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Loyal Target shoppers know that saving money while getting all the things is the only way to have a happy Target life.
Target’s loyalty program is called Target Circle, and today we’re going to answer your top FAQs so you can use it to maximize your savings.
Before we get into the nitty, gritty details, be sure to download the KCL app today to keep on top of the latest Target Circle offers. As a Target shopper, you’ll also want to know all the details about Target’s Return Policy, Target’s Coupon Policy, and Target’s Price Match Policy. Plus, we’ll help you stay on top of the best Target coupons available at any time.
What is Target Circle and how does it work?
Think of Target Circle like the Target rewards program. Target Circle is a loyalty program where you can earn 1% in Target Circle earnings with every purchase. Plus, Target Circle offers additional savings on specific items, kind of like an extra coupon. Usually these offers are tailored to your shopping history.
During Target Circle Week in March and September, your earnings get bumped up to 2%.
What happened to Target Cartwheel?
Target Cartwheel is no more. It was replaced by Target Circle in 2019.
How do I sign up for Target Circle?
You can sign up for Target Circle online or by clicking the account tab inside the Target App. You’ll need a Target account first, which really just means providing your name and a valid email address.
How do I use the Target Circle app?
If you have the Target app, Target Circle is built in. You’ll automatically earn 1% back on all purchases made through the app.
To find current Target Circle offers, go to the ‘Discover’ part of the app. Scroll down until you see ‘Target Circle Offers.’ There, you’ll find suggested offers based on your shopping history. You can also choose to see ‘All’ offers.
As you’re shopping within the app, if there is a Target Circle offer available, it will be shown below the product. To claim the offer, you’ll have to click the red plus button.
How do I use Target Circle on Target.com?
Target Circle offers work pretty much the same way on Target.com. You’ll automatically get 1% back in rewards as long as you’re signed into your account. You can view current Circle offers on the Target Circle page.
If there is a current offer available on any specific item you’re viewing, it will display beneath the product – just be sure to click the red plus button to claim the deal!
How do I use Target Circle in-store?
Target Circle was made for mobile, but you don’t have to have a smartphone to access the savings. You can browse through and add Target Circle offers to your phone or computer, adding them to your account as you go. Make sure you have your phone number linked to your online Target account.
Then, just enter your phone number on the credit card reader at checkout. All the offers you added will come off automatically.
Alternatively, you can scan your receipt into the Target app up to seven days after your purchase to get full credit for your Target Circle purchase. This feature is available under the ‘Discover’ tab.
Can I use Target Circle at self-checkout?
You sure can! Just enter your phone number like we talked about in the last step. You don’t need a cashier’s assistance for Target Circle offers, but you might need to ask for help if you’re using paper manufacturer coupons.
Can I use Target Circle on grocery pickup orders?
In most cases, the answer is absolutely.
In the Target app or on Target.com, view the Circle offer you wish to redeem and look at the icons under the heading “Valid when you shop…” to see if the offer qualifies for Drive Up. If so, you can apply it to your order to save without even getting out of the car!
How do I know if there’s a Target Circle offer on a specific item?
If you’re shopping online or via the Target app, it’s easy. The Circle offer will appear immediately below the item.
If you’re shopping in-store, you can check if there’s a Circle offer available for a specific product by scanning the product barcode in the app. Just open up the Target app, tap the barcode in the search bar, and scan the product. If there’s a Circle offer available, it’ll be added to your account immediately.
I make sure that everything I grab off the shelf, I scan in the app. This is the best and easiest way to make sure you don’t leave any money on the table.
How do I redeem Target Circle earnings?
Your Target Circle earnings are that 1% back you’ve been building up through all your Target trips. In the app or online, you’ll see an option to redeem your earnings on the checkout page.
After you’ve entered your payment information, press the ‘Apply’ button next to your Target Circle earnings. For example, on this purchase, $0.57 of my purchase would be covered by my Circle earnings, while the remaining $6.42 would be paid via my credit card.
What purchases don’t earn Target Circle rewards?
Not every purchase will get you 1% back. These items don’t count towards your Target Circle earnings:
- Alcohol.
- Prescriptions.
