Pay your Target Red Card online, by phone, or by mail
You can pay your Target Red Card through Target's website, by calling their customer service line, by mailing a check, or by setting up automatic payments. The fastest method is online through your Target account — you can make a payment in minutes without waiting on hold. If you prefer to pay by phone, Target's Red Card team can process your payment while you're on the call.
Target Red Card payments go to Synchrony Bank, which issues the card on Target's behalf. This means your payment account and billing statements are managed through Synchrony, not directly through Target. Knowing this matters because it tells you where to send payments and which customer service number to call.
Key Takeaways
- Online payments through your Synchrony account are processed the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern.
- Phone payments to Synchrony take the same amount of time as online payments and can be made 24/7 by calling the number on the back of your card.
- Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach Synchrony, so send them well before your due date to avoid late fees.
- Automatic payments prevent missed due dates and can be set up through your Synchrony account to pay a fixed amount or your full balance each month.
Pay online through your Synchrony account
Log in to your Synchrony account at mysynchrony.com or through the Synchrony mobile app. Enter your Target Red Card username and password. If you don't have an online account yet, you can create one on the same page using your card number and Social Security number.
Once you're logged in, select "Make a Payment" or "Pay My Bill." Enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment method — you can pay from a checking account, savings account, or debit card. Confirm the payment date. If you pay before the daily cutoff (usually around 8 p.m. Eastern), the payment posts the same day. If you pay after the cutoff, it posts the next business day.
Keep your confirmation number. Synchrony will send you an email receipt, but the confirmation number on your screen is proof the payment went through if you need to reference it later.
Pay by phone with Synchrony customer service
Call the number on the back of your Target Red Card. A Synchrony representative will ask for your card number and the amount you want to pay. Have your checking or savings account information ready if you're paying from a bank account, or your debit card number if you're paying that way.
Phone payments process at the same speed as online payments — same day if you call before the cutoff time. The representative will give you a confirmation number before you hang up. Write it down or ask them to repeat it so you have it for your records.
Synchrony's phone line is available 24/7, which makes this option useful if you need to pay outside business hours or prefer speaking to a person.
Pay by mail with a check or money order
Write a check or money order for the amount you owe. On the memo line, write your Target Red Card number so Synchrony knows which account to credit. Include a payment stub from your bill if you have one — it has your account number printed on it and helps Synchrony process your payment faster.
Mail your payment to the address shown on your bill. This address changes depending on which Synchrony processing center handles your account, so always use the address printed on your statement, not a general Synchrony address. Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account, so send your payment at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment.
Keep a copy of the front and back of your check or a photo of your money order receipt. If your payment doesn't post within 10 business days, you'll have proof you sent it.
Set up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Log in to your Synchrony account and look for "Automatic Payments" or "Autopay" in the account settings menu. Select the payment amount — you can choose to pay your full balance each month, a fixed dollar amount, or just the minimum payment. Choose the date you want the payment to come out each month.
Synchrony will pull the payment from your bank account or debit card on that date every month. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Synchrony will process the payment on the next business day. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account, so setting it up doesn't lock you in.
Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees and don't want to remember to pay each month. Many people set automatic payments to their full balance so they never carry a balance and pay interest.
Understand your due date and late payment fees
Your due date is printed on your bill and shown in your online account. Payments must post by 5 p.m. Eastern on your due date to count as on-time. If your payment posts after 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date, it counts as late.
A late payment fee applies if your payment is even one day late. The fee amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 depending on your account history. Late payments also appear on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you're going to miss your due date, call Synchrony before the date passes — sometimes they can work with you on timing or fees if you explain your situation.
If you've already paid late, the fee will appear on your next bill. You can't remove it, but you can call Synchrony and ask if they'll waive it as a one-time courtesy, especially if it's your first late payment.
What to do if your payment doesn't post
Check your Synchrony account 1 to 2 business days after you make a payment to confirm it posted. If you paid online or by phone, the payment should show in your account within 24 hours. If you mailed a check, wait at least 7 business days before checking.
If your payment hasn't posted and the time frame has passed, log back into your Synchrony account and look for a "Payment Status" or "Recent Payments" section. This shows whether the payment is pending, posted, or failed. If it failed, the reason will usually be listed — common reasons include an incorrect bank account number, insufficient funds, or a closed account.
If your payment failed or you can't find it, call Synchrony customer service right away. Have your confirmation number ready if you have one. They can tell you what happened and help you make a new payment. If the original payment was taken from your bank account by mistake, Synchrony can often reverse it within a few business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Target Red Card at a Target store?
No, Target stores do not accept Red Card payments in person. You must pay through Synchrony online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. Target's in-store payment systems are only for purchases, not for paying your card balance.
What time does my online payment post if I pay late at night?
If you pay after the daily cutoff (usually around 8 p.m. Eastern), your payment posts the next business day. Payments made after cutoff are queued and processed overnight. The exact posting time the next day varies, but it's usually in the morning or early afternoon.
Do I have to pay my full balance, or can I pay just part of it?
You can pay any amount you want, as long as it's at least the minimum payment shown on your bill. If you pay less than your full balance, the remaining amount carries over to next month and you'll be charged interest on it. Paying your full balance each month means you won't pay interest.
What happens if I pay after my due date?
A late fee of $25 to $40 will be added to your account, and the late payment will be reported to credit bureaus. This can lower your credit score. If you're more than 30 days late, Synchrony may freeze your card and you won't be able to use it until you bring your account current.
Can I set up automatic payments to pay just the minimum?
Yes, you can choose to pay the minimum amount, a fixed dollar amount, or your full balance each month. Paying only the minimum means you'll carry a balance and pay interest, but it ensures you never miss a due date. Most people who want to avoid interest choose to pay their full balance automatically.