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Target Circle Card Review [2025]: 5% Off and Free Shipping

Loyal Target and Target.com shoppers can save big with a Target RedCard.

Updated Dec. 12, 2025
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Target Circle Card

Target Circle Card
3.6
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OUR VIEW

If you're a loyal Target shopper, you might have heard of the Target Circle Card. This is one of two credit cards available with the retailer. And it, like other Target Circle credit and debit cards, offers a 5% discount online or in-store with Target, and exclusive benefits like free standard shipping and extended returns.

That’s it in terms of rewards with this card. You won’t earn cash back or points, and the card doesn’t offer intro APRs on purchases or balance transfers. You can only use the Target Circle credit card at Target.

If you’re considering the Target credit card, this review will help you determine if it’s really a good fit. And if not, we’ll share a couple of cash back cards to check out instead.

Pros

Everyday Target savings
Free shipping from Target.com
No annual fee

Cons

Can’t be used outside of Target
Doesn’t earn rewards
No intro APR offers
How we rate products

Target Circle credit card basics

Credit card issuer TD Bank
Credit card type Cash back, Store Credit Card
Annual fee $0
Rewards rate 5% off your eligible purchases at Target (in store and online)
Intro bonus Get $50 in Circle Rewards when you spend $50 on your Circle Credit Card within the first 60 days following approval.
Recommended credit score Excellent, Good
Foreign transaction fee N/A

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2025 award winner Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card

Benefits

Card Details

  • Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
  • Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
  • Apply Now
  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Wells Fargo Active <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>Cash<sup>®</sup></span> Card
5.0
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on Wells Fargo’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

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Why we like it

Who is the Target Circle credit card good for?

The Target Circle Card makes sense only if you shop at Target stores or Target.com. The 5% discount applies both online and in-store, so if you make purchases in either location, you'll likely benefit from having this store card.

Because the Target Circle Card has a $0 annual fee, you don't necessarily need to shop at Target all the time to get value from it. It won't cost you anything to have this store card, so infrequent Target shoppers can still hold onto it and use it when needed.

Of course, frequent Target shoppers will get the most value out of the Target Circle Card. If Target is your preferred store, you can take advantage of the 5% discount every time you shop there. And you're more likely to benefit from the increased return time and free shipping on items from Target.com.

Target Circle Card benefits and perks

  • Generous savings: Get 5% off your eligible purchases at Target (in store and online) when you pay with your Target Circle Card. If you combine this benefit with offers from Target Circle and other Target cashback secrets, you can save loads of money while shopping at Target. The 5% back also applies to specialty gift card purchases, in-store Starbucks purchases, Target subscription orders, and Shipt deliveries from Target.com. Plus, cardholders can save 10% on hotel stays booked through Hotels.com until December 31, 2020.
  • No annual fee: With a $0 annual fee, it's easy to save more money without worrying about an annual cost.
  • Free standard shipping: Standard shipping is free on Target.com purchases when you pay with your Target Circle Card. If you upgrade your shipping method, shipping fees will apply. You may also receive free two-day shipping on eligible items.
  • Extended return policy: Receive 30 additional days to return products you've purchased with your Target Circle Card at Target stores or Target.com. This does not include Target Optical purchases or non-returnable items.
  • Circle Card exclusive extras: Cardholders receive exclusive offers and gifts. These offers can vary between Circle Card holders and may include special items or discounts or early access to certain products.

Drawbacks to the Target RedCard credit card

  • No rewards: Although this credit card offers 5% back on your Target purchases, you don't earn any rewards from purchases with the Target Circle Card. If you want to earn cash back or points, a flexible rewards credit card would be a better option.
  • No intro APR: Average credit card interest rates tend to run high, which makes credit cards with introductory APR (annual percentage rate) offers a real deal. Unfortunately, the Target Circle Card isn't a 0% APR credit card, so it does not have an intro balance transfer or purchase APR offer.
  • Only works at Target: The Target Circle Card only works for purchases at Target stores and Target.com. You would need a separate credit card to make purchases elsewhere.
  • Exclusions: The Target Circle Card's 5% discount does not apply to eye exams at Target Optical, Target gift cards, prepaid cards, prescriptions, Shipt membership fees, or gift wrap for Target.com purchases. 

Other credit cards to consider

If you want to earn lucrative rewards from a broader range of purchases, consider a more flexible cashback credit card, such as the Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees) or U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.

Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash isn't restricted to purchases from a specific merchant. You can use it wherever Mastercard is accepted and earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.

This is one of the best cards for earning everyday cash back, and it's also excellent for building credit and staying motivated to keep your balance paid off.

Earn Cash Back Twice
5.0
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Citi Double Cash® Card

Current Offer

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Likewise, you can use the U.S. Bank Cash+ wherever Visa cards are accepted. This card earns 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. In the past, 5% bonus categories have included wireless purchases, streaming services, home utilities, gyms and fitness centers, and more; 2% everyday categories have included gas stations, grocery stores, and more.

FAQs

Is the Target Circle card a credit card or debit card?

Target Circle cards are available as either credit card or debit cards. Both receive the same valuable benefits of 5% off Target purchases (in-store and online) and free standard shipping on hundreds of thousands of eligible items at Target.com. The Target Circle debit card also links to your existing checking account and allows for cash withdrawals of up to $40 at checkout.

Is the Target Circle card worth it?

If you shop very regularly at Target stores or Target.com, a Target Circle card could be worth it. Target Circle credit cards, the Target Mastercard, and Target Circle debit cards all offer 5% off every Target purchase (in-store and online), free shipping at Target.com, and an extra 30 days for returns and exchanges.

Target credit cards don't have annual fees, but you should still consider whether it's worth adding a new credit card to your credit history before applying.

What credit score do you need for a Target Circle credit card?

To qualify for the Target Circle credit card, you should ideally have good or excellent credit.

Can I use my Target Circle card anywhere?

The Target Circle credit card is a closed-loop card or store card, which means it can only be used for purchases at Target stores in the U.S. and at Target.com. As a card issued in partnership with Target, it's designed to help you save money on purchases with the retailer.

If you want the option to save at Target but also shop elsewhere, consider the Target Mastercard instead. This card offers the same benefits, plus the ability to make purchases outside of Target and earn cash back on qualifying transactions.

Valuable Discount for Target Shoppers
Target Circle Card
3.6
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Target Circle Card

Current Offer

Get $50 in Circle Rewards when you spend $50 on your Circle Credit Card within the first 60 days following approval.

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% off your eligible purchases at Target (in store and online)

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details