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Target just made saving money ridiculously simple – but only if you know how to work their revamped system. The retail giant completely overhauled their loyalty program in April 2024, creating three distinct tiers that can stack together for serious savings. Most shoppers are missing out on hundreds of dollars annually because they don’t understand how these programs actually work together.
The Three-Tier Target Universe
Target now operates on a layered approach that builds savings as you go deeper into their ecosystem. Here’s how the tiers stack:
Target Circle (Free) – The baseline program that everyone should join Target Circle Card (No Annual Fee) – The renamed RedCard that gives 5% off everything
Target Circle 360 ($99/year) – Premium membership for delivery addicts
Since the April 2024 relaunch, Target has welcomed 13 million new members to Target Circle, helping them save millions of dollars. The key is understanding how these programs complement each other rather than choosing just one.
Target Circle: Your Free Foundation
The free Target Circle program automatically applies deals at checkout, eliminating the old hassle of manually adding offers. You’ll get personalized bonuses, birthday rewards (5% off for 30 days), and access to exclusive partner perks throughout the year.
The automatic deals feature is game-changing – no more forgetting to clip digital coupons or missing out on savings because you didn’t check the app beforehand. Target Circle deals apply automatically to your purchase when you identify as a Target Circle member at checkout, whether you’re shopping in-store or online. Just add your phone number at checkout or sign into your account online.
Circle members also get voting power in Target’s community giving program, letting you direct where the company donates locally and nationally. It’s a nice touch that makes your membership feel more meaningful than just another loyalty program.
The Target Circle Card: Your 5% Discount Machine
The Target Circle Card (formerly the RedCard) remains one of retail’s best deals. You get an instant 5% discount on virtually everything at Target, making it effectively a 5% cash-back card that works immediately.
Three Card Options to Choose From
Target Circle Card (Store Credit): Only works at Target, requires good credit
Target Circle Card (Debit): Links to your checking account, no credit check needed
Target Mastercard: Works everywhere, earns 2% on dining/gas and 1% on other purchases outside Target
All three versions give you the same 5% Target discount, free two-day shipping on hundreds of thousands of items, and 30 extra days for returns. The Mastercard option lets you earn toward Target gift cards on non-Target purchases, essentially turning your everyday spending into Target savings.
What’s Excluded from the 5% Discount
The discount applies to almost everything, but there are some exclusions: Target gift cards, prepaid cards, prescriptions, Target Optical eye exams (though glasses and contacts qualify), clinic services, and wireless protection programs. You also can’t get 5% off your Target Circle 360 membership fees.
The 5% stacks with Target Circle deals and manufacturer coupons, creating opportunities for significant savings when promotions align. During major sales events, savvy shoppers regularly achieve 20-30% total savings by combining these offers.
Target Circle 360: The Premium Experience
For $99 annually (or $10.99 monthly), Target Circle 360 transforms Target into your personal shopping service. The headline benefit is unlimited same-day delivery on orders over $35, often arriving within an hour.
Recent Game-Changing Update
As of May 2025, Circle 360 members get something no other membership program offers: same-day delivery from over 100 retailers with no price markups. This includes CVS, Sephora, PetSmart, Lowe’s, and dozens more through Target’s partnership with Shipt.
Other 360 benefits include early access to major sales events, monthly freebies (choose from products, discounts, or credits), free two-day shipping with no minimum, and extended return windows.
Target Circle Card holders get 360 for just $49 annually – effectively cutting the membership fee in half. Students and those in government assistance programs can get monthly memberships for $4.99.
Strategic Ways to Maximize Your Savings
Stack Multiple Discounts
The real magic happens when you layer different types of savings:
- Start with Target Circle automatic deals (varies)
- Add manufacturer coupons from Target’s app
- Apply your 5% Circle Card discount
- Use cashback credit cards for additional rewards (if using Mastercard version)
During Target Circle Week and other major sales events, this stacking approach can yield savings of 30-50% on regular purchases.
Time Your Big Purchases
Target Circle 360 members get early access to sales events, including the annual Target Circle Week in July. If you’re planning major purchases (back-to-school supplies, holiday gifts, home goods), the early access alone can justify the membership cost by securing limited-time deals before they sell out.
Use the Monthly Freebies Strategically
Circle 360 members get monthly freebies worth $5-15. Smart shoppers coordinate these with items they were already planning to buy, effectively getting paid to shop their regular routine.
The Bottom Line Math
For occasional Target shoppers spending $100-200 monthly, the free Circle program plus the Circle Card makes perfect sense. You’ll save $60-120 annually with the 5% discount alone, plus benefit from automatic deals and free shipping.
Heavy Target users spending $300+ monthly should seriously consider Circle 360. The delivery convenience, early sale access, and monthly freebies quickly offset the $99 annual cost (or $49 with the Circle Card).
Target’s program rewards loyalty at every level, but only if you understand how the pieces fit together. Most shoppers leave money on the table by not fully utilizing the automatic stacking benefits that make Target’s loyalty program uniquely valuable among retail schemes.
