How Does Target’s Cartwheel App Work?  Here’s A FREE Tutorial!

*UPDATED* Target Cartwheel is now Target Circle!

The program now allows non-RedCard holders to also earn rewards. Click here to learn more <—.

I am often asked what is Target Cartwheel, How does Target Cartwheel work, or I want to learn how to use Target Cartwheel.  In this post we will cover the Cartwheel app and everything you need to know to make Target Cartwheel deals work for you so you’ll never again have to ask what’s Target Cartwheel!

The Target Cartwheel app  for Android and iOS is one of the most valuable and easy to use apps I have seen and I am growing to love it the more I use it.  

Of course with all apps you can use it without having to clip any coupons, but, with this one you can get percentage’s off on things you buy anyway!  So, you’re able to save on your normal shopping just by using the app.

So, if you’ve never used it let’s start at the beginning:

What Is Target Cartwheel
What Is Target’s Circle

I often am asked What Is Target Cartwheel?  Target’s Cartwheel App is a FREE app that you can download on your mobile device OR (so nice) you can use it on your computer, too!  

Basically there are new Target Cartwheel Exclusive offers all the time where you can get 5% to 50% off on certain items.  You scroll through the offers and choose the ones you want and then when you shop you just show the bar code to your cashier and they will scan it and all of your Target Cartwheel deals are taken off there, right at checkout.  So easy!  

I love coupons, but, wouldn’t it be so much nicer if you could do this with coupons?  It would save everyone time – you choose them all and then just show one bar code to the cashier and they all come off at once?

You can sign up for Target’s Cartwheel savings program <—- here.  

Once you do every time you login it’s super simple – you can login with Facebook, or Google or your email, so signing in is super simple, too:

How Do I Use Target’s Cartwheel Savings Program Without A Smartphone?

You can easily use it on your computer and then print out your bar code before you head to the store.  Once you have chosen your items and you see the bar code on your computer, just print it out and use it at the register.  

The cashier will just need to scan it, and not take it from you.  Which is good BECAUSE the bar code doesn’t change!  You’ll only need to print it out once.  

So, you can just keep it in your coupon binder, wallet, or whatever is handy for you!  Again – so easy, right?!  Every time you add new offers to your Cartwheel, it’s added to the bar code you have already printed out.

Can You Use Cartwheel Offers AND Coupons On The Same Item?

Yes and this is what makes this program probably the best I have ever seen.  You can actually use a Cartwheel offer, a manufacturer coupons, AND a Target coupon all on the same item PLUS your Target REDcard!

Yes! This is one of the reasons why I love the Cartwheel program. Cartwheel offers can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon, a Target coupon, as well as your Target REDcard!

The Cartwheel offer will discount after the value of the Target coupon is applied.  Don’t forget my Favorite Money Saving Phone Apps, these can be used WITH the Target Cartwheel, too!

How Many Times Can I Use A Cartwheel Offer?

You can use a Cartwheel offer up to four times per transaction.  If there are other limits you’ll be able to see them stated on the offer.  

There’s also a limit of one Cartwheel bar code that can be used per transaction and six transactions per day in which you can use your Cartwheel bar code.

Can I Use More Than One Cartwheel Offer Per Transaction?  How Many Can I Use At One Time?

When you first sign up for the Target Cartwheel savings program you’ll be able to save 10 offers at a time.  But, as you begin to use it more and more you’ll earn more space to add to your list.  

Once you hit your limit, the app will tell you to remove some offers to free up more space.  You’ll be able to unlock Cartwheel badges and earn more space on your list.

You can use all of the offers you have saved on your Cartwheel list at one time.  So if you fill up your list with 10 offers you can redeem all 10 at the same time.  You can do this 4 times in the same transaction and up to 6 different transactions a day.

How Does My Cartwheel Work With Target Store Coupons And Manufacturer Coupons?

After all of your purchases have been scanned by your cashier, you’ll then hand over your coupons, and after all of that you show the cashier your Cartwheel – at the very end.

Does the Target Cartwheel Savings Come Off Before Or After My Coupons?

When you use coupons with your Cartwheel remember the Cartwheel savings will come off AFTER any Target store coupons have been applied, but, BEFORE any manufacturer coupons.  But, you still hand over all of your coupons before you show your Cartwheel.

Here’s what it looks like:

Huggies Diapers – $3.99
– Target Store coupon – $1.00
=$2.99
-5% Target Cartwheel offer
=$2.84
-$2.00 Huggies Diapers manufacturer coupon
Final cost after coupons and Cartwheel = $0.84 (don’t we wish!  lol)

Now if you had a RedCard it would be deducted at the VERY end making those diapers just $2.80

That’s a stacking of 5 offers!  A sale stacked with a Target store coupon, Target Cartwheel offer, Manufacturer coupon, and a RedCard!  

If you found an offer on another app like my Favorite Money Saving Phone Apps that would make it even better!

When I Am At Target Shopping How Can I See If An Item Has A Cartwheel Offer?

The Target Cartwheel app has a scanner inside it and you can scan items in the store to know if they have an offer!

 Just open the scanner in the app and scan the item’s bar code to see if it has a Cartwheel offer!  How easy is that?!

What Do I Do If The App Doesn’t Work In My Target?

Sometimes the signal isn’t great in the store when we are shopping, but, Target offers FREE wi-fi in store.  Just select the Target wi-fi in your settings on your mobile device to connect in store and that should fix the problem.

Remember, you don’t have to use the Cartwheel bar code from your mobile device, you can print it out and keep it with you because it never changes.

How Often Does Cartwheel Update? And Does Everyone See The Same Offers?

Every Cartwheel user will see the same offers,  Target cartwheel coupons and most new Cartwheel offers are available on Sunday morning. Always check daily for any special offers, though, you don’t want to miss out.

There are often high value offers tat appear randomly so, those are worth keeping an eye out for!

What If The Cartwheel Discount Didn’t Get Applied To My Purchase?

Sometimes the Cartwheel discount doesn’t come off at the register like it should.   If this happens, just take your receipt to Guest Services and they’ll fix it for you.

Also report any offers that didn’t come off to:   cartwheelsupport.target.com/cartwheel.

I hope that answers your questions and makes you comfortable enough to start using this app – I have to say I LOVE it!  If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Here’s a fun video you might enjoy about Will Smith surprising Target shoppers with free gift cards.

What is your favorite part about the Target Cartwheel App?  Leave your comments below!