Best Credit Cards for Target: Better Options Than the Target RedCard

Target's RedCard offers 5% off purchases, but you can do better. Several credit cards earn 5% at Target while providing more flexibility and benefits than Target's store card.

Target RedCard: The Default Choice

Target's RedCard comes in debit and credit versions. Both save 5% on Target purchases, offer free shipping on Target.com, and provide extended return periods. The credit version has no annual fee.

The catch: you're locked into Target-only benefits. Miss a payment on the credit version, and you'll face a 29.99% APR. The debit version links directly to your bank account, offering no credit-building benefits.

Better Target Credit Card Options

Citi Custom Cash Card

Earn rate: 5% on up to $500 monthly spend in your top eligible category (including department stores) Annual fee: $0 Why it works: Target counts as a department store, so you'll earn 5% there. Unlike the RedCard, you can switch categories quarterly if your spending patterns change.

This card matches Target RedCard's 5% rate while offering flexibility. Spend $500 monthly at Target and earn $300 annually in cash back.

Chase Freedom Flex

Earn rate: 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) Annual fee: $0 Why it works: Department stores appear as a quarterly category roughly every 18 months. When active, you'll earn 5% at Target on up to $1,500 quarterly spend.

The downside: you need to activate categories and Target won't always be included. But when it is, you'll earn $75 per quarter versus $37.50 with a RedCard on the same spend.

US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

Earn rate: 5% on up to $2,000 quarterly spend in two categories you choose Annual fee: $0 Why it works: Select "department stores" as one of your 5% categories. You'll earn 5% at Target year-round on up to $2,000 quarterly spend ($8,000 annually).

This card offers the highest spending threshold for 5% Target rewards. Max it out and earn $400 annually versus $240 with RedCard on equivalent spend.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Earn rate: 3% on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores Annual fee: $0 Target rate: 1% Why it's relevant: While only 1% at Target, this card excels in daily spending categories. Use it for dining and groceries, then pair with a 5% Target card for maximum rewards.

How cashew handles this

cashew tracks which stores qualify for bonus categories across your cards. When you shop at Target, the app identifies whether it codes as "department stores" for your Citi Custom Cash or if Chase Freedom Flex currently offers 5% on that category.

The app also tracks quarterly spending limits. If you've maxed out your $500 monthly limit on Citi Custom Cash, cashew will recommend your next-best Target option automatically.

This eliminates guesswork about category eligibility and spending thresholds. You'll always use the highest-earning card for each Target purchase.

cashew provides general information only and is not a financial advisor. Credit card decisions should align with your individual financial situation.

Quick Reference: Best Target Cards

Card	Target Rate	Annual Fee	Spending Cap	Best For
Citi Custom Cash	5%	$0	$500/month	Consistent Target shoppers
US Bank Cash+	5%	$0	$2,000/quarter	High Target spenders
Chase Freedom Flex	5%*	$0	$1,500/quarter	Rotating category users
Target RedCard	5%	$0	None	Target-only benefits

*When department stores is the quarterly category

The Bottom Line

The Target RedCard isn't your best option for earning rewards at Target. Cards like the Citi Custom Cash provide the same 5% rate with more flexibility. If you spend heavily at Target, the US Bank Cash+ offers higher quarterly limits.

Choose based on your spending patterns and whether you value Target-specific perks like extended returns. For pure rewards optimization, skip the RedCard.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which help support our content at no cost to you.