Target Is Expanding Its Rewards Program to Additional Cities
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Target already has a cult following that is captured in countless memes that depict someone (often a suburban housewife) heading into Target for one or two items only to always walk out with a new throw pillow, Starbucks iced coffee, seasonal door mat and a final bill that is always over $100.
But –- it turns out that Target can get even better. Following in the footsteps of retailers like Nordstrom, Starbucks and even Chick-fil-A, Target has decided now is the right time to see if a rewards program might lure shoppers even further into their red bullseye. And yes, like Starbucks, the program will give out birthday rewards!
The newly renamed and expanding rewards program, dubbed Target Circle, has been tested in the Dallas area since last year, but will be expanding on Feb. 19 to Charlotte, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Phoenix.
In our test, we were able to join Target Circle just by changing our home store to a Dallas location in the Target app.
Target’s newly expanded loyalty program is set to offer personalized rewards based on your shopping patterns and also has a charity component where the shopper can vote for a local charity to receive Target’s support. Target Circle membership is not tied to having the co-branded Target REDcard that saves you 5% at Target (even on Disney gift cards).
The Target Circle program offers 1% back in rewards to redeem on a future Target trip, but that 1% does not stack with the 5% off with the REDcard so it is an either/or situation.
You can earn Target rewards by scanning your Target wallet at checkout in the store, scanning a Target receipt in the app within seven days or by shopping on Target.com while logged into your account.
Being a Target Circle member also means free next-day delivery to your door on orders placed with Target Restock.
Bottom Line
More rewards are only a good thing, so Target expanding its program to additional cities is hopefully a signal that it will be available nationwide at some point. Currently, Target tells TPG that its plan is to iterate the program based on what they learn in these six markets, so time will tell if the rest of us get a chance to see what award Target wants to give us for our birthday.
Image courtesy of Target.
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Rewards
| 3% | Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). |
| 2% | Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). |
| 1% | Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card empowers the cardholder to choose their bonus category each quarter (to earn 3% cash back on up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter).Pros
- Flexible earning structure (3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs); up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1%)
- No annual fee or expiration on rewards
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Cons
- Maximum $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1%
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
- New longer intro period! 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 16.99% - 26.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Rewards Rate
| 3% | Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). |
| 2% | Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). |
| 1% | Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases. |
Intro Offer
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening$200Annual Fee
$0Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card empowers the cardholder to choose their bonus category each quarter (to earn 3% cash back on up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter).Pros
- Flexible earning structure (3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs); up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1%)
- No annual fee or expiration on rewards
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Cons
- Maximum $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1%
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
- New longer intro period! 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 16.99% - 26.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.