Venmo has made a name in the mobile and digital payment scene as a fast and safe social payment option. It not only makes it easier to purchase items online and in-store but also enables peers to split shared bills like rent, utilities, groceries, road trips, and picnics through social feeds. That has made it popular among Gen Z and millennials. More than 70 million people use the Venmo app.
While Target accepts almost all the standard payment methods, many people are left wondering whether it accepts modern digital wallets and contactless payment methods, like Venmo.
Let’s jump right in and start with a quick catch-up.
As the world’s economy continues to go cashless, digital and mobile wallets like Venmo seem to have evolved faster than most businesses can adapt to their payment systems.
It started with debit/credit cards with chips that made it possible to make payments without the need to carry cash or look for Wells Fargo, Chase, and other bank’s ATMs that dispense $10 bills. We’re now in the Internet age where cutting-edge financial technology has given us online and mobile payment methods like PayPal and contactless mobile payment solutions like Venmo, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.
Plus, tech has made it possible for all these payment methods to integrate seamlessly and work together on our mobile devices. So, for instance, you can link your checking account, debit/credit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards to your mobile wallets and make payments directly from your phone without the need to set foot in a bank.
Again, mobile and digital wallets add an extra security buffer to our hard-earned cash. Once linked, you can use your debit card without a PIN, which helps reduce PINless debit card fraud, where someone can try to use a stolen debit card to their advantage.
Such convenience and added security have made mobile payment apps like Venmo gain popularity. That’s why tech-savvy Millennials and Gen Z want to know whether national retailers like Walmart and Target take Venmo.
So does Target accept Venmo?
Short Answer: Target accepts Venmo as a payment method for in-store and online purchases. Customers can use the Venmo app to pay for purchases with their Venmo balance, linked cards, or bank accounts and get 5% cash back on purchases.
Target accepts Venmo at both the self-checkout and the cashier’s register. To pay with Venmo, open the app, scan a QR code at the checkout register, and confirm the purchase to authorize payment.
Target also accepts Venmo as a payment method on Target.com. Since PayPal owns Venmo, you’ll need to select the PayPal button to be redirected to the PayPal website. From there, select Venmo to pay with your Venmo balance or linked cards. You can also link your Venmo Wallet ID code at the Target.com online checkout page or link your Venmo credit card to the Target mobile app for a more streamlined checkout experience.
That said, you can’t use Venmo at Target.com to pay for items sold by third-party Target Plus Partners. Most third-party marketplace sellers don’t accept Venmo and other mobile wallets.
That notwithstanding, Target is a great place to shop with your Venmo wallet. It’s ranked as the eighth largest national retailer in the United States, with more than 1,800 store locations across the country.
Like Walmart and Kroger, Target offers a wide range of merchandise from the cheapest foods to buy on a budget and wonton wrappers to protein powder & shakes to filtered water.
You’ll also find liquor stores inside that carry a wide range of beers, wines, and spirits from top brands. With a bit of poking around, you’re pretty sure to land great deals on college scantron sheets or even cheap diapers.
Can you Use Venmo at Target?
Yes, you can use Venmo at Target. The stores take Venmo for both online and in-store purchases. To use Venmo at Target, open the Venmo app and scan a QR code at the self-checkout counter or cashier’s register and confirm the purchase. The purchase total will be charged to your Venmo balance or your preferred linked debit or credit cards.
If the cashier asks you for a Venmo QR code, tap the “Show to Pay” button on your Venmo app to generate and present a QR code for the cashier to scan and complete the purchase.
Using Venmo on Target.com is also easy, but you must use your preferred mobile browser, not a desktop or laptop. At the Target.com checkout page, tap the PayPal button. You’ll be redirected to the PayPal website. From there, choose Venmo to pay with your Venmo-linked cards or balance.
You can also link your Venmo Wallet ID code at the online Target.com checkout for a streamlined experience or link your credit card to your Target Mobile app for seamless in-app purchases.
Target takes Venmo online for items sold and shipped by Target only. You can’t use Venmo to pay for items sold by third parties via Target Partners at Target.com.
How to Use Venmo at Target in Store?
Venmo uses QR codes to allow customers to make contactless in-store purchases at Target and other stores. First, you’ll need to download and install the Venmo app. Then set up your account by creating a secure password and verifying your phone number and email address.
