What Target Credit Pay Is and How It Works
Target Credit Pay is the online and mobile payment system for the Target Credit Card (also called the Target Mastercard or Target Card). It lets you make payments toward your card balance from your bank account, and you can do it through the Target website, the Target mobile app, or by phone. Payments typically post within one to two business days.
Target Credit Pay is separate from paying in-store at a Target register or using a third-party payment service. When you use Target Credit Pay, you're sending money directly to Target's payment processor, and the payment goes straight to your card account. You control the amount, the date, and whether it's a one-time payment or a recurring automatic payment.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay your Target Credit Card through the Target website, the Target app, or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
- Payments made through Target Credit Pay typically post within one to two business days, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
- You can set up automatic recurring payments on a date you choose each month, or make one-time payments whenever you want.
- You will need your card number, bank account details, and routing number to set up a payment, or you can use a saved bank account if you've paid before.
Paying Through the Target Website or App
Log into your Target account on the website or open the Target app on your phone. Look for "Manage Credit Card" or "Credit Card" in the menu — the exact wording varies by app version. Tap or click on your Target Credit Card account.
Select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." You'll see your current balance, minimum payment due, and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay. If you're paying from a bank account you've used before, you can select it from your saved accounts. If this is your first payment or you're using a new bank account, enter your routing number and account number.
Review the payment amount and the date it will post (usually one to two business days from when you submit). Confirm the payment. You should receive a confirmation number on screen and an email receipt. Keep the confirmation number in case you need to track the payment later.
Paying by Phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your Target Credit Card. A representative will ask for your card number and the amount you want to pay. Have your bank account information ready — you'll need to provide your routing number and account number, or confirm a saved account if you've called before.
The representative will tell you when the payment will post and give you a confirmation number. Payments made by phone follow the same one- to two-business-day posting timeline as online payments. Ask for the confirmation number in writing if the representative offers to email or mail it to you.
Setting Up Automatic Recurring Payments
Automatic payments let you pay the same amount on the same day each month without logging in every time. On the Target website or app, go to "Manage Credit Card" and look for "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments." Select "Set Up" or "Add Automatic Payment."
Choose the amount (you can pick a fixed dollar amount, your minimum payment, or your full statement balance), the day of the month you want it to post, and confirm your bank account. The payment will happen automatically on that date each month until you cancel it. You can change or cancel an automatic payment anytime through the same menu.
Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees, but remember that the payment posts one to two business days after you set the date. If your due date is the 15th and you set an automatic payment for the 14th, it may not post until the 16th, which could be late. Set the date at least three business days before your due date to be safe.
What Information You Need to Make a Payment
For your first payment, gather these details before you start:
- Your Target Credit Card number (on the front of your card)
- Your bank's routing number (usually printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank)
- Your bank account number (also on the bottom of your checks)
- The amount you want to pay
- Your Target account login (if paying online or through the app)
After your first payment, the Target website and app will save your bank account, so you won't have to enter these details every time. If you're paying by phone, the representative may ask you to verify the last four digits of your account number instead of providing the full number again.
When Payments Post and How Long They Take
Payments made through Target Credit Pay typically post within one to two business days. This means if you pay on a Monday, the payment usually shows up in your account by Wednesday. Weekends and holidays can add time — a payment made on Friday may not post until Tuesday.
Your due date is set by Target based on your billing cycle, and it's printed on your statement. Late fees explore if your payment is not posted by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Because of the one- to two-business-day delay, do not wait until the due date to pay. If your due date is the 20th, submit your payment by the 17th or 18th to be safe.
If you need to make a payment that posts the same day, you cannot do it through Target Credit Pay. In that case, you would need to pay in person at a Target register or contact customer service to ask about other options.
Troubleshooting Payment Problems
If your payment was rejected, the most common reasons are a mismatch between the routing number and account number, insufficient funds in your bank account, or a closed or frozen account. Check that you entered your routing number and account number correctly — even one wrong digit will cause the payment to fail. Contact your bank to confirm the account is active and has enough money.
If you submitted a payment and it doesn't appear in your account after two business days, log back into Target Credit Pay and look for a confirmation number or payment history. If the payment shows as "pending," wait one more business day. If it shows as "failed" or "declined," you'll need to resubmit it with corrected information. If you can't find any record of the payment and you have a confirmation number, call the customer service number on the back of your card with that number ready.
If you made a payment by mistake or want to cancel a recurring payment, contact Target customer service as soon as possible. They may be able to reverse a payment if it hasn't posted yet, but once it posts, you'll need to request a refund or credit to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Target Credit Card at a Target store register?
Yes. You can make a payment in person at any Target register using cash, another debit card, or another credit card. This payment posts when ready, so it's useful if you need to pay before your due date and don't want to wait one to two business days. Ask a cashier for help if you're not sure how to do it.
What's the difference between Target Credit Pay and paying through my bank's bill pay?
Target Credit Pay sends money directly from your bank account to Target. Bill pay through your bank sends a check or electronic transfer on your bank's schedule, which may take longer. Target Credit Pay is usually faster and more reliable because it's the official payment method for the card.
Can I pay more than my full balance?
Yes. You can pay any amount up to your credit limit. Paying more than your balance creates a credit on your account, which will reduce your next statement balance or can be refunded to your bank account if you request it.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount between the minimum payment and your full balance. Paying only the minimum keeps you from being late, but you'll pay interest on the remaining balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe.
Is Target Credit Pay safe?
Target Credit Pay uses encryption to protect your bank account information, and your data is stored securely. You should never share your routing number, account number, or card number with anyone except Target's official payment system. If you're unsure whether a payment request is legitimate, call the number on the back of your card directly.