- Anything over-the-counter that’s actually behind the pharmacist’s counter.
- Target Optical purchases.
- Purchases made via the Shipt app.
- Gift cards or prepaid cards.
What can I buy with Target Circle earnings?
You can use your Target Circle earnings to buy almost anything. But you can’t use them to pay your bill for any of the following:
- Alcohol.
- Dairy products.
- Prescriptions.
- Anything over-the-counter that’s actually behind the pharmacist’s counter.
- Target Optical purchases.
- Same-day delivery purchases, including any purchases made via the Shipt app.
- Video game digital downloads, or any other purchase that’s fulfilled via email.
- Gift cards or prepaid cards.
Note that sometimes the Circle offer itself will be a gift card. So you can earn gift cards through a Circle offer, but you cannot use your 1% Target Circle earnings to purchase a gift card.
Do Target Circle earnings expire?
If you don’t earn or redeem any Target Circle earnings for a year, they will expire.
But that would mean making no Target trips with your linked account for a full 12 months, because if you’re purchasing through your account, you’re earning 1% back on every trip.
So if you’re a frequent Target shopper, you won’t have to worry about expiration dates. As long as you’re active, you’re earning.
Does Target Circle offer manufacturer coupons?
Good news! Target Circle offers manufacturer coupons just as Cartwheel did.
You can also get free manufacturer coupons by downloading the KCL app to print or download digital coupons. We’ll tell you how to combine them with sales at Target for maximum savings every trip.
When are new Target Circle offers released?
Usually on Sundays alongside the weekly ad.
Personally, I check every time before I shop since some high-value offers get released randomly throughout the week. Also be on the lookout for personalized Target Circle offers that vary by user, like $10 off a $60 purchase or $15 off a $75 purchase.
Can I use my RedCard with Target Circle?
You totally can, and probably should. But you need to know that you won’t get the 5% off RedCard discount PLUS an additional 1% off through Target Circle. You’ll just get the 5% off.
That doesn’t mean Target Circle is worthless if you’re a RedCard holder, though. You can still use Target Circle offers as coupons to lower your overall purchase amount – then get your 5% discount.
Why aren’t my Target Circle earnings showing up?
If it’s been less than 30 minutes since you made your purchase, chill. It takes about half an hour for Target’s systems to log your earnings on new purchases.
If it’s been more than 30 minutes and you didn’t make your purchase with a RedCard (remember, those purchases only get you the 5% off RedCard discount,) you can reach out to Target customer service to get the issue resolved.
What is the Target Circle birthday offer?
Make sure to add your date of birth to you Target account! That way, you’ll get a special Circle offer on your birthday for 5% off any item. This deal can be combined with the RedCard 5% discount and a manufacturer coupon, but not with any other Circle offers.
What is the Target Circle Apple offer?
Target has partnered with Apple to provide a slew of free trials through the Target Circle program. As a Circle member, you can currently claim:
- Apple Fitness+: four months free
- News+: three months free
- Apple TV+: three months free
- iCloud+: three months free
- Apple Music: three months free
- Apple Arcade: three months free
What is the Target Circle Ultamate Beauty Rewards offer?
Crush on Ulta products? They’re currently a Target Circle partner, too. When you order your Ulta products through Target, you’ll earn both Target Circle rewards and Ultamate Beauty Rewards. Just be sure to link the two accounts together first.
What are Target Circle votes?
Every time you shop with your linked Target Circle account, you’ll earn ‘votes’ to cast for local nonprofit organizations.
These local nonprofits might focus on things like the arts, animals, education, reproductive rights, social justice issues, the environment or hunger relief.
So not only does Target Circle save you money, but it also gives you a voice in where Target donates money in your community.
Just like Circle earnings, your votes won’t expire unless you don’t use or earn any votes for more than a year.
Is Target Circle worth it?
One hundred percent. Target Circle is 100% free, and savvy shoppers can use it to optimize their savings every time they make a Target run.
But even if you’re not into clipping coupons or calculating every last penny, being a Target Circle member is going to accidentally save you money. Whether that’s through the 1% back or by notifying you of a coupon for a product you were going to buy anyways.