Link your bank accounts or debit/credit cards to your Venmo account. The Venmo app comes ready to scan QR codes. If you’re a first-time user, tap the “Scan” button at the bottom of the home screen and follow the prompts to allow your camera to scan QR codes.
Once you’ve set up your account, making contactless payments at Target with Venmo is easy. Then, shop for items of your choice and go to the self-checkout counter or cash register. Finally, open the Venmo app and let the cashier know you’re paying with Venmo.
There are two ways to make a contactless payment with Venmo at Target:
Scan the Target’s QR Code
The cashier or self-checkout machine will scan your items and show you a QR code. Simply tap the “Scan” button and hover your smartphone’s camera over the QR code to scan it and proceed with the transaction. Then you’ll be prompted to confirm the purchase. Once confirmed, the money will be drawn from your Venmo balance or a preferred linked card to pay for the purchase.
Target will Scan Your QR Code
The self-checkout machine or the cashier may prompt you to show a Venmo QR code. With the Venmo app open, tap the “Show to Pay” button to generate a QR code and hold it up for the cashier or the self-checkout machine to scan and proceed with the transaction. Once the QR code is scanned, confirm the payment to authorize the payment.
Typically, money will be deducted from your Venmo balance to cover purchases, but you can change that to another preferred payment method on your Venmo wallet before you or the cashier scans the QR code.
You can also use your physical Venmo debit card or credit card to make in-store purchases at Target. A Venmo debit card allows you to get cash back on debit purchases and earn rewards. At the same time, the Venmo credit card earns cash back up to 3% every month and up to 6% on eligible shopping categories for a limited time.
Frugal Reality Note: To use Venmo, you must be able to send and receive SMS/text messages from shortcodes. Again, Venmo is only available in the US and works only with compatible US bank accounts and phone numbers.
How to Use Venmo at Target Online?
You can use your Venmo wallet to make purchases at Target’s online mobile site, the Target mobile, or the Venmo mobile app. Here’s how it works:
Your mobile browsers
Venmo online purchases work with browsers on your mobile phone with approved PayPal merchant websites. Venmo mainly works with Google Chrome for Android and Safari for iOS.
Use your mobile phone to shop online at Target.com. At the checkout page, select PayPal as your payment option. You’ll be redirected to the PayPal website, where you can select Venmo as your payment option to complete the transaction. You can also link your Venmo Wallet ID code to the Target.com checkout page to make purchases directly with your Venmo Wallet.
Use the Venmo app
To use the Venmo app to make online purchases, you’ll need to opt-in for Venmo online purchases. Follow these steps:
- Go to settings and go to the Buying section
- Tap the “Enable Mobile Web Purchase” or “Connect Browsers”
- Use your mobile phone to shop at Target.com’s mobile site
- Proceed to the checkout screen and tap the Venmo button to complete the purchase.
You can also connect your Venmo credit card or account to your Target Mobile app to make in-app payments with your balance or a linked accounts.
Can I Get Cash Back from Venmo at Target?
Yes, you can get cash back from Venmo at Target, but you’ll need to shop with your Venmo Mastercard debit card. You also earn cash back rewards anytime you shop with your Venmo debit or credit card at select retailers, like Target.
Although Target isn’t among the stores that give the most cash back, you can still get up to $40 cash back when you pay with a debit card. And the good thing is that Target doesn’t charge any cash back fees. Like many places that give $5 or $10 cash back or nearby gas stations that do cash back, you’re only required to buy anything with no minimum purchase. For instance, you can buy a newspaper or a rolling tote on wheels for a teacher to be eligible for cash back at a Target store.
So just grab anything and proceed to the cash register or self-checkout counter. Swipe your card and overwrite the purchase total with the cash back amount you need. For example, buy discount meat and a few other items for $50. If you need to get $40 cash back, you’ll pay a total of $90.
Your payment will be processed and charged as a single transaction on your Venmo balance or preferred Venmo-linked bank account. Then, the cashier or the self-checkout machine will hand you your $40 cash back along with the receipt that says $90.
Venmo’s daily withdrawal limit is $400, but Target only allows $40 per transaction. That means you’ll need up to ten separate transactions to get the maximum Venmo allowable limit. That’s quite inconvenient when you need a large amount of cash back. But it helps you avoid high out-of-network ATM fees for lower cash back amounts.
