As expected, Target dropped the bonus of the Target Circle card back down to the regular offer. Expect this offer to last until the holiday shopping season.
Target™ Mastercard welcome offer
Welcome offer: Get $50 in Target Circle Rewards when you spend $50 on your Target Circle credit card
This bonus is awarded as Target Circle Rewards.
Annual fee: $0
Quick take: An essential card for Target shoppers
Aaron Hurd
Executive Editor of Cards and Points
Target occasionally increases the bonus on this card, usually around their Target Circle Days promotions and the holiday shopping season.
Honestly, if you’re shopping at Target, this card should be in your wallet. For most of your purchases, most of the time, this is the best card to use, but with a few exceptions. See our review and guide to the Target card for more on that.
If you do pick up the Target Mastercard during one of its limited-time bonus offers, that’s certainly an extra perk, but waiting around for an extra $50 in Target Circle Rewards probably isn’t worth it if you’re spending hundreds of dollars a month at Target and you’re giving up that 5% discount to wait for a better offer.
Are you eligible to earn the sign-up bonus?
The Target Circle Mastercard terms don’t state anything about being ineligible for the bonus if you’ve ever had the card before. And some people I know have been able to get this sign-up bonus twice (or more!).
But it seems like this has changed. Doctor of Credit reports that Target is cracking down on people who sign up for this card, get the bonus, and cancel it repeatedly. But if it’s been a few years since you had a Target Circle Card (or Target Red Card) then you’re probably fine.
About the Target Circle Mastercard
The Target Circle™ Mastercard is an essential card for Target shoppers thanks to its 5% discount on almost everything you buy at the store.
Target™ Mastercard welcome offer
Welcome offer: Get $50 in Target Circle Rewards when you spend $50 on your Target Circle credit card
This bonus is awarded as Target Circle Rewards.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards
- 5% discount every day at Target and Target.com
certain purchases, such as prescriptions, some gift cards, taxes, and alcohol purchases in some states are not eligible for a discount. - 2% on dining.
- 2% on gas.
- 1% on other purchases.
Rewards on non-Target purchases are earned as a Target gift card. The 5% discount on Target purchases is an at-purchase discount that will be reflected on your receipt when you use your card.
Benefits
Target benefits
- Free 2-day shipping on eligible items at Target.com. Items that do not qualify for free 2-days shipping receive free shipping.
- More return time. Get an extra 30 days for returns and exchanges at Target.
- Target Circle Card exclusives and offers. Offers vary by cardholder. Not every exclusive offer will be available to every cardholder.
Rates and fees
Annual fee: $0
Bottom line: Get this card if you shop at Target
The Target Circle Card is one of the best cards to use at Target and you should absolutely get the card if you are a frequent Target shopper. Just keep in mind that there are many better options out there for your non-Target spending and that you might want to use a card with an extended warranty benefit for purchases of electronics and other durable goods.
