Target Circle Card credit card review: A bull’s-eye for Target shoppers
Editor's Note
Target Circle Card credit card overview
The Target Circle™ Mastercard is a solid store card. It features a 5% discount on Target and Target.com purchases, 2% back on dining and gas station purchases and 1% back on everything else. This is a strong contender for those who spend big at Target — but not elsewhere. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
With everything from clothes and electronics to diapers and groceries, shopping at Target is as close to one-stop shopping as possible. If you spend much of your budget here, you can benefit from the savings and benefits the Target Circle card credit card offers.
The Circle card has no annual fee, and TPG recommends a credit score of 690 or higher for the best chance of approval.
Let's break down the Target Circle Mastercard's perks and earning structure to help you decide if it's a good fit for you.
The information for the Target Circle Mastercard 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: Everything you need to know about Target Circle
Target Circle Card pros and cons
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Target Circle Card welcome offer
The Target Circle card offers a decent welcome offer for a store card. After approval, you'll get a coupon in the mail for $50 off a qualifying purchase of more than $50. Once you receive the coupon, you must upload it to the Target app and redeem it within 30 days.
Unfortunately, this coupon has a long list of exclusions — including Apple products, dairy milk, Dyson, gift cards, limited-time designer partnerships, PlayStation products and more. Still, this welcome offer doesn't have a spending requirement, so you can get value from it with minimal effort.
Related: This month's best welcome offers
Target Circle Card benefits
As a Target Circle cardholder, you'll get free two-day shipping on online Target orders, an additional 30 days for Target returns and exchanges and access to Circle card exclusive special offers and items.
Cardholders will also enjoy a 5% discount at in-store Starbucks and on certain services. Plus, you'll receive a 5% discount on specialty gift cards, drive-up orders and same-day delivery.
Related: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using
Earning rewards on the Target Circle Card
The Circle card's earning structure is different from most reward cards.
Instead of earning points or cash-back rewards at Target, this card's most valuable benefit is a 5% savings on most in-store and online Target purchases (exceptions apply, such as prescriptions and certain gift cards). This structure is especially great for anyone who doesn't want to keep up with earning rewards since these savings are automatic.
Apart from the discount on Target purchases, you'll earn 2% cash back on dining and gas purchases and 1% on all other purchases outside of Target, allowing you to earn rewards everywhere you spend.
Note that there is also a version of the Target Circle card that is a reloadable Visa and doesn't earn rewards on purchases outside of Target.
Related: Maximize your earnings this year
Redeeming rewards on the Target Circle Card
You'll get a 5% automatic discount on most purchases when shopping in-store or online with Target.
However, spending elsewhere is more complicated. You must first earn at least $10 in rewards. To redeem them, you'll need to go online or call to request an electronic or physical gift card to use at Target. This is a more complicated process than most other cash-back cards, which offer statement credits as the easiest method to redeem rewards.
Target states that if your account is closed for any reason, you will have 135 days from the date the account was closed to redeem your rewards. Aside from this circumstance, rewards do not expire.
Related: What is a rewards credit card and how does it work?
What cards compete with the Target Circle Card?
If you don't spend the majority of your budget at Target, you should consider a different card.
- If you want solid earnings on all your purchases: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) earns 2% back on all purchases (1% when you make a purchase, 1% when you pay it off). With it, you won't have to worry about whether you're shopping at the right place to get your best earnings. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
- If you spend more of your budget at Amazon than at Target: The Prime Visa (see rates and fees) has a similar earning structure as the Target Circle card, earning 5% back on Amazon, Whole Foods Market and Chase Travel℠ purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing) and 1% back on all other purchases. Prime Visa cardholders can also earn 10% or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com. While it doesn't carry an annual fee, you must be an Amazon Prime member to get this card. To learn more, check out our full review of the Prime Visa.
- If you want to earn 5% at multiple merchants: The Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) earns 5% back on quarterly rotating categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate (then 1%). Categories can include grocery stores, gyms and even Target, giving you a wider range of opportunities to maximize your cash back. It also earns 5% back on Chase Travel, 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases and 1% on all other purchases. To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
For additional options, check out our full list of best store credit cards and best cash-back cards.
The information for the Prime Visa 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: Store vs. cash-back cards: Which one should I get?
Is the Target Circle Card worth it?
The Target Circle Card doesn't carry an annual fee and earns 5% back on Target purchases. However, getting it can mean sacrificing greater earnings you would receive with a different card. Plus, redeeming your rewards is a more complicated process than with most other cash-back cards. Calculate your expected savings before applying for this card and compare them with what you would earn on other cash-back and store cards.
It's worth noting that there is a debit card version of the Target Circle card, which enjoys many of the same perks as the Target Circle Mastercard. We generally recommend putting all your spending on a credit card, but if you're a frequent shopper at Target, it may be worth considering the Circle debit card for the Target savings and perks without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Bottom line
The Target Circle card is a great option for regular Target shoppers who want a simple rewards structure. However, compare the rewards you'll earn on it against those you could earn on an alternative card. This card is aimed at loyalists who want to hit the bull's-eye at Target — and not elsewhere.
Related: 4 reasons store credit cards are (almost) always a bad idea
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.