Is Target Circle 360 Right for You? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.

You’re automatically enrolled in Target’s free loyalty program, Circle, when you create a Target account. Think of Circle as the modern equivalent of a free coupon mailer, but with ever-changing, personalized coupons driven by your shopping habits. Members can get perks like exclusive deals and offers, early access to sale events, and of course, the aforementioned coupons. Circle also offers a Community Giving program through which members can vote for local nonprofit organizations to receive funding from Target.

You don’t need to sign up again if you’re already a member of Circle, but parts of the program have changed: Scanning for and clipping virtual coupons used to be a manual task, but Target just streamlined the process. Circle discounts automatically apply at checkout now, saving you the hassle of searching for and saving coupons to your Target Wallet while shopping online or in-store. Bonuses such as birthday rewards still need to be applied manually so you can choose when you want them to go toward a purchase (the “use it or lose it” onus is on you).

With the launch of Circle 360, Target discontinued two features of the basic Circle program: Members no longer receive a 1% store credit for eligible purchases made with a non-Target card, and shoppers no longer pay a one-time $10 fee for same-day delivery—they have to commit to an entire year-long subscription. This is likely frustrating for Target loyalists, but since Circle is free and you’re automatically enrolled when you create a Target account, regular Target shoppers still have ample reason to join. If you’re already a Circle Card member, the card’s 5% discount stacks with Circle’s personalized coupons and deals, so participating in both the Circle and Circle Card programs can save you a hefty chunk of change.

Some people may be loath to share even more personal data with any company (does anyone really need to know we’re searching for ramen at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday?), but it can be advantageous if you’re a regular Target shopper who wants deals on the stuff you’re interested in.

Target’s flagship RedCard program has been around for over a decade, so replacing the popular program with the new Circle Card may worry devotees. But the Circle Card isn’t really new: The program has simply gotten a refreshed name, and the Circle program has been rolled into it.

A Circle Card comes in three iterations. You can open a credit line to get a Circle credit card, connect a bank account to get a Circle debit card, or opt for a reloadable debit card. With any of these options, on most purchases, the Circle Card will get you an extra 5% off, an extended return window (up to 120 days from 90), and free two-day shipping without additional fees. Cardholders also receive access to exclusive offers, special items, and promotions, such as 50% off the first year of a Circle 360 membership.

Bear in mind: Target’s debit card option offers all the same benefits without having to get a credit card, but it lacks a credit card’s anti-fraud protections. Target has suffered data breaches in the past that affected customers’ privacy.

Still, multiple members of Wirecutter’s Deals team have opted for Target’s debit card for the value it brings. “I check Target for deals during events like Black Friday. If they’re matching the prevailing best price for something I want, I’ll use the Circle card to save another 5%,” said senior Deals editor Nathan Burrow.

If you’re a legacy RedCard member, your existing debit or credit card and card numbers will still be viable post-rebrand. Even if you recently replaced your existing card, you don’t need to get anything new until your current card expires or gets lost or stolen.

The main draw of Target’s new paid membership is getting daily essentials delivered in as little as an hour, similar to the retailer’s previous Same Day Delivery program with Shipt. Circle 360 members have access to Shipt Marketplace, which offers same-day delivery from over 100 other grocers, drug stores, and big-box retailers. The service is available in most well-populated areas of the US, and you can check eligibility by searching your zip code on Target’s Same Day Delivery page.

When you order, a Shipt personal shopper is deployed to Target to pick up and deliver your order during your chosen time frame (they even reach out via text if an item on your list is out of stock). And you can get nearly anything. Some exclusions apply, but most exceptions shouldn’t affect you if you’re primarily shopping for groceries, toiletries, and other household necessities—just make sure no single item in your cart exceeds the 40-pound maximum and that you meet the $35 minimum order amount for delivery (and don’t forget to tip your shopper).

Circle 360 members also get free two-day shipping and an extended return window, as well as all the same offers as the basic Circle program. The unlimited same-day delivery is the distinguishing factor between this membership and Target’s other loyalty programs, and it’s not truly unlimited, as you still have to make a minimum purchase of $35. Note that you don’t need to belong to any Target membership program to get free curbside pickup on all orders (even alcohol, as long as you have a valid ID) placed using the Drive Up service on Target’s app. Still, Circle 360 could be worth the money for frequent Target shoppers who use the same-day delivery feature regularly.

Shoppers who sign up for Circle 360 through May 18, 2024 get their first year of membership for $49, after which the price will revert to $99 annually. Target offered RedCard holders a similar half-off promotion during Black Friday for its previous Same Day Delivery program, and Circle Card members can claim the introductory discount at any time beyond the May 18 deadline. If you previously signed up for Shipt through Target, your subscription is viable until its annual expiration date, but you’ll have to join Circle 360 on renewal.

This article was edited by Janie Campbell and Nathan Burrow.