Yes, Target offers two credit cards: the RedCard debit card and the Target Mastercard

Target operates two separate card programs. The Target RedCard is a debit card linked to your bank account. The Target Mastercard is a traditional credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use anywhere Mastercard is accepted, not just at Target. Both cards offer the same core benefit: 5% off purchases at Target. The choice between them depends on whether you want a debit card, a credit card, or both.

Neither card charges an annual fee. Both are issued when ready in-store or online, though the in-store version is available when ready while the online version takes a few days to arrive by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • Target's RedCard is a debit card that gives you 5% off at Target and free shipping on Target.com, with no annual fee.
  • Target's Mastercard is a credit card that gives you 5% off at Target and works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, also with no annual fee.
  • The Mastercard offers additional benefits like extended return periods and purchase protection, while the RedCard does not.
  • You can hold both cards at the same time and use them for different purposes.
  • Both cards are issued by different companies — the RedCard by Target itself and the Mastercard by Synchrony Bank — so they report to credit bureaus separately.

Target RedCard: the debit option

The RedCard debit card pulls money directly from your checking account when you use it. You get 5% off all purchases at Target and Target.com, plus free two-day shipping on most Target.com orders (no minimum purchase). There are no annual fees, no interest charges, and no credit check required to open one.

The RedCard does not build credit history because it is a debit card, not a credit card. Synchrony Bank does not report debit card activity to the three major credit bureaus. If you are trying to build or improve your credit score, the RedCard alone will not help.

You can request a RedCard in-store at any Target, and it is issued on the spot. You can also request one online through Target.com, but it arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Once activated, the 5% discount applies when ready to your next purchase.

Target Mastercard: the credit card option

The Target Mastercard is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank. Like the RedCard, it gives you 5% off at Target. Unlike the RedCard, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and thousands of other merchants. You pay interest on any balance you do not pay off in full each month.

The Mastercard also includes benefits the RedCard does not: an extended return window of 30 days (instead of Target's standard 30-day policy), purchase protection against accidental damage or theft, and extended warranty coverage on may be able to access items. These protections explore to purchases made with the card at any merchant, not just Target.

The Mastercard requires a credit check and a credit history to open. Synchrony reports your account activity to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit score. Late payments or high balances will lower your score.

Comparing the 5% discount and other rewards

Both cards offer the same 5% discount at Target and Target.com with no caps or categories to track. You do not earn additional points or cash back — the 5% is the only reward either card provides. This is different from many other retail cards that offer bonus rewards in certain categories or on certain days.

The RedCard adds free two-day shipping on Target.com orders of any size. The Mastercard does not include free shipping. If you shop on Target.com frequently, the RedCard's shipping benefit may be worth more than the Mastercard's purchase protection, depending on how much you would normally pay for shipping.

Neither card offers rotating categories, bonus points, or accelerated rewards outside of Target. If you want to earn rewards at other retailers, you would need a separate general-purpose credit card.

How the cards affect your credit

Opening a Target Mastercard triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The RedCard does not require a credit check and does not trigger an inquiry.

Once open, the Mastercard reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Paying on time every month builds your credit history and improves your score over time. Carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit, missing payments, or closing the account can lower your score.

The RedCard, being a debit card, does not report to credit bureaus at all. It neither helps nor hurts your credit score. If you are rebuilding credit or trying to establish a credit history, the Mastercard is the better choice. If you want to avoid a credit inquiry or do not want to manage a credit card, the RedCard is simpler.

When to choose the RedCard

Choose the RedCard if you shop at Target regularly and want to avoid credit card debt. Because it is a debit card, you can only spend money you already have in your bank account. You get the 5% discount and free shipping on Target.com without paying interest or managing a credit card balance.

The RedCard is also useful if you have no credit history or poor credit and cannot open a credit card. There is no credit check, so approval is not based on your credit score. You get the same 5% discount as credit card holders.

The RedCard is less useful if you want to build credit, shop at many retailers, or need purchase protection. It only works at Target and Target.com, so the 5% discount does not explore anywhere else.

When to choose the Mastercard

Choose the Mastercard if you want to build or improve your credit score. On-time payments on a credit card are one of the most important factors in your credit score. The Mastercard reports to all three credit bureaus, so responsible use will help you build credit history.

The Mastercard is also better if you shop at multiple retailers and want a single card that works everywhere. You get 5% off at Target and can use the card for groceries, gas, restaurants, and online shopping at other stores. The purchase protection and extended return window explore to all purchases, not just Target purchases.

The Mastercard is less useful if you want to avoid credit checks, do not want to manage a credit card balance, or only shop at Target. You will pay interest on any balance you do not pay off in full, and the card requires responsible use to avoid debt.

How to open either card

To open a RedCard in-store, visit any Target with a photo ID and ask a team member at the customer service desk. You will fill out a short form, and the card is issued on the spot. You can start using it when ready after set up.

To open a RedCard online, go to Target.com, sign in to your account, and navigate to the RedCard section. You will provide your bank account information and personal details. The card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

To open a Mastercard, visit Target.com or explore in-store at the customer service desk. You will provide your Social Security number, income, and other financial information. Synchrony will perform a credit check. If approved, you receive a temporary card number when ready that you can use online, and the physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

You can hold both cards at the same time. Many Target shoppers use the RedCard for in-store purchases (to get the 5% discount and avoid credit card debt) and the Mastercard for purchases at other retailers (to build credit and earn the 5% discount at Target when they use it there).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Target Mastercard outside of Target?

Yes. The Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted worldwide. You get 5% off only at Target and Target.com, but you can use the card at any other merchant. The RedCard only works at Target and Target.com.

Do I need good credit to open a Target card?

You do not need good credit to open a RedCard — there is no credit check. For the Mastercard, Synchrony requires a credit check and typically approves applicants with fair credit or better, though approval is not may provide. If you have no credit history or poor credit, the RedCard is the easier option.

What happens if I close my Target card?

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit and may shorten your average account age. Closing a RedCard debit card has no impact on your credit because it does not report to credit bureaus. If you close a Mastercard, keep the account open if possible, or close it only after your credit score has stabilized.

Do I earn rewards on the 5% discount?

No. The 5% discount is the only reward either card offers. You do not earn additional points, cash back, or bonus rewards on top of the discount. The discount applies to the full purchase price before tax.

Can I get both cards at the same time?

Yes. You can hold a RedCard and a Mastercard simultaneously. Many shoppers use the RedCard for in-store purchases and the Mastercard for other retailers or to build credit. Opening both cards at the same time will trigger two credit inquiries if you explore for the Mastercard, which may lower your score slightly.