Quick Facts

5% discount on all eligible Target purchases

10% discount coupon each year on your card anniversary

30 extra days for returns

Free shipping on most items at Target.com

No annual fee

Advantages

Expansive 5% Discount.

 Setting aside the important exceptions noted above and reiterated below, the Target REDcard Debit Card promises 5% off most in-store and Target.com purchases.

Free Two-day Shipping on Target.com Purchases. 

REDcard users qualify for free two-day shipping on Target.com purchases, subject to certain exceptions and restrictions. Expedited shipping still incurs a fee.

Extended Returns on Most Items. 

REDcard users also qualify for extended return windows on most Target purchases – 30 days more to decide whether they really need something.

Opportunities to Earn 5% Bonus Savings on Select Transactions. 

Select types of REDcard spending earn 5% bonus savings, for a total savings of 10% off sticker price. This includes clearance-marked items, Top Deals items, subscription products, and specialty gift cards.

Disadvantages

Important Exceptions to the 5% Discount Rule. 

The 5% REDcard discount isn’t quite universal. Notable exceptions include restaurants (except Starbucks) inside Target stores, prescriptions and clinic services at Target pharmacies, Target gift cards and prepaid cards, and gift wrap.

Doesn’t Work Outside Target. 

The Target REDcard Debit Card isn’t part of a payment processing network such as Visa or Mastercard, so it’s only eligible for use at Target stores and at Target.com. This is a major drawback for applicants hoping to replace their bank-issued debit card entirely.

No Way to Carry a Balance from Month to Month. 

While it’s best to pay off credit card balances in full by your statement due date, carrying a balance is sometimes unavoidable or (in rarer cases) even advisable. You can’t do that with this debit card. If you qualify, the Target REDcard Credit Card does allow carried balances.

Doesn’t Build Credit. 

On the bright side, you don’t need to submit to a credit check (which can temporarily depress your credit score) when you apply for this card. On the other hand, this card won’t build your credit or improve your credit score.

Full Review

For those who shop for everything at Target — food, clothes, household essentials — the perks on the Target REDcard™ Credit Card hit the bull's-eye.

The $0-annual-fee card gets you a 5% discount on all purchases, which means you don’t have to wait to redeem rewards; you’ll get savings right at checkout.

Because the Target REDcard™ Credit Card carries high ongoing interest rates, it’s not a good fit for folks who are planning to spend time, well, in the red. But for those who pay their bills in full every month and are looking for some extra savings, it’s worth getting.