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November 14, 2024: The best credit cards to use for Target can offer up to 6% cash back, but cash back isn’t the only thing you should consider.
If you are a Target shopper, you probably already know that the Target Circle™ Mastercard offers a 5% discount on almost everything you buy at Target. And while the card is our editor’s pick for the best card to use at Target, there are other cards you should consider as well.
For purchases like electronics and other durable goods, you might prefer a card with a robust extended warranty, and if you’re shopping the annual Target gift card sale, you’ll want a card that offers cash back rewards that stack with the 10% discount on Target gift cards.
Here are the best credit cards to use at Target.
In this article…
Overview: The best cards for Target shopping
Here are the credit cards that offer the best rewards and benefits for Target shoppers:
 | Best overall card to use at Target: Target Circle™ Mastercard. 5% discount on most items, no annual fee. |
 | Best cash back in Q4 2024: Discover it® Cash Back 5% on up to $1,500 spent in rotating categories. From October-December 2024, that includes Target. |
 | No annual fee card with extended warranty: Chase Freedom Unlimited®. 1.5% cash back, extended warranty, no annual fee. |
 | Largest cash back rewards at Target: U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card. Up to 6% cash back rewards at Target, $0 intro annual fee ($95/year ongoing annual fee.) |
 | Maximum uncapped rewards with mobile wallet: U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. 3% cash back or 4.5% travel rewards, extended warranty, $400 annual fee. |
Editor’s pick: Target Circle™ Mastercard for a 5% discount
The best credit card to use at Target most of the time is the Target Circle™ Mastercard. Most of your purchases at Target are likely to be groceries and household consumables—purchases where cash back (or a discount) is really the only benefit that matters.
Here’s what we like most about the Target Circle™ Mastercard:
- 5% discount on Target purchases. While you can eke out slightly more value from 5% cash back, an immediate 5% discount on Target purchase wins for simplicity and immediate value.
- No annual fee. We don’t like annual fees, and other cards’ annual fees pushed them lower on our list.
- Extra 30 days to return items. Target’s return policy (90 days on most items) is already quite generous, but getting an extra 30 days to return items is a nice perk that you won’t get elsewhere.
While we think that the Target Circle™ Mastercard is the best card to use at Target in general, we think that there are a few cases when you should consider another card.
First, when Target runs its annual 10% off Target gift card sale (usually the first week in December) you’ll want to use another card—the 5% discount on the Circle card doesn’t apply to purchases of Target gift cards.
Second, when you purchase durable goods like home appliances, electronics, and furniture, using a card with an extended warranty is likely to provide more value than the Target Circle card’s 5% discount. If you buy a $1,000 laptop with a cash back card that offers an extended warranty, you’re probably giving up about $35 worth of discount, but that’s a cheap price to pay for an extra year of warranty coverage on an expensive item.
Finally, we wouldn’t use the card outside target. Even though the card gets 2% on dining and gas, there are other cards that can earn you more—and as cash back, rather than as a Target gift card. Target also lists that you can get “exclusives and offers” with the card, but
How we picked: Our considerations and criteria
The Target Circle™ Mastercard is a wallet staple for any frequent Target shopper. While we love our Target circle card, there are other cards we frequently use at Target for their rewards and benefits.
Here’s what we considered when adding cards to our list of the best cards to use at Target:
- Maximum cash back (or discount) on most purchases. Most of our purchases at Target are groceries and home supplies. For these purchases, we want to maximize the amount of cash back or discount we get on our purchase. Other card benefits don’t matter for these purchases.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection. When we buy durable goods—things like electronics and home appliances—we prioritize getting an extended warranty and purchase protection benefits. We think that giving up a few dollars of cash back in exchange for an extra year of warranty coverage on our new laptop is worth it. Target’s generous 90 days return policy means that return protection is less important.
- Maximum cash back on Target gift cards. Target runs a semi-annual promotion where it sells Target gift cards at 10% off. But the Target Circle™ Mastercard’s discount doesn’t stack with this promotion. So we included alternative cash back cards that offer rewards that stack with this periodic promotion for an extra discount.
The best credit cards to use at Target
Here’s a bit more on each of our picks for credit cards to use at Target.
Essential card for Target shoppers: Target Circle™ Mastercard
If you’re a Target shopper, the Target Circle™ Mastercard should be your first choice for a credit card to use at Target. The card offers an instant 5% discount on most items you will buy. That makes it ideal for groceries, clothing, and household consumables.
Unfortunately the card doesn’t offer an extended warranty benefit, which is likely more valuable than the 5% discount if you’re purchasing electronics or other expensive items. Also, when Target runs its periodic 10% off Target gift cards promotion, you’ll want to use another card—the Target Circle™ Mastercard‘s 5% discount doesn’t apply to Target gift cards.
Learn more about the card in our overview of the Target Circle™ Mastercard.
