If you’re trying to figure out where to buy Ulta gift cards, I assume there is no Ulta Beauty store near you.
That’s fine, a lot of other stores sell Ulta gift cards, including some of the major retailers we all know and shop from.
There are also some retailers that surprisingly don’t sell Ulta GCs.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly where you can buy Ulta gift cards, where you can’t, the safest places to buy online, and what to avoid so you don’t waste money or get burned.
I’ll also explain the important differences between physical cards and digital eGift cards and how they affect fees, limits, and refund rules.
Table of Contents
Best Place to Buy Ulta Gift Cards
You can actually buy Ulta gift cards from stores both online and in-store. So obviously availability depends on the retailer.
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Here’s the short answer to your question:
- Ulta Beauty: You can buy in Ulta stores near you or online at Ulta.com and ulta.cashstar.com.
- Major retailers: Usually stores like Target, CVS, and Walgreens sell Ulta gift cards in-store and online.
- Digital / instant delivery: You can also buy Ulta eGift cards online which is delivered to your email instantly.
For me personally, the safest and easiest way is to buy directly from Ulta or one of those big trusted stores. This way you’ll also avoid being scammed since gift card scams are everywhere.
Where to Buy Ulta Gift Cards Near Me
If you like picking up a physical Ulta gift card in person, a few stores carry them, but not every store does.
Here’s what I’ve found about where you can usually find Ulta gift cards in-store and where you won’t.
Retailer | Sold In-Store? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Ulta Beauty | Yes | The best selection of designs and denominations. |
Target | Yes | Good availability, but remember they can’t be used at Ulta Beauty at Target locations. |
Kroger (and affiliates) | Yes | Great option for earning 4x Fuel Points during promotions. |
CVS | Yes | Conveniently located; good for earning ExtraCare rewards. |
Walgreens | Yes | Widely available at most locations. |
BJ’s Wholesale Club | Yes | Often sells multipacks or discounted cards. |
Staples | Yes | Carries them in-store and online. |
Office Depot / OfficeMax | Yes | Another good option for office supply shoppers. |
Meijer | Yes | Available at this regional supercenter. |
Other Grocery Stores | Sometimes | Check your local Safeway, Albertsons, or Giant Eagle. Call ahead to confirm stock. |
Quick tip: Stock can change depending on the store. If you’re going to buy Ulta gift cards from a pharmacy or grocery store near you, I’d call first or check their website first to make sure they have it in stock.
Where to Buy Ulta Gift Cards Online
Buying Ulta gift cards online is usually the fastest and easiest way, especially if you need something last-minute.
You can go with a physical card shipped to you or grab a digital Ulta Gift card delivered instantly by email.
- Buy directly from Ulta: I usually go to Ulta.com where you can get both physical gift cards and eGift cards.
- Major retailers online: Stores like Target, CVS, and Walgreens also sell Ulta gift cards on their websites. Just keep in mind the availability and denominations can be different depending on the site.
- Instant digital delivery: If you’re in a rush, Ulta eGift cards are awesome. The good thing about digital Ulta gift cards is that you get them pretty much instantly in your email and can start using them right away.
Online Retailer | Card Type | Key Benefits & Notes |
|---|---|---|
Ulta.com | Physical & eGift | The safest option with the best selection of designs and full customer support. |
Target.com | Physical & eGift | Use your Target RedCard for a 5% discount on your purchase. |
Kroger.com | eGift | A great way to earn 4x Fuel Points during gift card promotions. |
Staples.com | eGift | Often has Ulta eGift cards with fast, free digital delivery. |
CVS.com | Physical & eGift | Look for deals to earn ExtraCare rewards on your purchase. |
Walgreens.com | Physical & eGift | Convenient online ordering; selection may vary. |
BJ’s Wholesale | Physical & eGift | Sometimes sells discounted multipacks or cards with a small percentage off. |
OfficeDepot.com | eGift | Another reliable option for fast digital delivery of eGift cards. |
Payment, Shipping & Delivery Details
If you do decide to order a physical gift card online, keep these things in mind:
- Payment Methods: Most official sites like Ulta.com and Target.com take all major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.
