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The Ultamate Rewards® Credit Card* is a store card whose perks are easy to predict. It earns rewards on Ulta Beauty purchases at Ulta Beauty stores and ulta.com. Since it’s a store card, you won’t be able to use this card at other retailers. However, the value of said rewards is in the higher range, which is rather surprising for a card of this type. Let’s take a look at the Ulta credit card, its benefits and whether they’re right for you.
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Highlights of the Ulta Credit Card
- 20% off your first Ulta Beauty purchase
- 1 point per dollar spent at Ulta Beauty stores
- Points are valued at 3 to 6.25 cents apiece
- No annual fee
- High APR
- 3% foreign transaction fee for the Mastercard version
Ulta Credit Card Benefits
As a frequent Ulta Beauty customer, you have two credit card options available to you: the Ultamate Rewards® Credit Card* and the Ulta Beauty Rewards™ Mastercard® Credit Card*, both of which are issued by Comenity Capital Bank. Both cards have no annual fees, offer 20% off your first purchase at Ulta Beauty and 2 points per dollar on every Ulta Beauty purchase (1 point as a general member and 1 point as a credit card holder).
However, the Ultamate Rewards® Credit Card* can be used at Ulta stores only, and the Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard can be used anywhere a Mastercard is accepted.
The Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard also offers 500 bonus points after spending $500 in purchases outside of Ulta Beauty in the first 90 days of opening an account as well as 1 point per $3 on non-Ulta purchases.
Unfortunately, the only way to find out which card you’ll be approved for is after filling out an application. Comenity will take matters into its own hands and approve you for a card based on your creditworthiness.
The third option is the Ulta Beauty Rewards Card, which isn’t a credit card at all, but a simple rewards card for Ulta BeautyRewards program members. It’s free to join, and every time you shop at Ulta, you’ll earn rewards by presenting your membership card at checkout.
If you apply for an Ulta credit card in store or online, it’s possible to use it on your first purchase. If you apply online, you have to wait for the card to arrive before you can use it to make additional purchases.
Ulta Beauty Rewards
Earning Rewards
With either version of the Ulta credit card, you’ll get a 20% discount on your first purchase at an Ulta Beauty store. After the first purchase, the rewards structure is as follows:
- 1 point per dollar on Ulta purchases (on both cards)
- 1 point per $3 spent at other stores (on the Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard only)
The 1 point per dollar earning rate is in addition to the 1 point per dollar you would earn as a rewards program member. Keep in mind that points expire at the end of the calendar quarter following the 12-month period since you earn the rewards. If you’re a Platinum or a Diamond member, Ulta points don’t expire.
Redeeming Rewards
The more frequently you shop at Ulta Beauty stores, the faster the points add up. And, the more points you accumulate, the more they’re worth.
Here’s how much your Ulta Beauty Rewards are worth:
- 100 points = $3
- 250 points = $8
- 500 points = $17.50
- 750 points = $30
- 1,000 points = $50
- 2,000 points = $125
So, you can get anywhere from 3 cents per point to 6.25 cents per point in value, depending on the redemption option you choose. This is quite a bit higher than the industry standard of 1 cent per point you’ll find with many cash-back credit cards. However, points can only be redeemed at Ulta Beauty stores or at ulta.com.
Rewards Potential
The rewards potential earned with the Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card or the Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard varies and depends on how often you shop at Ulta and the amount you spend every visit.
Let’s say that you visit an Ulta Beauty store every two months and spend $60 each time you shop, which adds up to $360 on makeup and skincare per year. So, you earn 1 point per dollar by being a general Ulta Beauty Rewards member and another 1 point by using your Ulta credit card, which yields 720 points annually. According to the redemption chart above, you can redeem 500 points for $17.50 worth of merchandise. If you redeem the remaining 220 points, you could get an additional $6 in store credit. Or you can save those points for a higher redemption value down the road.
You’ll earn even more if you get beauty services like haircuts or makeup services from an Ulta salon, which count as Ulta Beauty spending on an Ulta-branded credit card.
Depending on how often you cut and color your hair or get your makeup done at an Ulta salon, you could reach top-tier Diamond status in the Ulta Beauty Rewards program and earn 2.5 points on Ulta purchases and therefore increase their redemption value.
