How to Save The Most with Target Circle

Credit: Target

Target’s rewards program, Target Circle, launched nationwide on Oct. 6, 2019, promising to offer the best of its previous rewards programs, plus new benefits.

And it has certainly delivered. The Target Circle program and the Target Circle app offer real money-saving benefits to Target shoppers that are easy to use.

Here’s everything you need to know to navigate Target Circle and save the absolute most on your Target runs.

What is Target Circle?

The Target Circle program is a free loyalty and rewards program all rolled into one. It allows loyal target shoppers to earn cash back on Target purchases, plus find deals on Target merchandise. Think of it as a combination of the former Cartwheel program and a cash-back rewards card.

Target Circle can be used if you’re logged into Target’s site, or if you’re using the Target app.

Here are the main benefits of Target Circle:

• Find deals and sales: Online or via the Target app, find all the latest deals and sales easily.
• Get exclusive Target Circle Offers: The once-popular Cartwheel program has become Target Circle Deals. Use the Target app or sign in to your account online to see all the real-time deals you loved about Cartwheel. Each deal will show whether it’s valid in stores, online, for Target Drive Up orders — or for all three.
• Earn 1% back every time you shop at Target: This benefit is for everyone who shops while signed in to Target Circle. Target RedCard credit card holders will still save 5% back with every purchase.
• Get a birthday gift: Make sure your birthday is entered in your Target Circle account. You’ll receive a special offer to use on your birthday on Target.com or in stores.
• Access to special Target Circle sales: Target sometimes runs sales that are available only to Circle members — its semi-regular Fun Run sale, for example.

How to sign up for Target Circle

Existing members of Cartwheel and anyone who has a Target RedCard will automatically be enrolled in Target Circle.

Are you completely new and didn’t belong to either of those programs? Create a Target.com account online, sign up in-store with your phone number or open a RedCard.

How to earn rewards with Target Circle

All members earn 1% back on every Target purchase. To make sure to get all the rewards coming to you, follow these steps:

In a Target Store: Enter your mobile number on the keypad at checkout, or scan your wallet barcode in your Target app. Forgot to do either of those things? No worries. Use the app to scan your receipt number or enter it manually within seven days of the purchase to collect your rewards.

On Target.com: Make sure you’re logged in to your Target account before you check out. Your 1% back Target Circle rewards will be automatically credited to you.

On the Target app: If you have a Target Circle account linked up to your app, just shop and check out as usual. You’ll be credited 1% back for your in-app purchases.

How do I redeem my Target Circle rewards?

You must wait until your next Target visit to redeem any rewards earned on a current visit.

You also must redeem your entire balance at once. It is not possible to redeem a partial balance. If your purchase amount is less than your rewards balance, you may not be able to redeem the rest of your rewards, until your transaction has finished processing, according to Target Circle’s terms and conditions.

There are several restrictions to what you can redeem your rewards for. For example, rewards are not usable for adult beverages, dairy products, prescriptions, same-day delivery purchases, Target purchases made via Shipt and other purchases.

How to redeem Target Circle rewards in a store

When shopping in a store, either provide your phone number to the cashier, or scan the wallet barcode in your Target app. When it comes time to pay, select your Target Circle balance (or tell the cashier you’d like to use it). Your rewards balance will be used toward your purchase.

How to redeem Target Circle rewards online

When shopping on Target.com, make sure you’re logged in to Target Circle. You’ll be given the option to redeem your rewards at checkout, and your purchase total will be decreased by the amount of rewards you have.

How to redeem Target Circle rewards in the Target app

At checkout, select your Circle rewards as your payment method. Your balance will be reduced by the amount of cash back you have. You can then pay the rest with the payment method you have saved in the Target app.

Can I redeem my Target Circle rewards for Target Drive Up orders?

Yes. When you check out when making a Drive Up order, you can apply your Target Circle rewards balance.

Target Drive Up allows you to order online and have your items loaded into your car for free. “Learn more about Drive Up.

Do Target Circle Rewards expire?

Yes. Your 1% earnings will expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards for one year.

How are Target Circle Rewards different from Target RedCard savings?

The difference is when you redeem them. Target Circle Rewards earned during a visit can be redeemed during your next visit to Target. The Target Redcard, meanwhile, saves you 5% off your purchase right away.

These rewards are not stackable. If you’re a RedCard holder, you’ll continue saving 5%. You won’t get 1% cash back in addition to that. See the fine print:

However, if you have the Target RedCard, you can still find and redeem Target Circle offers and coupons.

Target Circle sales

Target wants to reward its Circle members, and one way it does that is by giving them access to exclusive sales and discounts, including:

• The Fun Run sale: This is generally available only to Circle members — and Target will usually give newly signed-up Circle members an extra discount during that sale.

• Target Cyber Monday sale: Target has been known to offer additional coupons and percent-off discounts exclusively for Target Circle members.

• Target holiday sales: The most recent Target Presidents Day sale offered special discounts (including 20% off clothing) to Target Circle members only.

• The Target weekly ad: Target’s local ad scan contains deals and discounts that are for Circle members only.

What happened to Target Cartwheel?

Target Cartwheel lives on in Target Circle — just with a new name. Target Circle Offers.

Cartwheel was an in-store coupon program offered to Target shoppers. It could also be used for in-store pickup orders. Users could “clip” digital coupons by searching for them online or via the app (or by scanning an item’s barcode). The coupons, when added to the user’s Target Wallet, could be redeemed at checkout.

Target Circle Offers work much the same way, but many of them are usable online. You can also continue to stack them with manufacturer coupons with some restrictions: One Target Circle Offer and one manufacturer’s coupon can be used per order. To use Target Circle Offers, hit “save offer” on the offer you wish to use. Then, when you’re logged in to Target Circle (or when you have the cashier scan your barcode), you can apply the offer to your purchase. Note that Target Circle offers have expiration dates.

How Target Circle lets you give to charity

Each time you check out with Target Circle, you’ll receive a vote. You can use those votes to help Target decide which participating nonprofits it donates to. Cast your vote via your Target Circle dashboard.