Target shopping is one of our fave things. Why? It’s the place to learn to coupon. Cashiers are helpful, gift card promos rock, clearance racks are plentiful — it’s all the things.
Which is why it’s important that you know how to take advantage of all Target has to offer. We’re going to give you the top Target shopping tips you need to know. Find out the best Target coupons, learn more about Target’s price match policy and Target’s return policy.
Remember to download the KCL app so you never miss a deal!
1. Scan your entire cart with the Target app to access Circle offers.
Doing some Target shopping? There are Target Circle offers valid on hundreds of items. You don’t have to be a pro-couponer to use the Target app either. I tell everyone I know to download the Target app, and then use the barcode in the top right corner to scan every item they plan on purchasing. You never know when a Circle offer will pop up for an item you’re already buying.
A Circle offer can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon, along with text-only offers.
2. Use the Target RedCard to save an additional 5% on everything.
There are two options for a Target RedCard: credit card and debit card. You’ll save 5% on purchases both in stores and online using either type of card. For a family spending $200 a month, that’s an extra $10 in your pocket, or $120 per year. This 5% savings is automatic and can be stacked with sales, clearance markdowns, promotions, Circle offers, and manufacturer coupons.
You’ll also get free shipping from Target.com and extended 120-day returns.
Sign up now — it’s completely free.
3. Get a Target rain check if an item is out of stock.
Maximize your Target shopping experience with rain checks. Target offers rain checks on sale items that are out of stock, which allows you to get the sale price on an item for anywhere from 30 to 45 days, depending on where you live. Just head to customer service to get your rain check. I recommend taking a photo of the shelf and shelf tag so the employee has the DPCI.
Although rain checks are available for sale items, they are not available for items included in gift card promotions.
Target does not allow rain checks on clearance, price cuts, temporary price cuts, and everyday low price items that aren’t in the weekly ad, or on items that clearly state “No Rain Checks.”
4. Use Target coupons and Circle offers on clearance items.
Don’t let an amazing clearance price blind you during your Target shopping. Save even more by using a Target Circle offer or coupon, even on something that’s already 75% off or more. This goes back to scanning everything you plan on purchasing in the Target Circle app.
Make sure to read the fine print on specific Circle offers, because sometimes they will exclude clearance items.
5. Stack Target gift card promotions with coupons, rebates, and Circle offers.
Target gift card promotions are one of the most popular ways to win at Target shopping. These promotions require buying a certain dollar amount in a specific department (like beauty products) in order to receive a Target gift card (usually worth $5 or $10). When buying items that are part of a gift card promotion, you can stack a manufacturer coupon, rebate apps, and a Target Circle offer on each item — and still receive a gift card.
Just make sure you meet the required purchase amount before any discounts are taken in order to receive the bonus gift card.
6. You can earn more than one Target gift card when checking out.
There’s no limit on how many gift cards you can receive in one transaction while Target shopping, but you can’t earn and use them on the same purchase. So I like to earn and use my gift cards over multiple transactions in one shopping trip.
I purchase the qualifying items in my first transaction, receive a gift card, and then turn around and purchase the rest of my items in a second transaction. I use the gift card I just received as payment, and collect more gift cards for select items in my second transaction.
7. Use rebate apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51 while Target shopping.
Not only can you stack coupons with Target Circle offers, the Target RedCard discount, and gift card promotions, you can also submit photos of the same receipt to multiple rebate apps like Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Fetch Rewards for cash back on eligible products. You can even link your Target account to your Ibotta account so you don’t have to scan your receipt.
And if you shop online, you can still use Ibotta’s Target shopping portal to earn cash back. With the Ibotta app, scroll to the “Online shopping” category, choose your store, and click “Shop,” which will take you to the store’s website or app. Get shopping, and the Ibotta app does the rest. Or you can add the Ibotta extension to your Google Chrome browser and shop online. Learn all about Ibotta app tips and tricks.
8. Ask for a price adjustment within 14 days of purchase when Target shopping.
Target allows price adjustments up to 14 days after a purchase. For Target.com price adjustments, call Guest Services at (800) 440-0680.
Also, you can return Target-owned brands for up to one year if you’re unsatisfied with your purchase. There are over 40 Target-owned brands (found on their return policy page). This means that if you buy that C9 by Champion jacket at full price, you can return it and re-purchase it at the sale price for up to one year. If you don’t have the receipt but used your RedCard, your purchase should still be in the computer.
9. You can use manufacturer coupons with a Target price match.
Next time you ask for a Target price match, hand over a valid manufacturer coupon or use your RedCard for even more savings.
Price matching for Target.com, Amazon, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, or from a competitor’s local printed ad is done at Guest Services. Want to learn the ins and outs of Target price matching? We’ve got that for you!
10. Create a registry for big-ticket items to save 15% while Target shopping.
Target allows you to create a registry for weddings and births that will give you a coupon for 15% off everything left in your registry, plus anything else you’d like to add. You can use it both in stores and online. If you create a baby registry, you’ll receive your 15% off Target coupon eight weeks before your expected due date. If you create a wedding registry, you’ll receive your coupon the week of your event date.
11. Use Target Circle offers or coupon codes online.
Online Target coupon codes are not as common now that we have Target Circle offers. And Target Circle offers aren’t just for in-store Target shopping. When shopping online, select Circle offers will be available for some orders.
Don’t expect to see an online coupon code each week. We typically see them around the holidays, like Memorial Day or Labor Day.
Target lets you use multiple coupon codes online as long as the products you’re purchasing are eligible. For example, if you’re buying both a car seat and patio furniture, you can use a coupon for “Save 10% on car seats” and a coupon for “Save 30% on outdoor patio furniture.” By combining the two coupons, you’ll save more on a car seat and patio furniture versus using a sitewide 10% off coupon.
Target has exclusive online promo codes (for example: TGTXXXXX). You can’t use in-store coupons online or in the Target mobile app. Shoppers can find these promo codes from your registry or other promotional offers. They’re rare, but not a total unicorn.
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