The best credit cards for Target purchases
Editor's Note
Whether you're purchasing groceries, cleaning supplies, electronics or anything in between, there's a good chance you do some of your shopping at Target.
And if you're spending a significant amount there, you'll want to make sure you're using a credit card that maximizes your purchases from the store. With the right card, you can earn cash back that goes into your pocket, or points that you can put toward that trip you've been dreaming about.
As a superstore with a large variety of products, most Target locations code as general spending, so the best card for traditional grocery stores or wholesale clubs may not necessarily be the best card to use at Target. However, that doesn't mean you can't still earn extra rewards or save cash on your Target purchases.
Here are the top credit cards that will help you maximize your Target purchases with discounts or bonus points.
Overview of the best credit cards for Target purchases
First, a quick note: A small number of Targets are considered "grocery stores" which means at these locations, you'll earn points based on the grocery category. Your best bet might be to make a small purchase and check your statement to see how the purchase was "coded." If your Target is considered a grocery store, check out the best cards for groceries.
For everyone else, here are the best cards to use on your Target runs:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Target Circle™ Card
- Discover it® Cash Back
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
- Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees)
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees)
The information for the Discover it Cash Back and the Target Circle Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Best credit cards for Amazon purchases
Comparing the best credit cards for target purchases
| Card | Welcome Bonus | Annual fee | Earning rates |
|---|---|---|---|
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $395 | 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal; 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal; 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases | |
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, you'll receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first year. | $95 | 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and car rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal; 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases | |
Get a $50 coupon for a purchase over $50 upon approval. | $0 | 5% savings on qualifying purchases at Target | |
Discover will match your first year's cash back. | $0 | 5% cash back on rotating quarterly bonus categories on the first $1,500 in purchases each quarter you activate (up to $75 back per quarter); 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases | |
Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees) | 6% cash back up on up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets; 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services; 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations; 1% cash back on everything else. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout. | |
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. | $325 (see rates and fees) | 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar); 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar); 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com; 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com; 1 point per dollar spent on everything else | |
Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $0 | 5% on quarterly categories (up to $1,500 combined spending, activation required) and on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% back on drugstore purchases and on dining purchases; 1% on all other purchases | |
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | $0 | 5% on Chase Travel; 3% back on drugstore purchases and on dining purchases; 2% cash back on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027; 1.5% cash back on other purchases |
Best credit cards for Target purchases
Capital One Venture X
Annual fee: $395
Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This bonus is worth $1,388 according to TPG's January 2025 valuations.
Earning rate: Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal, and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Why we like it: Although the Capital One Venture X has the highest annual fee of any card on this list, it comes with an extensive range of benefits that are beneficial for frequent travelers. You'll get a $300 annual credit toward travel purchases made through the Capital One travel portal, bringing down the effective annual cost to just $95 per year. Not only that, but you'll get a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary, complimentary access to the Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges for you and up to two guests, up to $120 in statement credits toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck and much more.
Target shoppers also win when paying with the Venture X, since you'll earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases. TPG's January 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents each, so you're looking at an effective 3.7% return whether you're buying groceries or furniture at Target.
For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X
Capital One Venture Rewards
Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, you'll receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first year. TPG's May 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents per mile, making this bonus worth $1,638 (including the travel credit).
Earning rates: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards may be better suited than its premium counterpart for Target shoppers who can't justify paying hundreds of dollars in annual fees.
Plus, you're still earning the same 2 miles per dollar spent rate on all eligible purchases — including at Target — but for just $95 per year. You'll receive an up to $120 statement credit toward your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.
For more details, check out our full review of the Venture card.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards
Target Circle Card
Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: Get a $50 coupon for a purchase over $50 upon approval.
Earning rates: Get a 5% discount on all eligible Target purchases.
Why we like it: Unlike other cards on this list, this card offers an immediate discount on purchases. A 5% discount on Target purchases, both in-store and online, can save you a pretty penny. Plus, cardholders get 5% off at Starbucks locations inside Target.
Other benefits include a 10% discount coupon every account anniversary, 30 extra days for returns and free shipping on most Target online purchases without having to meet the usual $35 minimum.
