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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
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Target Circle™ Card Review

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
LendingTree's Review

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
2.2
Target Circle™ Card
Rewards rate
5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target
Annual fee
$0
Additional benefits
Free shipping on most Target.com items
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It was not reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

Our take: Target Circle™ Card is a must-have for frequent Target shoppers. Getting 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target allows you to rack up savings on everyday purchases and grocery hauls. Plus, perks like free two-day shipping make shopping at Target more convenient.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target
  • Discount applied automatically
  • $0 annual fee
  • Free two-day shipping
  • Extended returns

Cons

  • Can only be used at Target
  • High interest rates
  • No 0% intro APR
  • Discount does not apply to all Target purchases

Is the Target Circle™ Card worth it?

Target regulars, take note: You won’t find better Target savings and perks outside the Target Circle™ Card. When you use your Target Circle™ Card, you’ll get 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target automatically – the discount is applied at checkout. Plus, shopping at Target will be more convenient with valuable perks like free two-day shipping and an extra 30 days for returns. And you won’t have to worry about an annual fee – it’s $0.

If you want a credit card you can use outside of Target, this card is not for you. The Target Circle™ Card is a store card, which means you can only use it in Target stores and online at Target.com. You should also look elsewhere if you tend to carry a balance. The card’s high APR – currently 29.95% (variable) – can land you in financial hot water if you don’t pay off your card every month.

What is a Target Circle™ Card?

Along with the Target Circle™ Card, Target offers other products under the RedCard trademark, including a debit card, a Mastercard and a RedCard Reloadable Account. All of these give you 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target.

Quick facts

    • 5% discount at Target and Target.com
    • $0 annual fee
    • 29.95% variable APR
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion
  • 660 720
    Good
  • Exclusive access to special items and offers
  • 5% off at any in-store Starbucks location
  • 5% off specialty gift cards for travel, restaurants and more
  • An estimated $500 in savings on baby supplies
  • Free two-day shipping
  • 60 day window for returns

Intro Purchase APR

N/A

Regular Purchase APR

29.95%

Intro BT APR

N/A

Regular BT APR

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Cash Advance Fee

N/A

Foreign Transaction Fee

N/A

Balance Transfer Fee

N/A

Target Circle™ Card benefits

  • 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target

    You can get 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target with the Target Circle™ Card. Few cards without the Target RedCard trademark will give you more cash back at Target. And Target makes it easy to earn these rewards – your discount is automatically deducted when you check out. This is unique, since most cash back credit cards require you to take an extra step to redeem your rewards.

    The discount applies to clearance items, purchases at in-store Starbucks locations, subscription deliveries, specialty gift cards and same-day delivery orders through Shipt.

    Rewards: If you spend $2,400 at Target in a year – an average of $200 per month – you’ll get $120 in cash back.

  • Annual fee

    The Target Circle™ Card comes with a $0 annual fee. Target doesn’t charge for a membership program in order to use the card, so you’ll get your Target discount and perks without having to pay for a loyalty program. If you want to earn cash back with similar cards like the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi or the Prime Visa, you’ll have to cough up an annual membership fee.

  • Free two-day shipping

    When you use your Target Circle™ Card to shop at Target.com, you’ll get free two-day shipping on most items, saving yourself Target’s $5.99 standard shipping fee. Note that, if you tend to make large online orders from Target, this benefit may not make much difference to you. You can get free two-day shipping even if you don’t have a Target Circle™ Card as long as you spend at least $35 on your order.

  • Extended returns

    You’ll get 30 additional days to return a purchase beyond Target’s standard return policy when you pay with your Target Circle™ Card.

Target Circle™ Card drawbacks

  • Can only be used at Target

    Unlike traditional credit cards that you can use anywhere, you can only make purchases with the Target Circle™ Card at Target stores and Target.com. We recommend the Discover it® Cash Back if you want a rewards card you can use wherever you go.

  • High interest rates

    If you carry a balance on your Target Circle™ Card from month to month, you will be subject to a high APR of 29.95% (variable) on purchases. That said, store credit cards typically charge higher interest rates than traditional credit cards.

    Pro tip: If you want a Target Circle™ Card without the risk of racking up high-interest debt, consider the debit card version. It offers the same perks as the Target Circle™ Card. The difference is that when you make a purchase, your total will be withdrawn automatically from an existing checking account.

  • No 0% intro APR on purchases

    Unlike some store cards, the Target Circle™ Card doesn’t offer any type of financing for Target purchases. If you want to finance a large purchase like a TV or a piece of furniture and pay it off over time, consider using a card with a 0% intro APR. This will give you breathing room to pay off your balance before your card starts charging interest.

  • Discount does not apply to all Target purchases

    There are some exceptions to the 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target. Exclusions include prescriptions, Target Optical eye exams and protection plans, Target gift cards and prepaid cards, certain restaurant merchants in Target stores, Shipt membership fees, alcohol purchases in Indiana, gift wrap and shipping and handling charges on Target.com purchases and wireless protection program purchases.

Alternative to the Target Circle™ Card

Compare it to the Discover it® Cash Back

| Disclosures
Discover it® Cash Back*
Discover it<sup>®</sup> Cash Back
Learn More
0% Intro APR for 15 months
18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
$0
5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent
*The information related to the Discover it® Cash Back has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

 

If you want flexibility in terms of where you can earn rewards, the Discover it® Cash Back may be a better fit. You’ll get 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

Rewards: If you max out the $1,500 spending cap each quarter, you can earn $300 cash back at the end of the year. The Discover Cashback Match bonus doubles that amount to $600 in your first year.

Should you apply for the Target Circle™ Card?

The Target Circle™ Card is a great fit if you’re a frequent Target shopper who wants a simple rewards program to offset the cost of regular Target hauls. The Target Circle™ Card makes shopping at Target more convenient for you, too, with perks like free two-day shipping and an extended return window.

However, if you are an occasional Target shopper, you should skip this card in favor of a rewards card that aligns with your spending habits.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. You can get cash back by using any of Target’s four card offerings: the Target Circle™ Card, the Target RedCard Debit Card, the Target MasterCard and the RedCard Reloadable Account. Target cash back is applied as a discount at checkout.

You can apply for the Target Circle™ Card with Target’s online application.

No. Currently, there is no way to get Target credit card preapproval.

You need good credit to qualify for the Target Circle™ Card. Issuers usually consider good credit to be a FICO score of 670 or above.

The information related to the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The information related to the Target Circle™ Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and Discover it® Cash Back has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.