If you’re asking yourself what value the Ulta credit card could bring to your beauty hauls, and what the potential downsides may be, don’t worry — we’ve got the answers!

Anyone who has shopped in-store at Ulta with any regularity already knows the drill. You just picked up your favorite skin care regimen, along with a cute new lip gloss, and some makeup sponges while you were waiting in line — because why not? Then, it’s your turn to walk up to the counter, and get hit with the store associate’s tempting proposal: “Would you like to apply for the Ulta credit card to save 20%?”

Who doesn’t want to save 20%, right? But you’ve also heard that store credit cards aren’t necessarily the best when it comes to interest rates. So, we’re breaking it all down for you.

Read on to discover the ins and outs of the Ulta Beauty Rewards credit cards, and determine if applying for one is actually a good choice for your wallet.

The scoop on Ulta Beauty Rewards credit cards

• There are two types of Ulta Beauty Rewards credit cards, and the one you’re approved for depends on your eligibility and will determine where you’re able to shop with it.
• Both Ulta Beauty Rewards credit cards grant perks like earning extra Ulta Beauty Rewards points with every purchase, and neither card has an annual fee.
• If you’re a frequent Ulta shopper who can afford to pay off their credit card in full each month, an Ulta Beauty Rewards credit card can be a beneficial choice to boost your points and earn more dollar-off discounts at a faster rate.
• Whether you pay with an Ulta credit card or not, you can always stack guaranteed cash back for your Ulta purchases when you shop with the RetailMeNot Rewards app.

Are there two different Ulta credit cards?

Ulta offers two types of credit cards issued by Comenity Capital Bank, but they differ when it comes to where they can be used:

Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card	This is what is known as a closed-loop card, meaning it is exclusively for shopping at Ulta and it cannot be used elsewhere.
Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card	This card can be used at Ulta Beauty and anywhere else Mastercard® is accepted, offering a traditional credit card experience.

When you apply for an Ulta Beauty Rewards credit card, you’ll be considered for the Ulta Beauty Rewards® Mastercard® Credit Card. But if you’re not found eligible, you may then be considered for the Ulta Beauty Rewards® Credit Card.

What are the benefits of having an Ulta credit card?

Having an Ulta credit card allows you to effectively double your Ulta Beauty Rewards points every time you make a purchase. If you’re a frequent shopper in Ulta stores, at Ulta.com or in the Ulta app, then an Ulta credit card will help you earn discounts on future purchases even faster. 

Whether you have the Ulta-only credit card or the Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card, you’ll be treated to special cardholder perks and benefits, including:

• No annual fee
• 20% off your first purchase at Ulta Beauty
• At least two points per $1 spent at Ulta Beauty (that’s one point per dollar as a credit cardholder, and at least one point per dollar* as an Ulta Beauty Rewards member)
• Exclusive free shipping periods
• Exclusive credit card offers

Those who have the Ulta Beauty Rewards

• Earn cashback from exclusive deals
• One point for every $3 spent at retailers other than Ulta
• 500 Welcome Bonus Points when you spend $500 outside of Ulta in first 90 days

*Remember, you already earn more points per dollar spent as you rise the ranks of your free-to-join Ulta Beauty Rewards membership (even if you don’t have an Ulta credit card):

• Base members earn one point per $1 spent at Ulta Beauty
• Platinum members earn 1.25 points per $1 spent at Ulta Beauty
• Diamond members earn 1.5 points per $1 spent at Ulta Beauty

Is the Ulta Rewards credit card worth it?

An Ulta Beauty Rewards credit card can be beneficial for many shoppers, but there are 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.
• Non-Ulta rewards are not impressive. When using the Ulta Mastercard on purchases from retailers other than Ulta, you’ll have to spend $3 to earn just one 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, skincare and hair care aren’t the only things 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 an easy-to-convert point system like “100 points equals $1,” the Ulta points system is a little more complicated. The good news is that it does work in your favor, because the more points you earn, the more they are worth:

Alternatives to the Ulta credit card

If you want to utilize a credit card to help offset the costs of your beauty habit, you have options to consider beyond the Ulta Beauty Rewards credit card:

• 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 include Ulta.com. If you mostly shop online for your beauty needs, this may be the way to go.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I use the Ulta Beauty Rewards credit card?

You can use the Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard Credit Card at any retailer that accepts Mastercard, but you can only use the Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card at Ulta locations, on Ulta.com and in the Ulta app.

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. The number of points you earn, however, depends on how much you’ve spent.

Do you get a discount with the Ulta credit card?

No, you do not get a discount with the Ulta credit card, aside from the 20% off your first purchase. After that, using the card helps you earn more Ulta Beauty Rewards points when you make Ulta purchases (and other purchases with the Mastercard version), but you do not get a discount at checkout simply for using your card to shop. Once you’ve racked up enough rewards points, however, you can redeem them for money-saving coupons for future Ulta purchases.

Is it hard to get approved for an Ulta Beauty credit card?

No, it is not usually hard to get approved for an Ulta Beauty credit card. 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 — but applying for the card will require a hard credit inquiry which can temporarily decrease your credit score. You do, however, need to be at the age of majority in your state or territory (18 or 19, depending on location). 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 spend too close to your card limit (aka credit line) to get off on the right credit footing.

When can I start using my Ulta Beauty Rewards credit card?

You can start using your Ulta Beauty Rewards credit card immediately after your application has been approved. With the in-store application, you can use the card for your purchase right away (and get your 20% discount). If you applied online, just ask the in-store associate to look up your account. Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard credit cardmembers won’t be able to make non-Ulta purchases until the plastic arrives, however. You’ll receive the physical credit card in the mail in seven to 10 business days after approval.

How can I use Ulta points?

You can use Ulta points that you’ve earned from making purchases by redeeming them for dollar-off discounts in your Ulta account. (To use up your points in store, just ask the associate to look up your account.) Keep in mind that the points 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. (For example, if you earn points on August 1, 2026, they will expire on September 30, 2027.) The exception is if you reach Platinum-level or Diamond-level status in the Ulta Beauty Rewards program — then points never expire. You will need at least 100 available points to redeem for a discount, and points can be redeemed in increments per the table above.

The post How Ulta’s Credit Card Can Help You Save on Every Beauty Buy appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.

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