- Shipping Costs & Times: Standard shipping is usually free and takes 3-7 business days. Need it faster? Expedited shipping costs around $10 to $20 for 1-2 day delivery.
- Mobile Apps: If you want it even quicker, you can buy and send Ulta eGift cards directly through the official Ulta Beauty mobile app as well as other retailer apps like the Target app.
Digital vs Physical Ulta Gift Cards
Ulta has both digital eGift cards and the classic physical gift cards. Which one you pick really depends on how and when you plan to give or use the card.
Here’s a comparison table I made that shows you the pros and cons of each type:
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Feature | Digital eGift Card | Physical Gift Card |
|---|---|---|
Delivery | Instant email delivery | Purchased in-store or shipped |
Best for | Last-minute gifts | In-person gifting |
Risk of loss | Low (stored digitally) | Can be lost or stolen |
Use in-store | Yes (barcode or number) | Yes |
Use online | Yes | Yes |
If you’re in a hurry, a digital Ulta eGift card is super convenient. I go for a physical card when I want something I can actually hold, wrap, or hand to someone in person.
What Denominations of Gift Cards Can You Buy at Ulta?
Ulta gift cards are flexible when it comes to denominations.
You can buy standard gift cards in any amount (you know, the usual $20, $50, $100…) up to $500.
If you’re ordering online, there’s a limit of 5 gift cards per order or a maximum total of $1,000.
Some promotional eGift cards might have different rules, so I always check the terms before buying.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing Ulta with Ulta at Target: Forgetting that Ulta gift cards don’t work in the mini-stores inside Target.
- Ignoring Rewards: Leaving money on the table by not buying from a place like Kroger or Target where you can earn rewards.
- Buying from Shady Websites: Falling for a “75% off” scam on a random website instead of a verified resale platform.
- Not Saving Your Receipt: Tossing the receipt for a physical card, which is your only proof of purchase if the card is lost or stolen.
Ulta Gift Card Activation and Fees
Standard Ulta gift cards do not have any activation fees, service fees, or maintenance fees. So the full amount you pay is what’s on the card.
For eGift cards, make sure you type in the recipient’s email correctly.
I’ve learned the hard way: if the email is wrong or the recipient can’t receive it, Ulta won’t refund the eGift card.
How You Can Use Ulta Gift Cards
Using Ulta gift cards is pretty straightforward, but there are some things you should keep in mind:
- You can’t use them to buy other gift cards.
- You can’t use them for fundraising items.
- You can’t put them toward an Ulta credit card balance.
- They don’t work at Ulta locations inside Target or on the DoorDash Marketplace.
- You can redeem Ulta gift cards only at Ulta stores or online at Ulta.com.
How to Check Your Ulta Gift Card Balance
If you are anything like me (I need to check my gift card balances all the time!) and lose track of how much any given gift card has left in it, you need to know how to check your Ulta gift card’s balance.
Thankfully, it’s pretty easy.
Here’s how to check your Ulta gift card’s balance:
- Go to https://www.ulta.com/guestservices/gift-cards
- Scroll all the way down until you see a pinkish colored box with a heading “Check Balance”.
- Enter your gift card number and pin in the two designated fields, then hit “check balance”.
Their system will instantly show you the balance on your card.
You can also check the balance by calling 1-888-566-2736, if you prefer.
How to Get a Discount on Ulta Gift Cards
While most places sell Ulta gift cards at face value, there are a few clever ways you can save money or get extra value from your purchase.
Use Retailer Rewards Programs
This is one of my favorite tricks because it’s so easy. Instead of buying from Ulta, I grab a gift card from a store that gives me rewards.
- Kroger: They usually run “4x Fuel Points on Gift Cards” deals. Buying a $100 Ulta gift card during one of these could save you 40 cents per gallon on gas!
- Target: Use your Target RedCard and you get an automatic 5% off your whole purchase, gift cards included.
- CVS: Watch for ExtraCare deals like “Get $10 in ExtraBucks when you spend $50 on select gift cards.”
Buy from a Legitimate Resale Site
Websites like Raise and CardCash are online marketplaces where people sell unwanted gift cards at a discount, typically ranging from 5% to 15% off face value.
