You do have to activate a Target gift card. The activation process depends on whether you have a physical gift card or a digital eGift card.
If you have a physical gift card purchased at Target, it is typically activated at the time of purchase. However, it’s always a good idea to check your receipt, as some receipts may state a 24-hour activation period. This means that the gift card may not be usable until 24 hours after the purchase.
On the other hand, if you have a digital eGift card purchased on Target.com, it is active when the eGift Card email is delivered to you. This means that as soon as you receive the email with the eGift card details, you can start using it for your purchases.
It’s worth mentioning that the activation process for Target gift cards may vary depending on the specific terms and conditions set by Target. So, it’s always a good idea to read any accompanying instructions or check with Target customer service if you have any doubts or concerns about the activation process.
In my personal experience, I have purchased Target gift cards both in physical and digital formats. For the physical gift cards, I have always been able to use them immediately after the purchase, as they were activated at the time of checkout. As for the digital eGift cards, I received the email with the card details and was able to use them right away without any additional activation steps.
To summarize, physical gift cards purchased at Target are typically activated at the time of purchase, but it’s always a good idea to check the receipt for any specific activation instructions. Digital eGift cards purchased on Target.com are active when the eGift Card email is delivered.