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
- 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. | $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 $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. TPG's May 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents per mile, making this bonus worth $1,388.
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.
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.
You can maximize your earnings by pairing this card with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). 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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.