How does SwipeCaddy pick the best card at Target?

We rank each card by its reward rate times a conservative cash value of its points or miles — no inflated transfer valuations — and apply Target's card-acceptance rules, so the "best" card is one you can actually use at the register.

Is the Target Circle Card worth it if you only shop at Target occasionally?

It earns 5% at Target with no annual fee, so it costs nothing to hold, but the advantage over a 2% card is three percentage points on Target spending alone. On occasional trips that difference stays small in dollar terms. If Target is a weekly stop, the store card earns its slot; if not, a flat 2% card covers you.

What's the catch with the 2% cards at Target?

Each one has a condition. The Blue Business Cash Card and Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express cap earning at $50,000 per year. The Apple Card requires paying through the mobile wallet. Capital One's options charge $95 to $395 a year and still earn 2%. Pick the caveat you can actually live with before defaulting to any of them.

Best cards at Target

Target Circle Card earns the most at Target right now at 5%.

Rankings use issuer rates verified as of August 16, 2026.

In store

1
#15%
Target Circle Card
TD Bank · Store card · No annual fee
5%
2
#23x
Robinhood Gold Card
Coastal Community Bank · Visa · No annual fee
3x
3
#32%
Apple Card
Goldman Sachs · Mastercard · No annual fee · Pay with the mobile wallet
2%
4
#42%
Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
American Express · Amex · Business · No annual fee · up to $50,000/yr
2%
5
#52x
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
American Express · Amex · Business · No annual fee · up to $50,000/yr
2x
6
#62%
Citi Double Cash Card
Citi · Mastercard · No annual fee
2%
7
#72%
Coinbase One Card
Cardless · Amex · No annual fee
2%
8
#82%
Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card
Elan Financial Services · Visa · No annual fee
2%
9
#92%
Navy Federal cashRewards Plus
Navy Federal · Mastercard · No annual fee
2%
10
#102%
PNC Cash Unlimited Visa Signature Credit Card
Pnc · Visa · No annual fee
2%

Online

Good to know at Target

Target accepts every major card network, in the store and online, so nothing in your wallet is ruled out at the register. Even so, the ranking has a runaway leader: the Target Circle Card from TD Bank pays 5% with no annual fee and no strings attached. Everything behind it settles at 2%, so the real decision is simply whether a store card deserves a slot in your wallet.

The 2% field is crowded, and every card in it carries some condition. Both American Express Blue Business cards cap their earning at $50,000 per year. The Apple Card only hits 2% when you pay through the mobile wallet. Capital One's entries charge annual fees between $95 and $395 yet earn no more at Target than the no-fee options, so a fee buys you nothing extra here.

The order does not change between the aisle and the website, so one decision covers both ways you shop at Target. If the Target Circle Card is not in your wallet, a no-fee 2% card is a fine fallback for occasional runs; the extra three points only turn into real money on steady Target spending. Regular shoppers gain the most from going for the 5%.

The math

Spend $400 a month at Target and Target Circle Card returns about $240 a year at our valuations — a flat 2% card returns $96.

Common questions

What is the best credit card at Target?: Target Circle Card earns the most at Target right now at 5%.
How does SwipeCaddy pick the best card at Target?: We rank each card by its reward rate times a conservative cash value of its points or miles — no inflated transfer valuations — and apply Target's card-acceptance rules, so the "best" card is one you can actually use at the register.
Is the Target Circle Card worth it if you only shop at Target occasionally?: It earns 5% at Target with no annual fee, so it costs nothing to hold, but the advantage over a 2% card is three percentage points on Target spending alone. On occasional trips that difference stays small in dollar terms. If Target is a weekly stop, the store card earns its slot; if not, a flat 2% card covers you.
What's the catch with the 2% cards at Target?: Each one has a condition. The Blue Business Cash Card and Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express cap earning at $50,000 per year. The Apple Card requires paying through the mobile wallet. Capital One's options charge $95 to $395 a year and still earn 2%. Pick the caveat you can actually live with before defaulting to any of them.

Rates reflect each card's best case at this merchant and can change; check the issuer's terms before applying.

In store

Online

Good to know at Target

The math

Common questions

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