The popularity of “buy now, pay later” services like Afterpay has exploded in recent years. As consumers, we love the flexibility and affordability these payment options provide. But can you use Afterpay specifically when shopping online at Target?
Yes, Target proudly accepts Afterpay in 2024 for all online purchases through Target.com and the Target app. However, Afterpay cannot be used in Target stores anymore.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using Afterpay at Target, including how it works, if there are any spending limits, what items are restricted, whether it impacts your credit, and step-by-step instructions for checking out with Afterpay online. Let’s dive in!
What Exactly is Afterpay and How Does This Payment Method Work?
Afterpay is a popular “buy now, pay later” service that allows online shoppers to purchase items and pay for them over time in installments instead of one lump payment upfront.
Here is an overview of how Afterpay works:
- No interest, fees, or hidden costs – Afterpay itself is free to use as long as you make your payments on schedule every two weeks. No credit checks or interest!
- Pay in 4 installments – Your total purchase amount gets split into 4 equal payment amounts. You pay 25% at checkout, then 25% every two weeks after that.
- Use online or in apps – Afterpay integrates with all major debit/credit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay. Super seamless online!
- Pay on time to avoid fees – If you miss scheduled payments, Afterpay can charge fees, so important to pay every two weeks.
- Flexible payments – Afterpay allows you to buy what you want now and budget payments over 6 weeks. Love this flexibility!
So in summary, Afterpay offers an interest-free installment plan to buy items now and pay every two weeks later. No wonder it has become so popular!
Why Do Shoppers Love Using Afterpay So Much?
There are many excellent reasons why over 10 million shoppers have chosen Afterpay as their preferred payment option:
- Buy now, pay later – Get what you want or need now instead of waiting until you’ve saved enough money
- Avoid paying interest – No interest is ever charged with on-time Afterpay payments
- No credit checks – Afterpay approves purchases without doing hard credit inquiries
- Flexible payment schedule – Evenly split payment over 6 weeks makes budgeting easier
- Seamless integration – Easily add Afterpay to your Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.
Shoppers also love the spending control and financial discipline that Afterpay instills by allowing full payment over a 6 week period.
Does Target Take Afterpay for Online Purchases?
The good news is yes – Target happily accepts Afterpay! With just a few clicks, Target shoppers can checkout online using Afterpay either through the Target app or Target.com.
This makes completing larger Target purchases much more affordable by splitting up payments interest-free over 6 weeks.
So next time you’re browsing Target.com for furniture, electronics, or home goods, don’t forget you can use Afterpay at Target to pay 25% now and the rest later.
Can I Use Afterpay In-Store at Target Locations?
Previously, US-based Target stores accepted Afterpay even for in-person purchases at checkout. However, Target no longer accepts Afterpay in stores anywhere in the United States.
The reason why in-store Afterpay was removed is unclear, but it is likely related to Target’s launch of their own branded credit cards and competing “pay later” offerings.
Just know that if you want to use Afterpay for your next Target run, you’ll need to shop online through Target’s website or mobile app. Afterpay cannot by used when checking out in Target stores currently.
What Are Target’s Spending Limits for Afterpay Transactions?
Like most retailers, Target places maximum thresholds for Afterpay transactions to encourage responsible spending.
Here are Target’s Afterpay limits to keep in mind:
- Minimum Order: $35
- Maximum Order: $1000
As long as your total online cart purchase amount on Target.com falls between $35 and $1000, you can select Afterpay at online checkout.
But be careful – even if your cart total is less than $1000, Target may still decline an Afterpay purchase for other reasons like an account spending cap.
It’s not very common, but helpful to know Target reserves the right to approve Afterpay on a case-by-case basis.
What Do I Need to Use Afterpay at Target’s Online Store?
Using Afterpay at Target or any other major retailer is quite easy! Here are the basic requirements to use Afterpay in the United States:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid debit or credit card
- Be a US resident
- Have an email address/cell phone to receive payment reminders
As long as you meet these basics criteria, you can sign up for Afterpay in minutes and immediately use it at Target.com without issue.
And for Target shoppers specifically, just remember you must checkout online through Target’s website or app. Afterpay cannot be used for in-store Target purchases.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Afterpay at Target.com
Ready to use Afterpay on your next Target.com order? Follow these steps for quick approval and checkout:
- Sign Up for Afterpay – First, download the Afterpay app and sign-up for an account by connecting a debit/credit card and providing some basic personal info.
- Start Shopping – Browse Target.com for your desired items, add them to your cart, and begin the online checkout process.
- Select Afterpay – On the payments page during checkout, you’ll see Afterpay as one of the “pay later” options. Simply select it as your payment method.
- Finish Checkout – Complete checkout process by reviewing order details and submit payment. Remember the first 25% of total is due now.
- Pay Every Two Weeks – The remaining balance will be paid via 3 installments that Afterpay automatically charges to your card every 2 weeks after delivery.
And just like that, you’ve seamlessly used Afterpay at Target without paying full price upfront!
What Items Can’t Be Purchased With Afterpay at Target?
While Afterpay can be used to purchase a wide range of products at Target.com, there are some restrictions on certain categories:
- Alcohol – Wine, beer, and spirits cannot be purchased through Afterpay
- Certain Medications – Prescription medications, cough/cold medicine
- Gift cards – Afterpay usually excludes purchasing gift cards
- Specialty services – Car rentals, hotels, flights, etc.
The restricted items depend on each retailer’s policies, but Target takes a similar approach as other major companies when it comes to Afterpay purchases.
If you attempt to pay for any of the categories above using Afterpay, your order will be declined at checkout. Outside of those, almost anything is fair game!
Are There Any Risks or Downsides Associated With Afterpay?
Using buy now, pay later services like Afterpay certainly come with some risks to note:
- Overspending – The installment setup could encourage some shoppers to overspend on wants versus needs.
- Late fees – If you miss scheduled payments, Afterpay charges $7-$10 fees per each missed payment. This adds up fast.
- Impact credit scores – Afterpay itself doesn’t require credit checks, but missed payments are reported to credit bureaus.
The key is using Afterpay responsibly by only selecting affordable purchases, carefully tracking payment due dates, and budgeting properly for each installment charge every two weeks.
As long as you pay on time, Afterpay is extremely convenient. But do take cautions – high late fees or credit reporting could occur otherwise.
Does Using Afterpay at Target Impact My Credit Score?
The good news is Afterpay has no impact to your credit score as long as you make all payments on time every two weeks. Afterpay does not do hard inquiries nor report account history to credit bureaus.
However, if you do miss scheduled payments, Afterpay will report these late payments to Experian and TransUnion after a 60 day past due period. Too may missed payments can negatively impact your score.
So be sure to carefully monitor your upcoming Afterpay payment dates and pay each 25% installment from Target right on schedule. As long as you pay on time, using Afterpay won’t show up on your credit report at all.
The Bottom Lines: Afterpay Offers a Convenient Way to Shop Target Online
In the end, Target happily accepts Afterpay for all online orders on the Target app and Target.com website. This allows shoppers to purchase items now and make four evenly split payments every two weeks with zero interest or fees.
Just be aware that Afterpay purchases have order limits between $35 and $1000. And you cannot use Afterpay for buying certain products like alcohol or gift cards from Target.
As long as you stick to online orders only, pay each installment on time, and avoid going over your spending limits, Afterpay is a budget-friendly way to purchase from Target without paying everything upfront.
So next time you want to use a “pay later” payment option for your Target run, remember Afterpay is accepted directly through Target’s online store!
