The Target Circe™ Mastercard is Target’s rebranding of the Target RedCard Mastercard. The card offers a generous discount at Target and Target.com, plus free two day shipping and more return time at Target.
The card is an almost essential card if you’re a Target shopper. It is one of the best cards to use at Target because of its 5% discount on most items.
Here’s what you need to know about the Target Circle Mastercard.
Target Circle™ Mastercard at a glance
Rewards
| Discount at Target and Target.com on most items. Some restrictions apply | 5% | |
| Dining | 2% | |
| Gas | 2% | |
| Other purchases | 1% |
5% discount at Target.com and Target is a discount—not rewards. Rewards on other purchases can only be redeemed for a Target gift card.
Benefits
| Target benefits Free 2 days shipping on hundreds of items at Target.com. Target Circle™ Card exclusives and offers. Additional 30 days for returns and exchanges at Target. |
Terms
| Fees: Annual fee: $0 Foreign transaction fee: None | |
| Rates: Regular APR: 29.95% Cash advance APR: 31.15% Rates are accurate as of 6/19/24 |
Target Circle™ Mastercard sign-up bonus
Welcome offers on the Target Circle™ Mastercard come and go frequently and typically last somewhere between one and two months. If Target is not currently offering a welcome bonus, it can be worthwhile to wait for a bonus offer before applying for the card.
Target RedCard Mastercard welcome bonus:
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchases of over $50 when approved for a credit or debit RedCard.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The Target RedCard frequently offers a similar bonus for new cardmembers. If Target isn’t currently offering a welcome bonus, just wait a few weeks and they’ll launch a new offer. $50 off of $50 matches the largest offer we’ve seen on this card.
The link above is a direct link. We don’t make any money when you use the link above, but we’ll always show you the best offer.
Target RedCard™ Mastercard at a glance:
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% discount at Target and Target.com. 2% on dining and gas. 1% everywhere else.
Benefits: Free 2-day shipping at Target.com. Additional 30 days to return at Target.
Target Circle™ Mastercard rewards
The biggest reason to carry the Target Circle™ Mastercard is for the card’s 5% discount on purchases at Target. When you shop at Target, you will receive your 5% discount at the register instead of accumulating cash back rewards. The 5% discount apples to most purchases, but excludes items like prescription drugs, Target Optical eye exams, certain gift cards and purchases of alcohol in some states. Here are the rewards of the Target Circle Mastercard
| 5% | Discount at Target and Target.com | |
| 2%* | Dining | |
| 2%* | Gas | |
| 1%* | Everywhere else |
*Rewards are earned as credit toward a Target gift card
How to apply:
Target RedCard Mastercard welcome bonus:
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchases of over $50 when approved for a credit or debit RedCard.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The Target RedCard frequently offers a similar bonus for new cardmembers. If Target isn’t currently offering a welcome bonus, just wait a few weeks and they’ll launch a new offer. $50 off of $50 matches the largest offer we’ve seen on this card.
The link above is a direct link. We don’t make any money when you use the link above, but we’ll always show you the best offer.
Target RedCard™ Mastercard at a glance:
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% discount at Target and Target.com. 2% on dining and gas. 1% everywhere else.
Benefits: Free 2-day shipping at Target.com. Additional 30 days to return at Target.
Should you keep the card after the first year?
The Target Circle™ Mastercard carries no annual fee and offers a 5% discount at Target stores. Typically, the card does not offer a very generous welcome bonus, so chances are that you applied for the card for its discount at Target. If you shop at Target with any frequency, it makes sense to continue to hold this card.
If you frequently apply for new Target Circle™ Mastercards for multiple welcome bonuses, note that Doctor of Credit readers are reporting that Target will no longer give you the card’s welcome bonus if you recently held a Target Red Card or Target Circle Mastercard.
Benefits of the Target Circle™ Mastercard
The Target Circle™ Mastercard offers a few additional perks for Target shoppers. Here are the benefit highlights of this card.
Benefits for shopping at Target
Free 2-day shipping at Target.com: The Target Circle™ Mastercard offers free 2-day shipping on hundreds of thousands of items at Target.com.
RedCard exclusive offers: Target promises Circle Mastercard exclusive offers to select cardholders. These targeted offers can be based on previous purchases or geographic location and require enrollment in Target Circle, Target’s loyalty program.
More time to return at Target: Get an additional 30 days beyond the standard return period for returns and exchanges.
Who is the Target Circle™ Mastercard best for?
If you shop at Target, you should almost certainly have the Target Circle™ Mastercard in your wallet. The card is naturally one of the best cards to use at Target for its 5% discount on most things you buy. But it isn’t the only card you should use at Target. (More on this below in the alternatives.)
If you’re not a frequent Target shopper, you’ll want to pass on the Target Mastercard—the card’s rewards outside the store aren’t as compelling as a basic 2% cash back credit card and you’ll only receive rewards as a Target gift card.
Alternatives to the Target Circle™ Mastercard
The Target Circle™ Mastercard is a great default card to use at Target. But if you’re buying items where a warranty matters or if you want even more cash back, here are some other cards to consider:
- The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card can get you up to 6% cash back at Target and one other retailer you choose. And you can use the card during Target’s annual 10% off gift cards sale to earn cash back on that purchase. (The Target Circle card doesn’t give a 5% discount on Target gift cards.)
- Use your Target Circle card for your everyday purchases, but when having an extended warranty counts, charge your purchase to a Chase Freedom Unlimited® to take advantage of a year of extra warranty protection.
- If you shop in stores that let you use your phone to pay, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card will get you 3x points, redeemable for up to 4.5% toward travel, when you use your phone to pay. And that card has Visa’s extended warranty coverage, which protects your purchases for free.
These cards and other cards are featured in our article covering the best cards to use at Target. If you are a Target shopper, a quick peek at that article will make sure you’re getting the best rewards.
