If you shop at Target often, one of the retailer’s “Circle” loyalty programs or credit card may be worth a look.
Target offers a free membership for typical deals and bonuses and a paid membership (similar to Amazon Prime) for premium perks like free, fast shipping. The Target credit card is called the Target Circle™ Credit Card and gives a 5% discount on most Target purchases.
Circle members can take special advantage of Target’s recurring Circle Deal Days sales, which often coincide with Amazon Prime Days.
What is Target Circle (the free one)?
Target Circle has been the retailer’s free loyalty and coupon program since 2019. It had some nice perks, but the primary way to score deals was kind of complicated. Previously, members would have to search for and save exclusive offers on Target’s website or the mobile app before being able to redeem the discounts online or in-store. Now, available deals are automatically applied at checkout.
Notable Circle perks
- Access to Circle exclusive deals that are automatically applied at checkout.
- Access to rewards opportunities, and personalized deals.
- Free trials for products or services from partnering brands.
- The ability to help direct charitable donations from Target to local organizations.
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What is Target Circle 360 (the paid one)?
Target Circle 360 is a paid subscription plan that costs $10.99 a month or $99 a year. This upgraded version of Target Circle is geared toward super shoppers who’ll take advantage of the perks that come on top of the standard Circle membership: free same-day delivery from Target, partnering grocers and pet stores, plus two-day shipping on tons of products.
Notable Circle 360 perks
- Unlimited same-day delivery on select items from your local Target and now other stores like CVS, PetSmart, Lowe’s and 7-Eleven.
- Free two-day shipping on a wide selection of items.
- An extra 30 days to make returns, on top of Target’s standard policy.
- A free gift each month.
What is the Target Circle™ Card (the plastic one)?
The Target Circle™ Credit Card is simply the Target RedCard™ renamed. Primary perks of the card are an extra 5% off on Target purchases, access to free, fast shipping, an extended return period and 50% off the Target Circle 360 annual membership.
Is Target Circle worth it?
Target Circle: Yes. If you buy anything from Target on a somewhat regular basis, you might as well join the free Target Circle loyalty program. That way you can be sure to get any discounts offered on products purchased when you enter your phone number at checkout. Think of it like the rewards program you use at your grocery store.
Target Circle 360: Maybe. Paying the $99 annual fee for Target Circle 360 might be worth it if you shop at Target often and do much of it online. Like Amazon’s Prime membership, Target’s paid plan is all about the free, fast shipping. The kicker may just be the ability to get same-day delivery from other popular stores, too.
If you already pay $139 a year for Amazon Prime or $98 a year for Walmart+, though, adding Target’s plan is not worth it. The Nerdy move is to subscribe only to the retailer you use the most.
Target Circle™ Card: Only for certain shoppers: Target loyalists who won't carry a balance.
Total up the past year of your Target purchases. If it's your go-to retailer for most things, the extra 5% discount could add up and the Target Circle™ Credit Card could be worth it. But that's only if you pay your balance in full every month. The interest rate is high on this card, and if you carry a balance, you could end up spending more than you save.
» Learn more: Read our full Target Circle credit card review
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