Other Ulta Beauty Rewards Membership Benefits
As an Ulta Beauty Rewards member, you get to enjoy some perks of your membership, and the benefits vary based on your membership status.
To become an elite shopper with Ulta, you must spend:
- $500 per year to be a Platinum member
- $1,200 per year to be a Diamond member
All members receive the following benefits:
- 1 point per dollar spent at Ulta
- 2 points during your birthday month
- Bonus points and savings
- Redeem points for discounts
- Free gift during your birthday month
Platinum members receive the following benefits:
- 1.25 points per dollar at Ulta
- Points don’t expire
- $10 birthday month coupon
- Exclusive deals, gifts and early access
Diamond members receive the following benefits:
- 1.5 points per dollar at Ulta
- Diamond gift
- $25 services reward
- Free shipping on order of at least $25
Who Should Get the Ulta Credit Card?
It goes without saying that frequent Ulta Beauty shoppers are the target audience for the Ulta credit card, especially because the rewards can be redeemed only at Ulta stores. Those who receive Ulta salon services will benefit by charging the services to the card and earning enough rewards to receive status in the Ulta Beauty Rewards program.
Those who tend to carry a balance on credit cards should steer clear. The interest rate on Ulta credit cards goes as high as 32.24%. Although beauty requires sacrifice, the APR is a bit too much of a sacrifice in this case.
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Citi Double Cash® Card
3.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Citi's Website
Up to 2% Reward Rate
First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make. Then, as you pay for those purchases, youRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn $200 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good, Fair
Editorial Review
The Citi Double Cash card’s simple cash back structure and long-lasting balance transfer APR offer make it a favorite among those who want to set it and forget it. It offers a solid cashback rate on all purchases and an intro APR on balance transfers, all without an annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- Earn up to 2% cash back—1% when the purchase is made and 1% when payment is made on the account
- No limit on the amount of cash back that can be earned
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period for balance transfers
- Foreign transaction fee
- Balance transfer fee
- Lack of benefits seen in other no annual fee cards
- No introductory APR on purchases
Card Details
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Alternatives to the Ulta Credit Card
Although the Ulta credit cards offer high value for their rewards, they do expire every year and rewards are limited to Ulta stores. Consider the following general-purpose credit cards to earn more flexible rewards that can be turned into cash.
Citi Double Cash® Card
For those looking to earn rewards on every purchase in the form of cash back that can be used anywhere, enter the Citi Double Cash® Card. With this card, you’ll earn 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off. Cash back earned with the Double Cash can be redeemed in the form of a statement credit, direct deposit or check that isn’t limited to just one merchant.
Chase Freedom Flex®
Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases with the Chase Freedom Flex®. The rotating bonus categories typically include grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and Amazon. It’s a useful card for earning easy-to-use cash rewards without paying an annual fee.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Another cash-back card with a $0 annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (Terms apply. See rates & fees) earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases in the U.S. (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1%), and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. The cash back earned with this card can be issued in the form of statement credits.
With enrollment, you also get an up to $84 annual Disney bundle credit (in increments of $7 per month) and a $180 Home Chef credit (in increments of $15 per month). If you already use these you’d be making money on a card with a $0 annual fee if you maximize the credits.
Additionally, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and on balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening, followed by a variable APR of 19.24%-29.99%. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies so you can catch a little break if you need one.
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
On American Express's Website
3.3
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On American Express's Website
Up to 3% Reward Rate
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases in the U.S. on up toRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn $200
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent/Good(700 - 749)
Editorial Review
For no annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers excellent value in the right hands. Spending a lot at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations brings plump rewards, while the introductory APR rate on purchases helps keep your interest expenses down. Look elsewhere for foreign transactions.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Above-average earnings at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and online retail purchases in the U.S.
- Elevated earnings at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases in the U.S. are capped at $6,000 in annual spending per category
- Rewards earning outside of the bonus categories is just 1% cash back
Card Details
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
- Terms Apply.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Is the Ulta Credit Card for You?
Although the rewards value is pretty high, both the Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card and the Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard are designed for those who shop at Ulta Beauty, so their use is rather limited. On top of that, the points expire and the redemption options are predetermined. If you’re looking for more flexible rewards that can be used as statement credits toward anything, consider the cash-back cards above.
To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please visit this page.
