Where to send your Target credit card payment
You can pay your Target credit card through three main routes: online through your Target account, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest and shows your payment immediately. Phone payments take the same time but require speaking to a representative. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach Target's processing center, so send them early if your due date is near.
Target's credit card is issued by Synchrony Bank, not Target itself. This matters because Synchrony handles the account backend — interest calculation, payment posting, and statements. When you pay online or by phone, you are paying Synchrony. When you mail a check, it goes to a Synchrony lockbox address, not a Target store.
Key Takeaways
- Online payments through Target.com or the Target app post the same day and are the fastest way to pay if you have a Target account login.
- Phone payments to Synchrony at 1-866-839-8839 also post same-day but require you to have your card number and bank account or routing information ready.
- Mailed checks should go to the Synchrony lockbox address on your statement, not to a Target store, and take 7 to 10 business days to post.
- Your payment due date is set by Synchrony and appears on your statement; paying after that date triggers a late fee even if the payment posts within the same month.
- Automatic payments through Synchrony's website prevent missed due dates and let you choose the exact day each month your payment leaves your bank account.
Paying online through Target.com or the Target app
Log into your Target account on Target.com or open the Target app, then navigate to your account settings. Select "Manage Credit Card" or "Credit Card Account" — the exact wording varies by app version. You will see your current balance, due date, and a button to make a payment. Enter the amount you want to pay and confirm your payment method (the bank account or debit card you want to draw from). The payment posts the same business day if you submit it before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday.
This route works only if you have a Target.com account and remember your login. If you do not have an account or cannot access it, use the phone or mail method instead. Target.com payments do not require you to call or mail anything, which makes them the simplest option for most cardholders.
Paying by phone with Synchrony
Call Synchrony's customer service line at 1-866-839-8839 to pay by phone. Have your Target credit card number, your bank account number and routing number (or debit card number), and the amount you want to pay ready before you call. A representative will walk you through the payment and confirm the amount and date it will post. Phone payments post the same business day if you call before 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
You can also set up automatic payments through this call. Tell the representative you want to enroll in automatic payments, and they will ask you to choose a day each month (between the 1st and the 28th) when the payment should leave your bank account. Automatic payments prevent missed due dates and remove the need to remember to pay each month.
Mailing a check to Synchrony
Write a check to Synchrony Bank and mail it to the address printed on your statement's payment section. Do not mail it to a Target store — Target stores do not process credit card payments. The envelope should include your check, your account number (printed on the front of your card), and a note with the amount you are paying. Mail your check at least 10 business days before your due date to account for mail delivery and processing time.
Synchrony's mailing address changes based on which region processes your account. Always use the address on your current statement, not an address you remember from a previous statement. If you cannot find the address on your statement, call 1-866-839-8839 and ask for the correct lockbox address for your account.
Understanding when your payment posts and affects your balance
Your payment posts to your account on the day Synchrony receives and processes it, not the day you send it. Online and phone payments post the same business day. Mailed checks post 2 to 3 business days after Synchrony receives them. Your statement shows the posted date, not the date you initiated the payment.
Your due date is the last day of a set period each month — usually between the 15th and the 25th, depending on when your account opened. If your payment posts after 11:59 p.m. on your due date, it counts as late, and Synchrony charges a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment, higher for subsequent ones). Paying online or by phone before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on your due date ensures the payment posts on time. Mailing a check requires you to send it 10 days early to be safe.
What happens if you pay late or miss a payment
If your payment does not post by your due date, Synchrony reports the account as 30 days late to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) on the first day of the following month. A 30-day late mark stays on your credit report for seven years and lowers your credit score. Synchrony also charges a late fee, which appears on your next statement.
If you miss a payment entirely and do not pay within 60 days of your due date, the account becomes 60 days late, which is reported to the bureaus and damages your score more severely. At 180 days late, Synchrony may close your account and send it to collections. If you realize you will miss a due date, call Synchrony immediately at 1-866-839-8839 to discuss a payment plan or hardship option. Some cardholders can negotiate a one-time late fee waiver if they have a clean payment history.
How interest accrues between payments
Synchrony charges interest on your balance every day your account carries a balance. The interest rate (APR) is printed on your statement and varies by cardholder — typically between 18% and 26% for the Target card. Interest accrues daily based on your average daily balance, which Synchrony calculates by adding up your balance at the end of each day in the billing cycle and dividing by the number of days.
When you make a payment, it reduces your balance, which lowers the amount interest accrues on going forward. Paying more than the minimum payment reduces interest faster. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you owe no interest on that balance. If you carry a balance into the next month, interest continues to accrue on the remaining amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Target credit card at a Target store?
No. Target stores do not accept credit card payments. You must pay online through Target.com, by phone to Synchrony at 1-866-839-8839, or by mailing a check to the Synchrony lockbox address on your statement.
What if I pay more than my minimum payment?
Synchrony applies the overpayment to your balance immediately. The extra amount reduces the principal you owe, which lowers the interest that accrues on your remaining balance. You can pay any amount at any time without penalty.
How do I set up automatic payments so I never miss a due date?
Call Synchrony at 1-866-839-8839 and ask to enroll in automatic payments. You will choose a day each month (between the 1st and 28th) when the payment leaves your bank account. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime by calling back or logging into your Synchrony account online.
What if my payment was rejected or did not go through?
Call Synchrony immediately at 1-866-839-8839 to confirm whether the payment posted. If it was rejected (usually due to insufficient funds or incorrect bank information), make the payment again right away. If the rejection caused you to miss your due date, ask if Synchrony will waive the late fee as a one-time courtesy.
Can I pay my Target credit card through my bank's bill pay service?
Yes. Most banks allow you to set up bill pay to Synchrony Bank using the lockbox address on your statement. The payment will arrive as a mailed check, so send it 10 business days before your due date. Confirm the correct address with your bank before submitting the payment.