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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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Last chance to order gifts from Amazon -- How to not leave cash or points on the table
Andrea M. Rotondo has traveled to 50+ countries using points and miles. She's a luxury, small-ship cruise expert and hotel maven who can share the not-to-be-missed spots in her adopted home state of Florida. She will also talk all day long about her ancestral homeland: Italy.
December 21, 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
Amazon Prime members can still order select items for Christmas delivery, with deadlines varying by shipping speed and location.
Certain credit cards are offering targeted promotions for Amazon purchases, including discounts when redeeming as little as one point and elevated points at select merchants.
Some offers are limited to a set number of redemptions or specific time frames, and eligibility may depend on whether you are targeted for the promotion.
Digital gifts like e-gift cards and memberships remain available for true last-minute shoppers.
What to consider
Most point redemptions at Amazon provide less value than other options, but targeted promotions can make them worthwhile for specific purchases.
Promotions typically require registration, may only be available to targeted customers and can expire early once redemption limits are reached.
You must connect your rewards account to Amazon and use the appropriate payment method to access these deals.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of current and past Amazon promotions, including step-by-step tips to maximize savings and avoid missing out on bonus offers.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Attention last-minute holiday shoppers: There's still time to order (some) holiday gifts from Amazon that will be delivered in time for Christmas Day on Dec. 25.
As reported in USA Today, Amazon Prime members have until Wednesday, Dec. 23 to order up to 10 million items eligible for one-day delivery and until Thursday, Dec. 24 to order millions more items that are eligible for same-day delivery, which is free for Prime members or those who place orders of at least $35 and reside in qualifying areas.
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And of course, if you like to leave things to the absolute last moment, you can still purchase digital gifts such as Amazon e-gift cards and Prime memberships for your loved ones from the comfort of your bed on Christmas morning.
But just because you're a last-minute shopper doesn't mean you have to leave cash -- or valuable credit card points -- on the table. This year, more than ever before, credit card companies are incentivizing you to use their card for your Amazon shopping by offering bonus points and even large cash discounts.
These bonus points and savings can add up quickly -- here's a look at how you can save on your Amazon purchases.
Save money on Amazon using as little as 1 point
Amazon allows you to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou points to pay for some or all of your next order of items shipped and sold by Amazon. Unfortunately, the redemption rate usually isn't at a value that we recommend since it comes in at under 1 cent per point.
But -- when there are offers encouraging you to get used to redeeming points at Amazon by offering a big discount for point redemptions, it can make sense. Often, these promos are targeted, so you may or may not be able to take advantage, but it's worth checking. You will likely need to connect your credit card points account to Amazon and pay with that method of payment in order to become eligible for these deals.
Check here to see if you’re targeted for the offer.
Load up your cart with $30 or more of eligible items sold by Amazon (Amazon gift cards excluded) and save $10 by redeeming as few as 1 Chase Ultimate Rewards point.
The promotion runs through Jan. 31, 2021, or when 45,000 customers have redeemed the offer (whichever is earlier).
This holiday season, there is a very lucrative offer from Amex: Use your card at Amazon, Target and Walmart through Dec. 31, to earn 8x points on up to a total of $375 in eligible purchases. Log in to your American Express account and look for this promotion in the Amex Offers tab.
Note that with this offer, you’re capped at a total of 3,000 bonus points. This means you’ll only receive this bonus for $375 in spending. Note that you can only register one type of Amex card in your account for this deal, so choose wisely.
Screenshot courtesy of American Express
TPGers report that this offer has been spotted on cards that earn Membership Rewards, such as:
American Express® Gold Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
In most cases, this will mean you're earning a total of 9 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent, which according to TPG valuations, amounts to an 18% return in rewards for each dollar spent with Amazon.
There is also a similar Amex Offer that awards 6x points per $1 at Amazon, Target and Walmart promotion for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card holders. This deal is valid for up to $3,500 in combined charges until Dec. 27, 2021.
Amazon, Target, Walmart bonus promotion for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card holders. (Screenshot courtesy of American Express)
Chase cards offer 5x Amazon bonus plus 3x or 5x on groceries
If you've got a Chase cobranded travel rewards card in your wallet, chances are you received an email about an excellent promo that offers 5x points per $1 on Amazon purchases and either 3x or 5x per $1 on grocery purchases.
United Club Infinite Card (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
United Explorer Card (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
The World of Hyatt Credit Card (5x Amazon, 3x groceries)
IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card (5x Amazon, 3x groceries)
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
If you have a "legacy" card, one that isn't open to new applicants, it may still qualify for this promotion. Examples of qualifying legacy cards include:
United Club (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
United Mileage Plus (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
United Mileage Plus Awards (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
United MileagePlus Select (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
United Presidential Plus (5x Amazon, 5x groceries)
Tips for whichever card you choose for your Amazon spend
First and foremost, stop what you're doing right now and register for the Amazon bonus that makes the most sense for you. You can't earn bonus points if you don't register and it's easy to forget.
Next, log in to your Amazon account and make the credit card you've chosen to maximize a bonus offer the default method of payment. This way, you won't accidentally pay using a card that's offering a lesser --- or no -- bonus.
If you're a big spender on Amazon, keep track of your total expenditures. If you cap out on the bonus on one card, change out the default payment method with a different card that's also offering bonus points per dollar spent.
Just be sure you've registered for that card's bonus as well.
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.
