Where and How to Make a Target Credit Card Payment

You can pay your Target credit card through three main channels: online at Target.com, by phone at 1-800-424-6100, or in person at any Target store. The online method is the fastest and most common — you log into your account, enter the amount you want to pay, and the payment posts within one business day. Phone payments take the same time but require you to speak with a representative. In-store payments at the customer service desk are processed immediately, though the funds may take a day to show in your account.

Target's credit card is issued by Synchrony Bank, so you can also pay through Synchrony's website or app if you have set up an account there. This is useful if you manage multiple Synchrony cards. All three payment methods — Target, Synchrony, or in-store — reach the same account and are treated identically by the bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Target credit card payments can be made online at Target.com, by phone at 1-800-424-6100, or in person at any Target store customer service desk.
  • Your payment due date appears on your monthly statement and is typically 25 days after your statement closes; paying by this date avoids a late fee.
  • Interest accrues daily on any unpaid balance, so paying more than the minimum or paying early reduces the total interest you owe.
  • Setting up automatic payments through Target or Synchrony ensures you never miss a due date, though you remain responsible if the payment fails.
  • If you miss a payment, a late fee applies immediately, and your interest rate may increase; contacting Synchrony within 30 days of the missed payment may prevent further damage.

Understanding Your Due Date and Payment Deadlines

Your Target credit card statement shows a due date — the date by which your payment must arrive at Synchrony to avoid a late fee. This date is typically 25 days after your statement closes. The statement close date varies depending on when your account was opened, but once set, it remains the same each month. You can find both dates on your monthly statement or by logging into your Target or Synchrony account online.

Payments made online or by phone must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date to post that same day. If you submit after that time, the payment posts the next business day. In-store payments are processed immediately but may not show in your online account until the following day. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Synchrony extends the deadline to the next business day.

The difference between your statement close date and your due date matters: interest accrues on your balance starting the day after the close date if you carry a balance. Paying before the due date does not stop interest from accruing on that statement's balance — it only prevents a late fee and a rate increase. To avoid interest entirely, you must pay the full statement balance by the close date, not the due date.

Minimum Payment vs. Full Balance: What Gets Charged

Your statement shows two amounts: the minimum payment and the full balance. The minimum is typically 1 to 3 percent of your balance plus any fees and interest due. Paying the minimum by the due date avoids a late fee, but interest continues to accrue on the remaining balance at your card's purchase APR — the annual percentage rate, which varies by creditworthiness but typically ranges from 16 to 24 percent for Target cards.

Interest is calculated daily. Synchrony multiplies your daily balance by your APR, divides by 365, and adds that amount to your balance each day. If you owe $1,000 at 20 percent APR, you accrue roughly $0.55 per day in interest. Over a month, that is approximately $16.50 in interest charges. Paying more than the minimum reduces the daily balance and therefore the total interest you owe.

If you carry a balance from month to month, the interest from the previous month becomes part of your new balance and itself accrues interest. This is called compounding. The longer you carry a balance, the more of your payment goes toward interest rather than reducing what you owe.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

Both Target and Synchrony allow you to set up automatic payments, which deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose. You can set the payment to be your minimum, a fixed amount, or your full statement balance. Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date, but they do not remove your responsibility if the payment fails — if your bank account has insufficient funds, the payment bounces, and you are charged a late fee.

To set up automatic payments through Target, log into your account on Target.com, go to your credit card settings, and select "Autopay." Through Synchrony, visit Synchrony.com, sign in, and choose your Target card, then select "Automatic Payments." You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time, though changes take effect on your next scheduled payment date.

Many people set automatic payments to the minimum to ensure they never miss a due date, then make additional manual payments when they can afford them. This approach protects your credit while still allowing flexibility in how much you pay each month.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment

If your payment does not arrive by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date, Synchrony charges a late fee. The fee amount depends on your balance and state law but typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. A second late payment within six months may incur a higher fee. The late fee is added to your balance and begins accruing interest immediately.

A missed payment also triggers a penalty APR — a higher interest rate applied to your entire balance. Penalty APRs for Target cards typically range from 29 to 30 percent, significantly higher than the standard purchase APR. This rate applies for at least six months, even if you make all subsequent payments on time. After six months of on-time payments, Synchrony may lower your rate back to the original APR, but this is not automatic — you may need to contact them to request it.

