Kohl's Becomes First Retailer to Support Apple Pay for Store-Branded Cards

[taoprophet420]

Apple updated its Apple Pay participating issuers list today, adding Kohl's as the first U.S. retailer accepting store-branded cards that offer discounts and rewards. The department store chain confirmed on Twitter that iPhone users can make purchases using Kohl's Charge Cards on Apple Pay starting today.

Apple announced at WWDC 2015 that iOS 9 would support rewards and store-issued cards, including those from Kohl's, JCPenney, Walgreens, BJ's Wholesale Club and several other retailers. Kohl's briefly announced forthcoming Apple Pay support for its Charge Cards private label credit cards last week, which is now live.

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Kohl's is the largest U.S. department store chain by the number of stores, with around 1,200 as of February 2013.

Article Link: Kohl's Becomes First Retailer to Support Apple Pay for Store-Branded Cards

Express was the first retail card card and app to suppor wallet. It has supported its card and loyalty rewards since September 14th.

 

[laurim]

I don't want all these store cards. Just to be able to use my Apple Pay tied to my banks MSC. Doesn't sound like I can do that with Kohls. I have been moving to stores that take my Apple pay that way and leaving the others.

The only reason I have the Kohl's card is so I get all the big % off coupons in the mail. When I get a 30% off everything is when I usually shop there. And then there's the Kohl's cash. I immediately pay off the balance so there's never any interest incurred.

 

[coffeemadmanUK]

In theory, of course it is possible.

In reality, some things would have to happen. For example, although the phone is already geo-aware, in a mall it would be difficult to figure out which store you are in. This would require ibeacons or other such technology to ensure it is clear which store you are in. Given this, switching cards should not be too difficult. For the coupons, I think that would be something that would be different by store. Already there are stores that give me automatic discounts if I use their CC and don't need to carry the coupons around, while others still require the actual coupons. So in this case I think defining the experience would be simple enough, but getting the stores on board would be the more difficult part.

I think what he meant was referring to store reward cards and not store credit cards. In the UK we don't really have a vibrant store card market, and where we do it's through Visa or Mastercard anyway.

I (think) he was meaning a situation like this:

1. I have a valid Apple Pay debit card stored
2. I have a Tesco clubcard (this gives you a point per £1 you spend - not a credit card at all)
3. I go to any Tesco and take my items to the register
4. I pay with my valid Apple Pay debit card
5. Apple notices I have spent at Tesco, notices I have a Clubcard in my Wallet and adds the points automatically

It's not asking to be geolocated it's literally noticing you spent money in a store that has a rewards card in your Wallet.

Currently if I use Apple Pay at Tesco I still have to get either my actual wallet or keys out to swipe a physical Clubcard, which just adds time to the convenience of using Apple Pay (ie. If I'm getting my actual wallet out anyway I could just tap my debit card with contactless payment while I'm getting my Clubcard out).

Is this possible? I'm confused when Apple say store cards - in the UK I think most people would think store rewards cards and NOT credit cards.

 

[jephrey]

I think the wallet needs the capability to add "rules", like:
IF I'm making a purchase at Kohls, use the Kohls charge.
IF I'm making a purchase at a gas station, use card xxxx.
IF I'm making a purchase [HERE-geotagged location], use card xxxx.

Taking a different card out of your wallet is a pretty simple task so we should be looking for more advantage than just not having to carry the card. The whole process should be simpler.

It'd also be nice if you could store coupons in the wallet and associate them with a card or store that will automatically apply them when shopping at that location or with a card.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

This is something I have been confused about since they announced store-issued cards in Wallet. Let's say I have my default Visa credit card in Wallet already and then I add a Kohl's card. If I check out at Kohl's using Apple Pay, will it automatically pick my Kohl's card? This would honestly be the only way I can imagine that would incentivize people to set up more than one card in Wallet.

Don't put your finger on it, then it will activate and you can select the card to use.

 

[rugmankc]

The only reason I have the Kohl's card is so I get all the big % off coupons in the mail. When I get a 30% off everything is when I usually shop there. And then there's the Kohl's cash. I immediately pay off the balance so there's never any interest incurred.

I don't shop there very much. When I look at those type of stores, usually check out Macy's and Kohls. I think Macy's took my AP last time. Can't remember. Being military retired, still working, and both I and my wife on Social Security, I don't usually worry about the sales. Just don't need more open accounts.

 

[waterskier2007]

Don't put your finger on it, then it will activate and you can select the card to use.

That's true. I just think it would be slick if it could choose the appropriate card, but then I suppose people don't always use the same card at certain places every time.

 

[Jason83]

Added my card without issue. I put 000 for the security code as my card doesn't have one.

Tried that and it won't add, wonder what I'm missing.