The Beginners Guide to Couponing at Target
Learning to Coupon at Target: All the Coupon Rules Explained
Couponing at Target is GREAT! It’s actually my favorite place to coupon at.
Let me tell you why:
Target is very couponer friendly. There are many opportunities to save BIG money.
Target allows for the use of several types of coupons: Cartwheel offers, Target store coupons and manufacturer coupons. You can use one of each type of coupon per item!
Additionally:
The store also has many offers where you get back a FREE gift card with the purchase of certain items (or a specific amount of items).
These gift card offers can be earned WITH the use of any the coupons mentioned above, too. All in all, Target makes it pretty easy to save money.
Now that you know my reasons for loving to coupon at Target, let’s get into my in-depth guide for couponing at Target.
Also Read: The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Couponing – Learn All the Basics!
The Beginners Guide to Couponing at Target
Target Coupon Rules
Ok, first thing’s first to our introduction to couponing at Target: going over the coupon rules. Also known as the store coupon policy.
Most of these are the common sense policies that most store use.
We’ll go over these simple ones first:
#1. As I mentioned before, you CAN use MORE than one type of coupon per item purchased.
You can use one of each of these:
- Manufacturer Coupon (paper or digital – found in Cartwheel app offers)
- Target store coupon (paper or digital/mobile – found in Cartwheel app offers)
- Cartwheel offer (unless otherwise noted on coupon)
#2. Target coupons, Cartwheel manufacturer coupons, and Cartwheel offers CANNOT be used on products sold by CVS. (Target has CVS Pharmacies in stores now)
#3. There is a limit of 4 identical coupons per household, per day (unless otherwise noted on coupon).
#4. The store has the right to refuse, or limit the use of any coupon and/or the subsequent return for any reason, including if guests’ reoccurring behavior becomes disruptive or the items are deemed not to be for the purpose of using or gifting.
#5. Target does not accept expired coupons.
#6. All coupons and Cartwheel offers must be presented to the cashier during checkout and have a scannable barcode.
Coupons and Cartwheel offers CANNOT be applied to previous purchases.
#7. Item purchased must match the coupon description (brand, size, quantity, color, flavor, etc.).
#8. The value of a coupon will be applied up to the reduced price of the item and any excess value will not be applied to the transaction total.
Target does NOT give cash back or apply overages to the remaining items in the transaction if the value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item.
#9. The sales tax is calculated by using the full value of an item PRIOR to applying a manufacturer coupon.
However:
Target coupons reduce the taxable amount of the items to which they apply, unless prohibited by law.
#10. They do NOT accept any competitors coupon(s) for an item they do not carry.
#11. Manufacturer coupons are accepted with a scannable GS1 data bar (pictured below).
They do not accept UPC-A coupon barcodes.
#12. Target stores do not accept manufacturer coupons with no matching requirements (e.g. 992 family code).
This is assigned by the manufacturer to each product. This code validates that a consumer has purchase a qualifying family of products.
#13. Printable Coupons ARE accepted as long as the barcode scans.
#14. They DO NOT accept internet printed coupons for free items that have no purchase requirements.
#15. BOGO (Buy One Get One) FREE coupons are not accepted on BOGO FREE sales.
You can use such coupons on 2 individually priced items and the lesser price will be deducted.
#16. If a coupon states “Manufacturer Coupon” on it, it’s redeemable anywhere (including Target). And even if the coupon states, “Redeemable at Kroger, Walmart, etc.” (or any other retailer).
Target WILL accept a coupon that has another store’s logo on it as long as it says Manufacturer coupon on it.
That concluded are simple rules, now I’ll go over some things that require a little more explanation.
When stacking coupons at Target
The register will remove coupon discounts in this order:
- Target Store Coupon
- Cartwheel Offer
- Target Mobile Coupon
- Manufacturer coupon
What is “stacking”?
Coupon stacking when you use more than one type of coupon on one item.
Also Read: How to Coupon Basics – Everything You Need to Know!
Does Target Price Match?
Yes!
Target WILL match the price if you buy a qualifying item at Target, then find the identical item for less at Target.com, select online competitors, or in Target’s or a competitor’s local printed or digital ad.
Price matches may be requested at the time of purchase at any check lane or Guest Services.
