Free Ulta Gift Card – My User Experience and Tips (2025)
Last Update: November 12, 2025
Author: Jodie Collins
Head Editor and Gift Card review expert
Tester: Bennett Easton
Product Review Expert and Co-Head Editor
How I Tested earning a Free Ulta Gift Card
I chose four offers that balance speed, eligibility, and total payout: Kovo (1,000 pts), Gemini (1,500 pts), Axos Bank (5,000 pts), and Opencare (1,400 pts). The logic was simple: secure at least $85 in value with minimal calendar risk and a mix of fintech and service flows so that if one requires extra verification, another still posts quickly. Kovo and Opencare are typically lighter-lift. Gemini and Axos Bank involve KYC and identity checks, which are normal for financial services and may take longer.
This mix also diversifies tracking patterns. Opencare tends to show pending same day after a completed booking confirmation. Kovo’s application and first payment confirmation usually trigger pending within the hour. Gemini’s KYC approval can vary from instant to a few hours, but once approved it tracks promptly. Axos Bank historically posts reliably after account approval and initial funding steps. In my test, the four together delivered 8,900 pts total—enough to redeem $85 for Ulta and still keep a cushion.
Earning Points and Redeeming for a Ulta Card
I started with Kovo at 9:10 a.m. and tapped Start Offer, then Apply Now on the Kovo page. The application asked for name, address, SSN, and a soft credit pull disclosure. After submitting, I saw a confirmation screen with Ref ID KV-11472 and received an email titled Welcome to Kovo within two minutes. Tracking showed as pending 38 minutes later. Tip: when the identity quiz throws an extra challenge question, slow down and select I’m not sure rather than guessing; a mismatch can delay posting.
Next was Gemini at 9:28 a.m. I hit Continue, then Verify Identity. The flow required driver’s license upload and a selfie. My first selfie failed for glare, so I retook it with the phone slightly angled; success on the second try. The confirmation page displayed Application received and Account pending review. I received an email with the subject Your Gemini verification is in progress. Approval arrived 54 minutes later, and points showed as pending by early afternoon. If the document upload stalls, switching from Wi-Fi to LTE often resolves it.
At 10:35 a.m. I moved to Axos Bank. I clicked Open Account, filled in personal details, consented to KYC, and selected the basic checking option. I verified micro-deposit funding with a small initial transfer and saw a confirmation number AX-29711 on the success screen. The approval email landed with the subject Your Axos application status within 20 minutes, while the pending points displayed later that evening. Expect variance: KYC can be instant to a few hours, and some users may be asked for an additional document. Read the bank’s terms carefully.
Finally, Opencare. I tapped Book Now, picked a local dentist, selected a cleaning, and confirmed a date three weeks out. Opencare sent an immediate appointment confirmation email titled You’re booked. Points tracked as pending within 25 minutes based on the booking confirmation. If you cannot find an appointment in your zip code, widen the radius by 5–10 miles or try midweek afternoons. By the next morning, all four offers showed pending. Within 48 hours, my account reflected the full 8,900 pts. I redeemed $85 for Ulta and kept 400 pts.
Other Offers you can use to Earn an Ulta Gift Card
Free Trials
Finance Offers
Health Offers
What I bought with my Ulta Gift Card
I used the $85 Ulta gift card on a restock run. I added Tarte Shape Tape concealer at $32, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum at $6.50, and a 1.7 oz Living Proof dry shampoo at $30. I also grabbed a Real Techniques sponge two-pack for $10. Subtotal: $78.50. With local sales tax at 8.25%, the total came to $85.97.
At checkout, I selected Gift Card under Payment and entered the code. Ulta applied $85 instantly and displayed Remaining balance: $0.97. I covered the remainder with a saved card. The order confirmation screen showed Order #ULT-59384 with Estimated delivery 3–5 business days. I like to screenshot this page and the gift card balance after redemption.
Post-purchase, I checked my Earn account one more time to confirm nothing fell out of pending. Everything looked clean. The $85 redemption processed as a single code, which Ulta recognized without issue. For store pickup orders, Ulta typically sends a Ready for pickup email within a few hours; shipping orders send a tracking email by the next day. Keeping the card code archived in your email makes returns and partial refunds painless.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ulta Gift Cards
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free Ulta gift card?
In my run, I completed four offers in one morning, saw pending within 15–60 minutes, and had all pending posted to my account within 1–2 days. Your timing can vary based on KYC and provider workload. Pending points automatically convert to tradable points after around 30 days; that’s when you can redeem for an Ulta code.
Do I need to pass identity checks for these offers?
Some offers, especially financial services, require identity verification. Expect document upload, a selfie, or a soft credit check. If a step fails, retry in a well-lit room and ensure your ID edges are visible. Additional verification can add hours or days to approval. Always review each offer’s terms and disclosures before starting to understand the exact requirements.
What if my points don’t track after I complete an offer?
First, confirm you started the offer from Earn and didn’t use a coupon or ad-blocker that could break tracking. Then check your email for the merchant’s confirmation and keep screenshots of key steps. Most pending shows within 15–60 minutes and fully appears within up to 2 days. If it’s still missing after that, contact support with timestamps, confirmation numbers, and the exact email subject you received.
Can I stack multiple offers the same day without issues?
Yes, but pace them. I space applications by 15–30 minutes so each confirmation has time to register. Avoid opening duplicate tabs of the same merchant. For KYC flows, complete them on mobile with a strong connection to reduce retries. If a site becomes unresponsive, close the tab, relaunch from Earn, and proceed in one clean session to protect tracking integrity.
Are any of these truly no purchase required?
Some offers can be completed without a purchase, while others may require funding, a first payment, or a booked appointment. Requirements can change, and eligibility differs by user. Read offer terms in Earn.llc before starting. When in doubt, choose lower-lift options first, then move to higher-value items that involve KYC or account opening so you maintain momentum toward your target.
How does Ulta gift card redemption work once I have enough points?
When your pending converts and you reach the threshold, choose Ulta at redemption. Codes come in $5 increments, so 8,900 pts equals $85 with 400 pts left in your balance. The code displays instantly and also arrives by email. Enter it during checkout under Gift Card. If the cart total is lower than your gift card, Ulta retains the remaining balance on the same code.
What if I need the gift card faster?
Front-load faster-tracking offers first and complete KYC-heavy ones early in the day. Clear your browser cache, disable ad blockers, and keep your phone handy for two-factor prompts. Most users see pending within an hour and full account posting within up to 2 days, but keep expectations flexible. Results vary by user, eligibility, and tracking; always review offer terms in Earn.llc.
