Target often attracts shoppers with enticing promotions, especially those featuring a “free” Target GiftCard when you purchase qualifying items. If you’ve ever wondered how these deals truly work, particularly concerning gift card activation and charges, you’re in the right place. This guide breaks down the process to ensure you understand exactly what to expect when you see a Target GiftCard promotion.
How Target GiftCard Promotions Work: Decoding the Charges
When you take advantage of a Target promotion offering a free gift card, it’s important to understand the billing process. Instead of simply getting a free gift card added to your purchase, Target applies a discount to the qualifying item. This discount is precisely equal to the value of the gift card you’re supposed to receive. Simultaneously, you’ll see a separate charge for the value of the gift card itself.
Confused? Let’s clarify with an example. Imagine a promotion that says, “Buy a $30 item and get a free $10 Target GiftCard.” In this scenario, you won’t just pay $30 and get a free $10 gift card on top. Instead, the system will charge you $20 for the qualifying item (which is $30 – $10 discount) and then add a separate $10 charge for the gift card. Adding these two charges ($20 + $10) together, you still pay the original promotional price of $30.
This method ensures that the value of the gift card is accounted for, while still delivering the promised promotional savings on the qualifying item.
Online Purchases and Gift Card Processing: When is My Gift Card Activated?
For online purchases at Target.com or via the Target app, you might notice two separate authorizations and charges on your payment method. This happens because Target’s system doesn’t finalize the gift card portion of the transaction until the qualifying item is either picked up by you (for Order Pickup or Drive Up) or when it ships to your address.
Don’t worry if you see two entries! The combination of these two transactions will always equal the total amount of your original order. This is simply how Target manages the promotional gift card process online. The “activation” of your gift card, in essence, occurs when Target processes the gift card sale, which is tied to the fulfillment of your qualifying item purchase.
Receiving Your Promotional Target Gift Card: Timing is Key
The delivery of your promotional gift card depends on how you choose to receive your order:
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Order Pickup or Drive Up: If you opted for in-store pickup or Drive Up, your promotional items and gift cards will be processed and shipped separately. You can expect to receive them within 5-7 days after you have completed the pickup transaction at the store.
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Target.com or Target App Orders (Shipped): For orders placed directly on Target.com or the Target app that are shipped to your home, the promotional items and gift cards will not ship until after the qualifying purchase itself has shipped. This ensures the entire qualifying purchase is processed before the gift card is sent.
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Email or Mobile Gift Card: If your promotion includes a free Target GiftCard delivered electronically (via email or mobile), you’ll typically receive it shortly after your Order Pickup transaction is finalized or once your qualifying item has shipped. This is often the quickest way to receive and “activate” (in terms of availability for use) your promotional gift card.
Important Considerations
Keep in mind that Target GiftCard promotions are generally not applied retroactively to previous purchases. Promotional periods are clearly stated, so ensure your purchase falls within the valid dates.
For information about returning items purchased as part of a gift card promotion, and what happens to the gift card if you do, you can visit Target’s Help Center regarding returns.
Understanding the activation process and charges associated with Target GiftCard promotions allows you to shop confidently and take full advantage of these valuable deals.
