Ulta Beauty review: Credit Card opening and 20% discount on purchase incentive

Ulta markets a 20% discount off your first purchase if you open up a credit card. I applied and have an 815 credit score and was "denied" in store along with several others at adjacent counters. I paid the entire $220 bill on an existing card then called Comenity/ULTA to understand the reasons for the credit denial. I was told that indeed I was accepted and had an open account. I asked for a 20% credit to my bill and to this day never receive the so called "coupon" they were supposed to email me in lieu of failing to properly communicate that account opening at the point of sale. I believe this practice is abusive deceptive and unfair given a hard credit hit is required to open up a new account which necessarily degrades your credit score. I am left with zero benefit for that cost, simply frustration and long talk time on the phone with no answers on how to recover my $44.