Merchants · Target
Does Target count as groceries for credit card rewards?
· Category rules checked against issuer terms
Usually not. Target is classified as a discount store, and several issuers name Target specifically as excluded from their grocery bonus.
- Discount store or superstore purchases
- Grocery on Capital One Savor (Target named as excluded)
- Online grocery on Chase (Target named as excluded)
- Grocery on U.S. Bank Altitude Go
- Gas bonuses on American Express
How Target is coded
Target sells groceries, but most of what it sells is general merchandise, so most stores are classified as discount stores. A few locations are reported to code as grocery stores, which is why two Targets can earn differently on the same card.
| MCC | Category | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| 5310 | Discount Stores | Most Target stores (commonly reported) |
| 5411 | Grocery Stores, Supermarkets | A small number of locations, by cardholder reports. Don't rely on it. |
| — | Target.com, and the Starbucks or CVS inside a Target | No reliable published code. In-store cafes often post as Target. |
How card issuers treat it
- Capital One. Savor's grocery category says "Superstores like Walmart and Target are excluded."
- Chase. Online grocery excludes "Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs," and the grocery category excludes discount stores.
- U.S. Bank. On Altitude Go, discount stores and supercenters "such as Target and Walmart" earn the base rate.
- American Express. Superstores are not considered supermarkets, and Target is named as a merchant where gas doesn't earn the gas bonus.
- Discover. Grocery quarters exclude supercenters and discount stores, and Target is reported as ineligible.
Good to know before you pay
- Target's own Circle Card gives 5% off at Target and Target.com as a discount at checkout, not as points. The credit versions are issued by TD Bank.
Getting the most from Target purchases
- A flat-rate card usually beats a grocery card that only earns its base rate at Target.
- Coffee from the Starbucks inside a Target usually posts as Target, not as dining.
- Look at how a recent purchase posted on your statement or in your card app. That shows the category your issuer actually assigned.
Common questions
Does Target count as groceries on the Amex Gold Card?
Usually not. American Express says superstores are not considered supermarkets.
Does Target count as a grocery store for Chase?
No. Chase excludes discount stores from grocery and names Target as excluded from online grocery.
Does the Starbucks inside Target count as dining?
Usually not. Cafes inside another store generally post under the host store's code, and issuers like American Express say a restaurant inside another establishment may not count as a restaurant.