Thanksgiving is here and the holidays will soon be upon us. That means I see some shopping in your future. Whether you like to brave the stores Thanksgiving weekend through the holiday season or shop from the comfort of you own home, there are a number of offers in which you can earn A LOT of bonus points.
Like so many stores, the loyalty program shopping portals offer many deals and opportunities to earn bonus points on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you are scared off by the crowds on Black Friday but still love a good deal with some bonus points to boot, use the portals to shop. These same portals also offer many deals on Cyber Monday. Stay in the peace and quiet of your own home and take advantage of an abundance of good deals with bonus rewards. (BTW-my house is rarely peaceful).
If you like to visit the stores instead, it is a win-win if you support your local businesses. Unlike in prior years, Amex doesn’t offer bonus points on shopping local on Small Business Saturday (this year November 25), however, they still promote shopping local. Savvy Amex card holders can still get double points shopping local by using an American Express Blue Business Plus Card. I have recently been using this card on almost all of my purchases. I am accumulating Amex points for a possible trip to Argentina. I want free flights!
If gift cards are your gift of choice, consider purchasing cards at Staples, a supermarket or a drug store and use a credit card where you earn bonus points at those merchants. For example, if you have a Chase Ink Business Preferred card, you can buy gift cards at Staples and earn 5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Similarly, you can use an Amex Everyday, Amex Everyday Preferred, or one of the Amex Blue Cash Cards card and get bonus points at grocery stores. Purchasing restaurant gift certificate? Try to use a card in the Sapphire family, either the Reserve (3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points at restaurants) or the Preferred (2x points at restaurants) For those of you with a Chase Freedom card, Walmart and department stores are the 4th quarter 5X bonus categories. Note, these are only examples. Check out my site where you can see which cards give you bonus rewards at certain merchants.
The holiday season is the perfect time to test out some bonus earning strategies. After all, you are likely going to be shopping anyway. It may just require a few extra clicks or a little more thought when you are making those purchases. Ask yourself what rewards you would like to accumulate and work from there. It will be worth it when you see your rewards’ account balances really start to climb.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families and here’s to some lucrative shopping!!