Annual fee: $0
The Target Circle™ Mastercard is the best card to use for your everyday purchases of groceries and home supplies from Target.
Welcome offer
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase over $50 when approved for credit or debit Target Circle Card. Learn how to apply.
All information about the Target Circle™ Mastercard has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
Rewards
- 5% discount every day at Target and Target.com
certain purchases, such as prescriptions, some gift cards, taxes, and alcohol purchases in some states are not eligible for a discount. - 2% on dining.
- 2% on gas.
- 1% on other purchases.
Rewards on non-Target purchases are earned as a Target gift card. The 5% discount on Target purchases is an at-purchase discount that will be reflected on your receipt when you use your card.
Benefits
Target benefits
- Free 2-day shipping on Target.com. Does not apply to orders delivered by Shipt.
- Target Circle Card exclusives and offers. Offers vary by cardholder. Not every exclusive offer will be available to every cardholder.
- More return time. Get an extra 30 days for returns and exchanges at Target.
5% cash back in Q4 2024: Discover it® Cash Back
The Discover it® Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly. When Target features in Discover’s quarterly categories, the card becomes one of the best cards to use at Target. And Target is back as a category in the fourth quarter of 2024.
This means that, for your holiday shopping this year, the Discover it® cash back card beats even the Target Circle card for the best card to use at Target. Here’s why.
First, Discover doubles the cash back you’ve earned at the end of the first year of having your card. What this means is that you can get 5% cash back on your Target purchases made in Q4 2024 and, if you’re in your first year of having the card, you will get that cash back doubled at the end of your first year. This makes it possible to get 10% cash back at Target.
Second, the Discover cash back bonus will stack with Target’s 10% off gift card sale that runs periodically. Historically, Target has run this sale near the end of the year. Stacking the Discover cash back with the discounts, you’ll get an effective 14.5% discount or a 19.5% discount if you qualify for a first-year cash back match.
Learn more in our overview of the Discover it® Cash Back card.
Annual fee: annual_fees
Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
The Discover it® Cash Back card offers 5% cash back in Discover’s rotating quarterly categories. In Q4 2024, this includes Target.
Sign-up bonus
Earn a $100 statement credit after you apply through a referral link and make your first purchase within 3 months of getting approved. Referral link.
Rewards
- 5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in Discover’s rotating 5% categories each calendar quarter.
- 1% on all other purchases.
Rewards are earned as cash back, but can also be redeemed for gift cards. When you redeem for select gift cards, you’ll get better-than-cash-back value for your rewards.
Benefits
The Discover it® Cash Back card offers no substantive benefits.
All information about the Discover it® Cash Back card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
No annual fee card with extended warranty: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
When you’re buying an expensive item like a television, iPad, or cell phone at Target, it’s a good idea to prioritize getting extended warranty coverage over a few dollars of additional rewards.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a card that you should probably have in your wallet anyway for its good combination of rewards, plus extended warranty coverage and purchase protection with no annual fee.
Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® in our card review or read our comparison of the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Annual fee: annual_fees
Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice to use at Target for purchases of durable goods, where you might prefer to have an extra year of warranty coverage for free.
Sign-up bonus
Online affiliate offer: bonus_miles_full
Learn how to apply for the “extra 1.5%” offer being promoted through affiliate channels.
Direct and referral offer: As of November 25, 2024, referral links are showing the following offer: Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Here’s a referral link from one of our newsletter subscribers where you can learn more and apply for this offer.
You’ll earn more points with the “extra 1.5%” offer if you spend more than about $17,000 on the card in your first year.
Rewards
- 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- 5% on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
- 3% on dining at restaurants, including eligible takeout and delivery services.
- 3% drugstore purchases.
- 1.5% on other purchases.
Rewards are marketed as cash back, but earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
Ultimate Rewards® can be combined across cards you hold. If you hold a premium Ultimate Rewards card, you can transfer your points to Chase’s transfer partners or use your points for increased value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠. For more about using Ultimate Rewards, check out our guide on the Ultimate Rewards program.
Benefits
Consumer insurance benefits
Travel insurance benefits
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver.
- Travel and emergency assistance services.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- 3 complimentary months of DashPass. After your 3 months, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at 50% off for the next 9 months. Activate by January 31, 2025.
Largest cash back rewards at Target: U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card.
For absolute maximum cash back at Target, use the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card. The card lets you earn 6% cash back rewards on two retailers you choose, on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter.
The list of eligible merchants you can select from includes Target, plus you can get 6% cash back at another retailer of your choice
Not only does the card earn the highest cash back available at Target, but the card’s extended warranty and purchase protection benefits make it a great choice to use for expensive purchases of electronics and small household appliances.
Finally, when Target runs its 10% off Target gift cards promotion, you should be able to earn 6% on Target gift card purchases, giving you an effective discount of 15.4% on the promotional Target gift cards when you consider the value of the cash back you’ll earn.
