Where and How to Pay Your Target Credit Card

You can pay your Target credit card through three main routes: online at Target.com, by phone at 1-800-424-6100, or in person at any Target store. The online method is the fastest — payments post the same business day if you submit before the payment processing cutoff, which is typically 8 p.m. Central Time. Phone payments also post same-day if you call before the cutoff; in-store payments at the customer service desk take one to two business days to appear on your account.

To pay online, log into your Target credit card account at Target.com using your username and password, navigate to the payment section, and enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay from a checking or savings account linked to your Target account. If you do not have a Target.com account, you can create one using your card number and the phone number associated with your account. Phone payments require you to have your card number and the bank account you want to draw from ready when you call.

In-store payments at the customer service desk require your card and a valid ID. You can pay with cash, a debit card, or another credit card — not with the Target card itself. The payment is recorded immediately at the register, but the credit to your account takes one to two business days to process.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and phone payments post the same business day if submitted before the evening cutoff, while in-store payments take one to two business days to reach your account.
  • You can pay online at Target.com, by phone at 1-800-424-6100, or in person at any Target store customer service desk.
  • Online payments draw from a checking or savings account you link to your Target account; phone and in-store payments can come from cash or another card.
  • Your payment due date appears on your monthly statement and on your online account; paying by the due date avoids late fees and interest charges.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

Target offers automatic payment options through your online account. You can set up a recurring payment that draws from your bank account on a date you choose each month. Log into Target.com, go to your credit card account settings, and select "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments." You can choose to pay a fixed amount, your minimum payment, or your full statement balance each month.

Automatic payments reduce the risk of missing a due date, which protects your credit score and prevents late fees. If you set the payment to occur on or before your due date, the payment will post in time. If you set it for after your due date, you will be charged a late fee. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account, and you should receive a confirmation email each time a payment is processed.

Understanding Your Payment Due Date and Statement Cycle

Your Target credit card statement closes on a specific date each month — this is your statement closing date, not your payment due date. Your payment due date is typically 21 to 25 days after your statement closes, depending on the day of the week and holidays. Both dates appear on your monthly statement and in your online account under "Account Details" or "Billing Information."

If you pay after your due date, you will be charged a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on how late the payment is and your account history; Target's late fees typically range from $25 to $39 for the first late payment and may be higher for subsequent ones. Interest also begins to accrue on any unpaid balance the day after your due date passes, even if you are only one day late. Paying on time — by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on your due date — avoids both the fee and the interest charge.

How Payments Are Applied to Your Balance

When you make a payment, Target applies it first to any fees you owe, then to interest charges, and finally to your principal balance — the actual purchases you made. This means that if you have both interest and a balance, your payment reduces the interest first, and only the remainder goes toward lowering what you owe on purchases. If you carry a balance from month to month, you will accrue interest daily on that balance at your card's annual percentage rate (APR), which appears on your statement.

If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you will not be charged interest on new purchases. This is called the grace period. The grace period applies only to new purchases, not to cash advances or balance transfers, which begin accruing interest immediately. Paying only the minimum payment leaves a balance that will accrue interest at your APR until it is paid off.

What to Do If You Cannot Pay by the Due Date

If you know you cannot pay by your due date, contact Target's customer service at 1-800-424-6100 as soon as possible. While Target does not formally defer payments or offer hardship programs through the credit card line, speaking with a representative may allow you to discuss your situation. Some cardholders have reported that representatives can note account details or discuss options, though there is no may provide of a fee waiver or extension.

If you miss your due date, the late fee will be applied to your account, and interest will begin accruing on your balance. You can still make a payment after the due date to stop further interest from building, but the late fee will remain. If you are more than 30 days late, the late payment will be reported to credit bureaus and will appear on your credit report for up to seven years. Paying as soon as you can after missing a due date limits the damage to your credit score.

Paying Off a Balance Faster

If you are carrying a balance on your Target card, paying more than the minimum each month reduces the total interest you will pay and gets you out of debt faster. Your statement shows both your minimum payment and your current APR. You can calculate how long it will take to pay off your balance by dividing your balance by your monthly payment; the longer the timeline, the more interest you will pay.

For example, a $1,000 balance at a typical credit card APR will cost significantly more in interest if you pay only the minimum ($25 to $35 per month) than if you pay $100 or $200 per month. You can pay any amount above the minimum through any of the three payment methods — online, phone, or in person. Setting up an automatic payment for a fixed amount above the minimum is an effective way to pay down a balance consistently without having to remember to make a payment each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does my online payment need to be submitted to post the same day?

Online payments submitted before 8 p.m. Central Time typically post the same business day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Target usually extends the due date to the next business day, but you should confirm this on your statement.

Can I pay my Target credit card with another credit card?

You cannot pay your Target credit card with another credit card online or by phone. In-store, you can pay with cash, a debit card, or another credit card at the customer service desk. Paying a credit card with another credit card typically incurs a cash advance fee and higher interest rate, so it is not recommended.

What happens if I pay more than I owe?

If you pay more than your current balance, the overpayment creates a credit on your account. This credit is applied to your next statement's charges. You can also request a refund of the credit by calling 1-800-424-6100, though the refund may take several business days to process.

Do I have to make a payment if my balance is zero?

No. If your balance is zero, you do not owe a payment. However, if you have new purchases on your account since your last statement closed, those will appear on your next statement with a new due date. Keeping your account active by using it occasionally and paying on time helps maintain a healthy credit history.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Online and phone payments show a confirmation number immediately after submission. In-store payments print a receipt at the customer service desk. You can also log into your Target.com account to see your payment history and current balance. Payments typically appear within one to two business days, and you should receive an email confirmation for online and phone payments.