What is Target Circle? In short, it’s an easy way to save on all your Target trips, big or small. However, Target recently made changes (as of April 7, 2024) to their Circle program, so I’m about to spill everything you need to know to make the most of it. (And also why it’s an ideal time to sign up and get familiar with it!)
Target Circle, used to be a free loyalty program. Now, Target Circle has three membership options (free, payment options, and paid), each giving you exclusive access to Circle deals, special deals from Target partners, and free perks. Add some Target couponing skills and your 5% Circle Card discount to the mix and the possibilities are endless.
If you have questions about how Target Circle works, you’re not alone. There’s a lot you can do with the program. But I’ve studied every corner of it to break it down for you real simple — and clear up those questions you might not see answered on the Circle homepage.
Before we get to the good stuff, download The Krazy Coupon Lady app to track all the best Target deals and Circle coupons from your phone.
From “how-to” basics to little-known tips, here’s your complete guide to the Target Circle program starting with a breakdown of each membership option:
Target Circle is the rewards program for Target shoppers — and it’s key to scoring the best deals.
I always say if you’re shopping at Target without Circle, you’re missing out on savings. It’s just like signing up for any retailer account, but this one has perks that really pay off. And yes, it’s totally free to join. However, as of April 7, 2024, they have a new paid membership option, which I'll cover.
How does Target Circle work? Basically, you earn rewards toward future purchases every time you shop at Target. Plus, you get to access exclusive deals (aka Circle deals) for bigger savings. Using Target Circle is especially easy with the Target app, but you can reap the benefits however you choose to shop.
Free Target Circle Benefits
Circle deals (aka exclusive savings on tons of items) that apply automatically at checkout
Earn Target Circle Rewards (you can use on future purchases)
Get personalized deals
5% back on one purchase during your birthday month
Redeem free trials
Sign up for Circle online or visit the account tab in your Target app to get started.
Target 360 Paid Membership Benefits($99 per year)
All the above benefits, plus:
Same Day delivery on orders of $35 or more (to multiple addresses)
Free Shipt membership (you can shop other retailers)
Target is offering a 14-day free trial of their Target 360 subscription.
If you order delivery often, Target 360 may be your best membership option. Without Target 360 you'll have to pay $9.99 per delivery order. So, the membership can pay for itself if you place at least 10 orders a year.
Now, through May 18, non-Target Circle cardholders can sign up for Target 360 for $49 for the first year (that's $50 off the regular price of $99). If you have a Target Circle card saved to your Target account your Target 360 annual membership is $49.
You can shop with Target Circle online, in stores, or through your Target app.
Target makes it easy to use Circle no matter how you shop, so you never miss out on savings. Shopping online or in the app is as easy as signing into your Circle account.
If you’re shopping in stores, enter your phone number on the keypad or self-checkout screen. Or, scan your Circle barcode (located in the Wallet part of your Target app) at checkout to link your account to your purchase.
Look out for Circle Bonuses to earn up to $15 in rewards on a single purchase.
You’ll likely find high-value bonuses during Target Circle Week, but they’ve been known to drop some during random, non-sale times, too.
Target offers limited-time bonuses like “make a $100 purchase and earn a $15 Target Circle reward.” This is your chance to rack up earnings. When there’s a bonus available, you’ll see it featured on your main Circle deals page, whether online or in the app.
Bonuses vary from shopper to shopper, so not every Circle member has the same offer at the same time. While Target gave me a $15 reward on $100+ purchases, other KCL shoppers received a $10 reward on $100 purchases.
Link your Target Circle Card to your Circle account for 5% off.
Yes, you can totally use your Circle Card (credit, debit, or reloadable) with your Circle account, and you probably should because it will earn you 5% back in rewards on your purchases.
Check for weekly Circle deals to save on everything from groceries to furniture.
Your typical Circle deal gives you a percentage off certain items (like 25% off Clorox Sprays or 10% off Old Spice Deodorant). You’ll pretty much find them across every category — household supplies, health, pets, food, baby, beauty, and more.
Most Circle deals drop on Sundays alongside the weekly ad, but Target tends to sprinkle in a few extras throughout the week. In the app, you can see Circle deals right from your homepage. On Target.com, click “Deals” from your main menu, then “Target Circle Deals.”
Your Circle deals automatically apply to online and app purchases.
As of April 7, 2024, your Circle deals will automatically apply to all eligible items in your order whether you're shopping online or in-app.
Open the app and scan your barcode at checkout to redeem Circle deals in-store.
Redeeming Circle deals in-store is just as easy — all you have to do is open the Target app and have the cashier scan your Circle barcode, or scan your own barcode at self-checkout. You can also enter your phone number on the keypad during checkout.
