I do not understand how Target processes the RedCard debit transactions. I do a lot of online orders for in-store pickup when RetailMeNot has 1% back through Target. Our store is about 2 miles away so I will do a quick "pre-shopping" trip....I make my "list" and just buy it ahead of time, but instead of using my debit card to pay, I put it on my RedCard. Then, when I go to the store to pick it up (along with anything that I couldn't order), I just make a payment on the RedCard and pay it off. It works essentially the same.
In the past, when I would make an online order with my RedCard debit card, I would see individual debits for each item...it was ridiculous! I could hardly keep track of my checkbook because I had no idea what purchases were made on what day...especially since my husband would often go to the store and make purchases with his debit card on days that coincided with days that my online purchases were clearing the bank. Once I figured out what was happening, I stopped using the debit card for online purchases.