Target debit card question

[ktrask]

I have a Target Debit card and would like to use it to buy gift cards for Disney...yay saving 5%.

Does anyone know how the maximum allowed charge per day is figured? Is it based on what your bank regulations are for debit purchases per day?

If we decide to stay on property I'd like to at least buy enough to cover the dining plan (probably more) because by doing that we would actually make out on the dining plan. (I just spent the last hour doing an analasys based on places we would visit if we had the plan) My Target always has plenty of cards, but only in $50 denominations. So I'd need close to 20. To cover the dining plan and a little extra. Probably around 50+ to cover the trip.

 

[Momof5cg]

I am paying for entire trip using cards. (All 5 kids 1st time!) Buying a bunch at a time. Bought 50 at 1x ($50 ea - broken into 10 transactions - should've been $500 but each transaction came to $475). After 5th transaction could not use card. Rejected my $13 purchase for kids socks. I believe target locks u out because I used my bank debit card to pay the $13 w/ no problem. We will save $475 on our CBR stay w/dining plan which would be $5600 w/out cards. Worth it for our fam of 7! Every penny helps. ( That savings is same as 2 airline tix). Good luck!

 

[Momof5cg]

Sorry! Meant to say I did FIVE transactions w/10 cards in each. ($475 total each time). Not 10 transactions!

 

[disneylove69]

I am paying for entire trip using cards. (All 5 kids 1st time!) Buying a bunch at a time. Bought 50 at 1x ($50 ea - broken into 10 transactions - should've been $500 but each transaction came to $475). After 5th transaction could not use card. Rejected my $13 purchase for kids socks. I believe target locks u out because I used my bank debit card to pay the $13 w/ no problem. We will save $475 on our CBR stay w/dining plan which would be $5600 w/out cards. Worth it for our fam of 7! Every penny helps. ( That savings is same as 2 airline tix). Good luck!

Many retailers shut down customers like this because there are alot of scammers who steal credit cards or credit card numbers and then buy gift cards which are sold on the street. So they limit one time transactions within a time period.

 

[mommy2twingles]

I am paying for a whole trip plus cruise by doing this. I get the pharmacy extra 5% coupon about once a month. Once I receive it I go to the store and buy a bunch of gift cards. I have easily purchased $1000 at one time. While the cashier looked at me funny and asked if I really wanted all the cards I had no problems checking out.

 

[lolobug]

I am paying for a whole trip plus cruise by doing this. I get the pharmacy extra 5% coupon about once a month. Once I receive it I go to the store and buy a bunch of gift cards. I have easily purchased $1000 at one time. While the cashier looked at me funny and asked if I really wanted all the cards I had no problems checking out.

Is the pharmacy coupon an additional 5% ( 5% for red card too)?

 

[jana616]

I did this last year and called the Red Card customer service to ask. They told me you build up "credit" with them over time, based on how often you use it. Since I had had my Target debit card for about 2 years and use it 2-4 times a week, they told me I would be able to use it for the $1500 I was planning to buy with no problem, and I was. I did three $500 transactions.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Is the pharmacy coupon an additional 5% ( 5% for red card too)?

Yes, and occassionally they will send you an extra 5% off. You can stack them (at least I did). I saved a ton on my disney trip by buying Disney cards and also for buy gift cards for the chain restaurants we were planning to eat at.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Is the pharmacy coupon an additional 5% ( 5% for red card too)?

Yes. While it is only good for use on one day, you can use the pharmacy 5% coupon multiple times during that day.

 

[North of Mouse]

I did this last year and called the Red Card customer service to ask. They told me you build up "credit" with them over time, based on how often you use it. Since I had had my Target debit card for about 2 years and use it 2-4 times a week, they told me I would be able to use it for the $1500 I was planning to buy with no problem, and I was. I did three $500 transactions.

Why would it matter, when you're not actually building up *credit*? It comes directly out of your checking acct.

 

[vitacura]

Why would it matter, when you're not actually building up *credit*? It comes directly out of your checking acct.

When someone opens a debit card account at target it starts with a limit. Usually between 300-500. It goes up after they see you build a history of using the card and always have the funds for them to debit.

 

[aleask]

Why would it matter, when you're not actually building up *credit*? It comes directly out of your checking acct.

It doesn't come out instantly, infact they take a couple days with my bank before I even see the pending charge in my account. So my guess is that even though it is a debit card they are in a sense extending you credit until their system pulls the money from your account.

I tried to figure out how much they would allow me and I think they capped me at about $2k or $2500, but I convinced them to let me use a different credit card to buy the rest that I wanted and still extend the 5% savings. I used my Airmiles card, got the 5% off plus the miles

 

[mrsklamc]

The Target debit card just connects to your existing bank account? and is it only valid at Target?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The Target debit card just connects to your existing bank account? and is it only valid at Target?

Correct.

 

[thorphin]

This is troubling. We just got our 5% coupon and I planned to go into Target and grab $2000 in gift cards. It's starting to sound like this won't be possible, even with multiple transactions...??

 

[Callie]

This is troubling. We just got our 5% coupon and I planned to go into Target and grab $2000 in gift cards. It's starting to sound like this won't be possible, even with multiple transactions...??

You could also open a target charge if you reach the debit limit, and then pay it off right in the store.

 

[thorphin]

You could also open a target charge if you reach the debit limit, and then pay it off right in the store.

True, but I don't know that the effect on my credit would be worth the hassle in the name of saving $100 on GCs.

I just wish there was a easier way to know what to expect going in. I feel bad confidently going up the cashier with the cards I want to buy and then making her life miserable because of transaction problems.

 

[Letsgo2DW]

I am also curious about the limit for a new card. I just received my new Target Debit Card yesterday and had planned to go in tomorrow to purchase $2200 worth of Disney cards but now I am thinking that might not be possible. Is there anyway to find out what I will be allowed to purchase - since this will be the first time I have used my new card?

 

[poohfriend77]

I am also curious about the limit for a new card. I just received my new Target Debit Card yesterday and had planned to go in tomorrow to purchase $2200 worth of Disney cards but now I am thinking that might not be possible. Is there anyway to find out what I will be allowed to purchase - since this will be the first time I have used my new card?

That's the frustrating thing, you just don't know. I guess maybe you could call (the corporate 1-800 number, not your local store) to let them know what you want to do.

My friend works at Target now, so she got a Red debit card. She said she has been making a lot of small purchases, like a snack and drink for her break, a couple grocery items before she heads home, etc. Then one day, her card was declined. She was extra mad, because she was embarrassed in front of a co-worker.

She ended up using her regular bank debit card, so it was not a problem with her bank account. She called Target when she got home, and they told her she had been using it "too much." She said, "Isn't that what you WANT me to do... shop at Target all the time?" So it seems like they take into account the NUMBER of transactions, not just the dollar amount. Very frustrating that they don't explain that to you! I would assume I could buy whatever I want, whenever I want, as long as I have the funds to pay for it.

 

[misstdiana]

I have a Target Debit card and would like to use it to buy gift cards for Disney...yay saving 5%.

To cover the dining plan and a little extra. Probably around 50+ to cover the trip.

I need to know this too. I just got my card and I believe they told me how much but I don't remember. I want to buy gift cards for our trip too.