Target is a popular shopping destination, and their promotions, especially those involving Target Digital Gift Cards, often draw significant attention. It’s common to see deals like “Buy a specific item and get a free Target GiftCard.” But how exactly do these promotions work? This article breaks down the mechanics of Target GiftCard offers to ensure you understand the charges and process.
How Target Promotion Charges Work: Decoding the Transaction
When you take advantage of a promotion offering a free gift card with a purchase, Target’s system processes the transaction in a specific way. Instead of simply adding a free gift card, they apply a discount to the qualifying item. This discount is equal to the value of the gift card. Simultaneously, you’ll see a separate charge for the value of the gift card itself.
Let’s illustrate with an example. Imagine a promotion: “Purchase a $30 product and receive a free $10 target digital gift card“. At checkout, you will observe two charges: one for $20 for the qualifying item (reflecting the $10 discount), and another for $10 for the target digital gift card. The sum of these two charges will be $30, which is the original price of the qualifying item. This method ensures the promotion is correctly applied while accounting for the gift card value.
Online Purchases and Payment Authorizations
For online purchases on Target.com or through the Target app, you might notice two authorizations and charges on your payment method. This is because Target’s system doesn’t finalize the gift card aspect of the transaction until the qualifying item is processed for pickup or shipment. Initially, you might see an authorization for the full amount, followed by the two separate charges as described above once the order is fulfilled. Rest assured, the combined total of these transactions will always match the original order amount.
Gift Card Delivery Timeline: Pickup, Drive Up, and Shipping
The delivery of your promotional items and target digital gift cards depends on how you choose to receive your order:
- Order Pickup or Drive Up: If you opt for in-store pickup or Drive Up, promotional items and gift cards will be processed and shipped to you within 5-7 days after you complete the pickup transaction.
- Target.com or Target App Orders: For orders placed directly on Target.com or the app, promotional items and gift cards will be shipped only after the qualifying purchase itself has shipped.
- Email or Mobile Digital Gift Cards: If your promotion includes a target digital gift card in digital format (email or mobile), you can expect to receive it shortly after your pickup is completed or once your qualifying item has shipped. This ensures quick access to your target digital gift card for future shopping trips.
Important Note: Past Purchases and Returns
Keep in mind that these promotions cannot be applied to purchases made before the promotion began. Additionally, for information regarding returns and how they affect free gifts or gift cards, you can visit Target’s Return Policy for detailed guidance.
Understanding these details helps you confidently shop Target promotions and enjoy the benefits of target digital gift cards without confusion about charges or delivery.
