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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Target Circle Card credit card review: A bull’s-eye for Target shoppers
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
also contributed to this story
January 29, 2025 • 8 min read
STEPHEN ALLEN/TARGET
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A store card offers a 5% discount on most in-store and online purchases at a major retailer, with additional rewards at dining and gas stations.
Cardholders receive benefits like free two-day shipping, extended return windows and exclusive offers.
A welcome coupon is available after approval, though it comes with notable exclusions and must be redeemed within 30 days.
The card is best suited for frequent shoppers at the retailer, as its rewards and benefits are limited outside of those purchases.
What to consider
Rewards earned outside the retailer require a minimum threshold for redemption and must be converted to a gift card through a specific process.
Many popular brands and product categories are excluded from the welcome coupon and the 5% discount.
There is also a debit version of the card that provides similar perks without a credit inquiry.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of this store card with other cash-back and store cards, including pros, cons and alternative options for maximizing rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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.
Discounts on Target services and in-store Starbucks
Free two-day shipping
No annual fee
Lackluster earning potential on non-Target purchases
Difficult to redeem rewards
Limited benefits
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.
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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.
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.
TARGET
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.
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.
OSCAR WONG/GETTY IMAGES
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.
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.
ROCKAA/GETTY IMAGES
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.
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 (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 (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.
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.
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.
STEPHEN ALLEN/TARGET
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.
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.
