Remember how you swore last year that you wouldn’t abandon your Christmas shopping until the last minute? I also made that promise to myself, and this year I am determined to keep it.
The holiday season doesn’t have to be such a stressful time, just a little pre-planning goes a long way. That means making my list and double checking it, setting a budget, checking all my loyalty program balances, and clicking.
Earn points / miles on all your holiday gifts
I can very well remember trips to the mall in the days and weeks leading up to the morning the presents are opened. Consider a kinder, gentler, and much more rewarding option: win shopping malls. Seriously, this will change your life and bring joy to your world.
Here’s the deal: Earn Shopping Malls is a collection of online stores that offer customers loyalty points for every dollar spent. What you earn will vary with each retailer. And don’t get confused; You’ll have an incredible variety of outlets to choose from: department stores, drug stores, and clothing boutiques with names you know and trust.
Get started by logging in with your loyalty program ID and password. Then browse the list of retailers and go to their sites to start browsing. Once you have made your purchases, the points or miles you accumulate will be automatically deposited into your loyalty program account. No crowds, no packages to carry, no tired feet. Win shopping malls open to customers all day from the comfort of home with a cup of eggnog by your side, if you like.
Here are some examples of popular shopping centers:
- Virgin Atlantic Shops Away has more than 780 retailers, from Neiman-Marcus to Groupon.
- JetBlue ShopTrue features more than 730 retailers, including favorites like TOMS and Macy’s.
- Amtrak Guest Rewards covers everything from iTunes to The Home Depot, with more than 650 purchase options.
Maximize your shopping trips to the mall
During the holidays, check out special offers and promotions that allow you to top up your points and accumulate miles. Mall retailers often conduct time-limited sales that give customers the opportunity to earn points at a rate that is twice, five times, or more than usual (usually one point or mile for every dollar spent).
When making a large purchase, you may want to delay and time your purchase with a bonus event. Worth it. If you haven’t signed up for your loyalty program newsletter, sign up now to get an alert on hot winning events. Retailers can also display specific gift items with amplified points and potential to earn miles. Watch out for those too!
As always, load your gifts onto your rewards credit card to earn even more. And take note of loyalty hacking rewards like this one: Download (for free!) Choice Privileges Points Booster Toolbar, which tells you when you are on a site where points can be earned. You no longer have to try to remember them all, just let the widget do it for you.
Use your points and miles to pay for holiday gifts
Christmas shopping can be fun. Earning and redeeming points and miles for gifts online takes stress away so you can relax and enjoy more time with family and friends. A fun way to do your Christmas shopping is through a loyalty auction.
Check out those offered by Starwood Preferred Guest, Hilton HHonors, IHG Rewards Club, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. It’s a great option if you want to give someone a once-in-a-lifetime experience, from tickets to blockbuster Hollywood shows to a tropical spa-themed getaway. Just make sure you have enough points in your account to cover your offers.
Gifts for them; a trip for you
Or you may decide that after all the festive baking, prepping, and entertaining, you might want to take off somewhere. Imagine spending New Year’s Eve in New York or Madrid, or simply lying on a deck chair watching the sun set behind a palm tree. With all those loyalty points and miles you earned buying gifts for your closest loved ones, you can afford to be your own Santa and give a rewarding trip.
