It’s easy to overspend at Target, even when you only need to buy a few items. Fortunately, it’s possible to earn Target gift cards from your phone. You can complete multiple short activities during your free time to get rewards.
While you won’t get rich, you can save money on purchases when shopping at Target.
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What Are the Best Apps to Get Free Target Gift Cards?
Target is a favorite retailer for many people, so why not look for ways to save at the store? Here are the top apps you can use to take surveys, scan receipts, and complete other tasks to redeem points for gift cards.
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a get-paid-to site (GPT) that pays you to perform various tasks online. The app is a fantastic way to make money in your free time.
Common tasks that let you earn points include:
- Playing games
- Using their shopping portal
- Completing surveys
- Using their search engine
- Signing up for free product offers
Not every task pays the same, so finding ones that are worth your time is essential. The platform shows you how much you can earn and the time required for each task.
Product samples can be one of the easiest ways to earn bonus points. However, some offers require a purchase or cancellation before a trial period ends.
You can start redeeming your points for Target gift cards with a $5 balance (500 points). This is also the minimum redemption threshold for PayPal cash and many other stores and restaurants.
Time your redemption with one of the site’s Target gift card promotions, as your first $25 gift card redemption each month requires 12 percent fewer points. As a result, you need 2,200 points instead of 2,500 points.
Like most micro-task sites, you will receive your free gift card through email delivery. The delivery speed is usually within three business days but can take up to ten days.
Once you receive it, you can redeem your Target gift card balance online and for in-store shopping.
It’s free to join Swagbucks, and membership is open to anyone over 13. You can receive a $10 signup bonus when you earn at least 2,500 points in the first 60 days.
Read our Swagbucks review to learn more about the platform.
2. Upside
You can earn Target gift cards for free when you buy gas using Upside. This cash back rewards app partners with gas stations across the United States to offer discounted gas.
First, you activate a gas offer at a participating station and pay with a linked credit card or debit card. You will pay full price at the pump and typically receive between $0.01 and $0.10 per gallon in cash rewards.
Once your balance reaches $10, you can request gift cards. Your other cash-out options include bank deposits with a $10 minimum or PayPal with a $15 minimum balance.
A $1 small redemption fee applies to bank and PayPal cashouts below the minimums listed above.
This app is an effortless way to save money on gas.
Getting cash back on groceries and restaurant meals is possible, but these offers are less common. Additionally, the availability of gas stations differs by city.
Downloading the mobile app is free, and you must be at least 16 to use it. Furthermore, you can save $0.25 per gallon on your first fill-up by using the code FRUGALRULES25 when you join.
Read our Upside app review for more.
3. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research works with companies that seek out consumers’ opinions. You take surveys for money and earn $3 each time.
It’s also possible to receive invitations for product testing, which can make more money.
This market research company is invite-only, but you can join through our site.
You need at least $3 to get Target gift card codes and other digital card rewards or bank transfers. This means that it’s possible to cash out after each survey.
While you earn more per survey than many of the best survey sites, qualifying for membership can be difficult. The platform maintains a limited number of panelists, and you may need to join a waiting list.
Additionally, you are limited in the number of surveys you can complete each month. Most panelists only receive invites for a handful of surveys.
Read our Pinecone Research review to learn more.
4. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is another cash back app that lets you easily get a Target.com gift card by buying groceries.
Unlike most receipt-scanning apps, you don’t have to activate offers before scanning your receipt. Instead, the app automatically matches your purchases with participating brands.
The number of points you earn depends on the product price, but bonus items earn ten points per dollar.
In addition, you can combine these offers with in-store sales for extra savings.
Here are some of the other ways to earn points:
- Buy medication through GoodRx
- Connect your email to share online purchases
- Scan gas and merchandise receipts
- Refer friends (earn 2,000 bonus points after their first receipt scan)
Each receipt earns at least 25 points. You need 4,500 points for a $3 Target gift card and 6,000 points for a $5 gift card. The redemption minimum is similar for Amazon gift cards and many other brands.
However, this rewards app doesn’t offer PayPal rewards like many other micro-task platforms.
Read our review of the Fetch Rewards app to learn more.
5. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is one of the easiest paid survey sites to use. You can attempt several high-paying surveys each day, and many take less than 20 minutes to finish.
Members must be at least 13 years of age and live in the United States, Canada, or Australia.
You only need 500 points for $5 e-gift cards to Target and other stores. Earnings are also redeemable for free PayPal money with a similar balance.
