probably ongoing discounts and exclusive benefits for cardholders.
Then again, you’ve heard that store credit cards aren’t necessarily the best when it comes to interest rates. What to do?
Anytime you consider opening a new line of credit, you should start with the card product itself. Ask yourself: What value will this card bring you, and what are the potential downsides of opening the card?
Our guide breaks down the ins and outs of the Ulta Beauty Rewards credit cards – yes, there are two of them! – and if they’re a good fit for your wallet.
The Scoop on Ulta Credit Cards
Ulta’s two credit card versions are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.
- The Ulta Beauty Rewards
Credit Card is what’s known as a closed loop card, meaning it is exclusively for shopping at the affordably priced beauty chain and can’t be used elsewhere. - The Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card offers a regular credit card experience in that it can be used at Ulta Beauty and anywhere Mastercard® is accepted.
The main draw of both cards is that there is no annual fee, and you earn double points on your Ulta Beauty store or Ulta.com spending. So instead of earning just one point as an Ulta Beauty Rewards member, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar.
If you have the Mastercard version, you’ll also earn one point for every $3 spent on other non-Ulta purchases.
Because it’s a co-branded retail store card, you can expect that the qualification for approval should be fairly easy to meet since you’ll start off with a lower credit limit than you might with general credit cards. In other words, you won’t need a top-notch credit score to get approved. You do, however, need to be at the age of majority in your state or territory (which is almost always 18 years old, but 19 in a couple of places).
In that sense, a store card like the Ulta credit card could have the added benefit of helping you build your credit history if you’re a younger consumer. Just be sure to pay off your balance on time each month and try not to use up too much of your credit line to get off on the right credit footing.
Before you Apply for the Ulta Card… Some Potential Drawbacks to Consider
The APR is astronomical. If you pay your bill in full each month, you have nothing to worry about since you have a grace period in which you won’t pay interest. But if you tend to revolve your balances from time to time, note that you’ll be paying as much as 32.24% APR, which is higher than most credit cards. Even if you have strong credit, the lowest possible APR offered (on the Mastercard version) is 23.24%. It won’t take long for those charges to end up costing you more than the rewards you earn.
Where you get your Ulta haul from matters. It’s worth noting that you can’t use the Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card at Ulta Beauty at Target, on Target.com, or on Ulta Beauty via the DoorDash Marketplace. And while you can use the Mastercard at Target or via DoorDash, you won’t earn Ulta bonus points if you use those options.
Non-Ulta rewards are not impressive. When using the Ulta Mastercard on purchases outside of the beauty retailers, you’ll have to spend $3 to get 1 point. In contrast, some other store-branded rewards cards like the Amazon Prime Visa card offer two or three points per dollar spent in certain outside categories.
You’re limited to redeeming rewards on Ulta. Of course, the whole point of an Ulta card is to save on your future Ulta purchases by applying your earned points to lower the cost. However, assuming makeup isn’t the only thing you buy, you might consider if a more general cash back card would provide more value and flexibility.
Points redemption is not straightforward. Unlike some rewards credit cards that use a point system that is basically every 100 points equals $1, the Ulta points system is complicated. The good news is that it does work in your favor in that the more points you earn, the more they are worth.
| Redeem points | Dollars off any merchandise |
| 100 | $3.00 |
| 250 | $8.00 |
| 500 | $17.50 |
| 750 | $30.00 |
| 1000 | $50.00 |
| 2000 | $125.00 |
When can I start using the card?
If you read all of the above and you still think getting an Ulta credit card is a good move for you, then here’s what you need to know about getting started.
To open the card, you have two main choices: head to your favorite Ulta Beauty store location and apply at the checkout counter or apply online at Ulta.com/credit.
If approved, you’ll receive the physical credit card in the mail in seven to 10 business days. You can still shop at Ulta before you receive the card, however. With the in-store application, you can use the card for your purchase (and get your 20% discount).
If you apply online, you can use the account at an Ulta retail store – just ask the associate to look up your account. You won’t be able to make non-Ulta purchases until the plastic arrives, however.
Related: It’s Official: This Is Ulta’s Sale Calendar for 2024
How to Use Your Points
Ulta Beauty Rewards points accumulate in your account as you use your credit card and make Ulta purchases. They don’t last forever if you’re a regular member – you have until the end of the quarter one year after the date they were earned. So, if you earn points on August 1, 2024, they will expire on September 30, 2025.
The exception is if you reach Platinum-level or Diamond-level status in the Ulta Beauty Rewards program – then points never expire.
To use up your points in store, ask the associate to look up your account. You will need at least 100 available points to get started and can redeem in increments (see table above).
Related: Your Everything Guide to Saving at Ulta in 2024
Alternatives to the Ulta Credit Card
Anyone can join the Ulta Beauty Rewards program without applying for the store card. So that means you can earn one point per dollar spent no matter your payment method. Plus, you get a free birthday gift, which we love! On top of that, if you want to maximize a credit card to help offset the costs of your makeup addiction, here are some options to consider:
- If your Target has an Ulta Beauty at Target within the store, you could get the Target CircleTM Card, which offers 5% off of all your purchases in Target stores – including Ulta items.
- Explore a flat-rate cash back card that earns 2% back on all purchases you make. With a versatile card like this, you can certainly use it to cover your Ulta shopping sprees (and anything else you want). From there, you can redeem for cash or a statement credit to cover part of your purchases, or perhaps, even gift cards to Ulta if the card issuer allows you to redeem for gift cards.
- An everyday spending rewards card could also be worth considering. Some cash back credit cards can earn 3% or more bonus cash back in categories like gas, groceries, and online retail purchases – which can included Ulta.com. If you mostly shop online for your beauty needs, this may be the way to go.
Related: Hacks for Finding Ulta Beauty Coupons That Pile on the Savings
More Ulta Beauty Credit Card Tips
How much do you save with the Ulta credit card?
How much you save using an Ulta credit card depends on your spending habits, as well as how responsibly you use credit. Ideally, if you pay off your full statement balance each month and avoid interest charges, any bonus points that you earn in the Ulta Beauty Rewards program as a cardholder can be used to save money on future Ulta purchases.
Do you get a discount with the Ulta credit card?
If you get an Ulta credit card, you’ll save 20% off of your first purchase. After that, using the card helps you earn Ulta Beauty Rewards points when you make Ulta purchases, as well as other purchases with the Mastercard version of the card. You can then use those points toward your Ulta purchases to reduce your cost.
What are the benefits of having an Ulta credit card?
Having the Ulta credit card allows you to double your Ulta Beauty Rewards points when you make purchases. If you’re a frequent shopper in Ulta stores and at Ulta.com, it could help you earn discounts on future purchases more quickly. You’ll also get 20% off of your first purchase. With the Mastercard version of the card, if you spend $500 in the first 90 days outside of Ulta, you’ll also earn an additional 500 bonus points (valued at $17.50).
The post How to Save with the Ulta Credit Card appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.