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Whether I’m walking the aisles of Target or placing an online order for Drive Up or delivery, I love knowing I’m maximizing my savings with Target Circle. This easy, free loyalty program makes it simple to save on things we’re already buying — groceries, kids’ clothes, household essentials, gifts, and even those last-minute needs. By stacking Target deals, coupons, and bonus offers, I’m able to make the most of our family’s budget with each Target run.
If Target is one of your regular stops, Target Circle is definitely a money-saving strategy that’s worth your time. It’s free, it’s simple, and once you get the hang of it, you can use Target Circle strategically to stretch your budget even further. Here’s how Target Circle works and how to make it work for you.
What Is Target Circle?
Target Circle is Target’s free loyalty and savings program, and it’s designed to reward you for the shopping you’re doing at Target anyway, without requiring you to jump through hoops. You don’t need a Target credit card, you don’t have to track points, and you don’t have to remember to hand anything over at checkout.
Once you’re enrolled, Target Circle automatically unlocks exclusive deals, personalized offers, and rewards that build up over time. Think of it less like traditional couponing and more like a built-in savings layer that works quietly in the background.
What makes Target Circle especially helpful is that it can be used strategically. Instead of buying unplanned things just because there’s a deal, you can check Circle offers before you shop and let the deals guide your timing. This could look like stocking up on household basics, grabbing kids’ clothes during a promotion, or planning a larger shopping trip when a reward bonus pops up.
How to Sign Up for Target Circle
Signing up for Target Circle is quick and completely free, which makes it an easy “yes.”
To get started:
- Visit Target.com or open the Target app.
- Create a Target account or log in to an existing one.
- Enroll in Target Circle (it’s automatically included with your account).
- Add your phone number so you can use Target Circle in-store without opening the app every time.
Once you’re signed up, you’ll immediately start seeing Circle offers (no waiting period required).
What Kind of Savings Does Target Circle Offer?
Target Circle savings come in a few different forms, which is why it works so well for everyday shoppers.
Weekly & Personalized Deals
Each week, Target releases new Circle offers you can save to your account. These often include:
- Dollar-off discounts (like $5 off $25 or $10 off $50)
- Percentage-off deals on specific items or categories
- Target Circle–only pricing on select products
Many offers are personalized, meaning the deals you see often reflect what you buy most: groceries, kids’ clothing, household items, or personal care products.
Automatic Rewards
Instead of traditional points, Target Circle rewards accumulate automatically as you shop. Once you earn a reward, it shows up in your account and can be applied to a future purchase.
This is where strategy comes in. Saving rewards for a bigger shopping trip or using them when you’re already buying essentials helps stretch your budget without changing what you buy.
Birthday & Limited-Time Bonuses
Target Circle members usually receive a birthday reward each year, plus occasional limited-time bonuses tied to seasonal sales or special promotions. These are easy wins if you’re already planning a Target trip.
How to Find and Save Target Circle Offers
The Target app is the easiest way to manage your Circle offers.
Before you shop:
- Open the app and tap “Circle”
- Browse available deals
- Tap “Save” or “Get the Deal” on any offers that match what you might buy
Once saved, offers are stored in your Target Wallet and apply automatically at checkout.
Even if you’re unsure whether you’ll use an offer, it’s often worth saving it anyway. There’s no penalty if you don’t end up using it.
How to Use Target Circle In-Store
Using Target Circle in-store is simple and fast.
At checkout, you can:
- Enter your phone number on the keypad, or
- Scan your Target Wallet barcode from the app
That’s it. Any eligible Circle offers and rewards will apply automatically, as long as qualifying items are in your cart.
This makes Target Circle especially helpful for busy shopping trips when you don’t want to fumble with coupons or slow down the line.
How to Use Target Circle for Online, Drive Up, or Pickup Orders
Target Circle works seamlessly for:
- Online orders
- Drive Up
- Order Pickup
Just make sure you’re logged into your Target account and have saved your offers before placing your order. If items in your cart qualify, discounts and rewards will be applied automatically at checkout.
This is a great option if you like planning ahead and avoiding impulse buys inside the store.
How to Use Target Circle Strategically to Save More
Target Circle really shines when you use it with intention. Here are a few easy ways to shop smarter:
- Check Circle offers before making your list. Sometimes a deal can help you decide when to buy something.
- Stock up on essentials when deals pop up. Household and grocery offers are especially helpful for this.
- Stack savings whenever possible. Target Circle deals often stack with sales, clearance, and seasonal promotions.
- Save rewards for higher-total trips. This makes the savings feel more meaningful.
You don’t need to use every deal to see benefits. Even using Target Circle occasionally can lead to noticeable savings over time.
What Is the Paid Version of Target Circle? (AKA Target Circle 360)
Target Circle 360 is optional; you don’t need it to enjoy the regular Target Circle program. But if you shop often or like to stack more savings and perks, it’s worth knowing what it includes. Target Circle 360 isn’t free, but it’s priced to compete with other big retail subscriptions. It costs about $10.99 per month or $99 per year. Target Circle Card holders can often get a discounted annual rate (around $49/year). College students and government assistance recipients can get a Target Circle 360 membership for $4.99/month.
What You Get With Target Circle 360
- Unlimited same-day delivery on orders over about $35 — and now that includes no markup fees even when you shop from other local stores (like grocers and pet stores via Shipt).
- Free 2-day shipping on hundreds of thousands of items online, which can save you delivery fees if you’re a frequent online shopper.
- An extra 30 days to make returns — helpful for those “this doesn’t fit like I’d hoped” moments.
- Monthly freebies & exclusive offers — yes, you get to choose from a selection of gifts and exclusive discounts at the beginning of each month.
- Early or exclusive access to certain sales or deals.
Target Circle 360 is great for shoppers who want faster delivery, more flexibility on returns, and extra opportunities to save or to snag gifts and perks. You can still stack these benefits with free Target Circle offers you find in-store or in the app, making your overall Target strategy even smarter.
Why Target Circle Is Worth Using
Target Circle fits into real life. You don’t have to shop perfectly, coupon aggressively, or track anything manually. You just save offers, shop as usual, and let the program do the rest.
If you’re already shopping deals at Target, Target Circle is a simple way to be more intentional with your spending, and a great complement to the Target Circle deals we share here.d
Used thoughtfully, it’s one of the easiest ways to save money at Target without adding stress to your routine.
FAQs about How to Use Target Circle
Most Target Circle deals automatically apply at checkout, but there are some deals you’ll need to tap to add to your account before purchasing.
Yes, Target Circle Rewards expire if you don’t earn or redeem them for a year. Your expiration date can be found under Wallet in the Target app.
At checkout, enter your phone number on the keypad or open the Target app, click “Wallet” at the bottom, then “Show My Barcode,” which you can then scan.
A basic membership, which gives you access to special deals and bonus offers, is free. If you want free delivery and even more perks, there’s also a paid tier.
Activate any rewards or bonuses you want to receive in your Target Circle account. Then, enter your phone number or scan your digital card at checkout.
Target Circle is not a credit or debit card. It’s a free loyalty program that helps you save when shopping at Target, without any credit card required.
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And be sure to check out all the best current Target deals here!
Have you saved money with Target Circle? We’d love to hear your experience in the comments!
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