【Updated 2025.3】If you apply now for the Target Red Debit Card or Credit Card, you’ll receive a $50 off $50 coupon mailed together with the card. Applying for the new Target Reload card also comes with a $50 credit. These RedCards normally do not offer any welcome bonus, so if you shop at Target anyway, this is basically a free $50. For a no-annual-fee card that earns unlimited 5% back at Target, includes free shipping, and comes with a number of shopping perks, that’s a pretty solid deal. If you shop at Target, it may be worth having one. The debit card and reloadable version do not require a hard pull and will not affect your credit score.
According to DOC, the RedCard rules are about to change: going forward, you will need to wait one year between applications in order to receive the coupon again. In addition, the coupon is now added to your account, so you can no longer use it once in-store and once online. It looks like Target has finally realized people were gaming this.
The Reload version is new. It appears to be similar to a prepaid card, where you load money first and then spend it. Based on that feature, applying for it should not require a hard pull. A comparison of the three cards is shown below. Their core features are mostly the same; the main difference is whether you can load funds onto the card. If you already have other cards, you probably would not use this credit card for purchases outside of Target anyway.
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Target Red Debit/Credit Card Overview
Application Link
Key Features
- Shopping discount: Get an automatic 5% off when shopping in Target stores or at Target.com (gift cards excluded).
- Extended returns: Get an extra 30 days for returns on purchases.
- Free shipping: Get free shipping on Target online purchases, limited to standard shipping speed.
- Early Access: Get early access to certain Target shopping events.
- Annual fee: No annual fee on any version.
My Take
Credit or Debit?
The Red Card currently comes in two main types: Debit and Credit, and there are some meaningful differences between them. The Debit card cannot be loaded with money directly; instead, it needs to be linked to a checking account, and 1-2 days after a purchase, the money will automatically be pulled from that checking account. The Credit version works like a regular credit card: you get a credit limit, make purchases against that limit, and then pay the bill each month.
Another important difference is in the application process. The debit card does not require a hard pull and does not appear on your credit report. In other words, applying for the Debit version will not affect your credit score or credit history. Generally speaking, as long as your personal information is correct, getting approved for the debit version should not be a problem. The Credit version, however, does require a hard pull and will appear on your credit report. If your credit score is too low or there is negative information on your report, you may not be approved. That said, both versions require you to enter your SSN: the Debit version uses it for identity verification, while the Credit version uses it to pull your credit report.
Since the Credit version does not really offer any advantages in other areas, my recommendation is that if you want one, the Debit version is enough. It will not affect your credit score, and you still get all of the benefits as well as the current $25 off opening offer. For people who cannot get approved for other credit cards, this card may also be relatively easy to obtain and can be used to build credit history.
Some Useful Tricks
At Target stores and online, some gift cards are also eligible for the 5% discount. For example, in the past, Disney gift cards, gaming top-up cards, and some prepaid mobile refill cards could all be bought at 5% off. It is a good idea to test online, because if the discount applies, it will show up directly at checkout. For example, iTunes cards can effectively be used to buy Apple products, so using this card is like getting 5% off Apple products. In fact, Target actively encourages these purchases and has even advertised them.
