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expired Posted by dealnabber • Jan 30, 2020
expired Posted by dealnabber • Jan 30, 2020

Target will automatically convert some Target-only RedCards to generic use MasterCard soon

Target
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Do with this information what you will; I just wanted to give current red card holders a heads up.
In the mail today (pictures attached), I found out that my Target credit card that I've had for about 5 years will be automatically upgraded to a MasterCard on March 23, 2020. The new MC will ship in about 2 months. They increased my credit limit up to $10,000 and this will extend to the new MC (it was around $3,000 before). I never contacted them to do any such product change or credit limit increase.

You'll still get the same 5% off at Target and Target.com. They're also adding 2% on gas and dining and 1% on everything else, but in the form of an annual Target Gift Card via mail. They'll only mail you the annual gift card if you earned at least $10 worth of 2% and 1% rewards.

So other than the increased credit limit, which lowers your overall credit utilization ratio, these new "benefits" seem pretty useless for me, as I use other credit cards that get more than 2% back on dining, gas, and other purchases. I'm also not a fan of getting just a yearly reward (similar to the way Costco does) and in the form of something mailed, rather than at least monthly and online. It's much more convenient to redeem credit card rewards online, either towards cash back or through travel portals/transfer partners.

I pay my credit cards off in full each month, but for those who don't and decide to use this new card, its APR is pretty abysmal at 24.40%. YMMV.

I'll continue using this only at Target and Target.com. Won't use it outside of Target.
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Do with this information what you will; I just wanted to give current red card holders a heads up.
In the mail today (pictures attached), I found out that my Target credit card that I've had for about 5 years will be automatically upgraded to a MasterCard on March 23, 2020. The new MC will ship in about 2 months. They increased my credit limit up to $10,000 and this will extend to the new MC (it was around $3,000 before). I never contacted them to do any such product change or credit limit increase.

You'll still get the same 5% off at Target and Target.com. They're also adding 2% on gas and dining and 1% on everything else, but in the form of an annual Target Gift Card via mail. They'll only mail you the annual gift card if you earned at least $10 worth of 2% and 1% rewards.

So other than the increased credit limit, which lowers your overall credit utilization ratio, these new "benefits" seem pretty useless for me, as I use other credit cards that get more than 2% back on dining, gas, and other purchases. I'm also not a fan of getting just a yearly reward (similar to the way Costco does) and in the form of something mailed, rather than at least monthly and online. It's much more convenient to redeem credit card rewards online, either towards cash back or through travel portals/transfer partners.

I pay my credit cards off in full each month, but for those who don't and decide to use this new card, its APR is pretty abysmal at 24.40%. YMMV.

I'll continue using this only at Target and Target.com. Won't use it outside of Target.

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117 Comments

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Jan 30, 2020
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Original Poster
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Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
dealnabber
Jan 30, 2020
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Quote from TodayOnly :
this is a repost.
Not a repost. If you're talking about the PSA thread from here, that thread is marked as expired and gave completely wrong info. I clarified it to a much greater extent and gave more attachment pictures that I took myself (not from some random twitter), and also gave the personal data point of an increased credit limit. The idea of basically an automatic decrease in overall utilization ratio is pretty important for credit score purposes.
Last edited by dealnabber January 29, 2020 at 04:43 PM.
Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
45 Posts
Joined Jan 2016
Jan 30, 2020
Cckasee
Jan 30, 2020
45 Posts
They sent me a letter saying they were closing mine cause I don't use it. I'll re apply when I see a nice Christmas coupon 🤷🏻 ♀️ 😂
Jan 30, 2020
689 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
Jan 30, 2020
MichaelA3457
Jan 30, 2020
689 Posts
Quote from unforced_error :
If you paid off the balance every month why not just do the debit card?
I think you need to learn how credit works and why purchasing items with credit is safer than debit.
Jan 30, 2020
3,023 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
Jan 30, 2020
long_time_lurke
Jan 30, 2020
3,023 Posts
what about those in default? <as always, asking for a friend> :-)
Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
dealnabber
Jan 30, 2020
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Quote from unforced_error :
Explain to me how a no PIN credit card is safer.
Not sure about others' cards, but every time I've made a purchase at Target so far using the current Target credit card, it has always asked me to put in my PIN.
Jan 30, 2020
8,917 Posts
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Jan 30, 2020
5,227 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
Jan 30, 2020
wpc
Jan 30, 2020
5,227 Posts
Quote from unforced_error :
I'm good thanks. I didn't earn my 810 credit score because I don't understand credit.

Explain to me how a no PIN credit card is safer.
i don't think having an 810 credit score means you understand credit. It just means you have long standing credit and have made your payments on time.

Highscore <> understanding credit.

That being said, my credit score is higher than yours and I would never use a debit card at Target or anywhere. I've pretty much only used my debit card once and that was some strange scenario where I needed a mastercard and didn't have anything other than visa cards.
Jan 30, 2020
143 Posts
Joined Jan 2018
Jan 30, 2020
SensibleMitten2465
Jan 30, 2020
143 Posts
Quote from unforced_error :
I'm good thanks. I didn't earn my 810 credit score because I don't understand credit.

Explain to me how a no PIN credit card is safer.
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) caps the liability of credit card users at $50. Most credit card issuers take this a step further and don't charge cardholders anything for fraudulent charges. But even if your card issuer doesn't offer that protection, the FCBA says you're not responsible for any unauthorized charges if you report the card lost before it's used.
This limited liability is one of the main reasons experts recommend using credit cards — especially for online purchases.
Debit card fraud protection, on the other hand, is covered by the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA) — and protection varies.
Here's what you could owe, based on when you report a debit card loss:
Before any unauthorized purchases are made: $0
Within two business days of learning about the loss: up to $50
More than two days after the loss: $500
More than 60 days from when your statement is sent: the entire amount
Jan 30, 2020
1,741 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
Jan 30, 2020
JosephJ7206
Jan 30, 2020
1,741 Posts
Quote from unforced_error :
I'm good thanks. I didn't earn my 810 credit score because I don't understand credit.

Explain to me how a no PIN credit card is safer.
A debit card gives their system direct access to your money. When the system is hacked, your money will be gone. You are fully aware of this if you were one of the lucky that was hacked in Targets system. Just because your credit score is high doesn't mean you know everything. Maybe you have something to learn in this area.
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Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
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Quote from wpc :
I would never use a debit card at Target or anywhere. I've pretty much only used my debit card once and that was some strange scenario where I needed a mastercard and didn't have anything other than visa cards.
Exactly. I don't even remember the last time I even took my debit card out of the drawer it's been in. Even for cash withdrawals, my bank ATM's allow for cardless withdrawal using the bank app. Would never consider using the physical debit card.

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Jan 30, 2020
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Jan 30, 2020
BinkyBill
Jan 30, 2020
2,752 Posts
Got the same letter. You can call them and decline the card

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