The good thing is, Target has ATMs near the customer service desk that you can use to withdraw large cash amounts in one go. Look for the MasterCard, MoneyPass, Pulse, and Cirrus labels on the ATM and use your Venmo debit card to withdraw money directly. ATM withdrawal fees of $2.5 to $4 may apply.
Again, Venmo has a fantastic cash back rewards program that kicked off in 2019 with exciting limited-time offers like 5% cash back at Target, 4% cash back at Sam’s Club, and 5% cash back at Wendy’s when you pay with a Venmo debit card.
You’re automatically enrolled into the rewards program when you get your Venmo debit card, and you start earning cash back with Venmo offers on eligible purchases with select merchants. The cash back amount you get varies, but you’ll see the eligible amount in each offer before making the purchase.
The Venmo credit card also allows you to earn up to 3% cash back every month with an occasional limited-time cash back rate of up to 6% of eligible purchases.
Frugal Reality Takeaway: You can get cash back from your Venmo Mastercard debit card up to $40 per transaction. The Venmo rewards program also allows you to earn cash back on eligible purchases from select merchants when shopping with your Venmo debit or credit card.
How to Transfer Money from Target Money Card to Venmo?
Venmo allows you to add multiple payment methods, including prepaid cards, gift cards from American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and Visa. In addition, the Target RedCard is a Mastercard, which means you can add Target debit/credit cards and reloadable gift cards to your Venmo wallet too.
Once you’ve successfully added your Target RedCard or gift cards, you can transfer money from your Target money card to Venmo. To add a prepaid debit or gift card to Venmo, follow these steps:
- Open the Venmo app to the menu button —the three horizontal lines at the top-left corner to the screen.
- Tap Settings
- Under preferences, tap “Payment methods”
- Tap “Add Bank or Card” at the bottom of the Payment Methods Menu
- Click “card” in the menu that pops up
- Type your Target card’s information, including the card number, expiration date, security code, and zip Code
- Tap “Add” to add your Target Money Card to your Venmo Wallet.
Venmo does warn on its website that cards may be rejected by Venmo or the card issuer for lack of fund availability or fraud prevention reasons. However, if your card adds successfully, you’ll be able to transfer money from your Walmart MoneyCard to Venmo.
Can I Split a Payment on Target Online?
Yes, you can split payments on Target.com, but only between Target gift cards and one other payment method. For instance, you can combine a credit card or Target Debit card with up to 10 Target gift card payments. Pay with your Target gift cards first, then your debit or credit card.
That said, you can’t split purchases between two credit/debit cards at Target online. Target.com accepts only one credit or debit card payment per order. So, for instance, you can’t split payment between a Target Mastercard and Target Debit card.
So let’s say you have two gift cards worth $50 each. If your purchase total is $150, you can split the purchase between the two gift cards and another payment card. Pay with the two gift cards first, then use another payment card, like a Target Debit card, to cover the remaining $50.
Frugal Reality Takeaway: You can use up to 10 Target gift cards and one debit/credit card to split purchases at Target.com. The site allows only one debit or credit card per order, and you won’t be able to split payments between two credit, debit, or prepaid cards.
Can I Split a Payment at the Target Self-Checkout?
Yes, you can split payment at the Target Self-checkout counter. Target’s checkout registers can process multiple credit cards in a single transaction.
Let’s say you have a Target gift card, a Reliacard, EBT card, or Bluebird card whose balance only covers part of the order. The self-checkout machine will deduct the balance from your EBT or gift card first and then allow you to cover the remaining balance with an alternative payment method, like an unexpired debit card or credit card.
What’s the Difference Between Venmo and PayPal?
Venmo is a subsidiary of PayPal. While both are digital payment wallets that let you send and receive funds, there are fundamental differences between the two, including:
- Accessibility: Venmo works on mobile devices only. Venmo payments can only be made through mobile browsers or the Venmo app. PayPal works on mobile devices and computers. Payments can be made both online and via the PayPal app.
- Availability: PayPal is available worldwide, while Venmo is only available for sending and receiving money within the United States.
- Transaction limits: Venmo has a weekly transaction limit of $299.99 unless you provide further personal information. PayPal doesn’t impose weekly transaction limits, but there may be a per transaction limit of $10,000.
- Best for: Venmo is best for money transfers between friends, while PayPal is best for personal and business use.
