To get a Target Mastercard, apply online, in store, or through the app, then pass Target’s credit check run by TD Bank USA.
How Do You Get A Target Mastercard? Basic Requirements
When you ask how do you get a target mastercard, you are simply asking whether you fit the basic checklist that Target and TD Bank USA care about. The issuer looks at age, identity, income, and your credit file before it gives a store card or the full Target Mastercard version.
You need to live in the United States, be at least eighteen years old, and have a Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. You also need enough income to handle monthly payments and a credit history that shows you manage debt in a steady way.
Some shoppers receive the store only Target credit card and later get upgraded to the Target Mastercard after months of on time payments, so early approval can open the door to wider use for you.
| Step | What You Do | Quick Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check Eligibility | Confirm age, U.S. home location, and identity documents like your ID and Social Security card. | Target and TD Bank USA verify these details before approval. |
| 2. Review Your Credit | Pull your credit report and score from a trusted source. | A fair or better score improves your chance of the Target Mastercard over the store card. |
| 3. Gather Income Details | List your job, employer, monthly income, and any extra regular income. | The bank checks that you can handle payments. |
| 4. Choose Where To Apply | Decide whether you will apply online, in a Target store, or through the Target app. | Online and app applications give quick decisions for most shoppers. |
| 5. Complete The Form | Enter your personal information, contact details, and income on the secure application. | Double check spelling and numbers before you hit submit. |
| 6. Read Rates And Fees | Scan the credit card agreement that lists APRs, late fees, and other charges. | Store and co branded retail cards often have higher interest rates. |
| 7. Submit And Wait | Send the application and wait for the on screen answer or follow up email. | Many people get a result in minutes, though some cases need review. |
Getting A Target Mastercard For Everyday And Travel Use
The Target Mastercard gives five percent off most Target purchases, free standard shipping on many online orders, and extra return time when you use it at the register or on Target.com. Those perks apply whether you are restocking your pantry at home or loading up on snacks, sunscreen, and travel sized toiletries before a trip.
You can also use the Target Mastercard anywhere the Mastercard logo appears, not just at Target stores, so it can handle gas stops on a road trip or last minute hotel charges. Target explains the current perks and program rules in detail on its official Target Circle Card benefits and rules page.
Target Mastercard Vs Other Target Cards
Target offers more than one card under the Target Circle Card umbrella. When you apply, you might receive the store only credit card, the debit card that links to your checking account, or the Target Mastercard. All of them give the same base five percent savings on eligible Target purchases, but they behave differently once you walk out of the store.
The store credit card works only at Target, while the Target Mastercard runs on the wider Mastercard network, which adds flexibility for travel and day to day spending. The debit card pulls funds straight from your bank account, which helps you avoid carrying a balance, though you still need enough in the account to pay for each purchase.
Online Application Steps For A Target Mastercard
If you prefer to apply from home, start on the Target credit card application page and choose the credit option. The site routes you to a secure form where you enter your full legal name, current home details, phone number, email, date of birth, and Social Security number. You also share income and housing information so TD Bank USA can run a full credit check.
After you agree to the electronic disclosures and credit pull, you submit the form and wait for the decision screen. Many shoppers get an instant answer that shows either an approval with a starting credit limit, a request for more information, or a denial. If you receive the Target Mastercard, you can often add the card to your Target account or mobile wallet before the physical card even arrives in the mail.
Applying In Store Or Through The Target App
Some people like to handle money tasks face to face. If that sounds like you, you can start the Target credit application at the register or at a service desk during a regular shopping trip. A team member points you to the credit pad or a small printed form and walks you through the basic steps, though the actual approval still comes from TD Bank USA.
You can also start the process inside the Target app. Sign in, tap the wallet or Target Circle card area, and follow the prompts to apply. The app pulls some data from your profile, which cuts down on typing and speeds up your application. Either way, you still supply identity and income information and allow a credit check before the bank decides whether to issue a store card or the Target Mastercard.
Approval Odds, Credit Score, And Income Checks
The bank behind the Target Mastercard does not publish a hard cutoff score, but third party data suggests that many approved cardholders fall in the mid six hundreds or higher on standard scoring scales. Comparison sites that track card approvals report average scores around the high six hundreds for this card family.
Beyond the number itself, TD Bank USA checks your payment history, credit card balances, recent applications, and the length of your credit file. Income matters too, because the bank wants to see that your monthly cash flow can handle the credit limit you receive. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers plain language guidance on how to shop for and use credit cards safely, which pairs well with the details in the Target card agreement.
Some shoppers receive the store only Target credit card and later get upgraded to the Target Mastercard after months of on time payments, so early approval can open the door to wider use for you.
| Factor | What Lenders Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Score | History of on time payments and balanced use of credit lines. | Shows how likely you are to pay Target and TD Bank USA back. |
| Income | Stable wages, self employment income, or benefits at a steady level. | Supports the monthly payments on your Target Mastercard. |
| Existing Debt | Current credit card balances, loans, and minimum payments. | High debt can limit how much room you have for new credit. |
| Recent Applications | Number of new credit lines requested in the past year. | Many new accounts in a short time can worry lenders. |
| Account Age | Average age of your open and closed credit accounts. | Long experience with credit tends to look steadier on a file. |
| Public Records | Bankruptcies, foreclosures, or collection accounts. | Serious marks can lead to a lower limit or a denial. |
| Reported Income Changes | Recent drops or jumps in income on applications. | Large swings can trigger extra review before approval. |
Using Your New Target Mastercard Wisely
Once your card arrives, activate it by phone, online, or through the app, then sign the back and add it to your digital wallet. Set up online account access so you can track spending, set alerts for due dates, and make payments from your checking account. Many people also create text or app reminders a few days before each due date so they never miss a payment.
To keep costs low, try to pay your statement balance in full each month. Retail cards often carry higher interest rates than general cash back cards, so carried balances add up fast. Use the five percent discount for planned Target runs, trip supplies, and household basics you would buy anyway, not as a reason to overspend.
Target Mastercard Tips For Travel Lovers
If you shop at Target before flights, road trips, or long train rides, the Target Mastercard can take some pressure off your travel budget. You get five percent off snacks, refillable water bottles, travel pillows, sunscreen, and even small luggage items that fit the card’s discount rules. You can also pay for ride share trips, gas, and last minute hotel charges where Mastercard is accepted, then track everything in one place.
Before a big trip, check your available credit and payment due date so your balance does not crowd out other travel expenses. Turn on card alerts for foreign transactions if you plan to use the card outside the United States, and keep the customer service number handy in case you need to report a lost card while you are away from home.
Is A Target Mastercard The Right Move For You
When you think through how do you get a target mastercard, also think through whether it fits your habits. If you already shop at Target often, pay off cards in full, and want a simple store linked card that still works for gas and hotel stays, the Target Mastercard can be a useful tool.
If you rarely step into Target or tend to carry balances, a general cash back card with a lower interest rate might serve you better. Take ten or fifteen minutes to read the Target credit card agreement and compare it with at least one general rewards card before you apply. That quick check helps you decide whether this card belongs in your wallet alongside your other travel and daily spending cards.