Have you been building up credit card rewards throughout the year? It’s time to start cashing them in. Even if you take a low-key approach to the season, holiday expenses can sneak up and put a strain on your budget. Give yourself (and your holiday budget) an early gift and check out what credit card rewards you have available. Follow our holiday shopping tips in these 3 key areas to help make your holidays merry and bright.
Cash in Rewards for Shopping for Gifts
Seems like a no-brainer, right? There are a couple of different ways to get creative with rewards shopping. First, the basics. Cash your rewards in for gift cards to the store you’re planning to shop at, then use those gift cards to help defray the cost of present purchases.
But we understand that sometimes you get caught up in the rush of holiday sales on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. You find the perfect present, and you don’t have the time to order a gift card to pay for it. Don’t worry! You can still redeem credit card points to help cover the costs. If you paid for the gift(s) with your credit card, utilize cash back via statement credit. It’s like getting a rebate without having to mail in an annoying form!
Have a hard time shopping for loved ones? Let them choose their perfect gift. In addition to cashing in rewards for gift cards for your own shopping needs, you can also make your rewards gift card the gift. With rush shipping, electronic delivery, and gift shipping available, a gift card may be the money and time-saving solution you’ve been looking for.
Use Rewards for Travel
Heading over the river and through the woods? Getting to Grandma’s can be expensive. It’s easy to dream about using travel rewards for an exotic getaway, but if you already know you have to visit family, it might make sense to cut your costs now. Redeem miles, book a hotel room, or cover the cost for gas with credit card points for some savvy holiday savings.
Capitalize on Rewards for Dining Out
Between taking out family and friends, attending company and social functions, or just grabbing carry out during a packed week of shopping and decorating, you’ll probably be upping your budget for eating out in the months of November and December. Covering the cost of a meal here and there with credit card rewards may seem like smaller savings than booking a flight, but they can add up quickly. Plus, if you don’t have enough points available for bigger buys like travel, you can still utilize your savings on a smaller scale.
Ready to cash in? Visit your Santander Bank online banking profile to redeem credit card points. Don’t have any rewards saved up? Start preparing for next year! Compare credit cards, then apply online to start earning points.
