Use the United Mileage Plus X App in Store For Extra Points
- Download the United MileagePlus X app.
- Search the App for an e-Gift card for the store you're shopping at.
- Buy the e-gift card.
- Use the e-gift card to pay at the register (ex: Famous Footwear).
- Or order in advance and pick up in store (ex: Target, Starbucks & Panera).
Always Check Your Credit Cards for "Offers"
Most credit cards have "Offers" for money back or bonus points at different stores. Am Ex has "merchant offers," Chase has "Chase Offers," Capital One Venture X has great "Credits for Shopping," Bank of America cards have "BankAmerideals," etc. The offers are normally listed at the bottom of your credit card apps.
My strategies:
- Make a point of checking credit cards for offers at least once a month.
- Select offers that you may use.
- Don't forget to use your card with the offer when making the purchase!
Use AA's Simply Miles with a Mastercard to Stack Miles & Saving
American Airlines has Simply Miles to earn Miles that can be used in stores or stacked with portal offers. For example, the day I'm writing this they're offering 465 miles for spending $20 at BP gas stations. Simply Miles can only be used with Mastercard. Check the site, link your Mastercard, select what you're interested in and then pay with the Mastercard. Easy, free bonus miles for things you're buying anyway.
Stack & Roll Savings at Drug Stores!
In addition to saving points for travel, I like to save money on everyday purchases. One easy way I save money each week is to stack the savings at my local drugstore, CVS. (Rite Aide & Walgreens have similar programs.) I pay with a points earning credit card, or a gift card I pick up at a place my credit card earns 5x (or other x) points!
I buy most of my toiletries (sunscreen, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, razors etc.) and things like toilet paper and laundry detergent at CVS saving at least $100 per month for my family of five.
Steps:
- Download the CVS App.
- Check your weekly CVS add for "Extra Care Buck" (ECB) deals.
- Check the app for coupons on the same items that come with ECBs.
- Pay with a points earning card, or gift card.
- Stack your savings, getting the coupon discount immediately and earning the ECBs for later use.
- Go back into the app to select the ECBs you just earned, so you can use them like cash for your next purchase.
- Keep rolling the savings