The Circle Card is offered as either a debit or credit card. The debit version can often make more sense, as it won't add to your 5/24 count with Chase.
For more details, check out our full review of the Target Circle Card.
Discover it Cash Back
Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: Discover will match your first year's cash back.
Earning rates: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in eligible spending in rotating quarterly categories after activation and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Why we like it: The Discover it is a rotating category card, offering 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made in accordance with Discover's cash-back calendar (activation required). These categories vary throughout the year, from gas stations to wholesale clubs, and have included Target in the past.
When Target.com is not a part of the quarterly cash back bonus category, your purchases will only earn 1% back. Since the card doesn't charge an annual fee, it won't hurt to keep it in your wallet throughout the year, though.
The card is relatively easy to be approved for. Since this is a cash-back card, the redemption process is straightforward, with no minimum amount required for redemption. But keep in mind you have to activate the new categories each quarter via Discover's website.
For more details, check out our full review of the Discover it cash back card.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership.
Earning rates: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases — then 1%) and select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit and 1% back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Why we like it: The Blue Cash Preferred offers strong earnings in many popular spending categories, including U.S. supermarkets. While some banks code select Target stores as grocery stores, most do not.
To make sure you're earning 6% back on your Target purchases, you'll want to purchase Target gift cards from traditional U.S. grocery stores. Then, you can use those gift cards to pay for Target purchases.
Target gift cards can be purchased at many grocery stores, including Kroger and Safeway locations. Many Amex cards have restrictions against earning points on gift card purchases, but reports suggest that this isn't strictly enforced, so proceed at your own risk.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.
Apply here: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
American Express Gold Card
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. This bonus is worth up to $2,000, according to TPG's January 2025 valuations.
Earning rates: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year in purchases (then 1 point per dollar) and at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.
Why we like it: The Membership Rewards points you earn with the Amex Gold are fully transferable, so you can get some great value from them when redeeming for flight or hotel bookings. Like the Blue Cash Preferred Card, the bonus on supermarket spending does not extend to superstores like Target, so to earn 4 points per dollar on your Target purchases, you'll want to purchase Target gift cards from a traditional U.S. grocery store.
In addition to the enhanced earning rates at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, this card offers high returns on airfare. You'll also earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly (up to $120 annually) when you pay with your card at participating partner restaurants, up to $7 monthly in Dunkin' statement credits and up to $100 ($50 bi-annually) in Resy statement credits each year. Enrollment required.
Furthermore, Amex Gold cardholders get up to $120 in annual Uber Cash, distributed as up to $10 credits per month. Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card. Enrollment is required.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Gold Card.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Chase Freedom Flex
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account.
Earning rates: 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to the first $1,500 in combined purchases, activation required) and on Chase Travel bookings, 3% back at drugstores and on dining, 2% cash back on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027 and 1% cash back on other purchases.
Why we like it: In early 2023, Target was one of the 5% categories on this card, making this an excellent choice to maximize earnings on your Target purchases. And even when it's not one of the 5% quarterly categories, you can usually buy Target gift cards from a store in the bonus category, such as grocery or office supply stores, and then maximize your Target spending that way.
However, where this can offer some outstanding value is when you pair this card with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). That's because Chase allows you to combine the awards in your different accounts, effectively converting your cash-back rewards into full-fledged transferable Ultimate Rewards points and giving you access to some fantastic award options.
For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Earning rates: 5% cash back on travel bookings made with Chase Travel, 3% back at drugstores and on dining, 2% cash back on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027 and 1.5% cash back on other purchases.
Why we like it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is ideal for purchases that typically don't fall into the bonus categories offered by other cards, such as Target purchases, since it earns a flat 1.5% back on those.
Again, you can maximize your earnings by pairing this card with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Based on TPG's January 2025 valuations, this combination allows you to earn an effective 3% return on your Target purchases.
For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Bottom line
If you're a regular Target shopper, use one of the above cards to maximize your purchases. And, no matter what card you use, always click through your favorite shopping portal when you buy online and sign up for the Target Circle rewards program to stack your earnings.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card, click here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees