Target Circle Card Review: A Perfect Match for Target Shoppers

Overview of the Target Circle Card

The Target Circle™ Mastercard is an excellent store card, offering a 5% discount on purchases at Target and Target.com, 2% back on dining and gas station expenses, and 1% back on all other purchases. This card is particularly beneficial for those who primarily shop at Target rather than elsewhere. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½

*Card rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

With a wide range of products from clothing and electronics to diapers and groceries, Target offers a nearly all-in-one shopping experience. If a significant portion of your budget goes here, you'll reap the rewards and savings from the Target Circle credit card.

The Circle card comes with no annual fee, and TPG suggests having a credit score of 690 or above for the best chance of getting approved.

Let’s explore the benefits and earning potential of the Target Circle Mastercard to determine if it suits your needs.

The details for the Target Circle Card credit card have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information presented here has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Target Circle Card

Welcome Offer for the Target Circle Card

The Target Circle card provides a solid welcome incentive for a store card. Upon approval, you'll receive a coupon in the mail for $50 off a qualifying purchase over $50. After receiving the coupon, simply upload it to the Target app and redeem it within 30 days.

However, this coupon comes with many exclusions, such as Apple products, dairy milk, Dyson, gift cards, limited-time designer collaborations, PlayStation items, and more. Nevertheless, the welcome offer does not require a spending minimum, allowing you to benefit from it with minimal effort.

Advantages of the Target Circle Card

As a Target Circle cardholder, you’ll enjoy complimentary two-day shipping on online Target orders, bypassing the typical $35 minimum. You'll also receive an extra 30 days for returns and exchanges, along with access to exclusive Circle card offers and special items.

Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate a 5% discount at in-store Starbucks locations and on select services. Additionally, you’ll receive a 5% discount on specialty gift cards, drive-up orders, and same-day delivery.

Furthermore, this card imposes no foreign transaction fees, which is a rarity among no-annual-fee cash-back cards.

How to Earn Rewards with the Target Circle Card

The earning structure of the Circle card sets it apart from most reward cards.

Rather than accumulating points or cash-back rewards at Target, the card’s primary benefit is a 5% discount on most in-store and online purchases at Target (some exceptions apply, such as prescriptions and specific gift cards). This setup is particularly advantageous for those who prefer not to track reward earnings, as the savings are applied automatically.

In addition to the Target discount, you’ll earn 2% cash back on dining and gas purchases and 1% on all other purchases made outside of Target, enabling you to earn rewards across a variety of spending categories.

Keep in mind that there is also a reloadable Visa version of the Target Circle card, which does not offer rewards for purchases made outside of Target.

How to Redeem Rewards with the Target Circle Card

As a Target Circle cardholder, you will enjoy a 5% automatic discount on most purchases made in-store or online.

On the other hand, redeeming rewards for purchases outside of Target can be more complex. You need to first accumulate at least $10 in rewards. To use them, you’ll have to go online or call to request either an electronic or physical gift card for Target. This redemption method is more involved compared to other cash-back cards that typically allow for easy statement credits.

Target specifies that if your account is closed for any reason, you have 135 days from the closure date to redeem your rewards. In general, rewards do not expire unless this situation occurs.

Which cards are alternatives to the Target Circle Card?

If Target isn’t where you spend most of your money, it might be wise to explore other card options.

• If you want great rewards on every purchase: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) provides 2% cash back on all transactions (1% when you buy, and another 1% when you pay it off). This way, you don’t have to worry about shopping at specific retailers to maximize your earnings. To find out more, check out our comprehensive review of the Citi Double Cash.
• If your spending leans more towards Amazon: The Prime Visa offers a similar rewards structure to the Target Circle card, giving you 5% back on purchases made at Amazon, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel℠, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, local transit, and commuting (including ride-hailing), and 1% back on everything else. Prime Visa holders can also score 10% or more on select items and categories on Amazon.com. While there’s no annual fee, you must be an Amazon Prime member to qualify for this card. To learn more, check out our detailed review of the Prime Visa.
• If you want to earn 5% at various retailers: The Chase Freedom Flex® allows you to earn 5% cash back on rotating categories every quarter, including grocery stores, gyms, and even Target, giving you more chances to boost your cash back. It also earns 5% on Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% on all other spending. To explore further, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

For more options, check out our complete list of top store credit cards and best cash-back cards.

Is the Target Circle Card a good investment?

The Target Circle Card has no annual fee and provides 5% cash back on purchases at Target. However, opting for this card may mean missing out on higher rewards from other cards. Additionally, the process for redeeming rewards is more complex than what you’ll find with most cash-back cards. Assess your potential savings before applying and weigh them against what you could earn with other cash-back or store cards.

It’s important to note that a debit card version of the Target Circle card exists, offering many of the same benefits as the Target Circle Mastercard. While we usually suggest using a credit card for all expenses, if you frequently shop at Target, the Circle debit card could be a good choice for enjoying Target's savings and perks without impacting your credit score.

Final thoughts

The Target Circle card is an excellent choice for frequent Target shoppers seeking a straightforward rewards program. However, it's advisable to compare the rewards from this card with those available from alternative options. This card is tailored for devoted Target customers rather than those shopping elsewhere.