Shop during Target Circle Week for deals that compete with Prime Day.
Target has their own version of Amazon Prime Day, except you don’t need a paid membership to reap all the limited-time deals.
Target Circle Week (formerly known as Target Deal Days) usually runs alongside Amazon’s big Prime Day sale (although they dropped a one-week sale in April 2024 as well). You have to have a Circle membership to access Target Circle Week savings.
In 2023, they offered up to 50% off Sun Squad pools and water toys, 30% off kids’ clothing, 20% off Barbie, and so much more. The week-long event ran from July 9 through 15.
Get 5% off a purchase during your birthday month.
Make sure your Circle account has your date of birth on file so you can reap the free birthday benefits. During your birthday month, you’ll get a Circle deal for 5% off a single Target purchase, valid for up to 30 days from your birthday.
Related: All the Best Birthday Freebies, Rewards & Discounts
Unlock free trials to Apple TV+ and Apple Music with your Target Circle account.
As a Target Circle member, you can claim Apple discounts that aren’t available to just anyone. Target partners with Apple to give Circle members exclusive free trials to their programs, like Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud+, and more.
Currently, these are the Apple offers available through Target Circle:
Apple TV+ — free for 3 months
Apple Music — free for 2 months
Apple Fitness+ — free for 3 months
MLS Season Pass — free for 1 month
iCloud+ (with 50 GB of storage) — free for 3 months
Apple Arcade — free for 3 months
Link your Ulta account to your Circle account to earn rewards on Ulta purchases from Target.
If you belong to Ulta’s loyalty program, you earn 1 reward point for every dollar you spend on Ulta products at Target when you link your Ultamate Rewards account to your Target Circle account.
The only bad news? You can’t earn Ulta bonuses at Target — like the offers you see for 2X or 3X points in the Ulta app. You’ll only earn those bonuses when you shop directly with Ulta.
Save an extra 15% on leftover Target wedding registry items with your Circle account.
Setting up a Target wedding registry means extra perks for Circle members.
The week of your wedding date, Target will email you a 15% off Circle coupon to use on anything left on your registry. Your coupon is good to use up to six months after your wedding date, and you can use it twice. Just be sure to save the offer to your Circle account before you shop.
Even better, you don’t have to use the 15% off coupon on leftover registry items. You can use it on tons of other items from Target, with a few exceptions (like Target gift cards, alcohol, gaming consoles, and others).
Get a year’s worth of Circle coupons on diapers, wipes, and more when you start a Target baby registry.
Welcoming a new little one comes with many important (and often pricey) purchases. One of the easiest ways to save right off the bat is to create a Target baby registry.
Circle members get to access tons of baby freebies and coupons just for registering at Target. One of the first things you can get is a Welcome Kit with over $100 of free samples and digital coupons. You can either claim your Welcome Kit in-store (though shortages are likely) or contact Target customer service to request one. After reaching out, they’ll add about twenty different Circle deals for various baby items to your account. You’ll also get a 15% off Circle coupon to use on any lingering registry items about eight weeks before your due date.
Once your due date passes, you’ll start seeing Circle deals pop up in your account under “Baby,” including high-value coupons on diapers, wipes, and other products geared toward different baby milestones.
Trade in your old car seat for a 20% off Circle coupon.
The benefits of Target Circle honestly just keep coming, so you’ll never be disappointed.
During the twice-yearly Target Car Seat Trade-In Event, you can bring your old car seat into Target in exchange for a 20% off Circle coupon. All you have to do is drop off your car seat in the donation box, scan the designated QR code with your Target app, and save the 20% off Circle coupon to your account.
Your coupon is good to use on select Target baby gear — like a new car seat, stroller, or high chair. You can even stack your 15% off baby registry coupon with your 20% off car seat coupon for extra savings.
Target’s Car Seat Trade-In usually runs for two weeks and happens in April. This year's event will run from April 14 - 27, 2024.
Cast community votes to have a say in how Target donates to nonprofits.
Every time you shop with your Circle account, you’ll earn “votes” to cast for various nonprofit organizations. When you cast a vote, you’re telling Target which organization you think they should support and direct funds to.
Target chooses a new set of nonprofits you can vote for every three months. During this time, you can use however many votes you’ve racked up to choose the organizations you think Target should support. Spread your votes out across multiple nonprofits or cast multiple votes for the same nonprofit to have an even bigger say.
When voting ends, Target donates a certain amount of money to each nonprofit based on the community votes.
Have more questions about how Target Circle works? Drop a comment below and let us know how we can help!
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