I’ve found great deals here, but you have to be careful.
- How it works: You’re buying a pre-owned card. I always check the seller’s rating and make sure the site has a balance guarantee.
- The risk: Even on legit sites, the risk is higher than buying directly. So stick to well-known platforms and avoid random sellers on social media.
Watch for Holiday Promotions
Around major holidays like Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Black Friday, Ulta and other retailers sometimes run bonus offers. A popular one is “Buy a $100 gift card, get a $20 bonus card.”
These are the best times to stock up for the year or for corporate gifting.
The #1 Place to Avoid Buying Ulta Gift Cards
We’ve covered all the best spots to get Ulta gift cards, but there’s one place I would personally steer clear of: unverified third-party sellers on random websites or social media.
This also includes some sketchy gift card resale sites that pop up, especially around the holidays when a lot of people are buying gift cards as gifts or trading them.
This is where I see people get burned the most.
You might see tempting offers like “75% off Ulta gift cards,” but almost all of these are scams. You could end up with a fraudulent card, an empty card, or no card at all. You have zero protection if something goes wrong.
With so many legitimate places selling Ulta Beauty gift cards, there’s no reason to risk it. A small discount is never worth losing the full value of your gift card.
Stores That Do NOT Sell Ulta Gift Cards
This is where a lot of people get tripped up.
You’d expect most big retailers would sell gift cards for a brand as big and popular as Ulta Beauty, but that’s not the case.
And usually it’s about not wanting to promote your competitor, lol
Some of the major stores that don’t sell Ulta GCs are:
- Walmart: Unfortunately, you won’t find Ulta as one of the many gift cards sold at Walmart stores or website.
- Sam’s Club: Does not sell Ulta gift cards.
- Costco: Does not sell Ulta gift cards.
- Amazon: Does not sell Ulta gift cards directly but third-party sellers do.
FAQs About Buying Ulta Gift Cards
For instant delivery, buy an eGift card from Ulta.com or Ulta.cashstar.com. It arrives in your email within minutes. Physical cards take 3-7 days for standard shipping.
Contact Ulta customer service immediately. If the email hasn’t been accessed, they may be able to help, but there’s no guarantee of refund or reissue.
Only buy from verified, reputable sellers. Avoid random resale sites or “discounted” offers to prevent scams or fraudulent cards.
No. Ulta gift cards do not expire, so you can use them whenever you’re ready.
No. Gift cards are non-refundable. Once purchased, they cannot be returned for cash.
No, standard Ulta gift cards are single-use and cannot be reloaded with more money once the balance is spent.
Show the barcode in your email at checkout, or provide the gift card number and PIN to the cashier.
No. Ulta gift cards cannot be used at Ulta Beauty locations inside Target, at Target.com, or through the DoorDash Marketplace. They are only valid at standalone Ulta stores or on Ulta.com.
No. You can not use Ulta gift cards to buy other gift cards. You also can’t apply it to your Ulta credit card balance.
Ulta may help if you have the original receipt or proof of purchase. Without it, lost or stolen cards are treated like cash and cannot be replaced.
Yes. Kroger and Kroger-affiliated stores (like Fred Meyer, Ralphs, and Smith’s) sell Ulta gift cards and often run 4x Fuel Points promotions.
No, Dollar General does not carry Ulta gift cards.
Yes. CVS carries Ulta gift cards at many locations. You will usually find Ulta gift cards at CVS near the gift card rack or checkout, and they’re also available online at CVS.com.
Yes. Target sells Ulta gift cards in-store and online, and you can save 5% with a Target RedCard.
Final Thoughts
I have bought Ulta gift cards a few times over the years (mainly to give as gifts to friends and family members who shop at Ulta Beauty).
I have always used either Ulta stores near me or one of the big trusted retailers like Target, CVS, and Walgreens that sell them.
And the few times I bought digital Ulta gift cards, I bought them directly form Ulta.com since they usually have more options (designs, denominations, etc.).
I have never had any problems with either method. So if you are wondering where to buy Ulta gift cards, those are your best and safest options.
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