Target accepts American Express at most locations, both in-store and online

Yes, Target takes American Express cards at the vast majority of its stores and on Target.com. You can use your Amex card the same way you would use Visa or Mastercard — at the register, self-checkout, or during online checkout. Target also accepts Amex for purchases made through the Target app.

The only Target locations that may not accept Amex are a small number of franchised or licensed Target shops inside other retailers (like some Target Express counters in grocery stores). These locations sometimes have different payment rules set by the host store. If you are shopping at an unusual Target location — one inside another business — it is worth asking the cashier before you reach the register.

Target's own credit card, the Target RedCard, is a Mastercard, so it works everywhere Target accepts cards. If you have both an Amex and a Target RedCard, either one will work at checkout.

Key Takeaways

  • Target accepts American Express at standard Target stores and on Target.com, Target.com, and the Target mobile app.
  • A very small number of Target locations inside other stores may have different payment rules — ask before you pay if you are at an unusual location.
  • Target's own credit card is a Mastercard, not an Amex, but Amex cards still work at checkout.
  • You can use Amex for in-store purchases, self-checkout, online orders, and same-day services like Drive Up and Order Pickup.

Using Amex for Target's Same-Day Services

If you use Target's Drive Up service (where you order online and pick up at your car) or Order Pickup (where you collect items at the store), Amex works for payment at both. You pay when you place the order online, and Amex is one of the accepted payment methods during checkout.

Target also offers same-day delivery through Shipt in many areas. When you order through Shipt's app or website, you can pay with Amex. The payment goes through Shipt's system, not Target's, but Amex is accepted there as well.

Amex at Target Self-Checkout

Target's self-checkout registers accept Amex cards. You insert or tap your card the same way you would at a staffed register. If you have a contactless Amex card, you can tap it at the reader. If your card has a chip, insert it when prompted. Older Amex cards with only a magnetic stripe may require you to swipe, though most Target self-checkout stations now read all three methods.

If the self-checkout machine does not read your card on the first try, remove it and try again. If it still does not work, move to a staffed register or ask a Target employee for help — this is usually a card-reader issue, not a payment problem.

Online Checkout and Target.com

Target.com accepts Amex during online checkout. Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back of your card) in the payment section. Target will ask for a billing address, which should match the address on file with your Amex account.

If your online order is declined, the most common reason is a mismatch between your billing address and what Amex has on record. Log into your Amex account and confirm your address, then try Target checkout again. If you still have trouble, contact Amex customer service — they can tell you whether there is a fraud block on the transaction.

What to Do If Target Declines Your Amex

If your Amex card is declined at Target, the problem is usually one of three things: the card is expired, there are insufficient funds, or Amex has flagged the transaction as potentially fraudulent. Check your card's expiration date first — it is printed on the front.

If the card is not expired and you know you have money available, contact Amex before you try again. Amex sometimes blocks transactions at certain merchants or in certain locations as a fraud prevention measure. A quick call to the number on the back of your card can clear the block, and then you can complete your purchase. Target will not charge you for a declined transaction, so you can safely try again after speaking with Amex.

If you are using a corporate or business Amex card, some of these cards have spending limits or merchant category restrictions set by your employer. Check with your company's finance department to confirm the card is set up to work at retail merchants like Target.

Target Gift Cards and Amex

You can buy Target gift cards with your Amex card, both in-store and online. This is useful if you want to give a gift or if you prefer to separate your Target spending from your other purchases. When you buy a gift card with Amex, the charge appears on your Amex statement as a Target purchase, not as a gift card load.

You cannot use Amex to reload a Target RedCard (Target's prepaid card), but you can use Amex to buy a physical Target gift card and then use that gift card to load money onto your RedCard at a register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Amex at Target self-checkout?

Yes. Insert your card in the chip reader, tap it if it is contactless, or swipe it if the machine prompts you to. If the reader does not recognize your card on the first try, remove it and try again. If it still does not work, ask a Target employee or use a staffed register.

Does Target accept Amex for online orders?

Yes, Target.com accepts Amex during checkout. Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. Make sure your billing address matches what is on file with Amex, or the transaction may be declined.

What if my Amex is declined at Target?

Check that your card is not expired and that you have available funds. If both are fine, call Amex at the number on the back of your card — they may have blocked the transaction as a fraud precaution. Once you clear it with Amex, you can try again at Target.

Can I use Amex to buy Target gift cards?

Yes, both in-store and online. The charge appears on your Amex statement as a Target purchase. You can then use the gift card to load money onto a Target RedCard if you want.

Does Target accept Amex at locations inside other stores?

Most do, but a small number of Target shops inside grocery stores or other retailers may have different payment rules set by the host store. If you are at an unusual Target location, ask the cashier whether Amex is accepted before you reach the register.