It seems like every store and restaurant has a rewards program. For example, you buy any given amount at a store and that translates to points which can be added up and traded in for ‘rewards’ or sometimes cash! Meanwhile, the business collects information about your purchase habits. Its an interesting marketing technique that gets some shoppers (like me) to come back. One of the things that drives me crazy about rewards programs is the little card or keychain thing that the business wants you to hold on to. Its annoying to have so many miscellaneous cards in your wallet or on your keychain. Most businesses will allow you to register your phone number so that can be entered in lieu of scanning the actual card. Yay, you don’t always have to carry the card.
I use rewards programs primarily for gift purchases and I try to be strategic.
OK, so How to Use Reward Programs….
- Pick businesses that you frequent and join those rewards programs.
- Ensure your card is registered. Just because they give you the card doesn’t mean its registered in their system which means your points may not be accumulating.
- Track your rewards by occasionally checking the status online. Sometimes there are deadlines or points expire after a specific amount of time.
- Do NOT make purchases just to add points to the rewards program!
Here are some reward programs which I participate in and how I use the rewards…
Toys R’Us: When our youngest son grew out of his infant carrier, we needed new car seats for him and we needed a bigger convertible carseat/booster for our older son. Off to Toys R Us we went! Holy smokes! So expensive. We traded in other baby equipment during their annual trade-in event which allowed us 25% off each carseat. We opened a credit card at Toys R Us which allowed us to get 15% off. In addition, the credit card allowed us to get double points. Over the year of baby purchases, we saved enough towards $65 credit towards any purchase we choose. When I use the rewards, I plan to also use $5 off a $25 purchase coupon from my entertainment book, making the deal a little sweeter.
Chase Bank: We bank with Chase and use their credit card and overall, we have been happy with their services. We participate in their rewards program. We save up the rewards to have extra cash on our yearly (or so- haha!) vacation. We currently have enough for some extra spending money on vacation.
Huggies Rewards: If you have a little one in Huggies diapers, you can access their rewards program and 
get points towards more diapers, toys, magazines, etc. The points are on a sticker inside of Huggies packages. I peel the sticker off and stick it on my counter till my kids go to bed and I can log-on to Huggies’ website. My youngest will be turning 1 in August so I just traded in my points for this toy. I’m planning to wrap it up and give it to him for his birthday. The
Office Depot: They allow you to accumulate points each month for cash towards Office Depot purchases. You can also earn points by recycling ink cartridges. My husband and I run a small business so we are able to accumulate points faster. I have used points towards various purchases, some gifts. Currently, we have $60 credit towards any purchase we choose. Also, Office Depot usually has decent coupons so if you’re in the market for an office purchase, be on the look out for coupons!
Lastly, it is very important to keep rewards programs in perspective. Do not make purchases just because you want to add points. Rewards programs can be a great way to get some ‘free’ stuff if you utilize the program.
What rewards programs do you participate in? Which programs do you like the most?
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