These are the best cards to use for Target purchases

Whether you’re purchasing groceries, cleaning supplies, electronics or anything in between, there’s a good chance you do some of your shopping at Target.

And if you’re spending a significant amount there, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a credit card that maximizes your purchases from the store. With the right card, you can earn cash back that goes into your pocket, or points that you can put toward that trip you’ve been dreaming about.

As a superstore with a large variety of products, most Target locations code as general spending, so the best card for traditional grocery stores or wholesale clubs may not necessarily be the best card to use at Target. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still earn extra rewards or save cash on your Target purchases.

Here are the top credit cards that will help you maximize your Target purchases with discounts or bonus points.

Overview of the best credit cards for Target purchases

First, a quick note: A small number of Targets are considered “grocery stores” which means at these locations, you’ll earn points based on the grocery category. Your best bet might be to make a small purchase and check your statement to see how the purchase was “coded.” If your Target is considered a grocery store, check out the best cards for groceries.

For everyone else, here are the best cards to use on your Target runs:

The information for the Discover it Cash Back and the Target Circle Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best credit cards for Amazon purchases

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Comparing the best credit cards for target purchases

Best credit cards for Target purchases

Capital One Venture X

Annual fee: $395

Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. This bonus is worth $1,388 according to TPG’s January 2025 valuations.

Earning rate: Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal, and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Why we like it: Although the Capital One Venture X has the highest annual fee of any card on this list, it comes with an extensive range of benefits that are beneficial for frequent travelers. You’ll get a $300 annual credit toward travel purchases made through the Capital One travel portal, bringing down the effective annual cost to just $95 per year. Not only that, but you’ll get a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary, complimentary access to the Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges for you and up to two guests, up to $120 in statement credits toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck and much more.

Target shoppers also win when paying with the Venture X, since you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases. TPG’s January 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents each, so you’re looking at an effective 3.7% return whether you’re buying groceries or furniture at Target.

For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X.

Learn more: Capital One Venture X

Capital One Venture Rewards

Annual fee: $95

Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. TPG’s January 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents per mile, making this bonus worth $1,388.

Earning rates: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards may be better suited than its premium counterpart for Target shoppers who can’t justify paying hundreds of dollars in annual fees.

Plus, you’re still earning the same 2 miles per dollar spent rate on all eligible purchases — including at Target — but for just $95 per year. You’ll receive an up to $120 statement credit toward your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.

For more details, check out our full review of the Venture card.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards

Target Circle Card

Annual fee: $0

Sign-up bonus: Get a $50 coupon for a purchase over $50 upon approval.

Earning rates: Get a 5% discount on all eligible Target purchases.

Why we like it: Unlike other cards on this list, this card offers an immediate discount on purchases. A 5% discount on Target purchases, both in-store and online, can save you a pretty penny. Plus, cardholders get 5% off at Starbucks locations inside Target.

Other benefits include a 10% discount coupon every account anniversary, 30 extra days for returns and free shipping on most Target online purchases without having to meet the usual $35 minimum.

The Circle Card is offered as either a debit or credit card. The debit version can often make more sense, as it won’t add to your 5/24 count with Chase.

For more details, check out our full review of the Target Circle Card.

Discover it Cash Back

Annual fee: $0

Sign-up bonus: Discover will match your first year’s cash back.

Earning rates: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in eligible spending in rotating quarterly categories after activation and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Why we like it: The Discover it is a rotating category card, offering 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made in accordance with Discover’s cash-back calendar (activation required). These categories vary throughout the year, from gas stations to wholesale clubs, and have included Target in the past.

When Target.com is not a part of the quarterly cash back bonus category, your purchases will only earn 1% back. Since the card doesn’t charge an annual fee, it won’t hurt to keep it in your wallet throughout the year, though.

The card is relatively easy to be approved for. Since this is a cash-back card, the redemption process is straightforward, with no minimum amount required for redemption. But keep in mind you have to activate the new categories each quarter via Discover’s website.

For more details, check out our full review of the Discover it cash back card.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95 (see rates and fees)

Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership.

Earning rates: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases — then 1%) and select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit and 1% back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Why we like it: The Blue Cash Preferred offers strong earnings in many popular spending categories, including U.S. supermarkets. While some banks code select Target stores as grocery stores, most do not.

To make sure you’re earning 6% back on your Target purchases, you’ll want to purchase Target gift cards from traditional U.S. grocery stores. Then, you can use those gift cards to pay for Target purchases.

Target gift cards can be purchased at many grocery stores, including Kroger and Safeway locations. Many Amex cards have restrictions against earning points on gift card purchases, but reports suggest that this isn’t strictly enforced, so proceed at your own risk.

For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.

Apply here: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express Gold Card

Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Be sure to check the CardMatch Tool to see if you’re targeted for a higher welcome offer (the targeted offer is subject to change at any time). This bonus is worth $1,200, according to TPG’s January 2025 valuations.

Earning rates: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year in purchases (then 1 point per dollar) and at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

Why we like it: The Membership Rewards points you earn with the Amex Gold are fully transferable, so you can get some great value from them when redeeming for flight or hotel bookings. Like the Blue Cash Preferred Card, the bonus on supermarket spending does not extend to superstores like Target, so to earn 4 points per dollar on your Target purchases, you’ll want to purchase Target gift cards from a traditional U.S. grocery store.

In addition to the enhanced earning rates at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, this card offers high returns on airfare. You’ll also earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly (up to $120 annually) when you pay with your card at participating partner restaurants, up to $7 monthly in Dunkin’ statement credits and up to $100 ($50 bi-annually) in Resy statement credits each year. Enrollment required.

Furthermore, Amex Gold cardholders get up to $120 in annual Uber Cash, distributed as up to $10 credits per month. Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card. Enrollment is required.

For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Gold Card.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Chase Freedom Flex

Annual fee: $0

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account.

Earning rates: 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to the first $1,500 in combined purchases, activation required), Lyft rides through March 2025 and on Chase Travel bookings, 3% back at drugstores and on dining and 1% cash back on other purchases.

Why we like it: In early 2023, Target was one of the 5% categories on this card, making this an excellent choice to maximize earnings on your Target purchases. And even when it’s not one of the 5% quarterly categories, you can usually buy Target gift cards from a store in the bonus category, such as grocery or office supply stores, and then maximize your Target spending that way.

However, where this can offer some outstanding value is when you pair this card with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. That’s because Chase allows you to combine the awards in your different accounts, effectively converting your cash-back rewards into full-fledged transferable Ultimate Rewards points and giving you access to some fantastic award options.

For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Annual fee: $0

Welcome bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% on all purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year.

Earning rates: 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025 and on travel bookings made with Chase Travel, 3% back at drugstores and on dining, and 1.5% cash back on other purchases.

Why we like it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is ideal for purchases that typically don’t fall into the bonus categories offered by other cards, such as Target purchases, since it earns a flat 1.5% back on those.

Again, you can maximize your earnings by pairing this card with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Based on TPG’s January 2025 valuations, this combination allows you to earn an effective 3% return on your Target purchases.

For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Bottom line

If you’re a regular Target shopper, use one of the above cards to maximize your purchases. And, no matter what card you use, always click through your favorite shopping portal when you buy online and sign up for the Target Circle rewards program to stack your earnings.

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card, click here.