You know that feeling when you open your credit card statement and see rewards points piling up that can be used for free travel? For years you’ve been using your Amazon Prime credit card for all your purchases, big and small, racking up points along the way without much thought.
But have you stopped to consider how much those points are really worth and how you can maximize their value? If you’re like most people, probably not. Well, listen up, because with some strategic spending and redemption, those points can translate into thousands of dollars of free travel each year.
Over the last 12 months, I earned enough points for over $3,000 in travel just by using my Amazon Prime credit card for purchases I was making anyway.
Read on to find out how I achieved it and how you may follow my example. If you understand how to play the game, the benefits are yours for the taking.
Earning Rewards Points With the Amazon Prime Credit Card
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card makes it easy to earn rewards points for free travel. Here are a few of the ways I’ve racked up thousands of points over the years:
•Use it for all your Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. You’ll earn 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, which really adds up if you shop there a lot. I do most of my grocery and household shopping at Whole Foods, so this benefit alone gets me hundreds of points each month.
•Take advantage of special financing offers. You may regularly take advantage of Amazon deals to receive 6, 12, or even 24 months of interest-free financing on significant purchases. Look for these discounts when purchasing pricey items so you may pay them off over time and without incurring any penalties. That translates to extra points in your account.
•Refer friends and family. For each friend you refer who gets approved for the card, you’ll earn a $50 Amazon gift card. I’ve referred a few friends over the years, earning me $200 in Amazon credit so far which I then used to buy more things and earn additional points!
•Use your points for travel. Once you’ve earned enough points, the fun part begins—redeeming them for free travel! You can book hotels, cruises, rental cars and more. I’ve used my points for free nights at hotels in New York City, San Francisco and Honolulu. There’s no better feeling than earning a free tropical getaway!
•Take advantage of bonus point offers. Amazon frequently runs special promotions where you can earn bonus points for certain types of purchases. For example, they’ll offer 5 or 10 points per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations or for shopping at Amazon Fashion. Look for these deals and do some targeted spending to maximize your points.
Between the rewards, bonuses, and referrals, I’ve earned well over 50,000 points—which translates to $500 in free travel—in just a couple of years. The points really do add up if you use the card for all your spending and take advantage of all the benefits!
Redeeming Rewards Points for Free Travel
Once you’ve earned enough points from using your Amazon Prime credit card for your daily purchases, it’s time to redeem them for some free travel!
Find available travel options
Log in to your credit card account and check how many points you have available to redeem. You’ll see options like flights, hotels, cruises, and more. Compare the points required for different types of travel to get the best value. Generally, aim for at least 1 cent per point in redemption value.
Search for flights
Check your point balance to see whether you may fly for free one way or round trip. Enter the cities of departure and arrival as well as the intended trip dates.
The options will show the retail price vs. the points required. Go for economy seats which typically provide the best point value. Upgrading to business or first class is usually not the best use of your points.
Book a hotel
If flights aren’t your thing or you want a full vacation, use your points to book free hotel nights. Search for locations around the world and check nightly rates and the corresponding points. Weeknights and off-season travel typically require fewer points. Luxury properties may need a lot of points, so check for budget-friendly hotels too.
With some strategic planning, your Amazon Prime credit card points can translate into an incredible free getaway. Keep using that card for all your purchases and those points will add up fast! Before you know it, you’ll be packing your bags for an unforgettable reward trip.
Maximizing the Amazon Prime Credit Card for Travel Perks
To maximize the Amazon Prime credit card for travel perks, focus on using it for all your Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
Every dollar you spend at Amazon and Whole Foods earns you 3% back in Amazon rewards points. These points add up quickly and can be redeemed for statement credits to cover travel expenses like hotels, airfare, and car rentals.
- Use your card any time you shop on Amazon.com, Audible, Whole Foods (both in-store and through Prime Now), Amazon Fresh, and other Amazon subscription services. Even small purchases like a Kindle book or streaming a movie will earn rewards points.
- Look for ways to do more of your regular shopping at Whole Foods. Buy produce, packaged goods, and toiletries to earn more points. If available in your area, use Prime Now for Whole Foods delivery to earn points without leaving home.
- Take advantage of special offers and bonuses. Periodically, Amazon offers special promotions for extra points on certain types of purchases. For example, they may offer 5% back on electronics or 10% back for Prime Day. Stack these limited-time offers with your standard 3% back to boost your points balance.
- Redeem points for travel purchases made on Amazon. Once you have 2,000 points (worth $20), you can apply them to cover part or all of an eligible travel purchase like a hotel stay, rental car, or airline ticket booked on Amazon.
With regular use of the Amazon Prime credit card for all your Amazon and Whole Foods shopping, you can earn thousands of dollars in rewards points each year to redeem for free travel.
Keep an eye out for special bonus offers and ways to maximize the points you earn on every purchase. Before you know it, you’ll be booking travel for less thanks to all the points you’ve racked up, just by shopping at places you already frequent!
Conclusion
So there you have it, a step-by-step guide on how I earned thousands of dollars in free travel with my Amazon Prime credit card. Between the sign-up bonus, referral bonuses, and ongoing point accrual from regular spending, the rewards have really added up over time.
The key is to take advantage of all the benefits the card offers and be strategic in how you redeem your points for maximum value. If you love to travel and are already an avid Amazon shopper, this card is a no-brainer.
Apply now and start earning your way toward an all-expenses paid dream vacation on Amazon’s dime. The world awaits! What are you waiting for?