Target Circle: Everything you need to know about Target's revamped cards and loyalty program
You probably don't need another reason to shop at Target, but the popular retail chain is giving you one anyway. Or three, to be exact.
Building on the popularity of the Target RedCard debit card, the Target RedCard credit card and the Target Circle loyalty program, Target is streamlining and improving its loyalty offerings. It's bringing all three under the Target Circle umbrella.
As of April 7, Target has reintroduced its loyalty program with a suite of membership options to suit all shoppers. The good news is that if you already have a Target RedCard or Target Circle membership, you don't have to do anything to benefit from the program changes.
Now that these changes have taken effect, you may be interested in upgrading your membership. So, here's everything you need to know about each offering.
The information for the Target RedCard debit card and RedCard credit card have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Target Circle
Target Circle is Target's free loyalty program. You can create an account online to access exclusive sales, personalized deals and additional members-only perks like free Apple trial subscriptions throughout the year.
In its previous state, members had to add Target Circle offers to their account via the Target app, but the program just got a major upgrade. Now, deals will be applied to your account automatically at checkout, so you don't have to search for applicable offers before you shop.
Members will also continue to receive exclusive partner perks like free trials and reward program partnerships, with the added bonus of earning new Target Circle Rewards.
Target Circle Card
The debit and credit versions of the Target RedCard are now the Target Circle Card. Both versions still earn an extra 5% off every purchase every day. Additionally, the cards come with an extended return window and free two-day shipping on most items from Target's website.
Because Target Circle Card members also receive Target Circle benefits, you can stack the 5% savings with your automatically applied Target Circle deals.
The information for 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: Store vs. cash-back credit cards: Which one should I get?
The debit card version of the Target Circle Card is linked directly to your checking account, and purchases are deducted automatically. If you have the credit version — the Target Circle Card credit card from Mastercard — you'll earn 2% back on dining and gas station purchases and 1% back on all other purchases in addition to your 5% savings on Target purchases. This all comes without an annual fee.
You can redeem the cash back you earn from the Target Circle Mastercard as a Target gift card. To redeem your rewards, you must earn a minimum of $10.
Target Circle 360
The newest addition to the Target Circle family is Target Circle 360, Target's version of a paid shopping membership service, with same-day delivery as one of the most lucrative benefits.
Members receive unlimited same-day delivery on orders over $35, free two-day shipping on most items from Target's website and an extra 30 days to return items alongside all the other benefits of being a Target Circle member. Members can also access more than 100 additional retailers via the Shipt Marketplace.
Related: The best credit cards for online grocery delivery services, including Instacart and Amazon Fresh
Target Circle 360 has an annual fee of $99, but Target is offering a promotional price of $49 for the first year if you sign up by May 18. Target Circle cardholders can enjoy the $49 annual fee anytime.
For comparison purposes, Shipt and Instacart both carry a $99 annual membership fee. Walmart+ has a slightly lower fee of $12.95 per month ($89 per year), but there are ways to get it for free. For example, those who hold The Platinum Card® from American Express can get up to $155 per year ($12.95 per month plus applicable taxes, excluding any Plus Up Benefits) in statement credits toward a Walmart+ membership, essentially wiping out the cost of the service (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required).
Which shopping delivery service makes the most sense for you likely depends on where you tend to shop. If you frequently shop at Target, paying just $49 for the convenience of a full year of grocery delivery may seem like a small price worth paying.
Target Circle Card alternatives
Though Target's perks are appealing if you shop there often, there are other cards available that can probably net you more cash back than you can earn with the Target Circle Mastercard, including:
- Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees): Earns 2% back on all purchases (1% as you buy and 1% as you pay), no matter where you shop
- Prime Visa (see rates and fees): Has no annual fee and a similar earning structure to the Target Circle Card if you prefer Amazon over Target
- Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees): Earns 5% back on quarterly rotating categories, on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate. For more cash back opportunities, earn 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1% back on all other purchases
Bottom line
If you shop at Target, signing up for a free Target Circle membership is practically a no-brainer. If you want to add a Target debit or credit card to your wallet, saving money and earning rewards is now easier than ever. Finally, shoppers who have been looking for Target's alternative to Walmart+ and other same-day delivery services now have exactly what they've been waiting for.
You can learn more about each new offering on the Target Circle website.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.