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Target REDcard Debit Card review

Make every day a sale day when you shop the bull's-eye.

finder.com’s rating: 5.0 / 5.0

★★★★★

Target’s branded debit card provides special savings and discounts every time you shop the retail giant. Combine coupons and specials to save even more, with the money you spend coming straight out of your linked bank account.

  • Get this card if you frequently shop at Target and could use an extra 5% off of every purchase.
  • Pick something else if you don’t shop the bull’s-eye brand.
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Jeremy Cabral

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Jeremy is finder's Global Head of Publishing & Editorial. Jeremy has been with finder since the very beginning and is part of the founding team working closely with Fred and Frank to build finder.com into the comparison network it is today.

Expert review

The Target REDcard Debit Card is best for loyal Target shoppers who want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases. The card offers 5% off their everyday purchases in stores and online and speed deliveries.

But if you’re not a die-hard bull’s-eye shopper and prefer a cashback rewards card that works in more than one store, you’ll want to keep looking.

How to open a Target REDcard Debit Card account?

  1. Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
  2. From Target’s site, click Manage REDcard. Then click on Apply for debit now.
  3. Complete your personal information, establish your login details and click Continue.
  4. Proceed through the application process, completing your security information, address and financial details.
  5. Review and submit your application.

The basics

If you shop at Target, the REDcard Debit Card is a no-brainer. It’s not a credit card, so there’s no risk of accumulating debt. And you’ll earn 5% off of every purchase made at Target when using the card, plus free two-day shipping on select items to select ZIP codes. You also get an additional 30 days to return items purchased with the card.

What you’ll like

The Target REDcard Debit Card is loyalty card for use in stores or when shopping at Target.com. If you’re looking for a way to save money at your favorite store, you might like its:

  • Special savings. Each purchase made with your REDcard gets a 5% discount that you can combine with coupons and Cartwheel Target subscriptions.
  • No fees. You won’t pay monthly or annual fees to use your debit card. And because funds are withdrawn from your checking, you won’t pay finance charges either.
  • Extended returns. Get an extra 30 days on the standard policy to return an item.
  • Free two-day shipping. Speed up delivery on select purchases to select ZIP codes with your card.
  • Free standard shipping. Get free standard delivery in the US and to APO or FPO addresses and Puerto Rico.

What to watch out for

There aren’t many red flags with the Target REDcard. But you’ll want to make sure you understand how it works.

  • It’s a debit card. Funds are drawn directly from your linked checking account, which means you’ll need to confirm you have enough to cover your purchases.
  • For use at Target only. You can’t use your card at other stores or sites.
  • High return payment fee. You face fees of up to $40 if your bank returns an electronic funds transfer for any reason.

If you want a debit card that offers cashback rewards on everyday savings outside of Target stores, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when considering a debit card.

Case study: Jen’s experience – April 2019

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Jennifer Gimbel
Loans Editor

I shop at Target at least once a week, so it sounded like a no-brainer to sign up for the Target REDcard Debit Card.

Signing up for the card online took less than 10 minutes, but it took over a month to actually receive it. Apparently, the first time Target attempted to send it to me, the letter was marked “return to sender.” I found it annoying that I had to reach out to customer service myself to learn this — they didn’t automatically try to send me the card again.

Now that I actually have the card, it’s been awesome saving 5% every time I shop. And I’ve never had any security issues — something I feared, because you have to link the card to your checking account to sign up.

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BMO Harris Smart Advantage™ Account
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PSECU checking account
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Earn up to $300: $100 when you get a savings and checking account and activate your debit card with digital banking within 30 days. $100 with monthly payroll direct deposit of $200+ within 90 days. $100 when you maintain direct deposits for an additional 90 days. Select Level Up Your Banking to see terms and get the promo.
Earn a bonus and 5 or 10 cents in rewards on all eligible purchases. Pay $0 in monthly fees, no overdraft fees and get ATM fee reimbursements. NCUA insured.
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US Bank Smartly Checking
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Axos Bank Rewards Checking
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Earn up to a $100 welcome bonus when you apply for a new account using the promo code RC100 and direct deposit $1,500+ in a single month within the first 3 months. Offer expires on June 30, 2023.
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What should I know before I apply?

You’ll need to meet eligibility requirements:

  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must live in the US and own a US checking account.

Target.com also recommends gathering documentation that includes:

  • Your Social Security number.
  • Government-issued ID. Like a driver’s license, state ID or military ID.
  • Baking details. You’ll need a US-based checking account and bank routing number to link your card.

Target REDcard Debit Card reviews and complaints

As of October 2020, the majority of customer reviews online are positive, from “I have no complaints” to “Really my favorite card.” You’ll find the occasional unhappy customer who claims their transactions were declined for no reason, with hefty fees. Still others say the Target REDcard Credit Card offered better benefits, and so they switched.

I got the card. Now what?

After approval, Target links your card to your designated checking account. Activate the card by calling the number on your card and setting up your PIN. Start using your REDcard at Target stores and online at Target.com to get 5% off your purchases.

  • Avoid fees. Avoid returned payments fees by confirming you have enough funds in your checking account to cover purchases made with your REDcard Debit Card.
  • Customer service. Get help by sending a secure online message, calling 888-729-7331 or mailing Target Card Services, PO Box 660170, Dallas, TX 75266-0170.

Frequently asked questions

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Read the full methodology of how we rate checking accounts.

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8 Comments

    Default Gravatar
    Raymond
    October 30, 2018

    I am a customer. I would like to sign into your RED CARD CREDIT. It will not accept my name or secret code. Can you help?

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      joelmarcelo
      October 31, 2018

      Hi Raymond,

      Thanks for leaving a question on finder.

      If you are having issues logging in to your Target RedCard online, you can try resetting your password. If that does not work, you can contact their customer service directly to resolve this.

      Please send me a message if you need anything else. :)

      Cheers,
      Joel

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    Daniel
    October 24, 2018

    I don’t have a checking account, is it compulsory I have that before I can apply for the red card.

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      Bella
      October 24, 2018

      Hi Daniel,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      Yes. It is recommended to have a US-based account number and bank routing number in order to link the card to your banking account.

      I hope this helps.

      Kind regards,
      Bella

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    Kim
    July 2, 2018

    I’m traveling to Australia and noticed that a Target is near my hotel. Can I use my Target debit card there? Thanks.

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangco
      July 2, 2018

      Hi Kim,

      Thanks for contacting finder.

      Yes, you can use your Target debit card in Australia.

      Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Nikki

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    Michael
    September 24, 2017

    If I had a red card debit from target, can I transfer money from my bank account to the card? If it’s hooked up to my account I wouldn’t need to transfer money from my card to my checking account and can be used at an ATM? I haven’t found a good answer yet. Please let me know thanks

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      Jonathan
      September 25, 2017

      Hello Michael,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      You can link your depository account (anywhere within the US, and it can be either savings or current) to your Target debit card. Whenever you use this card, your linked bank account will do an electronic fund transfer for your purchases to go through. Please take note that this is not available through ATM withdrawal, as a payment to Target credit card, or non-affiliated merchants or stores outside US.

      Kindly download and read the product terms which can be found on their website or contact Target for further information.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      Reply
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