Buying Target Gift Cards With a Target Credit Card

Yes, you can buy Target gift cards with your Target credit card

You can purchase Target gift cards using a Target RedCard (the store's branded credit card) both in stores and online at Target.com. The transaction works the same way as buying any other item — you swipe or insert your card at checkout, or enter your card details during online purchase. Your RedCard rewards still apply to the purchase, which means you earn 5% off when you use it in-store or 1% back on online purchases.

The main thing to understand is that buying a gift card with a credit card is a regular purchase, not a cash advance. This matters because cash advances typically carry higher interest rates and fees, while gift card purchases are treated like any other retail transaction on your account.

Key Takeaways

• Target RedCard holders earn 5% off gift card purchases in stores and 1% back on online purchases at Target.com.
• Buying a gift card with your RedCard counts as a regular purchase, not a cash advance, so standard interest rates apply if you carry a balance.
• You can buy physical gift cards at any Target store or order digital gift cards online without any restrictions.
• If you're using a non-Target credit card, the purchase still goes through, but you won't earn Target's rewards rate.

How the RedCard rewards work on gift card purchases

When you buy a Target gift card with your RedCard in a store, you get 5% off the purchase price. This is the same discount you receive on regular merchandise. So if you buy a $100 Target gift card, you pay $95 with your RedCard.

Online purchases work differently. If you buy a digital gift card through Target.com with your RedCard, you earn 1% back as a Target Circle reward (Target's loyalty program). This means on a $100 digital gift card, you'd earn $1 in rewards that shows up in your Circle account.

The difference between in-store and online rewards is standard across Target — it's not specific to gift cards. In-store RedCard purchases get the 5% discount applied at the register, while online orders earn the 1% reward that posts to your account within a few days.

Why someone might buy a gift card with a credit card

The most common reason is to earn rewards on money you're already spending. If you know you're going to shop at Target anyway, buying a gift card with your RedCard lets you lock in the discount or rewards before you spend it. You're essentially getting paid to buy the card.

Another reason is to give someone a gift while earning rewards for yourself. You get the discount or cash back, and the recipient gets a card they can use however they want. It's a way to make your gift-giving more efficient financially.

Some people also use gift cards as a way to budget. Buying a $50 gift card and giving it to yourself (or a family member) creates a spending limit that's harder to exceed than using a credit card directly.

What happens if you carry a balance on your RedCard

If you don't pay off your RedCard balance in full each month, interest charges apply to everything you bought, including gift cards. The interest rate varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates, but Target RedCard APR typically ranges from around 16% to 24% for purchases.

This means if you buy a $100 gift card and carry that balance for a month without paying it off, you'll owe interest on top of the $100 (or $95 if you got the in-store discount). The rewards you earned become less valuable when you're paying interest, so it only makes sense to buy gift cards on credit if you plan to pay the full balance when your statement arrives.

Using a non-Target credit card to buy Target gift cards

You can use any credit card to buy Target gift cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or cards from other banks. The transaction processes normally, and you won't run into any blocks or restrictions. However, you won't earn Target's 5% or 1% rewards rate.

You might still earn rewards from your own card's rewards program. For example, if you have a cash-back credit card that gives 2% back on all purchases, you'd earn 2% on the gift card purchase. But you wouldn't get Target's additional discount or rewards on top of that.

The only scenario where a non-Target card might be preferable is if your card offers a higher rewards rate than Target's 5% in-store discount, or if you're trying to meet a spending threshold for a sign-up bonus. Otherwise, using your RedCard saves you money.

Digital versus physical gift cards

Target sells both physical gift cards (plastic cards you pick up in store or receive in the mail) and digital gift cards (codes sent to your email). Both can be purchased with your RedCard, but the rewards structure differs slightly.

Physical gift cards bought in store earn the 5% RedCard discount. Digital gift cards bought online earn 1% back as a Target Circle reward. If you buy a physical gift card online, you'll earn the 1% online rate, not the 5% in-store rate.

Digital gift cards are faster if you need to send a gift quickly — they arrive in your email within minutes. Physical cards take longer to arrive if ordered online, but some people prefer them because they feel more like a traditional gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my RedCard to buy a gift card?

No. You can pay with any credit card, debit card, or cash. Using your RedCard is optional, but it's the only way to earn Target's rewards on the purchase. If you don't have a RedCard, you can still buy gift cards normally — you just won't get the discount or rewards.

Can I buy a gift card with a RedCard and then return it for cash?

No. Target gift cards cannot be returned for cash or refunded to your credit card. Once purchased, they're intended to be spent at Target. This is true regardless of which payment method you used to buy the card.

What if the gift card I bought never arrives?

For digital gift cards, contact Target's customer service through their website or app and provide your order number. They can resend the code or investigate if it went to spam. For physical cards ordered online, check your order status first — if it shows delivered but you didn't receive it, Target can issue a replacement or refund the charge to your RedCard.

Does buying a gift card count toward my RedCard credit limit?

Yes. Purchasing a gift card uses your available credit just like any other purchase. If you have a $500 limit and buy a $100 gift card, your available credit drops to $400 until you pay the charge off.

Can I use a Target gift card to pay my RedCard bill?

No. Target gift cards can only be used to buy merchandise at Target stores or on Target.com. You cannot use them to make credit card payments. You'll need to pay your RedCard bill through Target's payment system using a bank account, another credit card, or check.