Last Updated on August 26, 2020 by Corinne Schmitt
I put off applying for a Target REDcard forever mostly due to being in a rush at checkout every time. Once I finally gave in though, I immediately regretted waiting so long. And since I don’t want anyone else to have that regret, I feel compelled to encourage you to stop putting it off!
I don’t know about you, but I get so tired of being offered a new credit card at every store I visit, that a long time ago I stopped listening to the spiel and waited patiently for it to end so I could utter automatically, “No thank you.” And that is how I missed out on saving TONS of money at Target, a store I shop every week.
Thankfully, one day I was feeling particularly chatty and I had a super friendly checkout clerk so I actually listened when she told me about the Target REDcard. My biggest issue with most store cards is that it’s one more bill that’s going to show up in your mail every month. While you can opt for the Target REDcard credit card, you can also opt for one that links instead to your debit card (i.e. no new bill).
Target REDcard Saves You 5% Off Everything
At this point, if you’re like me, you’ll ask, “Why don’t I just use my debit card to avoid carrying an extra card?” and the reason is this — your debit card doesn’t save you 5% off of everything, everyday at Target. Essentially, carrying the Target debit card is like toting around a permanent 5% coupon for Target purchases.
If you’re an online shopper, you not only get the 5% discount, but you also score FREE STANDARD SHIPPING with no minimum purchase.
At that point, I was sold. It took a whopping 2 minutes for me to apply and get approved. Truth being told, that’s another reason I always turn these offers down. Apparently, I shop using every spare minute I have so that by the time I get to checkout I have no time to spare. Target knows us well, so the process is streamlined.
Additional Benefits From The Target REDcard
After I signed up and was at home enjoying the fantasies of what I could do with all that extra money (because 5% of what I spend annually at Target is perhaps sadly, a pretty chunk of change), I actually read through the brochure they gave me when I signed up. This is an illness of mine.
Of course, I always read these things AFTER, instead of before when you are supposed to, but I’m pretty sure most people just throw them away so I’m going to pat myself on the back anyway. As it turns out, I was glad I read the brochure because I discovered these other benefits that I had somehow missed during my two minute application process:
- Extended Returns – You get an EXTRA 30 days to return items if you are a REDcard holder
- Exclusive Offers – In addition to your permanent 5% discount, Target will sometimes offer REDcard holders additional discounts
- Support Your School – Up to 1% of purchases with your REDcard can be donated to the school of your choice
And, if you’re like me and prefer to manage all of your finances online, you’ll be happy to know that you can check your balance (for credit card option), make payments, review past statements, check your debit card transaction history and manage your PIN online.
Ready to sign up? Click here to apply or learn more.