Learn more about the Shopper Cash Rewards card from our review of the card.
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95/year thereafter.)
Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each foreign transaction.
All information about the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card offers the highest rate of cash back at Target of any card—up to 6% cash back.
Sign-up bonus
Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. Learn how to apply.
Rewards
- 6% on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchase each quarter with two retailers you choose.
- 3% on your first $1,500 in eligible purchases each quarter on your choice of one everyday category.
Eligible everyday categories include wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, and bills and utilities. - 1.5% on all other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as cash back.
Eligible 6% retailers
With the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card, you can choose two retailers to earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter. Here’s the list of eligible retailers.
- Ace Hardware®
- Apple®
- Amazon.com®
- Anthropologie®
- Bed, Bath, & Beyond®
- Best Buy®
- Chewy.com®
- Crate and Barrel™
- Disney®
- Home Depot®
- Ikea®
- Kohl’s®
- Lowe’s®
- Lululemon®
- Macy’s™
- Menards®
- Nordstrom™
- Pottery Barn®
- QVC®
- Restoration Hardware™
- Target®
- Walmart®
- Wayfair.com
- Williams Sonoma®
Benefits
Consumer insurance benefits
- Purchase security.
- Return protection.
- Extended warranty protection.
Travel insurance benefits
- Travel and emergency assistance services.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- Free Shipt membership until 12/31/24 with enrollment. After free membership expires, you are automatically enrolled in an annual Shipt membership at then-current prices until you cancel.
Maximum uncapped rewards with mobile wallet: U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
If you hold the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card you can earn you up to 3% cash back or 4.5% toward travel on your Target purchases whenever you use a mobile wallet with tap-to-pay as your payment. The card also has both extended warranty and purchase protection benefits, so it is a great choice for your non-consumable purchases.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get increased rewards at Target.com. There’s not currently a way to use the tap-to-pay feature of mobile wallets online.
There’s one purchase at Target that you should never use the Altitude Reserve for: Gift cards. U.S. Bank’s terms say that you won’t earn 3x rewards on mobile wallet purchases if you buy gift cards and the bank has a history of shutting down accounts for even one gift card purchase made using a mobile wallet.
Learn more about the card in our review of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card.
Annual fee: $400
Foreign transaction fee: None
All information about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
You probably won’t get the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card just for Target, but it is one of the best overall cards to use in-store when you can pay with a mobile wallet.
Sign-up bonus
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card is no longer available to new cardmembers.
Rewards
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
- 3x points on mobile wallet spending with Apple Pay®, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay.
- 3x points on eligible travel purchases.
- 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as Altitude Rewards points.
Altitude Rewards points can be redeemed for cash back at 1 cent per point or used to book travel through the Altitude Rewards center at 1.5 cents per point. You can also redeem your points against travel purchases through Real Time Rewards at 1.5 cents per point.
Benefits
Consumer insurance benefits
- Extended warranty protection.
- Purchase security.
- Return protection.
- Personal identity theft protection.
Travel insurance benefits
- Auto rental collision damage waiver.
- Lost luggage reimbursement.
- Travel accident insurance.
- Emergency evacuation and transportation.
- Trip cancellation/interruption coverage.
- Trip delay reimbursement.
- Travel and emergency assistance services.
Travel benefits
- Airport lounge access. Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership with 8 free visits annually.
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- $325 annual statement credit for eligible travel and dining purchases.
- Free Shipt membership until 12/31/24 with enrollment. After free membership expires, you are automatically enrolled in an annual Shipt membership at then-current prices until you cancel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get 5% cash back rewards with the Target Circle™ Mastercard?
The Target Circle™ Mastercard gives you a 5% discount, rather than 5% cash back rewards. You’ll see this discount reflected on your receipt at Target stores or when you check out at Target.com.
Can I use my Target Circle™ Mastercard outside of Target?
Yes, but you really shouldn’t. The Target Circle™ Mastercard offers lackluster rewards outside of Target and Target.com and rewards come as credit toward a Target gift card. You can easily better cash back elsewhere using another card. The debit card and reloadable card cannot be used outside of Target.
What happened to Target Circle 1% rewards?
Target Circle™ no longer offers 1% rewards on every purchase. Instead, Target offers targeted promotions which will vary by account. Not every Target Circle members will be eligible for every offer.
Should I get the Target Circle™ credit card, debit card, or reloadable account.
In our view, the Target Circle™ Mastercard is the clear choice. You’ll receive the same 5% discount with any of the Target Circle cards, but the credit card offers better protections against fraudulent purchases.
How do I find information on the Target Red Card?
The Target Red Cards have been rebranded as Target Circle™ cards. Our coverage at cardsandpoints.com has been updated to reflect the new Target Circle™ branding.
Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.