Another way to earn rewards points is by installing the SJ Pulse mobile app or browser extension. This tracks the internet ads you see while protecting your privacy. It can even help you qualify for exclusive surveys that pay more.
Survey Junkie claims you can earn $12 to $18 per hour with their surveys. This will vary based on the surveys you qualify for, but the site is one of the higher-paying survey sites to use in your free time.
Read our Survey Junkie review to learn more about the platform.
6. InboxDollars
InboxDollars operates like Swagbucks and lets you complete tasks online for gift cards or cash rewards. You must be at least 18 years old to join.
This online rewards site pays you for these activities:
- Online surveys
- Watching videos
- Playing video games
- Reading sponsored emails
- Shopping online
The online surveys can be your best opportunity for earning Target gift cards for free since most pay between $0.50 and $5.00. Some surveys are worth $20 or more but have strict eligibility requirements.
Another lucrative option is the platform’s Magic Receipts feature, which lets you save money on groceries by activating discounts and shopping at Target or other supermarkets.
You can also receive cash back by shopping at participating online stores.
The redemption minimum for PayPal cash, bank deposits, and gift cards is $30, although the minimum is reduced to $15 for your first redemption. You receive an instant $5 free money bonus for opening an account.
Read our InboxDollars review to learn more about the platform.
7. KashKick
KashKick pays you to take surveys online, play games, and try out new apps. It’s free to join, and you can start making money after reviewing an offer’s terms and conditions to see which in-app tasks you must complete.
The income potential varies by task and time requirements. For example, you can earn $5 to $20 when you get paid to play games or as much as $125 in bonus cash when joining side hustle apps.
Keep in mind that some offers may require in-app purchases to earn the full reward.
The withdrawal minimum is $10. Unfortunately, PayPal is the only redemption option at this time, although these proceeds can help you save money the next time you shop at Target.
You must be at least 18 or older to use the platform.
8. MyPoints
MyPoints is another fun GPT site that lets you earn money for small tasks. It’s a terrific option for earning Target gift cards for free, and you only have to be 13 years of age to register.
Several of the ways you can make money with this small task website include:
- Paid surveys
- Playing games
- Watching ads
- Searching the web
- Download apps
If you’re willing to spend money to earn points, it’s also possible to redeem coupons, shop online, and participate in product trials.
*Related: If you like to save money, read our guide on the top choices to buy discounted gift cards to save money at national brands.
Target gift card rewards start at $5 (790 points). The redemption minimums are similar for other retailers like Amazon, Home Depot, Starbucks, and Walmart.
PayPal cash rewards are also available but start at $10 (1,590 points).
9. Target Circle
Target Circle (formerly known as Cartwheel) is the official Target app that allows customers to save between five and 50 percent on merchandise.
You also receive one percent cash rewards to discount future purchases, and you can periodically buy discounted Target gift cards.
Unfortunately, purchasing gift cards at Target won’t earn rewards, along with several other purchase types listed in the program’s terms and conditions.
This loyalty program allows you to save without dealing with paper coupons. The app is available for both Android and iOS-based phones.
Along with instant savings promotions, select promotions let you receive bonus gift cards when buying participating items.
One of the Target gift card deals is getting $5 in free money to Target when you purchase at least $50 in specialty cards online for participating stores and restaurants.
While this recommendation is not a way to earn free gift cards online, you have several ways to save money shopping at the store.
The Target Circle rewards app is free to use. It allows you to redeem offers in one of two ways:
- On your phone within the app
- Print a coupon from the site on your desktop
This app offers both in-store coupons as well as discounts from manufacturers. You can activate up to 75 offers at a time and scan your phone for instant savings.
If you shop at Target, Circle is a must-use app to save money. You only have to be 13 to use it, but you need a parent’s permission if you are under 18.
Bottom Line
Now that you know how to get free Target gift cards quickly, you can save money on everyday items. The average shopper spends nearly $50 per trip to Target, according to Motley Fool. If that’s you, doing small tasks online, in your free time, is an easy way to reduce that some.
If you have free time and like to shop at Target, any of the above options offer a fantastic way to keep more money in your pocket.
What are some other ways you use to save money when shopping at Target?
Josh uses his personal experience of paying off over $130,000 in personal debt and changing careers to write about saving money, investing, and paying off debt. He has regularly written for notable outlets including Wallet Hacks, Well Kept Wallet, and Debt Roundup.
Josh was previously an operations supervisor for a Fortune 500 company for seven years. He is married with three small children.