Price adjustments may be requested within 14 days of purchase by visiting any check lane or Guest Services.
More about price matching at Target.
Can I Use a Coupon When Price Matching?
Yes!
Manufacturer coupons will be applied after the price match is made.
But:
Target coupons and Cartwheel offers CANNOT be applied when price matching.
Holiday Rule: Price matches and adjustments will NOT be allowed for prices from Thanksgiving Day through the end of the following week (Thursday, November 24– Saturday, December 3), whether offered by Target or a competitor.
How do Mobile Offers Work?
Mobile offers are another way you can save money when couponing at Target. They are coupons that you use from your mobile device.
Present your mobile coupons using your mobile device at checkout for the cashier to scan.
These coupons are valid for in-store purchases ONLY, unless a promo code is provided for online purchases at Target.com.
At times you may receive coupon offers via text.
When those offers are available they will be advertised and you will text a keyword to 827438. Text offers are one time use offers.
To use them, have the cashier scan the barcode from your device at checkout.
What are Target Cartwheel Offers?
There are mobile savings offers available in the Target App are called Cartwheel offers. These offers are for a percentage off the purchase of named items.
Plus:
You DO NOT need a mobile device to use the Cartwheel offers. You can load them to your Target account via desktop and print a barcode to use in store at checkout.
How to use a Cartwheel offer:
- Choose any offers you want and load them to your account from the Target app or online here. (from 5% to 50% off).
- Scan you barcode at checkout via the Target app or print at home.
- Price drops at the register and you save!
More About Target Store Coupons
Where do you get store coupons?
You can find Target store coupons in your local ad, in the Target app (Cartwheel section) or at Target.com (print them from here).
Note: Sometimes the coupons available for printing at Target.com will be a manufacturer coupon, be sure to look at the coupon to be sure.
How do I use one?
Simply present the coupon to the cashier at checkout.
How do I tell if it’s a store coupon?
Target coupons will say TARGET COUPON across the top.
More About Gift Card Offers
Varying by week, Target has different offers to earn gift cards back on your purchases in-store and online.
Target will have in-store gift card offers marked by signs that will say something like, “Buy 3 products get a $5 gift card.”
These offers CAN be combined with all coupons.
Remember the coupon rule that Target does NOT give back overages?
This applies to gift card offers as well.
So:
If an offer gives you back a $5 gift card you will have to pay at least $5 out of pocket. Coupons can be reduced to make this possible.
For example:
Buy 3 soups and get a FREE $5 Gift Card. You have coupons that bring the total to $3.92.
Target will reduce the value of the coupons at checkout to not exceed the value of the gift card. You will have to pay $5 out of pocket and then you will get back the $5 Gift Card.
Store Gift Card offers may or may not be advertised.
And:
Some Target stores may not offer the same gift card offers as other Target stores.
Threshold Coupon Rules
When couponing at Target you may end up running across threshold coupons, or coupons that require you to spend a certain amount to receive a discount.
Target will offer threshold coupons, such as a coupon for $15 off a $50 purchase in the baby department.
A threshold coupon will have it’s own exclusions printed on it. Threshold coupons can be used with all other coupons – it is a Target store coupon.
You must meet the purchase requirement first – then all other coupons will apply.
Here’s an example of a deal using a threshold coupon with other offers (deal is expired).
Other Great Ways to Save Money at Target
There are a few more ways to save money at Target.
The first is a Target REDcard. It saves you an additional 5% on all purchases AND it gets you FREE shipping on most items sold at Target.com.
Even better:
A REDcard gives you an extra 30 days for returns.
And lastly, be sure to to watch your local Targets weekly ad for sales.
As you can see there are lots of ways to save money at Target! It’s really no wonder why to couponing at Target is so popular.
To get the most out of saving money at Target, my final advice for you is:
To check the Cartwheel offers, Target Ad and the available Target coupons BEFORE heading to the store, so don’t miss out on any savings offers.
Also Read: The Beginners Guide to Couponing at Walmart, Rite Aid, CVS & Walgreens
About Jen
I’m Jen, one of the co-founders of College Life Made Easy: a lifestyle blog that focuses on helping students navigate college life on topics of finance, organization, dorm living and more.