What are the Target Accepted Payment Methods?
Target accepts many other payment methods besides Venmo. Therefore, it’s important to know the alternative forms of payment in case your local Target doesn’t accept Venmo.
Here’s a list of payment methods for in-store Target purchases:
- Cash
- Target RedCard,
- Target Debit Card
- Target Credit Card
- Target Mastercard
- Credit cards from Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, or Novus
- Debit/ATM cards
- SNAP EBT/WIC cards
- Gift cards and gift certificates
- Personal checks
- Alipay
- Campus Cash
Target.com and Target app accepted payment methods include:
- Target Debit Card
- Target Credit Card
- Target Mastercard
- Visa, American Express, Discover/Novus, Mastercard Target PCard and credit cards from foreign banks
- Visa and Mastercard debit cards
- Gift cards
- Affirm
- PayPal
Also, Target accepts all contactless payment methods, including Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Venmo. But, it does not take PayPal.
Venmo FAQs
What is Venmo?
Venmo is a payment processing app that allows users to send and receive payments between friends. The app can be used to pay for goods and services, as well as to split bills or collect money owed to you.
How does Venmo work?
To use Venmo, you must first create an account. Once you have registered, you can add your debit or credit card information. You can then send money to friends by entering the recipient’s email address or phone number.
The app will also generate a unique QR code that can be scanned by the recipient in order to receive the payment. Payments made through Venmo are typically processed within minutes.
Can I use Venmo to pay for goods and services?
Yes, you can use Venmo to pay for goods and services. In addition to sending payments to friends, the app also allows you to connect with merchants who accept Venmo as a form of payment.
Are there any fees associated with using Venmo?
Venmo does not charge any fees for making or receiving payments through the app, but there is a 3% fee for payments made using a credit card.
Can I withdraw money from Venmo?
Yes, you can withdraw money from Venmo. To do so, you must first add your bank account information to your account. You can then withdraw funds by selecting the “Withdraw” option in the app’s menu. The funds will be transferred to your bank account within one to two business days.
Is Venmo safe?
Venmo uses a variety of security measures to protect users’ information and payments. These measures include password protection, data encryption, and fraud monitoring. Venmo also allows users to connect their accounts with Facebook or Google for added security.
What are the benefits of using Venmo?
Venmo offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Ease of Use – The app is simple to use and can be accessed on a variety of devices. Since transactions are instantaneous, you don’t have to worry about waiting for the money to arrive in your bank account
- No Fees – Venmo does not charge any fees for making or receiving payments
- Security – Venmo uses a variety of security measures to protect users’ information and payments. It’s a great way to split bills with friends or paying for something online without having to enter your credit card information
- Connectivity – Venmo allows users to connect their accounts using Facebook or Google for added security
Can I use Venmo if I don’t have a bank account?
No, you must have a bank account in order to withdraw money from Venmo, but you can use a debit or credit card to make payments through the app.
What are the differences between Venmo and other payment processing apps?
The main difference between Venmo and other payment processing apps is that Venmo allows users to send payments to friends, in addition to a wide variety of benefits, including ease of use, fees, security, and connectivity.
Does Target Accept Venmo Summary
With over 1,800 store locations across the country, Target is a great shopping destination for millions of Americans.
Although Target doesn’t cash personal checks, take money orders, or cash third-party checks nearby, the retailer takes Venmo and other contactless payment methods like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. In addition, some nearby Target stores are open 24-hours for late-night shopping.
And the good thing is, Target stores accept Venmo for in-store and online purchases. So if you don’t feel like getting dressed for a grocery trip, you can order items from the comfort of your house with your electronic wallet.
To pay with your Venmo wallet at Target in-store, simply scan a QR code at the cash register or self-checkout counter. For online purchases, hit the PayPal button and select Venmo at the PayPal page. Again, you can add your Venmo wallet or credit card to your Target Mobile app for seamless ordering.
You can also get cash back when you shop with your Venmo Mastercard debit card at Target in-store. Plus, the rewards program allows you to earn cash back anytime you make purchases with your debit or credit card from eligible merchants.
Don’t panic if you run out of EBT funds enjoying coffees at Target Starbucks kiosks that accept food stamps. Instead, split the bill between your EBT card and another payment option, like cash or credit card. Pay with your EBT card first, and then use your credit or debit card to cover the balance.
