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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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How to maximize points and miles on fitness and wellness spending
Stella is a full-time writer with expertise in credit cards, points and miles, and all things travel. She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously worked as a copywriter at JetBlue Airways and as a credit cards writer at LendingTree.
October 9, 2020 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
The article explores how to maximize points and miles on fitness and wellness purchases, including gym memberships, workout gear and meditation apps.
Online shopping portals for airlines offer bonus miles for purchases at select fitness retailers, with limited-time promotions ending in August 2020.
Certain rewards cards provide elevated earnings on gym memberships and fitness-related spending, sometimes through rotating bonus categories or as part of everyday rewards.
Some wellness apps offer free or discounted subscriptions through loyalty programs or targeted cardholder offers.
What to consider
Many shopping portal bonuses and card-linked offers are time-sensitive, with specific expiration dates in August and September 2020.
Rotating bonus categories for fitness spending require activation or category selection each quarter to maximize rewards.
Loyalty program partnerships with wellness apps may have limited trial periods or require membership to access full benefits.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for stacking shopping portal bonuses, card-linked offers and loyalty program perks to optimize rewards on fitness and wellness expenses.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Since the pandemic, many gyms have implemented strict health standards and cleaning procedures. Even as they've reopened, fitness looks different in the coronavirus era. At-home workouts and outdoor group fitness classes are the new ways to exercise in a safe and socially distant manner.
Wellness has become more important than ever. Since I'm traveling less and spending more time at home, I’ve prioritized health and fitness. Gyms aren’t open where I live, so I’ve invested a fair amount in setting up the perfect home gym.
If you're spending on fitness and wellness too, here are ways to maximize points and miles on these purchases.
Workout clothes (or athleisure) are my go-to not only for exercising but for working from home. Whether you’re shopping for new sweatpants or running shoes, you’ll want to maximize each purchase.
By using CashBack Monitor, you can search your favorite stores to see which shopping portal to use. I searched for Lululemon and got these results.
Screenshot courtesy of Cashbackmonitor.com
Even better, Alaska, American, Southwest and United’s shopping portals are currently offering bonus miles based on spending. These offers end throughout August, so be sure to check them out if you’re planning to shop online:
Alaska Mileage Plan Shopping Portal
Spend $150, earn 300 bonus miles
Spend $300, earn 750 bonus miles
Spend $500, earn 1,500 bonus miles
Offer ends Aug. 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET
American AAdvantage eShopping Portal
Spend $150, earn 500 bonus miles
Spend $300, earn 1,000 bonus miles
Spend $500, earn 2,000 bonus miles
Offer ends Aug. 17, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
Spend $125, earn 250 bonus points
Spend $300, earn 900 bonus points
Spend $550, earn 2,000 bonus points
Offer ends Aug. 16, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET
United MileagePlus Shopping Portal
Spend $150, earn 500 bonus miles
Spend $350, earn 1,500 bonus miles
Spend $600, earn 2,500 bonus miles
Offer ends Aug. 16, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Here’s an example of how many points you can score. On a $150 Lululemon purchase, I would use the American Airlines shopping portal and pay with a Chase Freedom(No longer open to new applicants). This would result in 600 AAdvantage miles (valued at $8.40) and 600 Chase Freedom cash back/points (worth $6). With the current American AAdvantage shopping portal bonus, I would earn 500 bonus miles (a $7 value). I would earn about $21 in rewards off the bat or a 14% return on spending.
The information for the Chase Freedom has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Gym memberships
The average gym membership costs $58 per month or about $700 per year. With recurring purchases, you’ll want to charge them to the right credit card. By using a card best for everyday spending, you’ll earn a solid amount of points and miles or cash back.
Keep an eye out for cards that have rotating bonuses, like the Chase Freedom. This year, it offered a second-quarter bonus, including fitness clubs and gym memberships. Cardholders earned 5% cash back on the first $1,500 spent each quarter they activate. It’s always good to keep an eye out for promotions like this one. With a current sign-up bonus of $200 after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, this is a great cash back card to consider.
Every quarter, the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card also earns 5% cash back in two rotating categories of your choice. These categories include gym/fitness purchases. Once you choose your two categories, you'll earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases per quarter. Since gyms and fitness centers are included, you’ll want to make sure to select that as one of your bonus earning categories. This card also has an introductory bonus offer of $150 after spending $500 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
One of the best hotel credit cards rewards you for health and fitness purchases, too. You’ll earn 2 Hyatt points per dollar spent on fitness club and gym memberships, among other bonus categories targeted for everyday spending.
With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you’ll earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spend on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening. So, if your goal is to earn free hotel nights, this card is worth signing up for.
If you’re looking for a general travel rewards card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. You can then transfer your Capital One Miles to 15+ airline and hotel partners. You’ll get a fixed 2.8% return (based on TPG valuations and not provided by the issuer) when using this card and transfer your points.
The card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Living a healthy lifestyle goes beyond exercise. While juggling a work-life balance, meditation and mindfulness are just as important.
If you’re an American Express cardholder, you’re in luck. Through Sept. 30, 2020, you can sign up for a year-long subscription of Calm, the #1 app for sleep, meditation and relaxation. Available in your Amex offers, it’s easy to sign up. If you renew for the following year, the membership is half off.
If you’re a World of Hyatt member, you can access Headspace, a guided meditation app. You'll find free mindfulness and sleep content on the World of Hyatt app. Members can also try Headspace Plus for 30 days free, valid until Oct. 31, 2020.
Health and fitness are important parts of daily life, so why not earn rewards while you're at it? Especially during a pandemic, staying healthy is a top priority. Everyday purchases, like fitness and wellness, can lead to travel rewards to use down the road.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
