How to Activate Your Target Gift Card Before You Use It

Target gift cards do not need set up before you use them

Target gift cards arrive ready to spend. You can use them in a Target store or online at Target.com the moment you receive them, without any setup step. If you received a physical card in the mail or bought one in a store, you can take it to a register or enter the card number at checkout without doing anything first.

The confusion often comes from other retailers that do require set up. Target is different — the card is active as soon as it exists. However, there are a few things you should do to protect the card and track your balance.

Key Takeaways

• Target gift cards work when ready upon receipt and do not require any set up process before use.
• You can register your card on Target.com or through the Target app to protect it if lost and to check your balance anytime.
• Registering a card lets Target notify you if someone else tries to use it, and you can freeze or cancel it from your account.
• Physical cards show the balance on the receipt after each purchase, and you can also call Target's gift card line to check the balance by phone.

Register your card to protect it and track the balance

While set up is not required, registering your card on Target.com or in the Target app adds a layer of protection. When you register, you link the card to your Target account and can see the remaining balance anytime you log in.

To register, go to Target.com, sign into your account, and look for the gift card section in your account settings. Enter the card number and PIN (the PIN is on the back of the physical card). In the Target app, tap the account icon, select "Gift Cards," and add the card the same way.

Once registered, you can also freeze or cancel the card from your account if it goes missing. Target will also send you a notification if someone tries to use a registered card, which gives you time to act.

Check your balance without registration

You do not need to register to check how much money is left on the card. You can see the balance on your receipt after every purchase — it prints at the bottom.

You can also call Target's gift card customer service line at 1-800-544-6255 to hear your balance over the phone. Have the card number and PIN ready. This option works whether or not you registered the card.

Online, if you are logged into your Target account and the card is registered, your balance shows in the gift card section of your account. If the card is not registered, you can still view the balance by entering the card number and PIN on Target.com's gift card balance page.

Use the card in stores and online

In a Target store, hand the card to the cashier at checkout, or insert it into the card reader if you are using a self-checkout. The transaction will process like any other payment method.

Online at Target.com, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back) at checkout under payment method. You can also use the card through the Target app the same way.

The card will not decline if you do not have enough balance to cover the full purchase. Instead, the transaction will only go through for the amount available on the card, and you will need to pay the remaining balance with another payment method.

What to do if your card is lost or stolen

If you registered the card on your Target account, you can freeze it when ready from your account settings. This stops anyone from using it until you unfreeze it or cancel it entirely.

If the card was not registered, call Target's gift card line at 1-800-544-6255 with the card number and PIN. A representative can freeze or cancel the card for you over the phone. Have your receipt or proof of purchase ready if you are reporting a lost card.

Target does not automatically replace lost or stolen gift cards, but if you registered the card and can prove you owned it, the company may be able to transfer the remaining balance to a new card. This process varies, so ask the representative what documentation you will need.

Digital gift cards sent by email

If someone sent you a Target gift card by email, the card number and PIN will be in the email message. You can use that number to shop online or in stores when ready — no set up required.

You can also register a digital gift card the same way you register a physical one: enter the number and PIN in your Target account or the Target app. Digital cards can be frozen or cancelled from your account if needed.

Keep the email with the card number and PIN in a safe place, or take a screenshot. If you lose access to the email, you can still use the card as long as you wrote down the number and PIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register my Target gift card to use it?

No. Target gift cards work when ready without registration. Registering is optional and recommended only if you want to protect the card, check the balance online, or receive alerts if someone tries to use it.

What if my gift card has an expiration date on it?

Target gift cards do not expire. If you see a date printed on the card, it is the card's issue date, not an expiration date. You can use the card anytime, even years after you receive it.

Can I use a Target gift card to buy another gift card?

Yes. You can use a Target gift card to purchase another Target gift card at checkout in a store or online. The new card will be active when ready and can be given to someone else or registered to your account.

What happens if I use only part of the balance?

The remaining balance stays on the card. You can use it again the next time you shop. The balance does not expire, so you can return to use the card whenever you want.

Can I transfer my Target gift card balance to someone else?

No. Target does not allow you to transfer a balance from one card to another or to another person's account. The card itself is what holds the value, so you would need to give the physical card or the card number to the other person.