5 Other Apps That Will Save You Money at Target

If you’ve heard the news that Target is ending its Cartwheel Perks loyalty program and merging its two apps, you might be under the impression the world is ending.

Target fans and publications ranging from couponing blogs to Architectural Digest have lamented if not decried these changes in recent weeks. Dare I say, though, it’s not so bad.

Rest assured that there are still plenty of ways to save money at beloved Target. Case in point: “7 Sly Ways to Save Money at Target.”

The future of Cartwheel deals

Target announced in June that it would be combining its popular Cartwheel deals app with its Target app this summer, rather than having two separate apps. The company said it was one of a few app tweaks intended to save shoppers money and time, explaining:

“That means guests will have one place where they can map out their store trips, snag great Cartwheel deals on in-store purchases, check out Target’s store and online assortments and, of course, make online purchases.”

If you launch the Target app, you’ll notice you can already access Cartwheel deals through it. You’ll also notice a tweak to the Target app’s map, announced in June as well. According to Target:

The app’s store map will soon show guests their location as they shop and highlight Cartwheel deals nearby. Later we’ll add mobile payment for Target REDcard holders. So guests can eventually score all their Cartwheel deals AND get an additional 5% off everything they buy with their REDcard. All with a quick, easy scan of the app at checkout.

What’s ending is the Cartwheel Perks loyalty program. It’s an additional feature of the Cartwheel app that Target started testing out in September in a few cities, according to a report in the StarTribune, in Target’s home state of Minnesota. It enabled shoppers to rack up points for in-store purchases and redeem those points for rewards such as discounts.

The StarTribune reported in July that the program would be phased out. Customers in the test areas have until Aug. 27 to earn points and until Oct. 27 to redeem rewards.

Apps for saving at Target

There are even plenty of other apps besides Target’s own that can slash your tab in Target stores or on Target.com. Examples include the following apps, all of which can be found on the respective websites linked below.

1. Ibotta: This is perhaps the ultimate deal-seeker’s app. It offers unique cash rebates at dozens of retailers, including Target.
2. Coupons.com app: Coupons.com is one of the biggest sources of manufacturer coupons, and its app makes it easy to redeem them digitally — no printer necessary. Pro tip: Target allows you to apply multiple types of coupons to the same item or purchase.
3. Swagbucks Mobile: Swagbucks.com and its app offer you various ways to rack up points, or “SBs,” that you can redeem for free gift cards, including Target gift cards. To learn more, check out “Earn Up to $2,700 a Year Watching Videos, Answering Surveys.”
4. Cash-back portal apps: Cash-back portals offer cash rebates on online purchases and sometimes in-store purchases. Examples of cash-back portals that have apps and offer rebates for online purchases, including from Target.com, include Ebates and TopCashback. For in-store rebates, use Ibotta.
5. Discount gift card marketplace apps: Discounted gift card marketplaces are exchanges where folks with unwanted gift cards can sell them to others, and where savvy shoppers can buy those gift cards for less than face value. Examples of such marketplaces that have apps and often have Target gift cards in stock include Cardpool and Raise.

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