Where to pay your Target credit card
You can pay your Target credit card through three main routes: online at Target.com, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest and shows your payment post when ready. Phone payments take one business day to process. Mail payments take five to seven business days, so send them early if your due date is near.
Target's credit card is issued by Synchrony Bank, not by Target itself. This matters because Synchrony handles the actual account — they set the due date, calculate interest, and send your statement. When you pay online through Target.com, you're paying Synchrony through Target's website. When you call or mail a payment, you're dealing directly with Synchrony.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at Target.com by logging into your account, selecting "Make a Payment," and entering the amount you want to send.
- Call Synchrony Bank at the number on the back of your card to pay by phone; the payment posts the next business day.
- Mail payments to the address printed on your monthly statement; allow five to seven business days for the payment to reach and post.
- Your due date appears on your statement and in your online account; paying by the due date avoids late fees and interest charges.
- Paying more than the minimum keeps you from falling behind on interest and shortens how long you carry the debt.
Paying online through Target.com
Log into your Target account on the website or mobile app. Go to "Account" or "My Account," then look for "Credit Card" or "Manage Credit Card." Select "Make a Payment" and enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance, the minimum due, or any amount in between. The payment posts to your account the same day if you submit it before the cutoff time, which is usually 8 p.m. Eastern Time on business days.
You'll need a checking or savings account to link for the payment. Target's website will ask for your routing number and account number. The payment is free — Target does not charge a fee for online payments. If you set up an account with Target's website, you can also see your statement, due date, and current balance anytime you log in.
Paying by phone with Synchrony
Call the number on the back of your Target credit card. A Synchrony representative will ask for your card number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay from a checking or savings account over the phone. The payment takes one business day to post, so if your due date is tomorrow, a phone payment will not arrive in time — use the online method instead.
Phone payments are free. You do not need to set up anything in advance; you can call and pay whenever you want. If you prefer not to give your bank details over the phone, use the online method or mail a check instead.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order for the amount you owe. On the check, write your Target credit card number in the memo line so Synchrony knows which account to credit. Mail it to the address printed on your monthly statement under "Payment Address" — this address is different from the address where you send disputes or complaints, so use the payment address only.
Mail payments take five to seven business days to arrive and post. If your due date is within a week, do not mail a payment — use online or phone instead. Keep a copy of the check or the money order receipt for your records. Synchrony will not send you a receipt in the mail, so your cancelled check is your proof of payment.
Understanding your due date and minimum payment
Your due date is the same day each month and appears on your statement. If you pay by the due date, you avoid a late fee and do not owe interest on new purchases made during that billing cycle. If you miss the due date, Synchrony charges a late fee (the amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and begins charging interest on your balance at your card's APR.
The minimum payment is the smallest amount Synchrony will accept without marking your account late. It is usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance plus any interest and fees. Paying only the minimum means you carry the rest of the balance forward and pay interest on it next month. To avoid interest entirely, pay your full statement balance by the due date.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, Synchrony reports the late payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. A 30-day late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by 100 points or more. Synchrony also raises your APR, sometimes to a penalty rate of 29.99 percent or higher, which applies to new charges and sometimes to your existing balance.
If you realize you will miss a due date, contact Synchrony before the date passes. Explain your situation and ask if they can defer the payment or waive the late fee. They are not required to do so, but some representatives will work with you if this is your first late payment. After you catch up, it takes months of on-time payments to bring your APR back down.
Setting up automatic payments
You can set up automatic payments through Target.com or by calling Synchrony. Log into your Target account, go to "Credit Card," and select "Automatic Payments." Choose whether you want to pay the full balance, the minimum, or a fixed amount each month. Select the day of the month you want the payment to come out — choose a date before your due date to give yourself a buffer.
Automatic payments are free and remove the risk of forgetting a due date. If your balance changes month to month, set the automatic payment to the full statement balance so you never carry interest. You can change or cancel the automatic payment anytime through your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Target credit card at a Target store?
No. Target stores do not accept credit card payments in person. You must pay online, by phone, or by mail. Some Target locations have a customer service desk, but they cannot process credit card payments there.
What if I pay more than I owe?
Synchrony will credit the overpayment to your account. On your next statement, the overpayment reduces what you owe. If you overpay by a large amount, you can request a refund check from Synchrony, though this takes several weeks.
Is there a fee for paying my Target credit card?
No. Target and Synchrony do not charge a fee for payments made online, by phone, or by mail. If you use a third-party payment service or a bill-pay service through your bank, that service may charge a fee, but the card issuer does not.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Online and phone payments show a confirmation number when ready. Check your Target account or call Synchrony within one business day to confirm the payment posted. For mail payments, wait seven to ten business days, then log in or call to verify the payment appears on your account.
What if I need to dispute a charge on my Target credit card?
Contact Synchrony at the number on the back of your card or through your online account. You have 60 days from the date the charge appeared on your statement to report it. Synchrony will investigate and either reverse the charge or explain why it is valid.