The missed payment is reported to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and appears on your credit report as a 30-day late payment. This damages your credit score and remains on your report for seven years. If you miss a second payment within six months, it is reported as a 60-day late payment, which is more damaging. A third missed payment within six months is reported as a 90-day late payment.

If you realize you will miss a due date, contact Synchrony before the date passes. Explain your situation — job loss, unexpected expense, medical emergency. Synchrony cannot waive the late fee once it is charged, but they may be willing to waive it if you call before the deadline and have a clean payment history. They may also offer a hardship program that temporarily lowers your interest rate or allows you to make smaller payments for a set period.

Paying Off Your Balance Faster

If you carry a balance, the fastest way to pay it off is to pay more than the minimum each month. Use a simple calculation: divide your total balance by the number of months you want to take to pay it off. If you owe $2,000 and want to pay it off in 12 months, aim for roughly $167 per month plus interest. This approach gives you a concrete goal and shows you how much interest you will pay at different payoff speeds.

An alternative is the avalanche method: pay the minimum on all cards, then put any extra money toward the Target card because it likely has a higher APR than other cards you may carry. This minimizes total interest paid across all your accounts. The snowball method — paying off the smallest balance first regardless of APR — works psychologically for some people because you see a card paid off faster, but it costs more in interest overall.

Some people make multiple payments per month rather than one large payment. This reduces your daily balance faster and saves interest. If you are paid biweekly, making a payment every two weeks instead of once a month can cut your total interest by 10 to 15 percent, depending on your balance and APR.

Closing Your Target Credit Card and Final Payments

If you decide to close your Target credit card, you must pay the full balance before the account closes. You can close the account by calling Synchrony at 1-800-424-6100 or through your online account. Once closed, you cannot make new charges, but your account remains active until the balance is paid in full. Interest continues to accrue on any remaining balance at your standard APR, not a penalty rate, as long as you make on-time payments.

After you pay off the balance, the account shows as "closed by consumer" on your credit report. This does not damage your credit immediately, but closing an account does reduce your total available credit, which can slightly lower your credit score. The account remains on your credit report for up to seven years, which is actually beneficial — it shows a history of on-time payments.

If you close the account but still owe a balance, Synchrony will continue to send statements and accept payments. You are not required to close the account to stop using it — simply stop charging and pay down the balance at your own pace. Many people keep old cards open with a zero balance to maintain their credit history and available credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, Synchrony does not accept credit card payments for Target cards. You can only pay with a bank account (online or by phone), cash or debit card (in person), or through a third-party payment service like Plastiq, which charges a fee. Paying with another credit card through a third party is generally not worth the fee unless you are earning rewards on that card that exceed the cost.

What if I pay more than I owe?

If you pay more than your current balance, the overpayment becomes a credit on your account. Your next statement will show a negative balance, and you can use that credit toward future purchases or request a refund. Refunds typically take 5 to 7 business days to reach your bank account. You can request a refund by calling Synchrony or through your online account.

Does paying early reduce my interest?

Yes. Interest accrues daily based on your balance, so paying early reduces the number of days your balance sits unpaid. If you pay five days before your due date, you save five days of interest. However, paying before your statement close date is the only way to avoid interest entirely on that statement's charges — paying after the close date but before the due date still incurs interest.

What happens if I pay my bill but it is rejected?

If your bank rejects a payment due to insufficient funds or a closed account, Synchrony treats it as a missed payment. A late fee is charged, and the payment attempt is reported to your bank as a failed transaction. You will receive a notice from Synchrony about the failed payment. Contact them immediately to arrange a new payment method and ask if they will waive the late fee given the circumstances.

Can I set up a payment plan if I cannot afford my full balance?

Synchrony does not offer formal payment plans for Target cards, but if you are struggling, call 1-800-424-6100 and ask about hardship options. Depending on your situation, they may lower your interest rate temporarily, allow smaller payments for a set period, or defer a payment. These options are not may provide and depend on your account history and the reason for your hardship, but it is worth asking before you miss a payment.